Madeira changes fast once you leave Funchal. I love how Pico do Arieiro delivers a jaw-drop view from 1,818 meters, and I love the local texture you get at Santana. Guides like Marco and Bruno bring the island down to earth, mixing geology, history, and practical context as you drive.

One thing to think about is weather. The road to Pico do Arieiro can close on occasion, and the tour swaps in an alternative stop, which can affect what the mountain views look like that day.

Key highlights worth circling

• Pico do Arieiro (1,818 m), Madeira’s third-highest peak with serious perspective
• Terreiro da Luta viewpoint early on, an easy warm-up before the big climb
• Ribeiro Frio and trout pools near the levada walk start
• Santana’s thatched triangular houses plus a lunch stop you can plan around
• Ponta de São Lourenço for a rocky east tip showdown of sea and nature
• Machico bay viewpoint to close the day with beach-and-water views

Terreiro da Luta, the quick-start view outside Funchal

The day begins in Funchal, either at the Lido meeting point or with free hotel pick-up in selected Funchal-area hotels. If you like starting slow, this tour does that. The first true sight stop is the viewpoint of Terreiro da Luta, just a few kilometers outside town.

This early stop matters more than it sounds. You get your bearings fast, and you learn what the island is doing: steep terrain, dramatic drops, and those narrow roads that connect everything. It is a good moment to spot how the west and east sides will feel different later, before the bus climbs higher.

Also, expect photo time. People on this tour tend to spend a little time looking, not just snapping. That helps, because Madeira’s best “oh wow” moments are usually earned by slowing down for a few minutes.

Pico do Arieiro at 1,818 meters, the East side’s big altitude payoff

The main draw is the drive up to Pico do Arieiro, Madeira’s third-highest peak at 1,818 meters. Even if you do not consider yourself a mountain person, you feel the change the minute you start gaining altitude. The views open up, clouds can sit below you, and the island starts looking like a real system, not just a postcard.

Why this stop is so valuable: it gives you a vertical sense of Madeira. You see how the island’s ridges fold and how the coastal edges cut in. That makes the later stops at the coast and the east peninsula land harder, because you already understand where you are in relation to the ocean.

A practical note from real timing on this tour: Pico can be cloudier and colder than lower areas. Bring a layer. Even in good weather, those heights can feel crisp. And if the Pico do Arieiro road is closed due to conditions, the tour includes an alternative mountain stop, so you still get a high viewpoint day even if Mother Nature changes the plan.

One more quality you will feel at Pico: the driving is part of the experience. Reviews mention careful, confident handling on the island’s winding roads, and that matters a lot when you are trying to enjoy the scenery instead of bracing for turns.

Ribeiro Frio, levada-walk country and the trout pool break

After the high peak, the route drops down through forest back toward the coast. That contrast is one of the things I like about the East tour. You go from wide summit views to a more enclosed, greener feel where the island’s famous water system shows up.

The tour then heads to Ribeiro Frio, described as a popular start point for levada walks on Madeira’s northern slopes. You also get to see interesting trout pools and original vegetation.

Why I think this stop works for most people: it is not just another viewpoint. It is the place that helps you understand why Madeira looks the way it does. Madeira was once covered by laurissilva forest, a prehistoric relic forest. Even if you are not an ecology nerd (I am not, not every day), the setting here gives you that sense of older time.

The trout pools also add something easy to connect with. It is a simple, concrete sight tied to Madeira’s water and managed landscapes. In other words, it is local life, not just scenery.

If you want to stretch your legs, this is usually the best moment. The tour schedule tends to give you enough time for a wander and photos, without turning the day into a hike marathon.

Santana’s straw-roof triangles, the lunch stop with real character

Next up is Santana, known for its small, thatched triangular houses. This is the stop that gives the tour a cultural balance, not just mountains and coastal edges.

The big win with Santana is that the architecture is instantly readable. You do not need a lecture to understand why it is distinctive. Those triangular forms and thatched roofs feel tied to the island’s climate and building traditions, and they visually connect you to Madeira beyond the viewpoints.

Lunch is not included, but you do get a lunch stop in Santana. In practice, that means you can keep your budget flexible and still eat somewhere convenient. Guides on this kind of tour usually recommend where to go, and several reviews specifically praise meal value and the guidance given for lunch choices in Santana.

What to do here: pick a simple meal, take a moment to walk around, and then return to the bus with energy for the final coastal push. This part of the day is often where the tour feels most relaxed, because you are not just looking up, you are looking around.

One small consideration: if weather was rough earlier, Santana can feel like a welcome reset. But if it was calm and sunny, it will feel even better because you can actually enjoy the details of the houses.

Ponta de São Lourenço, rugged east peninsular scenery and sea views

The tour then heads past Portela toward Ponta de São Lourenço, Madeira’s eastern point. This is where you get a stronger “peninsula” feeling, with the island’s east coast stretching into the sea.

What makes this stop special is the combo the description highlights: rocks, sea, and nature. You see why Madeira’s east side can look so raw compared with the more sheltered moods on other parts of the island. Expect dramatic coastal contours and long views that make you want to keep walking the viewpoint edges for another ten minutes.

This is also a good stop for skyline and ocean photos. If you are the kind of traveler who only takes pictures at the top of a mountain, this is your reminder that the coast can be the main event too.

Practical tip: dress for wind. The east peninsula can feel exposed. If the day already has chilly mountain air, you will likely want that extra layer again here.

Machico bay viewpoint, a golden beach payoff before you head back

The last town on the route is Machico, with a viewpoint where you can look over the bay and a golden sandy beach. This is a nice final contrast to all the rockier, higher-elevation stops earlier.

Why I like ending here: you finish with something restorative. After mountain air and rugged coast edges, it feels like the island opens up. You get to absorb Madeira’s geography as a whole, and it helps close the loop on everything you saw earlier, from Funchal’s outskirts to the east tip.

It also gives you time to stop thinking like a passenger and start thinking like a traveler back in Madeira. Once you see Machico from above, you can better judge where you might want to spend a later day if you have extra time.

Price and logistics, what $42 buys on a full day

The price is listed as $42 per person for an 8-hour tour. Lunch is not included, so you need to plan that cost yourself. But for many people, the value comes from what is included: free hotel pick-up and drop-off in the Funchal area, plus all taxes and fuel surcharges, and a live guide.

Here is how I’d frame the value in real decision terms. This is a lot of distance and a lot of different terrain for one set price. If you do not want to drive the steep, winding roads yourself, paying for a bus and a driver is not just convenience. It is time savings and stress reduction.

The tour also tends to run at a pace that keeps you from feeling rushed. Reviews repeatedly point out well-chosen stops and comfortable timing, which is important on Madeira. If you have ever tried to “do everything” by rental car, you know how quickly parking searches and road stress can eat the day.

Small-group comfort also shows up in feedback. Some minibuses are described as clean, air-conditioned, and sized for around 17 people. You still get together-time with other travelers, but you do not feel like you are swallowed by a huge crowd.

Two practical logistics points to keep in mind:

• Pickup is free only for selected hotel areas, or you meet at Funchal’s Lido.
• One review noted a pickup walk was longer than expected for a specific hotel. If your accommodation is on the edge of the pick-up zone, confirm where the meeting spot is.

Guides make it, and you will feel that difference

This tour’s quality is strongly tied to the guides. Names that come up often include Marco, Bruno, Patrícia, Nuno, Luciano, and Patrick. The common thread is how they explain what you are seeing, not just where you are going.

I like this style because it turns each stop into something you can remember later. Instead of a checklist, you start connecting dots: why laurissilva mattered, how viewpoints relate to the coast, and how local customs fit the island’s conditions. Multiple reviews mention guides switching between languages, and a few note that the speaker system worked well. That means you can actually hear the story while sitting in a moving vehicle.

Also, many guides are described as funny and upbeat, which matters on roads where you might otherwise feel tense. When the driver is careful and the guide keeps the mood light, the day feels like a tour. You are not white-knuckling Madeira, you are experiencing it.

Who this East Madeira tour suits best

This is a strong pick if you:

• Want a high-impact East Madeira day without planning routes or driving the island’s narrow roads
• Like a mix of big viewpoints and local culture (Pico, Santana, Ponta de São Lourenço, Machico)
• Appreciate learning while you travel, especially if you enjoy geology and island history connections

It is also a good option if you are short on time. You get key eastern highlights in one day, which is useful when you only have one or two days outside Funchal.

If you want total freedom, then a rental car might suit you better. But for most visitors, the guided structure is exactly what makes the day feel effortless.

Should you book the Best of the East Tour from Funchal?

Yes, I’d book it if you are aiming to see Madeira’s eastern highlights in a single, well-paced day. At $42 with pick-up, drop-off, and a live guide, it is one of those trips that pays back immediately, because you avoid the hardest part of Madeira navigation, the driving.

I would also book it with one small caution: if you are traveling when weather can be rough, understand that Pico do Arieiro can be closed and the tour will adapt with an alternative stop. That flexibility is built in. Still, if you are chasing a very specific mountain view, keep your expectations flexible.

If you want an easy decision, this is the tour to choose when you think you might skip the east side without a car. It puts the best of it on your schedule, and it does it in a way that feels organized, comfortable, and genuinely enjoyable.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour meets at Funchal’s Lido or you can use free hotel pick-up in selected areas.

How long is the tour?

The duration is 8 hours.

What is included in the price?

Pickup and drop-off in the Funchal area, plus all taxes and fuel surcharges are included.

Is lunch included?

No, lunch is not included.

What languages is the guide available in?

The live tour guide is available in Spanish, English, French, German, and Portuguese.

What happens if the road to Pico do Arieiro is closed?

On occasion, the road to Pico do Arieiro may close due to weather conditions. If that happens, the tour does an alternative to the Pico stop point.

Can I cancel and get a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.