Jeep roads on Madeira feel like discovery. This full-day East Madeira outing strings together the island’s big-name scenery—starting with Pico do Arieiro and looping through UNESCO areas like Santana and the Laurissilva Forest—without feeling rushed. I also like that it’s capped at just eight people, so you’re not watching from the back like on a packed coach, plus you get proper Jeep access for off-road detours.

The day also works because the stops mix viewpoints with small walks—at Ribeiro Frio you’ll do a levada-style stroll and see Laurissilva up close instead of just from a parking lot. One consideration: the tour is weather-dependent, and if conditions are rough, plans can shift to keep you viewing safely.

I like that pickup is offered for guests staying in the Funchal area (and there can be an extra fee if you’re farther out), and that you’ll have time to take photos and enjoy each place at a human pace. Lunch isn’t included, but there’s a typical-restaurant option later in the day if you want it.

Key highlights that make this Jeep tour worth your time

• Small-group Jeep format (max 8) keeps the day flexible and less crowded
• Laurissilva Forest + levada walk gives you nature time, not just viewpoint time
• Pico do Arieiro delivers a big, unforgettable mountain vista early in the day
• Santana’s thatched-roof village feel makes the UNESCO stop more than a quick photo
• East-coast “different Madeira” stops like Ponta de São Lourenço and Ponta do Rosto
• Lots of photo breaks with guides who help you find safe angles

Entering East Madeira by Jeep: why this format feels right

For Madeira, roads can be tight, steep, and slow—especially on the edges of the island where the good views are. The whole point of doing this by Jeep is that you’re not limited to the most basic roads. You get a day that’s part sightseeing loop and part access mission, with off-road bits that make places feel more remote and more real.

I also like how the group size changes your experience. With only eight participants, you’re more likely to get practical help from the guide—where to stand, when to move, and how to avoid bottlenecks. Even when you’re surrounded by dramatic scenery, it still matters whether you can actually get a good view without playing human traffic control.

One more nice detail: pickup is offered. If you’re staying in Funchal, that saves you from trying to match buses and taxis to a route that changes with the day’s conditions.

Morning in Funchal, then straight up: the run to Pico do Arieiro

The tour starts in Funchal and then heads out up the island, passing areas like Monte as you work your way toward high viewpoints. The early momentum matters. In an 8-hour day, you want the best “wow” moments early while visibility is best and energy is still high.

The big early stop is Pico do Arieiro, listed as the third-highest mountain on Madeira. You’ll have about 40 minutes to take in the mountains and look across the island. This is the kind of viewpoint where photos look impressive, but they don’t fully explain the scale—so give yourself time to step back from your camera and just watch the layers of peaks.

If the weather is clear, this stop is often the anchor of the day. If it’s not, you still get that mountain-road experience, and guides can use the rest of the day to protect what you came for.

Practical tip: bring layers even if it’s warm in Funchal. High viewpoints can feel cooler and windier, and you’ll be standing still for a while.

Ribeiro Frio: where the levada walk turns scenery into real experience

After Pico do Arieiro, the route moves toward Balcoes de Ribeiro Frio. This is one of the most satisfying “in-between” stops because it’s not only a viewpoint. You get a small nature pause in an area described with tree ferns, a trout-farming element, and the Laurissilva Forest natural park.

Then comes the part that feels hands-on: a walk on the levada, which are Madeira’s famous water channels. Even a short levada walk gives you a different kind of understanding. You start seeing why people built and maintained these routes over centuries—water shapes life on this island.

From there, the tour goes to a “secret” off-road forest area. That forest break is not included for admission, and you’ll want to factor that small extra cost into your day. The upside is that it’s a change of pace: you’re not stuck on a road corridor, and you get that adrenaline-lite feeling from the Jeep moving where bigger vehicles can’t.

Fortress of Faial and the volcanic coastline drama

Next up is the Fortress of Faial area. Expect sea views and the kind of coastal look that makes Madeira feel like it’s built out of rock and weather. The tour also references views toward Penha de Águia, and there’s a stop on a beach with dramatic volcanic rock formations.

This is one of those segments where your camera might fight you. The coastline is busy with shapes and textures, so you’ll want to pick a direction and let your eyes follow it. The beach stop is about 30 minutes, which is long enough to see multiple angles without feeling stranded.

Potential drawback: coastal areas can be windy. If the day is stormy, you may not feel like lingering. Use the time you’re given, grab your photos quickly, and keep moving.

Santana village: thatched roofs, a UNESCO setting, and a proper village stop

Then you roll into Santana, with a focus on the village of thatched-roof houses. Santana is UNESCO-listed, and the best part is that the visit isn’t only a photo stop. You’ll spend about 1 hour here, with time to walk through and look at the houses more closely.

There’s also a chance to lunch in a typical restaurant (lunch is not included in the tour price, but the option is there). I like that this day gives you a food choice that fits the scenery. If you don’t want lunch, you can keep things light and use the time for a longer look at the village details.

The stop includes a waterfall moment too, described as a magic waterfall in the Santana area. Even if you don’t chase every angle, it’s a nice finish to the “human-size Madeira” feeling. After mountain roads and cliff viewpoints, a village stop lets you slow down.

Cliff viewpoints and the East Coast mood shift

The East side of Madeira is different from the island’s lush interior. You feel it in the way the views open up and how the coastline looks more rugged, more exposed, and more dry.

Miradouro do Guindaste and the Porto Santo possibility

At Miradouro do Guindaste, you get sea cliffs plus mountains, and on a sunny day you can see Porto Santo. You’ll have around 30 minutes here. This is a great stop for clearing your head—watch the water, look for the horizon line, then step back and see how the island curves.

Porto da Cruz promenade and a sugar cane distillery option

At Porto da Cruz, you’ll have time on the seafront promenade to look across the north coast. There’s also an opportunity to visit an old sugar cane distillery. The tour gives 30 minutes for this, so think of it as a “try if you feel like it” add-on rather than a deep museum-style visit.

Ponta de São Lourenço: drier, arid, and visually loud

Then comes Ponta de São Lourenço, about 30 minutes, and it’s described as a completely different Madeira experience. It’s drier and more arid, with sea cliffs and volcanic rocks in different colors. This is one of the best “this is why I’m on a tour” stops, because it changes the palette of what you’re seeing.

Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto: colors and cliff-edge drama

Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto is another highlight, with about 30 minutes. The key description here is the cliff colors—and you’re encouraged to go to the edge. That’s exciting, but keep it sensible. Wear grippy shoes, watch wind, and don’t crowd the edge. The view is the point, not the risk.

Garajau’s Cristo Rei statue and the ride back to Funchal

For the last big viewpoint, the tour heads to Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau. This stop centers on the Jesus Christ statue and a view that includes Funchal and the Garajau beach area. You’ll have about 30 minutes to take it all in.

In practical terms, this is a good ending because you can finally see the island’s layout from a wide angle. After hours of moving through peaks and coastlines, it’s nice to orient yourself and understand how the day’s route connects.

The tour then wraps back in Funchal, with a final 20 minutes to finish up.

What you should pack (and plan) for an 8-hour Jeep day

This is the kind of tour where you’ll be fine if you plan for a few basics. Here’s what matters most:

• Weather layers: the tour requires good weather. If it’s not, you’ll still get value, but schedules can change and some viewpoints may be less cooperative.
• Comfortable shoes: you’ll do a small walk, plus several viewpoint stops where standing and moving around is part of the deal.
• Swim-ready if conditions are right: swimming is included only if the weather is good. If you think there’s any chance you’ll take the plunge, bring swimwear anyway.
• Photo mindset: the schedule has multiple photo breaks. Don’t rush them. Spend a few minutes just watching, then take photos once you know where you want the frame.

One more comfort factor: the tour involves a Jeep and off-road roads. The operator notes that people over 190 cm and people over 100 kg should inform the company in advance, since seating can be an issue. If you’re in either category, it’s worth checking before you lock it in.

Price and value: what $78.10 gets you on East Madeira

At $78.10 per person, this isn’t a cheap afternoon. But it’s also not just a bus tour with a couple scenic stops. You’re paying for:

• Jeep transport across a full day on East Madeira
• Multiple major viewpoints and a UNESCO village visit
• A small walk plus the possibility of swimming if weather cooperates
• A small group size (maximum 8) that helps you actually enjoy stops

Admission tickets are mostly listed as free, and you’ll also have one segment where admission is not included for the forest/off-road secret stop. Lunch is not included, but you’re given a realistic opportunity to eat locally in the Santana area if you want it.

If you’re visiting Madeira for the first time and want the East side without spending time planning a DIY route, this price can make sense. You’re essentially buying a guided route that hits big sights while giving you enough freedom for photos and short walks.

Who should book this Jeep tour (and who should think twice)

This tour is a great fit if you want a mix of big views and real Madeira texture—forest time, village time, and cliff-coast time—in one day. It also suits you if you like a bit of adrenaline without going full off-roading endurance test.

Book it if:

• You want to cover Santana + Laurissilva Forest + major viewpoints in a single day
• You like small-group guiding with more personal attention
• You want Jeep access to places that feel more remote than standard roads

Think twice if:

• You’re very sensitive to weather changes. The tour requires good weather, and the day’s conditions can affect which viewpoints you’ll get.
• You need guaranteed long, uninterrupted time in one place. This is a “many stops” structure, so you’ll be moving often.

Should you book this East Madeira Jeep tour to Santana?

I’d book it if you’re trying to maximize your Madeira time and you like the idea of seeing the island’s East side in one long, varied day. The small group size, the combination of levada walking and UNESCO village time, and the string of viewpoints from Pico do Arieiro to Garajau add up to more than a checklist day.

I wouldn’t book it if you’re showing up with a hard requirement for perfect weather or you’re uncomfortable standing/walking at viewpoints along windy coasts. If your travel dates are flexible, that helps.

FAQ

How long is the Jeep Tour To Santana: Old Forest Full-Day East-Side?

The tour duration is about 8 hours.

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 8 travelers.

Is pickup available from where I’m staying?

Pickup is offered. You should share where you’re staying, and there may be an extra fee if your pickup point is far from Funchal.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, though there is a stop in a typical restaurant option during the day.

Does the tour include swimming?

Swimming is included only if the weather is good.