If you want Madeira’s big views fast, this route delivers. This East Island Tour strings together mountain peaks, forest shade, and coastal lookouts in one day. You also get a Levada walk in the UNESCO Laurissilva forest plus lunch and a free rum tasting.

I especially like the way this tour mixes altitude changes, from cloud-level viewpoints down into cooler green forest. I also like that the pacing is built for sightseeing, with photo stops at major miradouros and enough time in Santana and around the coast. One possible drawback is that the schedule can feel a bit tight in strong winds or heavy crowds, and the levada walk includes a small paid entrance fee on the day.

Key moments I’d plan around

• Pico do Arieiro photo stop: Stop high above the clouds at Madeira’s third highest peak.
• Ribeiro Frio Laurissilva levada walk: A guided-feeling walk through the island’s famed forest.
• Santana lunch stop with thatched houses: A classic Madeira town break plus a 3-course meal for shared tours.
• Faial Skywalk viewpoint: A dramatic coastal frame, reached after the forest and north road driving.
• Porto da Cruz rum tasting: Visit a rum factory and taste on the spot.

A Fast Route Through Madeira’s East, From Clouds to Rum

This is one of those Madeira days that gives you a “how is the island this varied?” feeling. You start near Funchal, climb to dramatic heights, then drop into Laurissilva forest for your levada walk. After that, the tour shifts to the north and east coasts, where ocean views and small villages keep changing with every bend in the road.

What makes it work well is balance. You get major landmarks like Pico do Arieiro and a structured walk in the forest, but you also get breathing room for wandering, photos, and short breaks. And since the tour runs in a modern air-conditioned minibus for a smaller group, the day usually feels more personal than a large bus circuit.

Price and What You Actually Get for $63

At $63 per person for an 8-hour day, the value comes from the “bundle.” The tour includes transport by minibus plus guided touring with a live guide in multiple languages. For shared tours, you also get a 3-course meal with drinks included, which matters because meals in Madeira are not always cheap.

You will need to budget one extra line item for the levada: there is an additional 3.00€ entrance cost paid on the day of the walk. That fee is small, but it’s important to know ahead so you do not get surprised at checkout. Also note: if you book as a private group, lunch is listed as not included, so the economics can shift depending on the option you choose.

The other cost considerations are pickup-related. Pickup is available from hotels in Funchal and Caniço, and cruise ship tourists can be picked up for free as long as the ship has arrived by 08:00 or earlier and departs at 17:00 or later. If you are staying in Santa Cruz, there may be an additional pickup charge.

From Your Pick-Up Window to the First Views Above Funchal

The day starts early, usually with pickup between 8:00 and 9:00, depending on where you are staying. The schedule then rolls into the first big perspective stop above Funchal, where you drive through viewpoints that look out over the city and into darker, forested terrain.

This first section is more than just a warm-up. It sets the “Madeira rule” for the rest of the day: altitude changes quickly. You can feel it in the air and the light. You might also notice that winter can be warm in Funchal, but higher altitudes can feel colder, so bring your jacket even if the morning looks sunny below.

After that opening viewpoint, the tour continues toward higher ground, and your next stops bring you into peak territory.

Pico do Arieiro and Miradouro do Guindaste: The Mountain Stop You Remember

The tour’s climb culminates at Pico do Arieiro, Madeira’s third highest peak at 1,818 meters. You get a dedicated photo stop here, about 35 minutes, which is enough time to take photos from the lookouts, soak in the scale, and decide if you want a few extra minutes for a calmer view.

Why I like this stop: it acts like a reset button for your brain. Madeira’s routes are famous for twisting roads and sudden panoramas, but Pico do Arieiro gives you a dramatic, above-it-all view that helps everything else make more sense. When you later walk through Laurissilva forest, you understand what you just climbed out of.

Right after, there’s a short Miradouro do Guindaste photo stop. It is brief, around 15 minutes, but the point is the same: sharp viewpoints without turning your whole day into a parking-lot marathon.

Ribeiro Frio and the Laurissilva Levada Walk to Balcões

This is the part many people mark as their favorite, and I get it. You head to Ribeiro Frio, a key access point into the UNESCO Laurissilva forest. You can expect a trout farm visit here, followed by the levada walk to Balcões.

The most useful thing to know is that the levada walk is not included for free in full. There is a 3.00€ entrance cost paid on the day of the walk. Also, the tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, which tells you the walking is real, not just a stroll to a viewpoint.

What you gain from this segment is a contrast. Earlier in the day you are high and exposed, with big winds and lots of sky. Here you get tree shade, cooler air, and the feeling of stepping into a living, protected landscape. The levadas themselves are Madeira’s practical water system, and walking one is an easy way to understand how the island shaped its daily life around water.

You also get a guided experience, and the way guides work matters on levada days. In past groups, guides like Lucy have been praised for stopping to point out fruits, trees, and plants along the way. Even if every guide brings their own style, that kind of attention usually makes the walk more than just scenery.

Santana’s A-Frame Cottages and Lunch at the Santana Centre

After the forest, you head to Santana, known for its A-framed houses and for that unmistakable Madeira look. You have about 1.5 hours here, which is a smart amount of time: long enough to photograph the cottages, browse if you want, and actually sit down for lunch without feeling rushed.

For shared tours, lunch is built in as a 3-course meal with drinks. That is a strong value piece because it turns your day tour into a true all-day experience. The lunch stop you use is listed as the Santana Centre, and it is paired with the town sightseeing rather than being tacked on at the last minute.

One small caution from real-world experience: lunch locations can change. Some days, the restaurant setting people expect in the area has shifted, so be ready to treat lunch as a stop that can vary slightly while staying delicious and filling.

Faial Skywalk, Porto da Cruz, and Rum Tasting Without the Pressure

Once you leave Santana, the tour keeps moving along the north road to Faial, with a stop at the Faial Skywalk viewpoint. This is one of those Madeira moments where you get a framed view over ocean and coast, and you start understanding why the island feels engineered for lookouts.

The Faial Skywalk stop fits into the day as a transition. It bridges the “town and forest” feeling with the “coast and cliffs” feeling that dominates the east side. After that, you move to Porto da Cruz.

Here you get a rum factory visit and free rum tasting. The timing is short, around 35 minutes, so this is not a long tasting seminar. It is a chance to taste on the spot, learn a bit about the product, and keep the day moving. If you like local food and drink as part of sightseeing, this is a tidy bonus.

Caniçal and Ponta de São Lourenço Views on the Return Toward Funchal

The final stretch focuses on the dramatic east and north-east coasts, including views linked with Ponta de São Lourenço, Machico, and the wider coastline. You will also have an additional photo stop around the Caniçal/São Lourenço area, about 25 minutes.

This section is where the ocean shows off. On a clear day, the view can extend far enough that you might even spot the Desertas Islands, and potentially Porto Santo as well. The key word here is clear day. Madeira weather changes fast, so treat this as a best-case view, not a guarantee.

The tour then returns toward Funchal, with a scenic drive and drop-off at two locations. You should be back by about 17:00, though exact timing depends on pickup location and any road or weather adjustments.

Small Group Touring in an Air-Conditioned Minibus

This tour runs in a modern air-conditioned minibus and is designed for a smaller group size, roughly 8 to 14 people. That matters because it affects how smoothly the day runs at each stop. You spend less time waiting, and the guide can actually manage the group without losing everyone every time you stop for photos.

Comfort is also influenced by timing and road conditions. One review noted the air conditioning was opening windows, which hints that on some days the vehicle ventilation might vary. Pack your jacket, keep an eye on the weather, and you will be fine.

Guide quality is a huge part of why this tour consistently scores well. Names that show up with high praise include Toni, Lucy, Tony (spelled Tony in one case), Michael, Carlos, and others. When guides are doing their job well, you get facts plus storytelling, and you also get practical tips about what to look for at each viewpoint.

Who Should Book This East Madeira Tour, and Who Should Skip It

I think this tour is a great fit if you have limited time and you want a structured “greatest hits” east-side day. It works especially well for first-time visitors who want a guided overview but still want some freedom for photos and wandering in places like Santana and around Porto da Cruz.

It is also a strong match if you like variety: peaks, forest walking, village sightseeing, and a local tasting all in one day. The mix is the point, and the day is designed so you do not have to plan driving between all these areas.

You might want to skip it if you cannot handle walking on uneven terrain. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the levada walk is the kind of activity where footwear and balance matter.

Also, if you are the type who hates tight schedules, consider that some people feel the day can be rushed at times. The counterbalance is that you see a lot that would be hard to coordinate on your own.

Should You Book Madeira Seekers’ East Island Tour and Levada Walk?

If you want an efficient, high-value way to see Madeira’s East side without doing research and route math all morning, I’d book this. The price makes sense because shared tours include transport plus a 3-course lunch with drinks, and you also get a free rum tasting. Add the Laurissilva levada walk and Pico do Arieiro, and you get two major “Madeira reasons” in one day.

I would only hesitate if you are sensitive to pacing or if you know you will struggle with the levada walk. The 3.00€ levada fee is small, but the walking itself is not optional, and the tour is not built for mobility constraints.

If you go in with the right mindset, this is the kind of day that sticks. You start with sky-high views, cool off in UNESCO forest, eat well in Santana, then finish with coastlines and a tasting at Porto da Cruz. It is a full plate, but it is a good one.

FAQ

How long is the Madeira East Island Tour and Levada Walk?

The tour lasts about 8 hours, with pickup typically between 8:00 and 9:00 and return by around 17:00.

Is lunch included?

For shared tours, lunch is included as a 3-course meal with drinks. For private group bookings, lunch is listed as not included.

Is there an extra fee for the levada walk?

Yes. The levada walk has an additional entrance fee of 3.00€ paid on the day of the walk.

Do I get rum tasting on the tour?

Yes. The tour includes a visit to the rum factory in Porto Cruz Village, with rum tasting that is free.

What languages are the tour guides?

Live guides are available in English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Is the tour suitable for mobility impairments?

No. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.