Madeira’s northwest has a way of messing with your sense of distance.

This full-day 4×4-style drive focuses on big views, quick scenic stops, and two standout nature areas: Fanal and Porto Moniz.

I like how the schedule balances photo stops with time to actually sit and look. Two things I especially appreciate: short, timed viewpoints (so you’re not stuck forever at one overlook) and time for a real nature walk around Fanal instead of just a stop-and-stare.

One thing to think through first: the title promises an open-roof experience, but on at least one day the roof stayed closed and there wasn’t much true off-road driving. If that’s your main reason for booking, you’ll want to set expectations tightly before you go.

Key highlights you’ll care about

• A high-altitude viewpoint stop at Bica da Cana (around 1580 m) for wide mountain views
• Fanal’s ancient forest feel with ancient trees at Posto Florestal Fanal
• Vereda do Fanal for laurisilva walking in one of Madeira’s most important forest zones
• Porto Moniz for volcanic swimming pools plus a full hour in the area
• A mix of waterfalls, sea cliffs, and coastal pools rather than only inland viewpoints

Madeira’s North and West, Packaged Into One Long Day

This is the kind of day trip that works well when you want more variety than a single-region tour. You’ll start in Funchal and spend the day moving around Madeira’s dramatic northwest, switching between mountains, forest, and coastal scenery—without having to plan transport or parking.

The overall pace is “see a lot, but not rushed to death.” Many stops are around 10–15 minutes, which is great for quick photos and brief orientation. The tradeoff is that you won’t linger for long at every point. If you like deep, slow travel, you’ll have to pick which places you want to treat like your main event.

Pickup, the 8:30 AM Start, and How It Really Feels

The tour meets at the Estátua de Cristiano Ronaldo on Av. Sá Carneiro in São Martinho (Funchal). Start time is 8:30 am, and the day runs roughly 8 hours.

Pickup is offered for Funchal and Caniço (free). If you’re outside those zones, there can be an extra pickup fee, depending on where you’re staying. Also note that some areas are not included for pickup (Machico, Santa Cruz, Câmara de Lobos, Estreito Câmara de Lobos, Ponta do Sol, and more, with costs listed for other places).

Group size is capped at 50 travelers, so you’re not signing up for a private experience. Still, the day is built around multiple quick photo stops, so the flow is more about timing than personal space.

Open-Roof 4×4 in the Real World: What You Should Confirm

The tour is marketed as an open-roof 4×4. That matters because this is exactly the kind of thing that changes your mood on the day: roof open means cooler air, better angles, and less glass between you and the sky.

Here’s the practical caution: one detailed experience described the top staying closed the entire time, with limited off-road driving. They also felt the route didn’t avoid main tourist crowds as much as the title implies.

So my advice is simple: if standing and aiming your camera is your big priority, message or ask the operator before you go and confirm what open-roof actually means on your specific departure. You’ll still get plenty of viewpoints, but don’t assume the vehicle experience will match the photo-perfect fantasy.

Serra de Água to Tabua: Small Stops With Local Meaning

The first part of your day includes a stop tied to local history. The name serra de água is linked to historical watermill construction used for sawmilling, and it later became associated with the wider parish. It’s a quick moment, but it helps you connect the scenery to how people have lived here.

Next you’ll stop in Tabua. This is short—about 15 minutes—but the “why” is interesting. The name comes from a plant called tabua, which used to be common and used for making mats and chair backs. If you’re the type who enjoys stories that explain why a place is named what it’s named, this stop will land well.

You’ll be getting these small “culture-and-nature” breadcrumbs early, before the day ramps up into forest and coastline.

Bica da Cana at 1580 m: Panoramas Over Peaks and Possible North-Coast Views

Bica da Cana Viewpoint is one of the key stops and one reason this tour draws repeat bookings. It’s listed at around 1580 metres elevation, with panoramic views over Madeira’s mountain peaks.

On days with good visibility, you may also be able to see the São Vicente valley on the island’s green north coast. Even if visibility is average, being at that height usually gives you a sense of Madeira’s scale that you don’t get from sea-level viewpoints.

Time here is around 15 minutes, so think of it as your “reset your eyes” stop. Grab your photos early, then give yourself a couple minutes to just watch the light on the ridgelines shift.

Paul da Serra: Why the Plateau Matters Beyond Pretty Views

After the high viewpoint, the tour moves toward Paul da Serra, a major recharge area for the island’s groundwater. The key detail here is the plateau’s structure: it helps rainwater soak in while slowing runoff toward the sea.

That means this isn’t just a spot for pictures—it’s a landscape function. You’re seeing where water is stored and released across seasons, which is a big deal on an island where rainfall patterns shape everything.

This stop is listed without a tight activity description beyond being a key area for groundwater recharge. So don’t expect a long guided talk—expect a “look and understand” moment.

Fanal Forest at Posto Florestal Fanal: Ancient Trees, Quiet Magic

Then you hit one of Madeira’s most atmospheric places: Fanal. The stop at Posto Florestal Fanal is about 15 minutes, and the tone here is clearly “slow down.” You’re entering a forest of ancient trees, the kind of place where even a short visit feels different from standard viewpoints.

If you’ve been doing mostly cliff overlooks all morning, this is a nice mental break. It’s less about wide panoramas and more about feeling surrounded by age-old growth.

No tickets are listed for this stop, so it’s one of the easier wins in the day.

Vereda do Fanal Walk: Laurisilva That’s Still Doing Its Own Thing

Immediately after, you go toward Vereda do Fanal, a walking area associated with laurisilva forest. This matters because Madeira’s laurel forest is not just pretty—it’s ecologically important.

The tour notes that laurisilva here is believed to be around 90% primary forest, and it supports a unique set of plants and animals, including endemics like the Madeiran long-toed pigeon.

You’ll have about 15 minutes here. That’s not enough for a long hike, but it is enough to experience the texture of the forest—shade, light changes through branches, and that enclosed sense you don’t get at higher viewpoints.

Ribeira da Janela Waterways and Ilhéus: Coastal Power, Up Close

Next comes the coast-and-mountain meeting zone around Ribeira da Janela. You’ll stop at Miradouro Ribeira da Janela (about 10 minutes) where the focus is the watercourse formed from interior mountains flowing down to the ocean.

You’ll also stop at Ilheus da Ribeira da Janela for another 10 minutes, and then get a final look at Mirador Ilheus da Ribeira da Janela for about 5 minutes. The last viewpoint is described as an epic coastal spot with remarkable rock formations just meters from the shore.

Because these stops are short, treat them like a sequence. First look at the whole drainage pattern, then zoom in mentally to the rocks and the way water shapes the coast.

This is also where you’ll likely feel the day’s “quick hop between highlights” rhythm the most. If you’re chasing one perfect photo, arrive focused and move quickly.

Porto Moniz: Volcanic Pools, Forest Feel, and a Full Hour to Enjoy It

Now you land at Porto Moniz, and this is one of the biggest time investments on the day—about 1 hour.

Porto Moniz is described with a mix of volcanic pools, mystical forest vibes, and breathtaking scenery. You’ll also spend another 1 hour specifically at the Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools area. Admission to the pools is not included, and it’s listed as approximately 3 EUR.

Even the description ties the place to daily life: the sea has a strong role here, and from the beginning of construction, inhabitants relied on fishing, which still matters economically. In other words, this isn’t only a scenic stop; it’s a functioning coastal town.

Póça das Lesmas and Seixal Pools: Smaller Water Charm, Less Pressure

After Porto Moniz, the tour keeps the water theme going.

Poca Das Lesmas is listed as about 30 minutes for natural charm between sea and mountains. You’re getting more time here than at most viewpoints, which suggests it’s meant to be a calmer pause rather than only a quick look.

Then you go to Piscinas do clube naval do Seixal for about 10 minutes. This is framed as a good place to dip and enjoy the sea, plus a spot connected to water sports.

These stops are ideal if you want one of those “you’re near the water, so why not?” moments—without having to plan where to swim yourself.

Veu da Noiva: The Waterfall Curtain Stop That Closes the Loop

Your final scenic anchor is Miradouro do Veu da Noiva. It’s described as a 30-meter waterfall that runs down the mountain into the Atlantic, reminding people of the white veils used in traditional weddings.

It’s listed for about 10 minutes, and that’s enough time to take photos from the viewpoint and then move along before the crowd thickens too much.

It’s also a fitting closing stop because the waterfall ties together the day’s theme: mountains feeding water to the coast.

Price and Logistics: Is $82.82 Good Value?

At $82.82 per person, you’re paying for a full day with local guide, all fees and taxes, and (for many visitors) pickup from Funchal and Caniço, plus a mobile ticket and English-speaking guiding.

You’re also getting a tour where many stops are listed with free admission. The one notable paid add-on is Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools (about 3 EUR, not included). Since lunch is not included, you’ll need to budget for that separately—or plan to grab something close to where you end up.

So when is it good value?

• If you want someone else to drive and sequence multiple places across Madeira’s northwest.
• If you care about Fanal laurisilva and Porto Moniz enough that the time savings are worth it.
• If you’re not renting a car (the tour is clearly a practical alternative).

The caution is about fit. One unhappy experience argued the tour cost almost double a van version while not delivering the open-roof and off-road expectations. That doesn’t mean it’s always like that—but it does mean you should treat the vehicle promise as a real question, not a guaranteed feature.

Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Might Feel Unhappy)

This tour is a strong match for you if:

• you want one-day coverage of northwest highlights without driving
• you like nature stops that include forest time (Fanal) rather than only viewpoints
• you want the option to swim at Porto Moniz and enjoy short sea pauses later in the day

It may be a weaker match if:

• your main goal is a true off-road adventure
• you booked primarily for an open roof and standing-up photo angles
• you expect a small, quiet group experience with no convoy feel

Should You Book This Northwest of Madeira 4×4 Day Trip?

If your travel style is “see the highlights, then breathe in the nature,” I think this can be a very satisfying day. The combination of Fanal’s ancient forest mood and Porto Moniz’s volcanic pools gives you two high-impact experiences that are hard to recreate efficiently on your own.

Before you book, do one thing: verify what open-roof means in practice for your departure, and whether the big promised stops are confirmed for your date. If the vehicle experience matches the marketing, you’ll likely feel like you got a full day of Madeira value. If it doesn’t, you can still enjoy the scenery—but your overall satisfaction might depend more on the viewpoints than the 4×4 fantasy.

FAQ

How much does the Full Day Open Roof 4×4 cost?

It costs $82.82 per person.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 8 hours.

What time does it start?

It starts at 8:30 am.

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is the Estátua de Cristiano Ronaldo, Av. Sá Carneiro 27, São Martinho, 9000-017 Funchal, Portugal.

Is pickup included?

Pickup is offered for Funchal and Caniço (free). Pickup outside of Funchal/Caniço has an extra fee, and pickup for some other areas is not included (with specific costs listed for other zones).

Does the tour include lunch?

No. Lunch is not included.

Is the tour guided, and what language is it in?

Yes, it includes a local guide, and it is offered in English.

Are entry fees included?

All fees and taxes are included. Most stops are listed as free, but admission to Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools is not included (about 3 EUR).

Is there a limit on group size?

Yes. The tour has a maximum of 50 travelers.

If you tell me where you’re staying (rough area) and whether your priority is open-roof photos or the forest and pools, I can help you decide if this is the best fit for your day in Madeira.