Arieiro Peak, Santana & Ponta São Lourenço in Open Roof 4X4 Tour

Made for people who want to see east Madeira fast, this open roof 4×4 tour strings together big viewpoint moments and real working countryside in one long day. I like that you get a proper mix of heights, villages, and coast, not just one pretty spot. I also like the practical extras, like Wi-Fi on board and the free pickup and drop-off in central Funchal. One thing to consider: it is an open roof vehicle, so wind, cool air, and occasional weather changes can affect comfort up high.

The day is guided by a professional local driver, and the experience depends a lot on the person behind the wheel. Names you may meet include guides like Francesco, Luis, Louis, Gill, and Diogo Camacho, and they tend to know the routes well and keep you moving without feeling rushed. The possible drawback is timing. With short stops (most are about 30 minutes), you will need to be ready to hop out, look up, take photos, and get back in.

Key highlights worth prioritizing

• Open roof 4×4 fun for bold viewpoints and a more hands-on feel than a bus ride
• Wi-Fi included, so you can upload photos and check maps during downtime
• Pico do Arieiro viewpoints from 1,818m, plus big panoramic breaks
• Santana and UNESCO biosphere vibes with the iconic traditional houses
• Ponta de São Lourenço for rugged coastline drama and a longer 1-hour stop
• A Referta Levada walk through farmland, with a quick nature break

Riding an Open Roof 4×4 Out of Funchal

This is a full day that starts with a clean, simple rhythm. Pickup is free from central Funchal between 8:30 and 9:00, and the tour itself begins at 9:00 am. You end with drop-off back in the same central area, plus there is also a pickup option next to Funchal’s port.

The vehicle choice matters here. With an open roof 4×4, you feel the speed when you move between towns and the freshness when you stop at high points. It also makes photo taking easier, since you are not stuck behind glass or sealed windows. The tradeoff is comfort. Bring a wind layer even if the morning starts warm.

Small group energy helps too. The tour caps at a maximum of 50 travelers, and you tend to get enough space to move around at each stop. On board, there is Wi-Fi, alcohol gel available, and the vehicles are sanitized with ozone. You will also get safety instructions and first aids as part of the standard setup.

Stop 1, Pico do Arieiro at 1,818m: Big Views, Fast Photo Time

Your first major hit is Pico do Arieiro, set at 1,818m. The viewpoint payoff is the panoramic scale. This is one of those places where the island feels instantly three-dimensional, with ridgelines dropping away and valleys stacking into the distance.

You get about 30 minutes here. That means you should treat it like a viewpoint sprint. If you are the kind of person who wants a long sit-down, you might find the time tight. But if you are okay doing one or two short photo loops and then moving on, 30 minutes is plenty.

One practical tip from experience on Madeira: mountain weather can change fast. When you go up, expect cooler air, and bring layers. In some conditions, roads and plans can shift, so don’t be surprised if the guide adjusts for safety and visibility.

Stop 2, Faial Village Break: A Short Pause to Reset

Next is a stop in Faial, with about 30 minutes. This is less about a single landmark and more about breathing in the village side of the island after the high-altitude viewpoint.

Use this half-hour to slow down. Walk a little, look for the everyday rhythm, and take a few photos that show Madeira beyond cliffs and peaks. If the morning clouds lift, Faial can be a good place to enjoy softer light before you head into the next stage of the day.

This stop is also useful for pacing. After Arieiro, you usually want a brief break where you are not constantly craning your neck upward. Faial is that kind of reset.

Stop 3, Santana’s Traditional Houses: UNESCO Biosphere Feel

Santana is the emotional mid-point for many people, and for good reason. You get a 30-minute stop in Santana, in an area recognized as a UNESCO biosphere reserve. The draw is the traditional houses, which give the town a distinctive look compared to other parts of Madeira.

The time window is again around 30 minutes, so you will want to focus. I’d aim to take in the house styles, then step back to capture wider streetscape views. If you want extra time for close-up details, save it for after you have grabbed the main photos from a couple angles.

What I like about Santana in this format is balance. You are not stuck in one scenic viewpoint bubble. You’re seeing how people live and how culture shows up in the built environment.

Stop 4, Porto da Cruz: Coast Views Without the Rush

Then it is onto Porto da Cruz, also about 30 minutes. This stop works as a coastal palate cleanser. After Santana, you head toward sea views and a different kind of scenery: cliffs, ocean lines, and that Madeira coastal brightness when the weather cooperates.

You will not have time to do a deep exploration here, so treat it as a lookout-and-walk break. If the day is clear, prioritize photos that include both the coastline and the town edges. If it is misty, focus on texture, not distance. Madeira in fog can still look dramatic, just in a different way.

Stop 5, Ponta de São Lourenço: The Best 1-Hour Stretch

This is your longest stop: Ponta de São Lourenço for about 1 hour. In my view, this is one of the most worth-waiting-for sections of the day because the coastline feels rugged and carved, with a strong sense of direction as you look along the peninsula.

One hour is a sweet spot. It is long enough for a calm walk at your own pace, but short enough that the group stays together and the day doesn’t drag. You should still pick a simple plan: walk a bit for photos, then come back to one viewpoint spot for a final look when the light shifts.

Also, the open roof 4×4 aspect pays off here. You tend to see the peninsula approach differently from the viewpoint stops in the interior. It feels like the island is revealing itself in layers.

Stop 6, the Referta Levada Walk: Farmland, Fields, and Real Madeira

The final content-heavy portion is the Referta Levada walk, about 30 minutes. This is a scenic stroll through traditional agricultural landscapes, passing locally cultivated fields of vegetables, sugar cane, and vineyards.

Why this matters: Madeira is not only cliffs and viewpoints. A levada route is a look at how water and farming shape the island. Even with just a short walk, you get a sense of the island’s food landscape and the practical logic behind these paths.

Expect a gentle, short trek rather than a big hike. Still, it can feel cool depending on conditions, especially if you have already been up at altitude. Wear shoes with grip, because you do not want to slip on damp sections.

This stop also breaks up the day emotionally. You go from dramatic coastal and village scenes into a calmer, slower pace. It is the kind of moment where you can actually hear the environment and notice how the farmland sits alongside the water channel.

Timing and the 7.5-Hour Reality Check

The total duration is about 7 hours 30 minutes, and that includes the drive time between stops. Each location is built around quick, efficient windows: mostly 30 minutes each, with 1 hour at Ponta de São Lourenço and about 30 minutes for the levada walk.

If you love to linger, this tour might feel like a sprint. If you love to see a lot and you enjoy moving from highlight to highlight, it is a strong format. I like it for first-time visitors who want an east Madeira overview without renting a car.

Group size and the number of stops also mean you should keep your pace organized. Use your time outside the vehicle well. When the guide calls for regrouping, follow quickly. You will get more out of the day if you focus on what you want from each stop rather than wandering with no plan.

Price and value: What $75.13 buys you

At $75.13 per person, this tour can feel like good value if you factor in what is included and how much ground you cover in one go.

Included basics that matter:

• Professional local guide
• Free pickup and drop-off from central Funchal and near the port
• Wi-Fi on board
• Safety instructions and first aids
• Vehicles sanitized with ozone
• Alcohol gel
• Local taxes
• Admission for the listed stops is shown as free

The only clear missing piece is simple: food and drinks are not included. So you either pack snacks, buy along the way, or plan to spend money on lunch. Because the stops are short, you usually will not have a long sit-down meal built in. Budget for that, and the price starts to make sense.

Also, the guided driving is part of the value. Madeira roads are not always forgiving. Having a driver who knows where to go and how to manage timing reduces stress, especially in changing weather.

Weather plans you should assume will change

Madeira is famous for shifting conditions, and this tour can adapt. The tour structure includes time at high points and also a plan for a levada walk, but you might find that the exact approach changes if weather makes certain routes unsafe or less visible.

That can mean you get a backup route rather than the original off-road style moment. The key is that the day is still designed to keep you seeing major highlights. Your best move is to dress for options: bring layers, a light rain layer if you have one, and sunglasses if the sun appears between clouds.

On colder days, expect the top areas to feel sharply cooler, and occasionally winter conditions can show up at elevation. In that scenario, your jacket is not optional.

Who this tour fits best

This tour suits you if:

• You want an east Madeira sampler in one day
• You like guided driving and short stops with clear photo goals
• You want the open roof experience without driving yourself
• You want both scenery and a levada-style walk

It may be less ideal if:

• You hate cold or wind
• You need long free time at each stop
• You prefer a slow, self-directed pace and lots of stops you can extend

It also works for many travelers since it is described as most travelers can participate. Just remember the open roof vehicle and the walking time on the levada route mean you should be comfortable on your feet for short periods.

Should you book the Arieiro, Santana, and São Lourenço open roof 4×4 tour?

I would book it if you want maximum east Madeira payoff with minimal planning. The combination of Pico do Arieiro, a Santana cultural stop, and the Ponta de São Lourenço coastline stretch is a strong three-part story. Add the Referta Levada walk and you get farming and water engineering context, not just scenery.

Skip it or rethink if you dislike weather swings, hate short stops, or want lunch included and built in. Also, if you are sensitive to wind and cold, pack accordingly. The open roof is part of the charm, but it can also be the reason you feel uncomfortable if you show up underdressed.

If you go in with a simple mindset, take layers, and treat each stop like a focused photo and lookout mission, this is the kind of day tour that leaves you feeling like you actually understood Madeira’s variety, not just its postcard angles.

FAQ

How long is the Arieiro Peak, Santana, and Ponta São Lourenço open roof 4×4 tour?

The tour runs for about 7 hours 30 minutes.

What time does the tour start, and when is pickup?

The start time is 9:00 am. Free pickup is offered from 8:30 to 9:00 am in the central area of Funchal.

Is Wi-Fi included on the tour?

Yes, Wi-Fi is included onboard.

Are meals included in the price?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Do I need tickets for the stops?

Admission tickets for the listed stops are shown as free in the itinerary.

Can I get a full refund if I cancel?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.