West Madeira Waterfalls and Fanal Forest Day Tour from Funchal
- DurationAbout 8 hours
- Daily
- Group
- Pickup available
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Overview
This full-day tour from Funchal explores the wild west of Madeira, where mountains fall straight into the Atlantic. It is a shared group tour with an English-speaking guide, travelling in an air-conditioned vehicle, with pickup and drop-off at your accommodation in Funchal, Caniço, Câmara de Lobos and Cabo Girão. In about 8 hours you stand on the glass skywalk of Cabo Girão, follow the north-west coast road past waterfalls spilling down to the sea, stop at the natural volcanic pools of Porto Moniz, and walk among the ancient laurel trees of the misty Fanal Forest. Lunch is at your own expense. A private version of the same route, with a vehicle for your group only, is also available in the booking panel.
Highlights
- Pickup and drop-off at your accommodation in the Funchal area
- Cabo Girão viewpoint and its glass skywalk over the ocean
- Waterfalls pouring from the cliffs along the north-west coast
- Free time at the natural volcanic sea pools of Porto Moniz
- Walk among centuries-old laurel trees in the Fanal Forest
- English-speaking guide sharing the history and nature of Madeira
- Comfortable air-conditioned vehicle on the island's mountain roads
- Private version for your group only also available
Full Description
Cabo Girão and its glass skywalk
Cabo Girão is one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe, rising about 580 metres straight out of the Atlantic just west of Câmara de Lobos. At the top, a glass-floored skywalk juts out over the edge, so you can look down at the waves and at the tiny terraced fields, called fajãs, that farmers still tend at the foot of the cliff.
From the platform the view stretches east over Câmara de Lobos and the bay of Funchal and west along the southern coast. The Cabo Girão skywalk entrance is a small separate fee, paid on the spot, and the visit takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Morning is the best time to visit Cabo Girão, before clouds gather on the cliffs, which is why it is the first stop of the day.
Waterfalls of the north-west coast
Crossing to the north side of the island, the landscape changes completely. Here the mountains are greener and steeper, cut by deep valleys, and in many places streams leap from the cliffs straight into the Atlantic. Along the coast between São Vicente, Seixal and Porto Moniz, waterfalls such as the Véu da Noiva, the Bridal Veil, pour down the rock faces beside the road.
This stretch of coast is famous for its old cliff road, carved into the rock in the early 20th century and now partly replaced by tunnels. Your guide points out the best viewpoints and tells how villagers once farmed the steep terraces on these slopes. The waterfalls are at their fullest in winter and spring after the rains, but the scenery is dramatic in every season.
Porto Moniz natural pools
At the north-western tip of Madeira lies Porto Moniz, a small town famous for its natural swimming pools formed in black volcanic lava. The Atlantic waves crash over the rocks and refill the pools with clear sea water, creating safe places to swim surrounded by the open ocean. One pool area is a managed complex with a small entrance fee, and a second pool area nearby is open access.
Your stop here includes time for lunch at your own expense in one of the seafront restaurants, and a swim if the weather allows, so bring swimwear and a towel. The best time to swim in the Porto Moniz natural pools is from June to October, when the water is warmest. Even in cooler months, watching the waves break over the lava rocks is a highlight.
Fanal Forest and its ancient laurel trees
Fanal Forest sits high on the plateau above the north-west coast, at about 1,100 metres, inside the Laurisilva of Madeira, a laurel forest listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Its grassy clearings are dotted with giant til trees, some of them several centuries old, with twisted trunks covered in moss and ferns.
When the mist rolls in, which happens often, the trees appear and disappear in the fog and the forest feels truly enchanted; on clear days cows graze in the sunlit meadows. Many visitors ask how to get to Fanal Forest without a car, as the mountain roads are narrow and public buses do not reach it; this Fanal Forest tour solves that with a guided stop of about 30 to 45 minutes. Wear a warm layer, as it is much cooler up here.
Itinerary
- Pickup from your accommodationPickup in Funchal, Caniço, Câmara de Lobos or Cabo Girão from about 08:30; the exact time is confirmed the day before.
- Cabo GirãoAbout 30 minutes at the cliff viewpoint, with the option to step onto the glass skywalk.
- North-west coast and waterfallsScenic drive to the north coast with photo stops at viewpoints over waterfalls falling into the Atlantic.
- Porto Moniz natural poolsAbout 1.5 hours for lunch at your own expense and time at the volcanic sea pools.
- Fanal ForestAbout 30 to 45 minutes walking among the ancient laurel trees of the Laurisilva forest.
- Return to your accommodationDrive back across the island, arriving about 8 hours after pickup.
What's included
- Pickup and drop-off at your accommodation
- Transport in an air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking guide
- Stops at Cabo Girão, north coast waterfalls, Porto Moniz and Fanal Forest
Not included
- Lunch, snacks and drinks
- Cabo Girão skywalk entrance
- Porto Moniz sea pool entrance
- Tips
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Travellers without a car — hotel pickup is included
- Groups who want privacy — a private option is available
- Nature and wildlife lovers
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.7/5 by past travellers
Not suitable for
- Wheelchair users
- People prone to car sickness on winding mountain roads
Meeting point
Pickup is included from accommodation in Funchal, Caniço, Câmara de Lobos and Cabo Girão, starting from about 08:30. The guide meets you at hotel reception where possible; if you stay in a villa or apartment, wait outside the main entrance. The exact pickup time is sent the day before, and drivers wait no longer than 5 minutes.
Important information
- Lunch, snacks and drinks are not included; there is a lunch stop in Porto Moniz
- The Cabo Girão skywalk and one of the Porto Moniz pools have small entrance fees paid on the spot
- Bring swimwear and a towel if you want to swim in the natural pools
- Bring a warm layer and a rain jacket, as Fanal Forest is cool and often misty
- Wear comfortable shoes for walking on grass and uneven ground
- Front seats in the vehicle cannot be reserved
- The order of stops may change depending on weather and traffic
- Be ready at your pickup point on time, as drivers wait only 5 minutes
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
Is this a shared or a private experience?
The default option is a shared group tour. A private version with a vehicle reserved for your group is also available in the booking panel.
How long does it take?
About 8 hours from pickup to drop-off.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup and drop-off at your accommodation in Funchal, Caniço, Câmara de Lobos and Cabo Girão are included.
What is included?
Pickup and drop-off, transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking guide and stops at Cabo Girão, the north coast waterfalls, Porto Moniz and Fanal Forest.
Is the price per person or per group?
The shared tour is priced per person, while the private tour is priced by group size. The booking panel on this page shows the current price of each option.
Is it suitable for children or people with reduced mobility?
Children are welcome on the shared tour. Most stops are close to the road, but Fanal Forest has grassy, uneven ground and the skywalk has steps, so it is not ideal for wheelchair users.
What should I bring?
Comfortable shoes, a warm layer, a rain jacket, swimwear and a towel for Porto Moniz, sunscreen and a camera.
Can I swim in the Porto Moniz natural pools?
Yes, the stop allows time to swim when the sea and weather allow. One pool area has a small entrance fee and the other is open access.
What is the best time to visit Fanal Forest?
The forest is beautiful all year. Misty days give the famous fairy-tale look, while spring and summer bring green meadows and clearer views.
What happens in bad weather?
The tour runs in most weather, and the guide may change the order of stops to find the clearest views. If roads are closed for safety, our team helps you rebook.
Is the Cabo Girão skywalk scary?
The glass floor is very safe and you can stand at the edge or stay on the solid part of the platform; the view is impressive either way.
How do I book and confirm?
Choose your date and option in the booking panel and send your request. Our team confirms your booking on WhatsApp within minutes.
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