Around The Island – Two Days Tour From 9am To 5pm (Each Day)

This two-day island loop from Funchal is interesting because it stacks Madeira’s best-known coasts and climbs into one low-effort plan. I like the small group feel, where your guide can actually talk to you. I also like how the stops jump from glassy cliff lookouts to sea towns to sky-high viewpoints, so you get a real sense of the island fast. One possible drawback: it’s a long day on winding roads, so if you’re prone to motion sickness, you’ll want to think about your seat and your pacing.

I like that pickup is built in, so you are not stuck figuring out buses at the start of your vacation. You also get a mobile ticket, which keeps things simple when you are meeting up in Funchal.

As with any Madeira tour that includes peak areas, mountain weather can change quickly, and cloud cover can limit views from the highest stops. The good news is you still get plenty of coastal scenery, waterfalls, and towns even when the sky turns moody.

Key things I’d plan around

• Small group size of up to 16 means more personal attention and fewer delays.
• Pickup from Funchal and nearby areas helps you start without logistics.
• Cabo Girão, Porto Moniz, and Pico do Arieiro hit the big Madeira highlights across both days.
• Natural pools at Porto Moniz can turn into swim time when conditions allow.
• Levadas in the Laurissilva forest area give you a break from pure sightseeing.
• Lunch is mostly free time at key stops, so you can choose what suits you.

Around The Island From Funchal: A Small-Group Shortcut to Seeing Madeira

If you are visiting Madeira for the first time, this is the kind of tour that helps you get your bearings. Two full days lets you cover a lot of the island without the stress of driving, parking, and guessing how long roads will take. You also get guided context as you move, which matters in Madeira where the terrain changes every few minutes.

The “small group” piece is not just marketing. With a maximum of 16 travelers, it is easier for the guide to keep an eye on timing and for you to ask quick questions at viewpoints, not just listen from afar. In a place like Madeira, where stops can be short and roads can be tricky, that attention makes the difference between feeling rushed and feeling looked after.

Value-wise, the price is easy to benchmark against renting a car, paying for multiple day trips, and spending time sorting tickets and routes. This tour also includes pickup and a set schedule from 9am to 5pm each day, so you are buying convenience, time, and interpretation all at once.

Price and Value: Why This Tour Can Be Worth It at $72.56

At $72.56 per person for two days, you are not paying for every single admission ticket. The tour is structured so that many stops are free to enter, while some paid entrances may apply at specific viewpoints.

Here is how the value usually plays out for you:

• You get a lot of major stops across both day routes, including cliff viewpoints and high-altitude lookouts.
• You get transportation between neighborhoods and mountain areas, which is the hardest part to DIY on a tight schedule.
• You get guided commentary in English, which helps you understand what you are seeing and why it matters.

The biggest “value check” is this: can you spend two full days just sightseeing, or are you more likely to bounce between Funchal and a couple nearby spots? If you are the first type, this tour can feel like a fast education of the whole island. If you only have one day, or you hate long van rides, then your money may be better spent on a shorter, calmer plan.

Pickup, Timing, and Getting a Good Seat in the Van

This tour starts at 9:00am each day and runs until about 5:00pm. Expect a full touring day, with several short stops and a couple of longer stretches for meals and photo time.

Pickup is available from Funchal city centre and the main tourist area. There is also pickup from hotels in Caniço de Baixo and Garajau, but only if at least two people are involved. If your accommodation is not in those areas, you will be directed to the nearest meeting point in Funchal.

Two practical tips based on real comfort issues that can pop up on Madeira roads:

• If you are sensitive to motion, ask to sit closer to the front when you board. The roads are winding, and it can hit harder in certain seats.
• Keep your essentials easy to reach. One guest reported not having much flexibility with personal items when they felt unwell, so don’t rely on having extra space for bags.

Group size is capped at 16 travelers, and the guides help keep you on time. The order of activities can change, and you should get updated info if that happens.

Day 1 West and North: Cabo Girão, Porto Moniz, and Churchill in Câmara de Lobos

Day 1 is where Madeira feels dramatic right away, with cliff views, coastal villages, and volcanic sea pools. It is a strong day for photos because you start high, then descend toward the ocean.

Cabo Girão glass balcony viewpoint

You begin at Cabo Girão, climbing up to a lookout at 580 meters. The glass balcony is famous, and it is often described as one of the most jaw-dropping cliff experiences in Europe. The stop is about 30 minutes, and an admission ticket is not included here.

How to use the time: go early in the stop for the main viewpoint photo, then circle back if you want calmer shots. Wear shoes with grip, and if it is windy, keep the camera strap secure.

Ribeira Brava beach and a 15th-century church stop

Next comes Ribeira Brava, a coastal village where you can visit a church dating from the 15th century. The time is short, about 30 minutes, and it is free admission.

This is a “slow look” stop. You are not meant to rush through it, but you also should not expect a long museum visit. It is the kind of pause that breaks up the driving.

Madalena do Mar banana plantations

Then you head to Madalena do Mar for a quick walk through lush banana plantation areas. You get about 25 minutes, and it is free.

If you like seeing how Madeira’s agriculture shapes the island, this is a quick but meaningful stop. If you are not into plants and farms, you will still enjoy the green scenery from the road, but the walking time is limited.

Fonte do Bispo, plus levada walks in the Laurissilva forest area

At around 1300 to 1500 meters, you reach Fonte do Bispo in the Paúl de Serra area. Here you get a viewpoint stop and short walking along routes connected to the levadas, with the Laurissilva forest as a backdrop.

The stop is about 20 minutes, and it is free. This is one of the better places to stretch your legs between cliff and sea stops.

Porto Moniz volcanic pools, plus lunch time

After the altitude, the tour drops you down to Porto Moniz. This is the stop for Madeira’s best-known natural feature: the volcanic pools. You also get the chance to enjoy the views of the pools from above on the descent.

The big practical part: you get lunch and free time here, about 1.30 to 2 hours. Entry is free, and in good weather you can swim, so come prepared.

Reality check: even when it is sunny in Funchal, conditions can shift. If you want swimming, pack a swimsuit and a towel you can manage quickly. If you just want photos, bring layers for breezy sea air.

Seixal viewpoint and Véu de Noiva waterfall

Next you stop at Seixal Viewpoint to see the Véu de Noiva waterfall. It is described as a famous drop you can watch pouring down the rock face, shaped over millions of years by wind and rain.

The stop is about 20 minutes and free. This is a “stand and stare” viewpoint. Plan to take a few photos from different angles if the wind allows.

São Vicente 17th-century church

Then you visit São Vicente, with a 17th-century church. You get about 30 minutes, and it is free.

This is another town stop meant for atmosphere, not a long visit. Use it to grab a coffee, step into the church if it is open, and enjoy the coastal mountain vibe.

Câmara de Lobos, the fishing village tied to Churchill

Day 1 ends at Câmara de Lobos, about 5 kilometers from Funchal. This is a popular fishing village with a connection to late Winston Churchill, who painted views here.

You get about 30 minutes, free to explore. It is a fitting finish because you are back in a more human-scale setting after higher lookouts.

Day 2 East and Interior: Cristo Rei, Santana, Ribeiro Frio, and Pico do Arieiro

Day 2 pushes into the east coast and then climbs into the island’s interior. It feels like a different Madeira mood, with dramatic ocean edges and then a turn toward cooler, greener valleys.

Cristo Rei in Garajau, an emblematic east-coast view

You start with the Cristo Rei statue in Garajau, a landmark on the east coast. It is positioned in a surprising location, so even if you are not into statues, the viewpoints around it are worth the stop.

Time is about 30 minutes, and admission is free.

Machico, Madeira’s early capital story

Then comes Machico, a historic town and the second most populous on the island. You also get context on early settlement and why this area mattered before Funchal became the capital in 1508. The stop is about 20 minutes, free.

If you like connecting places to the big timeline, this is a helpful pause. Just be ready for a short visit since the day keeps moving.

Ponta de São Lourenço nature reserve at Ponta do Rosto

Next you go to the easternmost area, Ponta de São Lourenço (also called Ponta do Rosto). This is a nature reserve with panoramic Atlantic views and unusual rock formations that feel different from other parts of Madeira.

You get about 30 minutes and free access. This is where you notice how varied Madeira’s coastlines are, not just its peaks.

Porto da Cruz rum distillery history

Then you stop in Porto da Cruz, a northeast village tied to sugar cane. There is an old rum distillery (Engenhos do Norte) where steam machines helped run production, and visitors can enter freely.

The stop is about 30 minutes, free.

This works well if you want something practical, not just scenic. You can see a working-style industrial heritage without turning the day into a heavy museum.

Santana, triangular thatched houses plus lunch time

Then it is Santana, known for colorful triangular thatched houses. The houses remain a tourist attraction, and you also learn their origin traces back to the 16th century. You get the longest meal-and-explore window of the day here, about 1.30 to 2 hours.

Admission is free for the stop. In this time block, use the flexibility for a slower lunch rather than rushing through the village.

Ribeiro Frio, trout pools and walking trails in a deep valley

Next, Ribeiro Frio brings you into a deep valley north of the island. It is a natural park with trout farming pools and nature trails that are popular with locals and tourists. The birdwatching angle is part of the appeal, with mentions of endemic birds like pigeon, chaffinch, and bis-bis.

Time is about 30 minutes, free.

This stop is good when you need a break from long drives and peak winds. Expect mostly easy strolling if you choose to follow the trails.

Pico do Arieiro, Madeira’s high point with sky views

The day’s highlight climb is Pico do Arieiro at 1818 meters, the third highest peak on Madeira. Views are often dramatic, with clouds hovering over rock formations, and on clear days you can see the south coast, Curral das Freiras, and even Porto Santo.

The stop is about 30 minutes, free. You also pass by Poço da Neve, an igloo-like ice well built by an English family to store ice, snow, and hail, and there is mention of an air defense radar installed there in 2011.

Because the stop is short, you need to treat it like this: arrive, choose your best photo point, then check for cloud movement. Even with clouds, the texture of the rock and the shifting fog can still be worth the stop.

What Makes This Tour Feel Good: The Guide Style and the Pace

A lot of Madeira tours are just a bus with stops. This one tries harder to be a guided experience, and the small group size helps it land.

In particular, guides like Lionel and Renato are praised for clear explanations and keeping people engaged. Lionel in particular is noted for bilingual skill, switching between Spanish and English, which can make the whole group feel included. Other guides named include Gloria and Paulo, also described as professional and engaging.

Humor matters on a day like this. When roads twist for minutes at a time, a guide who can mix story and safety instructions can turn stress into something you can handle. It also helps you connect the dots: why one village sits where it does, why waterfalls behave the way they do, and what different areas contributed over time.

Pace-wise, it is not a hiking tour. You are mainly sightseeing with short windows at each stop, plus the two longer free-time blocks for lunch and relaxing.

Photo Tips and Weather Reality: How to Get Your Shots

Your best photos will come from the high points and cliff views. Here are the stops where you should prioritize camera time:

• Cabo Girão for the glass balcony cliff shot
• Porto Moniz for a wide view of the volcanic pools
• Véu de Noiva at Seixal for waterfall framing
• Ponta de São Lourenço for the east coast rock shapes
• Pico do Arieiro for cloud and rock texture photos

But do not gamble everything on peak clarity. Mountain weather is changeable, and cloud cover can hide the big distances. Still, you can get compelling images from Pico do Arieiro even when the view is foggy, because the rock formations and shifting clouds create their own drama.

What to Pack for Madeira’s Van Days

This tour is practical, so pack practical:

• Extra layers, especially for the mountain areas where temperatures can feel colder
• Swim gear if you want a chance at the volcanic pools at Porto Moniz when conditions allow
• Binoculars if you enjoy bird and viewpoint spotting, since the stops include both ocean panoramas and natural park areas
• A plan for motion sickness. If you tend to get sick on winding roads, sit toward the front and keep your stomach settled.

Also remember admissions are not fully included everywhere. Cabo Girão specifically notes admission ticket not included, while many other stops are free.

Who This Two-Day Tour Suits Best

This is a strong fit if:

• You want a guided introduction to Madeira without renting a car
• You like mixing town stops with viewpoint stops
• You want two days that touch both the east side and the west or north side

It may be less ideal if:

• You hate long van rides or get motion sick easily
• You prefer slow, deep walks and long museum visits over quick stops
• You are counting on a specific nature area that is not part of this route, like Fanal Forest, which is not included on the itinerary described here

Should You Book Around The Island? My Practical Call

If your goal is to see Madeira’s greatest hits in two days, this is a sensible booking. The value comes from transportation plus guided context plus major stops across the island, capped at a small group size.

Book it if you want a structured plan from Funchal with pickup, and if you can handle a full day from 9am to 5pm. Skip it if you need lots of solitude, hate motion on winding roads, or want longer independent hiking time at one specific nature area.

FAQ

How long is the Around The Island tour?

It runs for two days, and each day is listed as approximately 9am to 5pm.

How much does the tour cost per person?

The price is $72.56 per person.

What times and meeting points should I plan for?

Start time is 9:00am. Pickup is available from Funchal city centre and the main tourist area, plus hotels in Caniço de Baixo and Garajau (minimum two people). If your accommodation is outside those areas, you will be directed to the nearest meeting point in Funchal.

Is the ticket mobile?

Yes, the tour uses a mobile ticket.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 16 travelers.

Are admission tickets included for every stop?

Not all stops. Cabo Girão notes an admission ticket is not included. Many other stops are listed as free.

Does the tour include Fanal Forest?

No, Fanal Forest is not included on this itinerary, though there is a nearby viewpoint stop mentioned in the provided information.

What is the cancellation policy for a full refund?

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.