Madeira in one day can feel like a cheat code. This package strings together Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools, the East route to Santana, and a half-day visit to Curral das Freiras, all from Funchal. What makes it interesting is the mix of viewpoints, small photo stops, and a guide who explains what you’re seeing in plain language, including the food side.

Two things I’d pick as the best parts: the 90-minute stop at Porto Moniz (with admission listed as free), and the way the driver/guide builds context as you go, so the drive doesn’t feel like wasted time. One consideration: lunch is not included, even though there’s a midday lunch stop, so plan on spending on your own meal and drinks.

Quick hits on Madeira Pack 1

• Three routes, two full days plus a half-day means you can cover a lot without changing logistics every time.
• Porto Moniz pools get the time with a 90-minute window and admission listed as free in the schedule.
• East Madeira adds variety: sandy peak viewpoint, R. Frio, a truffle ranch visit, Santana’s typical houses, and Porto da Cruz with a chance to tour Agardente.
• Curral das Freiras viewpoint combo: Pico Barcelos 360 view plus Eira do Serrado at 1094m.
• Tastes are part of the plan: liqueur or chestnut cake tasting in Curral das Freiras, plus a Madeira wine tasting on the way back.
• Small group size (max 15 people) with a multilingual driver and air-conditioned vehicle.

What Madeira Pack 1 Looks Like From Funchal

This “Pack 1” is really three different outings you’ll pick based on the day: a Porto Moniz route, an East Madeira route (Santana side), and a half-day Curral das Freiras visit (Valley of the Nuns). Each one is designed to mix short stops for photos with a main “anchor” stop where you actually get time to breathe.

Full-day tours start in the morning, with pickups at Funchal hotels roughly between 08:45 and 09:15. You’ll be back around 16:30–17:00. The half-day option starts in the afternoon, with pickups between 13:45 and 14:15, and it runs about +/- 4 hours.

You’ll travel in an air-conditioned vehicle, and you get a multilingual driver (English is offered). The group stays small, capped at 15 people, which matters on a winding island road: fewer bottlenecks, more time to listen, and less “everyone back on the bus” chaos.

Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools Route (Tuesday or Thursday)

If you want the classic Madeira “wow” stop, this is it. The day runs on Tuesday or Thursday, starting between 08:30 and 09:15. The route is a long scenic loop: C. Lobos, the Cabo Girão viewpoint, R. Brava, Paul da plateau Serra, then Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools.

After the pools, the tour continues through Seixal and S. Vicente, then heads to the Encumeada summit before returning to Funchal. That’s a lot of geography in one stretch, and the guide uses the ride to make it understandable, not just scenic.

How the Porto Moniz timing really works

You get 90 minutes at the Porto Moniz natural pools, which is a proper chunk of time. Importantly, the schedule lists the pools admission as free for that stop block, so you’re not waiting on an extra ticket line or add-on fee during the day.

The other stops are shorter photo breaks where the driver/guide shares quick context—geography, history, and even gastronomic notes. It’s the kind of pacing that keeps you from feeling stuck in the car all day, even though you do drive quite a bit.

The best part and the only tradeoff

The best part is the combination of a structured route plus real time at the one place most people come for: the water and rock pools at Porto Moniz. The tradeoff is the day is long—about 7 hours total—so you’ll want your energy and hydration sorted for a full outing.

East Madeira via Santana (Sunday or Wednesday)

This is the route for people who want a different Madeira flavor than the north-coast pools day. It runs on Sunday or Wednesday, also starting between 08:30 and 09:15, and it’s built around an East-side loop with frequent short viewing stops.

The tour includes:

• a stop at the sandy peak, described as Madeira’s third highest peak
• R. Frio
• a truffle ranch visit
• Santana, including time to see the famous typical houses
• a 90-minute break before continuing to Porto da Cruz
• Porto da Cruz, with the possibility of a tour of Agardente
• Machico, noted as the place where the Portuguese landed for the first time in Madeira

Why the truffle ranch and Santana stop are worth your time

This route doesn’t just give you views. It also adds food culture through the truffle ranch stop and the visit around Santana’s typical houses. Even when you only have part of the time at each location, the guide’s commentary helps you connect the dots—why the island looks the way it does, and how local life ties into it.

You’ll get small photo breaks along the drive, so you’re not just sitting and listening. And you should feel comfortable that the guide is steering you toward the points that matter, not random pull-offs.

The one practical thing to watch

This day is also about 7 hours, so you’re stacking several stops into one long block. It’s great for people who like action and variety, but if you’re the type who prefers one or two places with long hanging-out time, you may find yourself checking the time more than you’d like.

Curral das Freiras Half-Day (Monday or Friday Afternoon)

This is the calmer, shorter add-on in the package. It runs only on Monday and Friday, in the afternoon, with pickups between 13:30 and 14:15 depending on where your hotel is. Total time is around +/- 4 hours.

The key stops are built around big views and local tastes:

• Pico Barcelos with a 360-degree view toward Funchal Bay
• Eira do Serrado at 1094m above sea level, with views of Curral das Freiras
• a tasting in Curral das Freiras: liqueurs or chestnut cake, described as typical of the village
• on the return, a Madeira wine tasting

The value of this half-day design

What I like about this half-day is that it gives you two viewpoint stops plus food culture, without burning the entire day. If your full days already cover long drives, the half-day gives you a good “finish” without feeling like you’re still racing the clock.

Also, the tasting element isn’t just a gimmick. The liqueur or chestnut cake option makes the experience feel local, and the Madeira wine tasting on the way back gives you one more easy cultural link before you’re back near your hotel.

The one thing to remember

Because this is a shorter outing, it’s not built for long meals or extended wandering. Think of it as a focused sampler: views, a couple of key stops, then tastings, then back to Funchal.

Price and Value: Why $131.06 Can Make Sense

At $131.06 per person, this pack may look like a “pay for convenience” situation. That’s partly true, but the value is also in how the day is put together.

You’re paying for:

• hotel pickup in Funchal
• an air-conditioned vehicle
• parking fees
• a multilingual driver who gives historical and cultural context
• structured stops with time set aside (including the 90-minute Porto Moniz pools block)
• admission listed as free for the pools stop block and another free admission block in the Santana-day schedule
• tastings on the Curral das Freiras half-day (liqueurs or chestnut cake, plus Madeira wine)

The biggest reason it can be good value is that you’re not coordinating multiple legs on your own. You’re also getting help with timing—so you arrive at the signature stops with enough time to actually enjoy them.

The main cost offset for your wallet: lunch isn’t included (and neither are soda, snacks, or gratuities). There’s a midday stop for lunch, but you’ll need to budget for your own meal and drinks.

Guide Quality: What Nuno Martins Brings to the Day

A big theme across the experience is the guide. When Nuno Martins is on your route, the emphasis is on clear communication, professional conduct, and smart commentary that turns scenic stops into something you understand.

That matters more than people think. On Madeira, the roads twist and the viewpoints come fast. A guide who explains what you’re looking at—geographically, historically, and even gastronomically—helps you feel like you’re learning while still having fun.

And because the group size is capped (max 15 people), you’re more likely to get a calm, orderly day rather than a rushed shuffle. Short stops for photos and the pacing between them work best when the guide keeps things organized.

Timing and Practical Tips That Actually Help

This pack uses timing like a tool. Full days start around 08:30–09:15, with hotel pickups between 08:45 and 09:15. The half-day starts in the early afternoon window, roughly 13:45–14:15.

Because pickups are done from hotel receptions, you’ll want to be ready when the driver arrives. The tour notes also flag possible traffic delays, which is normal in Funchal and on Madeira roads.

A few practical ideas for your comfort:

• For the Porto Moniz pools day, use the fact that you’ll have 90 minutes there. Plan around it like a real stop, not just a quick photo.
• Since lunch isn’t included, you’ll enjoy the day more if you already know what budget you want for food and drinks.
• The schedule packs in viewpoints at different elevations and summits (including a 1094m viewpoint on the half-day). Bring a mindset for temperature shifts and changing weather, since that’s part of the island experience.

Who Should Book Madeira Pack 1 (and Who Might Skip It)

This pack fits best if you:

• want hotel pickup and a structured day with minimal planning
• enjoy a mix of viewpoints plus food culture
• like small-group guiding rather than a large coach feel
• can handle a long full day (about 7 hours) on either the Porto Moniz or East Madeira route

You might skip it if you:

• want long independent exploring time at just one place
• prefer fully self-paced travel with no set lunch timing
• are hoping for meals included in the price (they aren’t)

Should You Book Madeiralimo’s Madeira Pack 1?

I’d book Madeira Pack 1 if your priority is variety without logistics headaches. You get three distinct experiences—north-coast pools, East Madeira with Santana and a truffle ranch stop, plus a viewpoint-and-tasting half-day in Curral das Freiras—all tied together by a guide-led route from Funchal.

If you’re sensitive to extra costs, just remember the one big “watch this” item: lunch and drinks are on you. Everything else is structured in a way that keeps the day moving and gives you time at the main sights.

One last reality check: this activity requires good weather, and excursions don’t run on December 25 and January 1. If your dates are flexible, you’re in good shape.

FAQ

Which parts of Madeira are covered in this package?

It includes a Porto Moniz natural pools route, an East Madeira route focused on Santana, and a half-day visit to the Curral das Freiras area (Valley of the Nuns).

What days do the Porto Moniz route run?

The Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools day runs on Tuesday or Thursday.

What days do the Santana/East Madeira route run?

The East Madeira route that includes Santana runs on Sunday or Wednesday.

When does the Curral das Freiras half-day tour run?

The half-day Curral das Freiras tour runs on Monday and Friday in the afternoon.

How long are the tours?

Full-day tours are about 7 hours. The half-day tour is about +/- 4 hours.

Are hotel pickups included, and what time do they happen?

Yes. Full-day pickups are between 08:45 and 09:15. The half-day pickup is between 13:45 and 14:15. You should wait at the hotel reception for the driver.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not included, but there is a midday stop for lunch during the day tours.

Are tickets included for the main sights?

The schedule lists admission ticket free for the Porto Moniz natural pools stop block, and an admission ticket free block is also listed on the Santana-day schedule. A mobile ticket is provided.

How many people are in each tour group?

The tour has a maximum of 15 travelers (people).

What happens if the weather is bad or plans change?

The tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. The tour can also be canceled if a minimum number of travelers isn’t met, with an alternative date or full refund. Excursions do not run on December 25 and January 1.