Things to do in Madeira
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Funchal Airport - City: Private Transfer with Local DriverYou’ll step off your flight in Madeira and spot your driver waiting with your name — no hunting for taxis or figuring out buses. Enjoy a smooth ride in an air-conditioned car through Funchal or Caniço, maybe pick up some local tips from your driver along the way. It’s a gentle welcome you’ll remember long after you unpack.
Funchal: Pico do Areeiro & Santana 4x4 Peak TourYou're picked up from your Funchal hotel and driven into Madeira's interior in a 4x4, stopping at Machico's waterfront, Portela Viewpoint, the rum distillery in Porto da Cruz with tasting included, the traditional village of Santana, and finally Pico do Areeiro at 1,818 meters for panoramic views across the island and sea. Lunch is at your own expense in Santana; the driver handles all navigation and timing, returning you to your hotel by late afternoon.Is it for me?Choose this tour if you want to explore Madeira's interior and peaks without renting a car or planning stops yourself — the 4x4 and driver handle the mountain roads and timing, leaving you free to focus on the views and the villages.
Madeira West Coast: Private sidecar tour with guideYou’ll ride in a vintage sidecar along Madeira’s wild west coast with a local guide who knows every twist of the road. Expect stops at Câmara de Lobos harbor, dizzying views from Cabo Girão’s glass platform, banana groves and sugar cane fields, plus time for poncha in Calheta — all those small moments you’ll remember long after you leave.
Funchal: Jeep Tour Pico do Arieiro & Santana with Laurissilva ForestYou ride in a small Jeep from Funchal up to Pico do Arieiro's mountain views, walk through Laurissilva Forest and its trout nursery, visit Santana's thatched-roof village with a waterfall, then descend to the arid volcanic cliffs of Ponta de São Lourenço on the island's east tip. The route adjusts for weather, includes a small walk and optional swimming stop, and returns you to Funchal by late afternoon or early evening.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the whole island—mountains, forest, villages and volcanic cliffs—in one day without driving yourself or managing separate transport and timing. The Jeep's flexibility and small-group size are what make a full-island route fit into a single afternoon.
Madeira East Tour: Pico Arieiro, Santana & Ponta de São LourençoYou visit eight locations across Madeira's east side in one day: a mountain peak at 1,818 meters with possible cloud views, a forest walk in the Laurissilva, traditional Santana village, two viewpoints, and the rocky eastern peninsula. A guide leads the route and manages timing; entrance fees to Pico Arieiro and the forest walk are separate, and lunch is on your own. The route can shift if weather turns, so flexibility helps.Is it for me?Choose this if you want to see the full east side of Madeira in one day without renting a car or planning eight separate stops—the guide handles the route, timing and navigation, leaving you to focus on the views and the villages.
Madeira Northeast 4x4 Safari: Santana Houses & Laurisilva ForestYou spend a full day in a 4x4 exploring Madeira's northeast, starting with hotel pickup and moving through São Vicente, the Laurisilva forest, and the village of Santana with its distinctive triangular houses. You stop at coastal viewpoints, visit a rum distillery in Porto da Cruz, and end at Boca das Voltas for panoramic views of the valleys and ocean. The tour includes a local guide, all taxes and insurance, and returns you to your hotel by evening.Is it for me?Best for travelers who want to see the quieter northeast villages and landscapes that regular buses don't reach, and who don't mind spending a full day on mountain roads to get there. The 4x4 is what makes the remote stops possible, not a luxury upgrade.
East Madeira: Pico do Arieiro, Santana & Ponta de São LourençoYou're picked up from your hotel and driven through five distinct landscapes — mountain peak, ancient forest, traditional village, coastal cliffs, and historic town — with a local guide explaining the geology, history and culture as you go. Lunch is included if you choose it, and the small-group format means the van doesn't feel crowded. You're back in Funchal by evening, having covered the east side of the island without arranging transport or timing it yourself.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the contrasting landscapes of East Madeira — mountains, forest, villages, and coastal cliffs — in a single day without renting a car or planning the route yourself; the small-group format and local guide mean you get context for what you're seeing instead of just passing through.
Funchal Airport Transfer: Private Car & Meet-and-GreetYou get picked up at arrivals or collected from your hotel with no waiting, travel in a private air-conditioned car, and arrive at your destination with a few local tips already in your pocket. The driver handles the route and timing, leaving you to start your trip the moment you step outside the terminal.Is it for me?Book this if you want to skip the taxi queue and arrive at your hotel without arranging transport yourself — the fixed price and scheduled pickup mean you know exactly what to expect before you land.
Snorkeling in Madeira from Funchal: Cabo Girão swim stopA half-day boat trip from Funchal on a private yacht carries up to 8 guests to Cabo Girão for swimming and snorkeling in clear water, with snacks, seasonal fruit, a cheeseboard and beverages served on deck. The crew shares insights about Madeira's geography and local history. Snorkeling equipment and towels are provided; an optional light meal (chicken salad wrap, vegetarian and vegan versions available) can be added at checkout.Is it for me?Book the half-day trip if you want to snorkel and swim without committing a full day, or choose the full-day option if you'd rather spend more time on the water and explore additional stops along the coast.
Funchal Airport to Hotel Transfer Madeira: Meet & GreetYou're met at arrivals with a name sign, driven in a private air-conditioned vehicle to your Funchal accommodation, and dropped at your hotel reception or apartment door. The driver waits up to ten minutes past your scheduled pickup time if your flight is delayed. Parking, facility fees, and GST are included; no negotiation required.Is it for me?Book this if you want to skip the taxi queue and arrive at your Funchal hotel without arranging transport or negotiating a fare—the driver is waiting with your name, the price is locked in, and the vehicle is already sorted for your needs.
Madeira: Pico do Arieiro & Santana tour with local guideYou’ll ride from Funchal up to Pico do Arieiro’s wild peaks, walk ancient laurel forests to Balcões viewpoint, meet locals in Santana’s storybook houses, and taste traditional rum in Porto da Cruz — all with a local guide who knows every shortcut and story. This is a day in Madeira you’ll remember long after you leave.
Madeira: Pico do Arieiro & Santana 4x4 Jeep Safari Full-DayYou ride in an open jeep from Funchal up to Pico do Arieiro's cloud-wrapped peak, descend through ancient forest and isolated villages, visit a traditional Santana house, walk a levada water channel if weather allows, and finish with a homemade Poncha drink. Hotel pickup is included, and the route stays off the main tourist roads. Lunch is optional but recommended; bring a jacket for the altitude.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want to see Madeira's mountains, hidden villages, and forest in one day without renting a car or navigating mountain roads themselves — the open jeep and small group size (max 8 people) mean you get both the views and the freedom to stop whenever something catches your eye.
Madeira Private Sailboat Tour: South Coast & Fajã dos PadresA private sailboat tour along Madeira's south coast explores both the east and west sides of the island, with stops at secluded beaches accessible only by sea and frequent opportunities to spot whales and dolphins. You choose between a half-day or full-day option, and can swim in mild Atlantic waters year-round; lunch is either at Fajã dos Padres beach (accessible only by boat or cable car) or prepared on board. The boat carries snorkeling equipment, an open bar with water, juices, beer and wine, and a restroom.Is it for me?Book the half-day if you want a morning or afternoon on the water without committing your whole day; choose the full-day option to explore both coasts thoroughly and have time to swim at multiple beaches. Either way, the private boat means the guide adjusts the route and pace to what your group wants to see, rather than following a fixed schedule.
Funchal Electric Car Self-Guided Tour: Explore City & Câmara de LobosYou’ll get to explore Funchal’s best spots—markets, historic squares, beaches, even a fishing village—all at your own pace in an easy-to-drive electric car. The app tells you stories as you go, so you won’t miss any details or hidden gems along the way.
Jeep Safari West Madeira: Cabo Girão, Fanal & Porto MonizA full-day jeep safari through western Madeira with a live guide in English or Portuguese, starting at Cabo Girão and ending at Porto Moniz, includes pickup from Funchal and an air-conditioned vehicle. The route runs off-road through the Laurissilva forest, stops at Fanal's centuries-old trees, and breaks for lunch and optional swimming at Porto Moniz's natural pools; the 589-meter Cabo Girão viewpoint opens the day.Is it for me?Pick this if you're based in Funchal without a car—the 4x4 and driver handle the north coast's rough terrain and remote forest roads that regular vehicles can't access.
Ponta de São Lourenço Boat Tour: Madeira Lighthouse & CavesThe Light House View Tour is a boat tour departing from Marina da Quinta do Lorde that travels through Baía d'Abra and Ponta de São Lourenço toward a 150-year-old lighthouse, the oldest in the Madeira Archipelago. The route passes sea caves, the North Coast, and Ilhéu do Desembarcadouro, with a return stop at Cais do Sardinha for a swim. Tours are led by a marine biologist guide in English or Portuguese; children from age 5 are welcome, and each person receives a glass of Madeira wine.Is it for me?The tour departs from Marina da Quinta do Lorde, so if you're staying in the eastern part of Madeira or have access to a rental car, getting there is straightforward. If you're based elsewhere on the island without a car, you'll need to arrange a taxi or check whether your hotel offers transport to the marina; the boat itself handles the rest of the day once you arrive.
Private Sunset Boat Tour Funchal: 2.5 hours, snacks includedA private 2.5-hour sunset boat tour from Funchal Marina takes up to 8 people along Madeira's dramatic coastline, with a crew who point out landmarks and marine life. Snacks, a cheese board, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are served on deck as you watch the sun dip below the Atlantic; the boat returns at a leisurely pace under the golden evening sky. Flexible departure time lets you time the sunset perfectly, and a restroom is on board.Is it for me?The boat departs from Funchal Marina in the city centre with public transport nearby, so you don't need a car or a long transfer to get on the water—book this if you're staying in town and want to see the sunset from the best angle without arranging your own vessel.
Madeira East Tour: Pico do Areeiro, Santana & North CoastYou climb to Madeira's third-highest peak, walk through a UNESCO forest, see the iconic A-frame houses of Santana up close, and drive the dramatic north coast with stops at Porto da Cruz and Ponta de São Lourenço. Lunch is included in the village, and your guide handles all the timing and route so you don't have to piece together five different stops yourself.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Madeira's most distinctive landmarks — the mountain, the forest, the famous houses — in one organized day without arranging five separate trips and timing them yourself. The fixed itinerary and included lunch mean you show up at your hotel and the rest is handled.
Ponta São Lourenço boat tour: 150-year-old lighthouseThis boat tour from Madeira circles Ponta São Lourenço, a volcanic peninsula and natural reserve where you see a 150-year-old lighthouse, sea caves along the North Coast, and the islet of Ilhéu do Desembarcadouro before swimming at Cais do Sardinha on the return. A live guide speaks English, Spanish or French, and the tour runs roughly two hours with all fees included.Is it for me?Pick this if you want a guided explanation of the lighthouse, caves, and endemic wildlife as you relax on a shared boat—not a private charter or self-guided kayak.
Madeira: Ponta de São Lourenço Sunrise Hike & Picnic with PickupYou’ll start before sunrise on Madeira’s eastern tip, hiking the Ponta de São Lourenço trail with a small group and local guide. Expect rocky paths, wild ocean views, and quiet moments as daylight breaks over the cliffs. After reaching Casa do Sardinha, relax with your picnic or take a swim if you’re brave — it’s all included with hotel pickup and drop-off.
