Pico do Arieiro, Santana and Laurissilva East Tour Madeira
- Duration7 hours
- Daily
- Group
- Pickup available
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Overview
This 7-hour guided day tour covers the east of Madeira with pickup from hotels, apartments and residences in Funchal and Caniço. You visit the Terreiro da Luta viewpoint, Pico do Arieiro, the laurel forest at Ribeiro Frio with an easy, flat levada walk to Balcões, then Santana's thatched houses, the Guindaste viewpoint, Porto da Cruz and Ponta de São Lourenço. There are plenty of photo and coffee stops, and it suits anyone who wants mountains, forest and coast in one relaxed day.
Highlights
- Pickup from hotels, apartments and residences in Funchal and Caniço
- Pico do Arieiro, one of the highest viewpoints on the island
- Ribeiro Frio and an easy, flat levada walk to the Balcões viewpoint
- Laurissilva forest, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape
- Santana's triangular thatched houses and the Guindaste viewpoint
- Ponta de São Lourenço and the seaside village of Porto da Cruz
- Stops for photos, coffee and an optional lunch
Full Description
Terreiro da Luta and Pico do Arieiro
The tour starts by climbing above Funchal to Terreiro da Luta, a mountain viewpoint with a large statue of Our Lady of Peace, raised in the aftermath of the 1917 naval bombardment of the city. From here the road keeps rising to Pico do Arieiro, at about 1,818 metres the third highest peak on Madeira and the highest one that can be reached by car.
Pico do Arieiro is popular for sunrise, but a daytime visit gives you the same dramatic ridges, valleys and clouds drifting below you. People searching for a Pico do Arieiro day tour usually want this exact view. Bring a jacket, because it is much cooler at the top, and expect about 25 minutes for photos and a short walk around the viewpoint.
Ribeiro Frio, Laurissilva and the Balcões levada walk
Ribeiro Frio is a quiet nature area with trout pools and the start of several levada paths, the narrow irrigation channels that cross Madeira's hills. The forest around it is part of the Laurissilva, the ancient laurel forest that UNESCO listed as a World Heritage Site in 1999, and it still holds much of its original vegetation and endemic birds.
The walk to the Balcões viewpoint is short, easy and mostly flat, about 20 minutes each way, so it works for most travellers, including many families. It is the best answer if you are wondering how to see the Madeira laurel forest without a long hike. Balcões gives a wide view over the valley of Ribeira da Metade towards the highest peaks.
Santana and the Guindaste viewpoint
Santana is Madeira's classic village of small, steep-roofed triangular houses, painted red, blue and white. The tour allows about an hour and a half here for a walk, photos, shopping for souvenirs and lunch, which is optional and paid for on your own. The village also has a pretty church and cafés around the centre.
Nearby, the Guindaste viewpoint at Faial is one of the best lookout points on the north coast, with sweeping views over the sea and cliffs. It is a short stop, but a rewarding one for photos, and a good place to understand how steep the north coast is.
Porto da Cruz and Ponta de São Lourenço
Porto da Cruz is a small coastal village with a seaside promenade beneath a huge rock, and it is linked to Madeira's sugar cane history through its old mill buildings. The stop is a relaxed one, with a short walk and a chance to sit in a café.
The tour finishes at Ponta de São Lourenço, the long, narrow peninsula at Madeira's eastern tip. Its red and ochre cliffs, dry vegetation and blue sea look more like a desert coast than the green interior, which is why some people compare it to a small canyon by the sea. A short viewpoint stop shows why it is one of the most photographed places on the island.
Itinerary
- Pickup in Funchal or CaniçoThe guide collects you from your hotel, apartment or residence at around 08:00, or tells you the nearest meeting point if your address is hard to reach.
- Terreiro da Luta, FunchalA 10-minute stop at the mountain viewpoint with the statue of Our Lady of Peace.
- Pico do ArieiroAbout 25 minutes for the high mountain view, photos and a short walk.
- Ribeiro Frio and the Balcões walkAbout 45 minutes in the laurel forest, with an easy, flat levada walk to the viewpoint.
- SantanaAbout an hour and a half for the thatched houses, a walk and an optional lunch.
- Guindaste viewpoint at FaialA 20-minute stop at the north coast lookout.
- Porto da CruzAbout 20 minutes on the seaside promenade.
- Ponta de São LourençoA 15-minute stop at the eastern peninsula, then the drive back to Funchal.
What's included
- Pickup and drop-off at hotels, apartments or residences in Funchal and Caniço
- Transport
- Tour guide
- Short, easy and flat levada walk to Balcões
- Stops for photos and coffee
- Optional lunch stop
Not included
- Breakfast, lunch and snacks
- Personal expenses
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Families with children
- Travellers without a car — hotel pickup is included
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.8/5 by past travellers
Think twice if
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
Not suitable for
- Travellers who cannot manage a short, flat walk of around 20 minutes
- Guests who prefer a private tour, as this is a shared small-group tour
Meeting point
Pickup is included from hotels, apartments and residences in Funchal and Caniço, around 08:00, with the exact time confirmed before the tour. If your address cannot be reached by our vehicle, we will tell you the nearest meeting point.
Important information
- The tour lasts about 7 hours; the levada walk to Balcões is around 20 minutes each way and easy.
- Bring a jacket or sweater, since Pico do Arieiro and Ribeiro Frio are cooler and often misty.
- Wear comfortable shoes with a good grip, ideally closed shoes for the forest path.
- Breakfast, lunch and snacks are not included; there is an optional lunch stop in Santana.
- Bring sunscreen and a hat for the coastal stops.
- The order of the stops can change with the weather and traffic.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the east Madeira tour cost?
The price depends on the number of guests. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for this option.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from hotels, apartments and residences in Funchal and Caniço. If your address is not reachable by our vehicle, you are given the nearest meeting point.
How long is the tour?
It lasts about 7 hours, starting around 08:00, with short stops at each place.
Is the levada walk difficult?
No. The walk to Balcões is short, easy and flat, around 20 minutes each way. Comfortable shoes are enough.
Is lunch included?
Lunch is not included. There is an optional lunch stop in Santana where you can eat at your own expense, and coffee stops on the way.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes. The booking panel shows how children are counted. The walk is short and easy, but it is a long day in the vehicle, so it suits children who travel well.
What should I wear and bring?
A jacket for Pico do Arieiro, comfortable shoes, sunscreen and water. Weather in the mountains changes quickly.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Often yes, depending on availability. Choose your date in the booking panel to see if it is open.
What is the difference between this and other Madeira tours?
This tour is a small-group day trip to the east and north-east of Madeira, mixing mountains, laurel forest and coast, with pickup from Funchal and Caniço.
Is Santana worth visiting?
Yes. Its triangular thatched houses are one of Madeira's icons, and you get enough time to walk around and eat if you wish.
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