Trikes turn Madeira into a moving viewpoint. This custom trike tour can take you to places like Curral das Freiras (Nuns Valley), and guides such as Garth bring the route to life. I also like the practical on-ride setup that helps you follow the story while you’re rolling. One thing to consider: this is an outdoor ride, so wind or rain can affect comfort and viewing.

You’ll get a comfortable 2-seat trike, pickup from the Funchal area (including Funchal Harbor), and a guide who speaks Dutch, English, or Portuguese. With a small group size (limited to 4 participants), it’s set up to feel personal rather than like you’re being rushed from one stop to the next.

Quick hits before you go

• Pick your route length: 3 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, or a tailor-made plan based on your interests.
• Valleys and viewpoints matter here: trips are built around Madeira’s famous high views and dramatic drops.
• Guides talk while you ride: on-ride communication is set up so you can keep up during the drive.
• Small-group vibe: limited to 4 participants, with trikes built for 2 seats.
• Real variety in the North and around Funchal: from Monte to Santana, Ponta Sao Loureço, and Machico.

How the custom trike setup works in Madeira

This tour is built around one simple idea: trade big, slow tours for a smaller vehicle that can get you to viewpoints and viewpoints-adjacent towns. You’re in a comfortable 2-seat trike, and you’re not stuck staring at a windshield like you would on a bus. The ride is part of the experience, and the pace is flexible enough that your guide can steer the day toward what looks best as conditions change.

Because it’s small-group, the guide can also adjust what you do with your time. If you care more about sweeping overlooks, you’ll likely get more of that. If you’d rather spend time in town and soak up local life, you can push the itinerary that way—especially on the tailor-made option.

A practical note: the tour includes pickup from the Funchal area and Funchal Harbor, but it doesn’t include pickup outside Funchal. If you’re staying just outside the city, you’ll want to plan how you’ll get back to the pickup zone.

Picking the right route: 3 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, or tailor-made

The tour offers several “route templates,” plus an option where you essentially build your own adventure.

Option 1 (3 hours): fishing village + Nuns Valley drive

Expect a mix of a quaint little fishing village and a drive to Curral das Freiras (Nuns Valley). The point is to see the valley from above and then get a close-up feel for what makes it famous—Madeira’s rugged sides, the winding roads, and the dramatic contrast between coastal areas and mountain pockets.

Option 2 (4 hours): surrounding sites of Funchal

This is a good fit if you’re short on time but still want more than a single neighborhood. You’ll cover multiple sites around Funchal, with enough variety to feel like a real “tour day,” not just a quick drive.

Option 3 (6 hours): North West or North East day

You get longer day structure here, with more distant stops across the island’s north side. The North West plan moves up toward Monte, then goes farther north to Santana, Ponta Sao Loureço, and Machico. There’s also the North East option, with viewpoint-focused stops at Nuns Valley and Eira do Serrado—one of those places where you can look down into the valley and still see how the mountains fold and rise.

Option 4 (tailor-made): choose your interests

If you have a theme—views, small towns, photo stops, or a mix—you can tell the provider what you want and shape the day. This is the option I’d choose if you’ve already done the basics and you’re trying to add something different to your Madeira trip.

Curral das Freiras (Nuns Valley): why this stop is the star

If you’re choosing this tour for one reason, it’s usually Curral das Freiras. It’s the kind of place that looks impressive from the road, but it feels even more striking when you see how the valley sits inside the mountains. The driving and stops are designed to help you understand the geography, not just collect photos.

On the shorter versions, you’ll get a drive toward the famous Nuns Valley village, along with scenic stops that show what the valley looks like in context. On the North East-style day, the route includes viewpoint stops such as the Nuns Valley viewpoint area and Eira do Serrado. Those overlooks are often what make the valley feel unreal—especially when the weather shifts and clouds hang in the high places.

Even when conditions aren’t perfect, you’re still likely to enjoy the ride. One of the best takeaways from past experiences with guides on this route is their ability to keep going during rough weather, so the day doesn’t stall just because the sky is doing something dramatic.

Nuns Valley viewpoints and Eira do Serrado: what to expect at the stops

Eira do Serrado is one of those Madeira viewpoints where the “wow” is immediate. The idea here is simple: you stop at places that let you see the mountains and the valley at the same time. That’s what helps you make sense of how Madeira’s roads climb, curve, and then suddenly drop you into a different world.

If you want photos, plan for lots of them. These are stops where you’ll want time to look around before you continue. And because the tour is small-group, you’re not fighting for a single photo angle the way you might on a crowded bus stop.

The only real consideration is weather and wind. At higher points, the wind can be noticeable. Bring a light layer, and if it’s rainy, expect that the surface near viewpoints may be slick.

Funchal area time: more than a drive-by

If you choose the 4-hour option that focuses on the surrounding sites of Funchal, you’ll get a tour that feels like a broader “island intro,” but still grounded in the city. This is useful when you want to mix city energy with quick escapes to viewpoints and nearby corners.

I like how these routes tend to include multiple stops rather than one long stretch of sitting. That keeps the day moving and gives you small moments—viewpoints, town corners, and perspective shifts—that add up to a trip that feels longer than it is.

There’s also something about going by trike that makes the city feel closer. You’re traveling in a way that’s easy to look around from, so you can notice details that you’d miss from inside a larger vehicle.

The North West and North East 6-hour plans: from Monte to Machico

If you’ve got a full afternoon or you want the “big geography” version of Madeira, the 6-hour itinerary is where the route expands.

North West plan: Monte, Santana, Ponta Sao Loureço, Machico

This version starts with time up at Monte, where you can see the statue erected after World War One. That stop adds a historical anchor to the day so it’s not only about scenery.

Then you continue north to Santana, Ponta Sao Loureço, and Machico. The last part matters: Machico is one of the places where the island’s coast story becomes clear, including seeing one of the two man-made golden sand beaches. It’s a nice change of pace if you’ve been focused on mountains and valley roads all day.

North East plan: Nuns Valley viewpoint + Eira do Serrado

This is the version I’d pick if your heart is with views. The stops are arranged to give you privileged sightlines over the mountains and the Nuns Valley. You’re not chasing as many far-flung towns here as you are on the North West route, but you’re getting a sharper feel for Madeira’s vertical geometry.

Comfort, safety, and the audio setup on the trikes

The trikes are designed for two seats, so you’ll ride as a pair. For couples and close friends, that’s ideal. For solo travelers, you’ll want to check how the operator handles pairing, since the tour is also limited to a small maximum group size.

One of the most practical details is communication. Guides use an audio system (headphones/mike setup) so it’s easier to follow instructions and stories while you’re moving. This matters more than people expect. On windy roads, you want clarity, not guesswork.

Safety-wise, guides have a professional approach. In past experiences with this operator, visitors described feeling at ease and safe, even when weather got rough. That’s a big deal on Madeira, where roads can be curvy and conditions can shift fast.

Guide quality: Garth, John, and how the day stays friendly

The difference between a good ride and a great one is the guide. Here, you’re not just getting directions—you’re getting context. Guides speak Dutch, English, or Portuguese, so you can choose the language that helps you get the most out of the stops.

Garth is one name that comes up often, and he’s described as professional, friendly, and confident with suggestions. John is another guide associated with excellent days—helpful, interesting, and good fun. That mix matters: you want someone who can keep the day moving, but also explain what you’re seeing in a way that sticks.

A fun detail you can plan around: some guides build in time for a coffee stop. If it happens on your route, do consider trying local-style sweets. One example mentioned is chestnut cheesecake, described as sublime by previous riders.

Price and value: is $165 per group up to 2 worth it?

At $165 per group up to 2, the key question isn’t just the sticker price—it’s what you’re buying.

You’re paying for:

• small-group time (not mass-tour pacing),
• a guided drive that gets you to multiple destinations,
• a trike experience that’s genuinely different from a car ride,
• pickup from the Funchal area and Funchal Harbor,
• and a guide who can switch the day’s emphasis based on what you want and what conditions allow.

For two people, the math often works out well compared with private driving plus the cost of entry-level tours where you’re mostly watching from behind glass. The best value comes when you book a route that matches your day length. If you’re the type who hates repeating the same views and wants variety in a single half-day, this is one of those prices that feels fair.

Weather, photos, and what to pack for a trike day

Madeira weather can change quickly. Even if you start with clear skies, wind and rain can roll in on higher roads. The good news: guides have handled tough conditions on this route, keeping the itinerary going and still finding excellent viewing moments.

Here’s what I’d pack to keep the ride comfortable:

• a light rain layer (even in mild weather),
• a warm layer for higher viewpoints,
• closed-toe shoes with grip,
• sunglasses if it’s bright,
• and a phone/camera strap (because you’ll want free hands for photos).

And for photos: plan to pause often. The trike moves quickly enough that you’ll miss visual cues if you’re only looking forward. At stops, take a minute to step back, scan the valley lines, and let your eyes adjust. That’s when the “Madeira is three-dimensional” effect really lands.

Quick fit check: who this tour is best for

This trike tour is a great match if you:

• want a small-group tour with flexibility,
• care about scenic drives more than museum time,
• like being out in the open air and moving between viewpoints,
• want a guide to explain what you’re seeing,
• and prefer a route that covers multiple areas in a half-day or full half-day.

It’s not the best choice if you strongly dislike outdoor rides in changeable weather. And it’s not suitable for children under 5.

Should you book this trike tour of Madeira?

I’d book it if you’re trying to get more out of fewer hours in Madeira. The format is built for variety: fishing-village flavor, big valley views, and longer North routes that connect Monte, Santana, and the coast around Machico. The guide-driven approach is what makes it feel personal rather than random.

Skip it only if you’re looking for a slow, fully indoors day or if you want a fixed, one-size-fits-all itinerary with no route variation. Otherwise, the combination of small-group size, trike thrill, and smart stops around Curral das Freiras makes this a standout way to see Madeira without feeling rushed.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

A 3-hour guided tour is available, and there are also longer options listed at 4 hours and 6 hours depending on the route you choose.

How much does it cost?

The price is $165 per group up to 2.

Where is pickup included?

Pickup is included from the Funchal area and Funchal Harbor. You’ll be asked to indicate the name of your hotel in the Funchal area so the pickup time can be confirmed.

How many people are in the group?

The tour is limited to 4 participants.

What languages do the guides speak?

The live tour guide speaks Dutch, English, or Portuguese.

What is included in the price?

Included items are the driver, a comfortable 2-seat trike, and pickup from the Funchal area and Funchal Harbor.

What is not included?

Food and drinks are not included, pickup outside of Funchal is not included, and entrance fees are not included if any apply.

Is the tour suitable for kids?

It is not suitable for children under 5 years old.

Can I customize the route?

Yes. There’s an option for tailor-made choices based on your interests.

Is cancellation refundable?

Free cancellation is offered up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.