Madeira is all curves and viewpoints, and this tour strings them together. You get two full days from Funchal with a packed itinerary that handles the driving and timing for you. Plus, it’s a small group (max 16), so the guide can actually answer questions while you’re stopped.

I love that the stops mix big-name views with real local texture: fishing towns like Câmara de Lobos, church-and-town breaks, and the nature areas that make Madeira feel different. I also like the guide-energy—people often single out Leonel, Lionel, Renato, Gloria, and Paulo for staying engaging and explaining what you’re looking at.

The main drawback to plan for is the road-and-weather factor. If you’re prone to motion sickness, you’ll be on winding mountain roads for hours, and one passenger feedback pointed out there may be limited help if someone feels unwell mid-trip.

Key things that make this tour worth your time

• Two-day “east then west” routing so you see far more than just the area around Funchal
• Small group size (max 16) for better interaction and less chaos at viewpoints
• A strong mix of icons and everyday Madeira, from Cabo Girão to Santana’s triangular houses
• Natural highlights with real rules of the island, like volcanic pools at Porto Moniz and clouds at Pico do Arieiro
• Guides who keep it lively, with frequent praise for Lionel/Leonel, Renato, Gloria, and Paulo’s humor and explanations
• Free admissions on most stops (Cabo Girão is the notable paid add-on)

Two Days Around Madeira From Funchal: What the Schedule Feels Like

This runs 9:00am to 5:00pm each day, with pickup offered from Funchal city centre and the main tourist area. If you’re staying in Caniço de Baixo or Garajau, pickup is available for groups of at least two people; otherwise, you’ll be guided to the nearest meeting point in Funchal.

In practice, that time window matters. Madeira’s roads aren’t highways; they twist through mountains and coast. A tour like this is built for that reality. You’ll spend a lot of the day outside the van, at viewpoints and small towns, then back on the road before traffic and light change too much.

Also, expect the order of activities can shift. That’s not a red flag here—it’s how weather and road conditions often get managed on an island tour.

Price and value: getting a lot of Madeira for $72.56

At $72.56 per person for two days, the value comes from two things: coverage and most admissions are free.

Cabo Girão is the key paid exception listed in the plan: you’ll go up to the famous viewpoint (with its glass balcony), but the admission ticket isn’t included. The rest of the listed stops are marked as free admissions. That means you’re not constantly paying little entry fees throughout the day.

The other value lever is time. With this kind of island routing, renting a car often turns into a full-time job: planning routes, parking, and timing stops while the island’s weather changes fast. Here, you’re buying offloading the driving and logistics, and paying for guide commentary while you’re out there taking it in.

And because it’s a max-16 group, you’re not stuck in a cattle-line. Many of the best-rated experiences emphasize that the guides can keep people together without feeling rushed.

Day 1 from the heights to the coast: Cabo Girão, levadas, Porto Moniz

Day 1 leans toward the west and north-west side of the island, with a strong start at altitude and ends at a classic coastline village.

Cabo Girão: 580m up, glass balcony views

You start with Cabo Girão, rising to 580 meters above the sea. This is the famous viewpoint with a glass balcony, often described as one of the highest in Europe and the second highest cliff in the world. You get about 30 minutes here.

Two practical notes:

1) Bring layers even if Funchal feels mild—wind can change fast at cliffs.

2) Since Cabo Girão admission isn’t included, check what you’ll need to pay before you get to the entrance so it doesn’t slow the group down.

Ribeira Brava: a 15th-century church break

Next comes Ribeira Brava with a stop for a walk through the village and a church dating from the 15th century. You’ll have about 30 minutes.

This is a good kind of break: not just a look from far away, but a chance to see how a Madeira town sits in the landscape. It also helps to reset your legs before the mountain-road stretches.

Madalena do Mar: banana plantations and a quick green wander

Then you’ll pass into Madalena do Mar for a short visit through banana plantations—about 25 minutes.

Not everyone will rate this as the top stop, but it’s a useful reminder that Madeira isn’t only cliffs and clouds. It’s also agriculture, slopes, and island-scale production. Keep your expectations realistic: you’re not doing a long hike here, more like a taste.

Fonte do Bispo: altitude, Paúl de Serra, and levadas access

From around 1,300–1,500 meters, you reach Fonte do Bispo with views over Paúl de Serra. This stop is also described as the start of several walks along the levadas—Madeira’s famous irrigation channels that connect points of interest through forest.

You’ll have about 20 minutes here. That’s short, but it sets the context for why people come to Madeira for walking routes—even if you aren’t doing one that day.

Porto Moniz: lunch plus volcanic natural pools

Porto Moniz is the big “cool off” stop. You’ll get lunch and free time, roughly 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours. This is home to the largest natural volcanic pools in Madeira.

If the weather cooperates, it’s possible to swim. So yes—bring a swimsuit if you want the option. Even if you don’t swim, walking around the pool area gives you a different kind of Madeira view: not cliffs from above, but sea meeting rock at water level.

Seixal and Véu de Noiva: the waterfall that looks like a curtain

Next is a brief stop in Seixal, with emphasis on the Véu de Noiva waterfall—a drop that water runs down the mountainside after wind and rain sculpted the rock over time. Plan about 20 minutes.

This is one of those stops where the quality depends on conditions. If it’s wet and moving, it’s more dramatic. If it’s dry, you still get the rock-and-water story, just at a softer intensity.

São Vicente: 17th-century church in a quiet village

Then you’ll visit São Vicente and a beautiful church dating from the 17th century. You’ll have about 30 minutes.

It’s a classic “slow down and breathe” stop. You get some shade, some streets to wander, and a sense of Madeira that isn’t only viewpoint postcards.

Câmara de Lobos: fishing village and Churchill’s painting connection

Finally, you end the day at Câmara de Lobos, about 5 km from Funchal. This is the fishing village strongly linked to Winston Churchill, who apparently loved painting it.

You’ll get around 30 minutes. It’s a fitting finish because it puts Madeira’s rugged coast next to something human-scale: boats, smoke, and a harbor rhythm you can actually feel.

Day 2 across the east: Cristo Rei, Ponta de São Lourenço, Pico do Arieiro

Day 2 pushes farther into the island’s eastern side, with dramatic nature stops and a couple of history-and-culture moments.

Cristo Rei in Garajau: the statue on a cliffy coastline

You start at Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau for about 30 minutes. The statue is positioned in a striking spot on the east coast and is described as emblematic of the area.

This one is quick but effective. It gives you a “wide angle” geography lesson—how Madeira’s east coastline juts toward the Atlantic.

Machico: the island’s early capital history

Next is Machico, with about 20 minutes. Machico is noted as the second most populous city on the island and the first capital of Madeira (1440–1496), under Tristão Vaz Teixeira. It’s also tied to first settlers settling around 1420, with Funchal becoming capital later in 1508.

Even with limited time, this is worth it because it adds a timeline layer to all the scenery. You’re not only looking at cliffs—you’re seeing where people established themselves.

Ponta de São Lourenço: the easternmost nature reserve feel

You’ll then head to Ponta de São Lourenço (Ponta do Rosto), about 30 minutes. It’s the easternmost point of Madeira and a nature reserve with panoramic Atlantic views and rock formations different from the rest of the island.

This stop is built for people who want a change in scenery: less lush and folded-looking, more exposed rock and long ocean sightlines.

Porto da Cruz: rum history at Engenhos do Norte

In Porto da Cruz, about 30 minutes, you’ll find a stop tied to sugarcane’s importance. There’s an old rum distillery, Engenhos do Norte, where you can enter freely. Steam machines are still part of the working rhythm (at least as the tour describes it).

If you like food and local industry stories, this is one of the more interesting “Madeira beyond views” stops on the day.

Santana: the triangular thatched houses plus time to eat

Then it’s Santana, about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours total, including lunch/free time. Santana is known for colorful triangular thatched houses, with origins traced back to the 16th century.

This is one of your longer stops. Use it to take photos, but also to slow down and watch daily life. The time buffer matters here because you might want coffee or a quick lunch without racing to the next viewpoint.

Ribeiro Frio: trout pools and easy nature walks

Next you’ll reach Ribeiro Frio, about 30 minutes. It’s described as a natural park in a deep valley in the north of the island, known for trout farming pools and nature trails.

The bird list given includes local species like pigeon and chaffinch, plus a smaller bird called bis-bis. If you enjoy wildlife that isn’t just “look and leave,” this stop gives you a calmer pace.

Pico do Arieiro: clouds, 1818m views, and Poço da Neve

You finish at Pico do Arieiro, standing at 1,818 meters, described as the island’s third highest peak. You get about 30 minutes.

Here’s what makes it so compelling: the views can be unreal when weather is clear, with clouds hovering around rock formations. On a good day, it’s even possible to see the south coast, Curral das Freiras, and Porto Santo.

You’ll also pass the Poço da Neve, described as an igloo-like stone well built by an English family to store ice, snow, and hail. The plan also notes a radar installed in 2011 at the summit, which adds a modern layer to the peak’s story.

The guide factor: why names like Lionel, Renato, Gloria, and Paulo keep showing up

A lot of the high ratings weren’t just about places. They were about how the day was carried by the guide.

When you’re with Lionel or Leonel, the praise often points to a mix of history, humor, and group engagement. One detailed comment even notes Lionel switching between Spanish and English so nobody felt left out. That’s a real comfort on an island where weather can change plans, and you want the explanations to stay clear.

Renato is also singled out for being fun and informative, with an easy rapport. Gloria and Paulo show up in feedback as drivers and guides who keep things moving while still explaining what you’re seeing.

Two practical considerations from the feedback patterns:

• If you’re sensitive to loud microphone sound, it’s worth knowing that some guides use mic-style commentary continuously.
• If you’re worried about motion sickness, seating matters (more on that next).

Motion sickness and comfort tips for Madeira’s winding roads

Madeira roads are dramatic, and the tour uses those roads. If you get car sick, take it seriously before you get on the van.

One guest story described a passenger feeling unwell while seated toward the back, with limited help if someone is sick or hurt mid-route. The key practical takeaway: don’t assume there will be time or supplies to deal with nausea quickly.

So here’s what I’d do:

• Sit toward the front if you can.
• Bring a small zip bag or wrap for personal needs, just in case.
• If you know you’re prone to it, plan to take it easy before pickup and consider remedies you already trust.

Other comfort tips that match what worked for people: extra layers for the mountains (temperature swings are real), and binoculars if you enjoy spotting details on coastlines and peaks. And on the Porto Moniz day, pack your swimwear if you want the option to use the natural pools.

Weather reality: why clouds can be the point

The itinerary hits several “top of the island” moments—Cabo Girão, Fonte do Bispo area, and especially Pico do Arieiro. That’s great when the sky is clear.

But it’s Madeira. Clouds roll in. A few reviews highlight scenery with clouds hovering and also that peak views can disappear when weather turns. So treat the peaks as weather-dependent. If visibility is poor, you’ll still get the island’s feeling through rock shapes, mist, and changes in atmosphere.

That’s why layers matter. A light jacket or warm layer helps whether you get sun or fog.

Who this tour suits best (and who should skip it)

This is a strong fit if you:

• Want a lot of island highlights without planning a drive route
• Don’t want to rent a car and manage parking across different parts of the island
• Like learning what you’re seeing while still getting free time to wander at key stops

It may be less ideal if you:

• Have serious motion sickness needs and can’t handle winding roads
• Want lots of long hikes or extended time at a single nature trail (this is a “see and move” style tour)

Should you book Around The Island (2 Days)? My take

If you’re short on time and want a true east-west snapshot, this tour is a smart buy. You’re paying for two full days of routing, small-group handling, and a guided narrative through Madeira’s main contrasts: cliff viewpoints, levada country, volcanic pools, and the high-peak finale at Pico do Arieiro.

I’d book it if you’re the kind of traveler who likes variety and wants your itinerary built for you. Just go in prepared: dress for mountain weather shifts, plan for winding-road comfort, and treat Cabo Girão as a paid viewpoint add-on you should budget for.

If that all sounds like you, this is the kind of tour that can make Madeira feel very manageable—without flattening it into a checklist.

FAQ

What time does the Around The Island tour start and end each day?

The tour runs from 9:00am to 5:00pm each day.

Where does pickup happen?

Pickup is available from Funchal city centre and the main tourist area. There is also pickup from hotels in Caniço de Baixo and Garajau for a minimum of two people. If your accommodation is outside those areas, you’ll be directed to the nearest meeting point in Funchal.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 16 travelers.

Is the glass balcony at Cabo Girão included in the price?

At Cabo Girão, admission tickets are not included, and you’ll have about 30 minutes at the viewpoint.

Which stops have free admission?

The itinerary lists free admission for the majority of stops, including Ribeira Brava, Madalena do Mar, Fonte do Bispo, Porto Moniz (including the free-time portion), Seixal/Véu de Noiva, São Vicente, Câmara de Lobos, Cristo Rei, Machico, Ponta de São Lourenço, Porto da Cruz, Santana, Ribeiro Frio, and Pico do Arieiro.

Is the tour language English?

Yes, it’s offered in English, and mobile tickets are provided.