Pico do Arieiro & Cristo Rei 4x4 tour from Funchal

Drive the mountain passes and ridgelines most visitors only see from below

This 4.5-hour open-roof 4x4 tour from Funchal ascends Pico do Arieiro, descends through Santo Serra's off-road terrain, and finishes at Cristo Rei viewpoint overlooking the city and cliffs. A professional guide in English, Spanish, Portuguese or French leads the route. Pickup and drop-off in central Funchal or the port are included, and children from age 3 travel free with specialized infant seats available.

Step-by-step itinerary

Scenic views and off-road adventure

• View Funchal and Desertas islands
• Ascend to Pico do Arieiro
• Enjoy landscapes from 1818 meters
• Experience off-road at Santo da Serra
• Visit traditional terraces in Santa Cruz
• End at Cristo Rei viewpoint

The experience

You start in central Funchal or the port, then climb toward Pico do Arieiro at 1,818 meters. The road climbs steeply but stays paved until the summit, where the landscape opens to views across Ponta de São Lourenço, Ribeiro Frio and Paúl da Serra. The open roof means you stand up into the air and photograph without glass between you and the ridge.

The off-road section happens at Santo Serra, where the vehicle leaves the main road and picks through terraced farmland. These are working slopes: locals still farm them the way their families have for generations, and the 4x4 navigates the narrow tracks between plots. It is not a rough scramble. It is a working landscape you move through slowly enough to see how it is built.

The tour ends at Cristo Rei, a historical viewpoint where you look back down at Funchal and the cliffs that drop to the ocean. A guide walks you through the stops and explains what you are standing in front of, but the day is built around the driving itself: the switchbacks, the altitude, the way the island reveals itself from each elevation. Safety instructions and first aid are covered before you leave. All insurances follow Portuguese law, and the vehicles are disinfected before and after each tour.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English, Spanish, Portuguese or French.
• free pickup and drop-off in central Funchal or the port.
• safety instructions and first aid briefing.
• all insurances in accordance with Portuguese law.
• local taxes.
• vehicle disinfection before and after the tour.
• specialized infant seats available for children from age 3.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday and FridayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats available

Operated by True Spirit

Is this one for you?At 4.5 hours, the tour leaves the rest of your day open. Book it in the morning and have the afternoon free, or take it in the afternoon and keep the morning for the old town. The open roof and off-road section are the point. If you want to see Madeira's heights from a regular car window, a standard minibus tour will get you there faster and cheaper.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 10 years). Under 3: they can't be included in the booking.

What's the highest point we reach on this tour?

Pico do Arieiro stands at 1,818 meters, and the tour climbs there in the open-roof vehicle so you see the landscape widen as you gain altitude.

Is the off-road driving rough, or is it a gentle track?

Santo Serra's off-road section runs through terraced farmland on narrow working tracks between plots: slow, navigable driving through a landscape locals still farm, not a rock scramble.

Can I bring a three-year-old on this tour?

Children from age 3 are welcome, and specialized infant seats are available if you need one. Let the operator know when you book.

How long is the whole tour, and does it leave time for other activities?

The tour runs 4.5 hours, which leaves most of the day free if you book a morning or afternoon departure.

Does the price include pickup from my hotel?

Pickup and drop-off are free from central Funchal or the port. Pickup outside that area carries an additional fee, which you can arrange at checkout.

What's included in the tour price?

The price covers pickup and drop-off in central Funchal or the port, a professional guide in your choice of language, safety instructions, all insurances under Portuguese law, and local taxes. Food and drinks are separate.