Private Full Day Tour Madeira: West Side with Cabo Girão

See the west side of Madeira in one day, from a fishing village to Europe's highest cliff.

A private full-day tour of Madeira's west side with a live guide in English or Portuguese, starting from your hotel. You visit Câmara de Lobos, a working fishing village on the coast; Cabo Girão, the second-highest cliff in the world at 580 meters; and a choice of other towns and beaches depending on your interests. The tour runs 7 to 8 hours with pickup and drop-off included.

Step-by-step itinerary

West side island tour highlights

• Choose island region to explore
• Visit Câmara de Lobos fishing village
• See Cabo Girão cliff viewpoint
• Explore Ribeira Brava town and church
• Stop at Calheta beach and rum area
• Visit Madalena do Mar village views
• Enjoy Prazeres farm and cider tasting
• View Ponta do Pargo lighthouse
• Ride cable car at Achadas da Cruz
• See Miradouro of Santa in Porto Moniz
• Visit Porto Moniz natural pools and aquarium
• Explore Ribeira da Janela coastal rocks
• Visit Seixal village and beach
• Drive through São Vicente village

The experience

How do you see the west side of Madeira without renting a car or joining a group? This private tour starts with pickup from your hotel and takes you through the landscape, monuments and beaches of the island's western half. You choose the direction (east, west, south or north), and the guide adjusts the stops to match. The vehicle is air-conditioned and the driver handles all the navigation, so you spend the day looking out the window instead of at a map.

The tour always includes Câmara de Lobos, a fishing village where boats sit in a small bay below colorful houses. The name comes from the monk seals that once filled the bay. Today it's known for Poncha, a local drink made with citrus, honey and rum. From there you head to Cabo Girão, the second-highest cliff in the world and the highest in Europe, rising 580 meters above the sea. The view back toward Câmara de Lobos and Funchal spreads below you, and the cliff face shows caves and erosion carved by centuries of waves. On clear days the perspective is sharp enough that the drop feels immediate.

Beyond those two anchors, the route opens up. Depending on what you want to see, the guide can take you to Ribeira Brava, a town that connects the north and west with a 16th-century church and a fort; to Calheta, known for sun and a beach and for the local rum made from sugar cane; to Ponta do Pargo, where a lighthouse sits above a touristy viewpoint; to Porto Moniz in the northwest, famous for natural pools carved into the rock where you can swim; or to smaller villages like Seixal, which won a European award for its landscape of mountains meeting sea. Some stops are quick (a coffee and a view), while others give you time to walk or swim. The guide speaks English or Portuguese and knows which places suit the time you have left.

What’s included

• Free hotel pickup and drop-off.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• live guide in English or Portuguese.

Before you book

Lasts 7h–8h, runs every day at 08:30, 09:00 and 17:00, from € 270 per group, with a live guide in English and Portuguese, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30, 09:00 and 17:00

Book up to4h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Madeira Luxury Tours

Is this one for you?This tour is private, so the guide adjusts the pace and stops to what you want to see rather than keeping to a fixed group schedule. Choose it if you want to explore the west side at your own rhythm without driving yourself or waiting for a shared departure time.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Portuguese.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Câmara de Lobos and why is it on this tour?

Câmara de Lobos is a fishing village on the west coast near Funchal, where boats shelter in a small bay below the town. The name comes from the monk seals that once lived there. It's included because it shows the traditional working side of Madeira and is known locally for Poncha, a regional drink made with citrus, honey and rum.

How high is Cabo Girão and what can you see from the top?

Cabo Girão rises 580 meters (1,775 feet) above the sea, making it the second-highest cliff in the world and the highest in Europe. From the top you have a view back toward Câmara de Lobos and Funchal, and you can see caves and terrain formed along the coast by natural erosion from the sea.

Can I choose which towns and beaches to visit on this tour?

Yes. The tour covers the west side of Madeira, but you choose the direction and the guide adjusts the stops to match your interests. Options include Ribeira Brava, Calheta, Ponta do Pargo, Porto Moniz with its natural pools, Seixal, and several smaller villages, each with different attractions: beaches, viewpoints, local food or historical sites.

How long does this tour take and what's included in the price?

The tour runs 7 to 8 hours. Pickup from your hotel, the air-conditioned vehicle, the guide, and drop-off are all included. You pay separately for food, drinks and any activities at individual stops.

Is this tour shared with other travelers or private?

This is a private tour, so it's just you and your group in the vehicle with the guide. No other travelers are added to the booking.