Madeira’s best hits, packed fast.

This two-day tour is built for people who want big scenery without renting a car, with pickup in Funchal and a route that hops from the west coast up to the rugged north and over to the east. You also get a small group size (up to 15) and a driver-guide who narrates as you go, so the stops actually mean something, not just photos.

What I like most is the pickup setup: it covers Funchal city centre/main tourist areas, plus some hotels in Caniço de Baixo and Garajau (minimum two people). Day-to-day logistics stay simple, and the mobile ticket keeps things low-hassle.

I also really like the way the tour balances classic viewpoints with time to relax, like the long stop at Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools. One consideration: weather can steal the show at the high points (like Pico do Arieiro), and two major lookouts have tickets not included (Cabo Girão and Cristo Rei/Garajau).

Key highlights that make this tour worth your time

• West + east in 2 days: you’ll cover both sides of Madeira without trying to stitch together your own drive plan
• Porto Moniz pools get real time: a 2-hour stop where you’re not rushing your swim
• High viewpoints with pay-as-you-go tickets: Cabo Girão and Cristo Rei aren’t included
• Levada country on day 2: Ribeiro Frio and the Laurissilva setting connect the dots for Madeira’s hiking culture
• Small group (max 15): less chaos than the giant-coach tours
• Guide energy really matters: the best days feel like storytelling, not just driving

Two days that cover a lot: what you’re signing up for

This is a “see the island fast” kind of tour. The route is designed to hit Madeira’s signature contrasts: ocean cliffs and coastal towns, volcanic north-coast swimming, and east-coast drama with rock formations and viewpoints. You’re not getting one long hike, but you are getting frequent stops and short stretches of time to take in the view, snap photos, and move at human speed.

It starts at 9:00am and runs for about two days, with pickup from central Funchal and nearby tourist zones. The tour operates in English, uses a mobile ticket, and caps group size at 15 travelers—a detail that matters because Madeira roads are curvy and parking can be tight.

Price and logistics: what $72.41 buys you

At $72.41 per person for a two-day loop, value comes from three places: transportation, guide narration, and the fact that most stops are free.

Here’s the quick math that matters on the ground:

• Many stops list admission ticket free, so you’re not constantly paying entry fees.
• The stops you’ll likely pay for are Cabo Girão (glass skywalk viewpoint, not included) and Cristo Rei do Garajau (ticket not included).
• You’re also paying for someone to handle the driving and timing across Madeira, including the switch from south-coast roads to steep north-coast stretches.

If you don’t want to rent a car (or you’d rather spend your energy walking to viewpoints than managing traffic), this kind of bundle is one of the cleanest options on the island.

Logistics check: pickup depends on where you’re staying. If you’re outside the pickup zones (Funchal centre/main tourist area, and the specific hotel areas like Caniço de Baixo and Garajau for groups of at least two), you’ll be directed to the nearest Funchal meeting point.

Your guide experience: narration is part of the product

This tour’s quality often comes down to who’s driving and talking. In the feedback I saw, names like Leonel/Lionel, Renato, Paulo, Jose, Gloria, and Sergio show up as the guides who made the days feel smooth and alive.

The best days sound like:

• steady, confident driving (important on steep roads),
• clear storytelling about what you’re seeing,
• and an upbeat, respectful tone.

There’s one practical thing to keep in mind: group language mix can affect how much time the guide spends speaking in English. If you’re particular about language, you can’t guarantee your exact ratio, but the tour is listed as offered in English, so you should expect that to be the main mode.

Day 1: Câmara de Lobos, Cabo Girão, and Porto Moniz (west + north pools)

Day 1 leans west-coast and north-coast. It’s the kind of day where you get dramatic views early, then finish with a longer break for swimming.

Baía de Câmara de Lobos: the Churchill link

You’ll start in Baía de Câmara de Lobos, a traditional fishing village just about 5 km from Funchal. This place has a long artistic reputation; it’s the scenery that inspired Sir Winston Churchill’s paintings. That connection gives the village more than postcard value—it frames Câmara de Lobos as a real working coastal community, not a theme park.

You’re there briefly (about 30 minutes), which is enough to walk a bit, look at the harbor setting, and get oriented.

Cabo Girão: the glass skywalk viewpoint (ticket not included)

Next is Cabo Girão, up the road through Câmara de Lobos and into the mountains. It’s often described as among Europe’s highest sea-cliff viewpoints, and the standout feature is the glass skywalk.

The useful heads-up: the viewpoint admission is not included, so plan a little extra for the ticket if you want that signature experience.

Ribeira Brava Beach and the meaning of wild

Ribeira Brava means wild stream, and the stop reflects that coastal energy. The tour keeps it to around 30 minutes, which is perfect for a quick shoreline feel, photos, and a breather between larger viewpoints.

Caminho Real da Encumeada (PR12): south-to-north views from 1004 m

Then you hit Caminho Real da Encumeada (PR12), built around the Encumeada pass at 1004 meters. This is one of those stops where you stop not because something is “attraction-y,” but because the island’s geography becomes obvious.

The road winds from Ribeira Brava on the south coast up toward Serra d’Água, with views that stretch toward both coasts. Expect this to feel like a scenic reset button.

Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools: your big payoff stop

After all the viewpoints, you finally get the day’s main relaxation moment: Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools. You’re allotted about 2 hours, which is a lot for a touring schedule on a two-day plan.

This is volcanic coast country—black rock, sea spray, and natural pools. It’s one of the best ways to experience Madeira’s shoreline without doing an all-day hike.

Practical tip: bring swim gear if you can, and plan for slippery surfaces around pools. Even when the water looks calm, volcanic rock can be slick.

Miradouro do Véu da Noiva: views plus church and more pool time

Right after Porto Moniz, you’ll also head to Miradouro do Véu da Noiva (about 20 minutes). This stop ties together scenery and local life, including a mention of Santo Antão Church and a trout farm setting around the larger parish area.

The tour also highlights the opportunity to swim in the volcanic natural pools here too, with sea and mountain views.

São Vicente: the boulder and the chapel

You end Day 1 in São Vicente, a coastal village with growth in a more sheltered hinterland. The standout detail is a large boulder by the sea, with a chapel (Saint Vincent chapel) built into it.

This final stop is about atmosphere and the kind of odd-but-true Madeira sites that don’t come from brochures—they come from geology and local building habits.

Day 2: Pico do Arieiro, levada country, Santana, and east-coast drama

Day 2 is the bigger elevation day. It also has the variety: hiking starter zones, traditional villages, and east-coast sea-and-rock scenery.

Pico do Arieiro: altitude, views, and weather roulette (free, but go prepared)

Pico do Arieiro sits at 1818 meters, and it’s the third-highest peak on Madeira. It’s the second-highest with pedestrian access, and the key benefit for this tour: you can reach it by car, so you aren’t locked into a long trek just to see it.

The view can be stunning—and on clear days you may even see Porto Santo, about 30 nautical miles away. But there’s a real consideration from the experience itself: mist can roll in fast. If Pico do Arieiro is foggy, you’ll still get the experience of climbing into clouds, but the distant views can vanish.

Bring layers, even in warm months.

Ribeiro Frio: Laurissilva forest leftovers and levada walk energy

Next is Ribeiro Frio (cold river), a popular starting point for levada walks. You also get context for Madeira’s past: the island was once covered in Laurissilva forest, and this area still holds remnants.

Time here is about 30 minutes. You’re not doing a full hike with the group, but you get the “this is why people hike here” feeling.

Fortress of Faial: big-coast views at the east point

Then comes the Fortress of Faial, where you get superb views across bold north coast and sunny south coast stretches. The stop is short (around 30 minutes), but it’s a classic Madeira move: stop at a lookout, let the island’s layout click, then keep moving.

Santana: triangular thatched houses in the north-coast tradition

At Santana, you’ll see the village’s famous small thatched triangular houses made with natural stone and straw—structures that served locals for centuries as stables and dwellings.

You’ll have about 2 hours here. That time makes a difference. Instead of a quick photo and shuffle, you can slow down, walk around, and actually take in the architecture.

Ponta de São Lourenço: nearly untouched east-coast rocks

Next is Ponta de São Lourenço, one of the last areas on Madeira described as nearly untouched. Expect a stop focused on nature’s raw design: rocks meeting sea, with open air and strong coastal views.

This is a 30-minute stop, which is enough to appreciate the signature feel and grab a few good angles.

Machico: where explorers landed in 1419

Machico is one of Madeira’s more populated areas, and it also carries history. It’s described as the place where explorers first arrived in 1419.

The stop is about 30 minutes, giving you a quick sense of the modern town beside the island’s older story.

Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau: iconic statue with sea views (ticket not included)

You finish at Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau, where the Cristo Rei statue anchors one of the east coast’s most emblematic viewpoints. The ticket is not included, so you decide on the spot if you want that viewpoint experience.

Time is about 20 minutes—enough to take the view in and move on.

How the pacing feels: “must-sees” with just enough breathing room

This isn’t a slow, museum-style tour. It’s a series of concentrated hits. The benefit is that you go from place to place without needing to plan routes or parking.

The trade-off is that your time at each stop is limited. Two exceptions help balance that:

• Porto Moniz pools gives you a real window to swim and linger.
• Santana offers a longer look at traditional houses.

If you like wandering without being rushed, you’ll feel happier on the pool and village portions. If you love big viewpoints, Day 2 will likely be your favorite—assuming the weather cooperates.

Weather, clothing, and small practicals that matter

Madeira’s microclimates are real. A single day can mean sunshine, clouds, wind, and sudden fog—especially at higher points.

For an easier experience:

• bring layers for Pico do Arieiro and other elevated stops,
• pack a light rain layer even if the morning looks clear,
• wear slip-resistant shoes for natural pool areas.

Also, don’t count on every “waterfront” stop being a swim stop. The pool options sound tempting, but you’ll want to be ready to make a quick decision.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if:

• you want a two-day overview of Madeira’s west, north, and east,
• you don’t want to drive yourself,
• and you’re happy to trade long stays for a full sweep of highlights.

Skip or adjust expectations if:

• you’re sensitive to weather changes at high elevations (mist happens at Pico do Arieiro),
• you want every major viewpoint fully included in the price (Cabo Girão and Cristo Rei tickets aren’t included),
• or you only enjoy tours with one consistent language flow (mixed groups can affect how the guide speaks).

Given the pricing and the mix of free stops plus major sights, this tour is a strong fit for a short visit—especially if you treat it as a fast way to get your bearings and fall in love with where you might return for deeper exploring.

FAQ

What time does the All Madeira in 2 Days Tour start?

The tour start time is 9:00am.

Is pickup offered?

Yes. Pickup is available from Funchal city centre and main tourist areas. If your hotel is in Caniço de Baixo or Garajau, pickup is offered for a minimum of two people. If you’re outside those areas, you’ll be directed to the nearest meeting point in Funchal.

What language is the tour offered in?

It’s offered in English.

How many people are on the tour?

The maximum group size is 15 travelers.

Do I need to pay admission tickets during the stops?

Many stops have free admission. Cabo Girão is listed as not included, and Cristo Rei in Garajau is also listed as not included.

Is there a mobile ticket?

Yes, the tour includes a mobile ticket.

Can I bring a service animal?

Service animals are allowed.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.