Madeira Island Full-Day Tour: Explore West to East with Refreshments
4.7
56 Ratings
Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau

Embark on a full-day tour of Madeira Island, exploring its hidden gems and natural wonders from east to west. Swim in fresh waters and discover popular spots without the hassle of big groups.

Duration: 10 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau - The Cristo Rei statue, also known as Christ the King, is a religious monument located in Garajau.

The Cristo Rei statue is a 15-meter tall statue of Jesus Christ, with arms outstretched, standing on a pedestal that is 8 meters high. It was inaugurated on October 1, 1927.

The statue was erected to commemorate the end of World War I and to express gratitude for the safety of the Madeiran soldiers who fought in the war.

The Cristo Rei statue is located on a hilltop, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It is visible from many parts of the island.

The statue is illuminated at night, providing a stunning view of the monument and the surrounding area.

In addition to the Cristo Rei statue, the site also includes a small chapel and a viewpoint that offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including Funchal Bay.

Overall, the Cristo Rei statue in Madeira Island is a significant religious and cultural landmark on the island, attracting visitors from around the world.

  • Ponta de Sao Lourenco - Ponta de São Lourenço is a peninsula located on the eastern end of the island of Madeira. It is known for its natural beauty, rugged terrain, and hiking trails.

The peninsula is made up of volcanic rock formations and is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including seabirds and rare plant species. The area is also known for its crystal clear waters, which are popular for swimming and snorkeling.

The hiking trails in Ponta de São Lourenço offer stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding landscapes. The trails are well-maintained and range in difficulty, from easy walks to more challenging treks. Visitors can also explore the lighthouse at the end of the peninsula, which offers panoramic views of the coastline.

Overall, Ponta de São Lourenço is a must-see destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts visiting Madeira.

  • Miradouro do guindaste - Skywalk viewpoint in the region of Faial in Santana. Great view to the northeast coast and also a great place to see the sunrise
  • Santana - Santana is a small town located on the northern coast of Madeira, known for its colorful traditional houses with thatched roofs, which are a popular tourist attraction.

The town is situated in the mountains and has a population of around 8,000 people.

Santana’s traditional houses, known as palheiros, are made of stone and have triangular thatched roofs. The roofs are made of straw, and the design helps protect the houses from the island’s frequent rain and wind.

The palheiros are painted in bright colors, including red, blue, and green, which makes for a striking sight against the green landscape of the surrounding mountains.

You will have an opportunity to visit these typical houses and see some beautiful flowers in the center of Santana.

  • Ruinas de Sao Jorge - São Jorge is a parish located on the north coast of the island of Madeira, an autonomous region of Portugal. The São Jorge Ruins refer to the remains of an old sugar cane factory that was once a significant economic activity on the island during the 16th and 17th centuries.

The ruins are located in the center of the São Jorge village, and they are considered one of the most important historical sites in the region. They consist of a few walls, arches, and chimneys that are still standing, offering visitors a glimpse into the past and the island’s sugar cane industry.

Explore the site, learn about the history of the sugar cane industry in Madeira, and enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding countryside and some spectacular ocean waves beating against the pebble beach by the ruins.

  • Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools - Ideal place for a swim and lunch.
    Porto Moniz is located on the northwest coast of Madeira .
    It is known for its natural swimming pools, volcanic landscapes, and beautiful sea views.

Natural Swimming Pools: Porto Moniz is famous for its natural swimming pools, which are formed by volcanic rocks and filled with crystal-clear seawater. These pools are a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike, and they offer a unique swimming experience in a beautiful setting.

Sea Views: Porto Moniz is situated on the northwest coast of Madeira, and it offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. The town itself is built on a hillside overlooking the sea, and there are several viewpoints where you can take in the panoramic views.

Overall, Porto Moniz is a beautiful and unique destination that offers a glimpse into the volcanic landscapes and natural beauty of Madeira.

  • Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse - A great place to enjoy some great views to the Atlantic Ocean, located at 300 mts of altitude.
    Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse is located on the westernmost point of Madeira Island, Portugal. It is a historic lighthouse that has been in operation since 1922, and it serves as an important navigation aid for ships in the Atlantic Ocean.

The lighthouse is situated on a cliff that rises 300 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest lighthouses in Europe. Its light can be seen up to 23 nautical miles away, and it has a focal height of 312 meters above sea level.

The tower of the lighthouse is made of reinforced concrete and has a height of 14 meters. The light source is a rotating lens system that emits a white flash every 10 seconds. The lighthouse is fully automated and is controlled remotely by the Portuguese Maritime Authority.

  • Paul do Mar - Paul do Mar is a small village located on the southwestern coast of the island, in the municipality of Calheta, which is known for its beautiful beaches and rugged landscape.

The village of Paul do Mar is known for its fishing heritage and its charming atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy a stroll along the waterfront promenade and observe local fishermen at work, or relax on the black sand beach. The village also has a small marina where boats can be rented for fishing or sightseeing excursions.

In addition to its natural beauty, Paul do Mar is known for being one of the best places for surfing on the island.

Overall, Paul do Mar is a great destination for those seeking a quiet and authentic Portuguese experience.

  • Cabo Girao - Cabo Girao is a sea cliff located on the southern coast of the island.
    The cliff is approximately 580 meters (1,900 feet) high and is one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe. It is a popular attraction and offers spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding landscape.

The name “Cabo Girao” means “hanging cape” in Portuguese, and it refers to the way the cliff juts out over the sea. There is a glass viewing platform at the top of the cliff, which was opened in 2012 and allows visitors to look straight down to the sea below.

  • Cascata dos Anjos - Angel’s Waterfall or Cascata dos Anjos, is a stunning waterfall located in Ponta do Sol, a municipality on the southwest coast of the island .
    The waterfall is named after the nearby Angel’s beach, which is a popular spot for swimming and sunbathing.

Once you reach the waterfall, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the cascading water and the lush greenery that surrounds it. The waterfall is particularly stunning after a rainfall, when the water flows more heavily.
Overall, Angel’s Waterfall is a beautiful natural wonder that’s well worth the visit.
In case the road to the Angels waterfall is closed we replace this stop with Ponta do Sol for safety reasons

  • Funchal - Drive from funchal to first stop, including the drive in between the various places and the return drive
What's Included
  • Total duration of the tour includes the travel time
  • Beer, Wine
  • Snacks
  • Tea and coffee
What's Not Included
  • Admission fee - Porto Moniz Natural Paid Swimming Pool (1.50 EUR per person)
  • Admission fee - Cabo Girao (2 EUR per person)
Additional Information

Discover every corner of the amazing Madeira Island in one day. Travel from the eastern point right to the western extremity, exploring its unseen treasures, nature’s blessings, and taking refreshing swims en route. This tour is perfect for individuals who wish to uncover Madeira’s off-the-beaten-track delights and popular corners, without the inconvenience of large crowds.

  • Minimum age can have alcohol beverages starts at 18 years old
Location
Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau
Estrada Nova do Cristo Rei
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.7
(56 Ratings)
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1 star
Anonymous
Aug 1, 2024
Great way to see the island - Our guide was really wonderful. We went in a sprinter style van but there were only 3 of us total. You get to venture on your own quite a bit and see the whole island
Review provided by Viator
Jackie_s
Jun 18, 2024
First Class Tour with Jorge - We would like to thank Jorge for a wonderful day. Jorge was very informative and made our experience first class. We thought the day was well planned and definitely did show us the beautiful Island of Madeira. Thank you
Review provided by Viator
Ivonab116
Jun 14, 2024
Great tour for small groups - The tour was really wonderful! We left Funchal around 8:45 and returned at 18.15. It was a day full of activities, we had many stops along the way and there was enough time to see them all, visit, take pictures, have a snack. Francisco was a wonderful guide, he told us a lot of stories about the places we were visiting and was flexible with the timing if we wanted to stay in one place a bit more than in another.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Doris_l
May 28, 2024
Amazing tour of beautiful island - Francisco is a wonderful guide. He knows so much about the island, its history, its people, and the incredible plant life which amazed us at every turn! Madeira is like a Garden of Eden, and I plan to visit as often as I can and perhaps move there someday. Thank you so much for making this experience special, creating memories I'll have for the rest of my life.
Review provided by Viator
381rebecab
May 23, 2024
Seen a lot of the island in one day - Francisco was a good guide, very knowledgeable and friendly. Gave us plenty of time at each stop. Tea and cake were lovely. It’s surprising that you drive around the whole island in one day with stops. Good tour if you only have a few days and want to see a lot of the island highlights.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Melvin_n
May 16, 2024
So much covered in such little time 😊 - Madeira is a beautiful island with attractive sites right throughout the tour. We covered the entire Madeira in one day, it was well spaced out and wasn’t at all tiring. Our tour guide was Francisco, he was very relaxed so there was no pressure to move from one place to another.
Review provided by Viator
Lynne_n
Jul 24, 2024
Great way to see Madeira in a day. - Getting to see so much of the island. The trip is about 10 hours, but didn't feel too long. There are lots of stops and drinks and snacks included.
Review provided by Viator
Jennifer_l
May 4, 2024
A beautiful island - This tour is a great way to see Madeira’s coastline but it is a long day. As with any tour, more time could be spent in some places and less time in others. It all comes down to personal taste. The island and its coastline is undoubtedly beautiful. Our driver was clearly very experienced and guided us through planned itinerary with ease. We were a party of eight people comprising of 4 couples. The seat arrangement in the car meant one couple at any point was separated which wasn’t great. This is a small niggle however in what was a great day. We would recommend this tour as a great way of seeing the best of this beautiful island.
Review provided by Viator
Nicola918
Jun 17, 2024
Disgraceful driving, worse vehicle that ruined the day. - Well, disappointing and would not recommend for the following reasons. All reviews stated friendly knowledgeable guides, English speaking, nice vehicles. Well, vehicle was an Old Ford transit which had a broken handle and not fit for purpose. Driver was polite but his driving left a lot to be desired, driving too close to inexperienced drivers on the road on high winding roads where he then kept having to break suddenly, beeping a pedestrian who was already using a crossing for no reason. Then looking and reading notes off a piece of paper whilst on these roads. Disgrace, unsafe and do not use. The above was also stated by the French couple on our horrible transport .. really feel ripped off due to what you pay..
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chris_p
May 20, 2024
Don’t bother - There wasn’t anything memorable it was driving, stopping looking at coastline. Lots of driving through tunnels we did see the whole island . Not much information on the areas given . A long day . I would have expected a more interesting experience.
Review provided by Viator
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September 2024
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