A day in East Madeira feels like a photo album with legs. You get sky-high viewpoints, a short levada walk, and real north-coast culture, plus rum stops. The only real catch is that this is a shared, full-day drive, so popular spots can be busy when the weather is good.

I like that the route is built around variety, not just scenic stops. You move from the capital overlook at Terreiro da Luta, up to Pico do Arieiro, into UNESCO Laurissilva at Ribeiro Frio, then down through Santana and Porto da Cruz. A possible drawback is that you need good weather, and you may spend some time in the van between stops.

Key Things That Make This East Madeira Tour Worth Your Time

• Pico do Arieiro at 1,818 m with wide views in multiple directions
• Balcões levada walk (45 minutes) through UNESCO Laurissilva, optional but great
• Santana’s triangular thatched houses in a real village setting, not a staged attraction
• Rum tasting plus sugarcane culture in Porto da Cruz
• Guindaste viewpoint and glass bridges, with a known 2026 closure window
• Small-group feel with a maximum of 19 travelers

East Madeira in One Day: How the Whole 7-Hour Plan Works

This tour is designed for people who want the east side of Madeira without renting a car or playing navigation games on narrow roads. The pace is steady, not chaotic. You start early (8:30 am), then rack up big scenery points, with only one optional, structured walk.

A useful thing to know: not every stop is about stepping off into a long hike. A lot of it is viewpoint time, quick orientation, and photo windows. That is exactly what makes it good value for the price. You get several different “Madeira types” in one day, from high-mountain air to forest shade to dry peninsula views.

Terreiro da Luta Belvedere: The Peace Sanctuary Above Funchal

Stop 1 is Belvedere Du Terreiro Da Luta, above 700 m near Monte, with a view over Funchal’s course and the city beyond. It’s not just a pretty overlook. It centers on the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Peace, which is the largest monument on the island in this area, with a marble statue about five meters tall.

What I like here is the mix of emotion and geometry. The story is tied to the bombings carried out by German submarines on Funchal in 1917, and the statue is linked to a promise made to Madeirans. Around it, you’ll find the biggest rosary beads in the world, a focal point for prayer for peace.

Practical note: the admission ticket is free, and you get a coffee shop and rest rooms on site. Those details matter because it keeps your day from turning into a scavenger hunt for bathrooms.

Pico do Arieiro: Skywalk to Heaven and Views in Every Direction

Next up is Pico do Arieiro, at 1,818 m, the third highest point on the island of Madeira. The drive through the national park comes with wild flowers along the roads and then the darker, dramatic feeling of the black forest with tall Christmas pines.

At the top, you get one of Madeira’s most famous viewpoints, often associated with a skywalk to heaven. When the weather behaves, this is where the day can look unreal. On a clear day, you can see across Madeira from Funchal down toward the nuns valley. You also get views toward the western side, including Ponta de São Lourenço, and on a good visibility day, even Porto Santo and the deserted islands.

A consideration: Pico do Arieiro is weather-dependent. If clouds roll in, you might get mist instead of distance. Plan your expectations accordingly and keep your jacket handy. Also, the rest rooms and restaurants at this stop are typically paid, so bring small cash or be ready to use facilities on site.

Balcões de Ribeiro Frio: UNESCO Laurissilva, Birds, Trout, and a 45-Minute Levada

Stop 3 is one of the best segments if you like nature that feels specific to Madeira. You descend into the laurissilva of Ribeiro Frio, a UNESCO protected ecosystem with endemic plants and birds.

Here’s what makes it more than just a walk in the green. The guide typically points out bird life such as the bis-bis, also called the firecrest, the Madeiran chaffinch, and sometimes the long toed pigeon, which is rarer. And you’re also near the Ribeiro Frio Aquaculture Station, where rainbow trout help repopulate waterways on the island.

Then there’s the 45-minute Balcões levada walk, which is easy and flat and described as not compulsory. This is the kind of walk that works for lots of fitness levels. You follow the water channel path, and the viewpoint payoff includes views out over the riverbed area and toward the sea, with Eagles Rock in sight. The walk also crosses the bridge-like natural separation area between Faial and Porto da Cruz.

Practical tips:

• Wear shoes you trust on uneven paths.
• You can choose the walk or skip it, but if you do one short hike on the day, this is the one.
• The entrance fee for the levada balcões is €3.00 per person, and that cost is not included in the ticket.

Miradouro do Guindaste: Columnar Lava Rocks and Glass Bridges

Stop 4 is Miradouro do Guindaste, between Faial and Santana, a viewpoint area that mixes coastal drama with geology nerd candy. You’ll see steep agricultural terraces where vegetables, fruit, wine, and sugarcane cover the land.

This place is also known for a distinctive geological feature: prismatic or columnar disjunction resulting from lava flows. It makes the coastline look like nature arranged it with a ruler.

At the viewpoint, you can look up and down the north coast, from Faial toward Ponta de São Lourenço and toward Eagles Rock. On clear days, Porto Santo can pop into view. There are also glass bridges that look out over the sea far below, and the spot is even known for proposals.

Important 2026 note: the skywalk guindaste attraction will be closed from February 2 to April 2, 2026. The viewpoint itself should still be part of the stop, but the glass-bridge portion may not be available during that window. If your travel dates land in that range, it’s worth confirming what access looks like on the day.

Santana’s Triangular Thatched Houses: Lunch Time in a Real Village

Stop 5 is Casas Tipicas de Santana, and it’s the cultural shift you were hoping for after mountain and forest. Santana is wrapped in laurel forest, with vineyards nearby, and it’s known for small triangular houses with wheat thatch.

The key detail I appreciate here is that you’re not just seeing a postcard. You’re in a place with a living village feel. These houses are described as being over 240 years old, with small spaces where families lived without luxury. On weekends, farmers gather to sell crops in a farmers market, which helps the area feel grounded.

You’ll also have lunch time here for about 1.5 hours. Lunch is not included in the tour price, but you get the time block to eat. Typical local options mentioned for this area include wheat soup, Santana bread, pregos served on bolo do caco bread with garlic butter, and fried maize.

A practical drawback: because this is lunch time inside a sightseeing stop, you may want to keep your order simple so you don’t lose time. If you’re sensitive to heat or crowds, go with the earlier end of the lunch window rather than the busiest moment.

Porto da Cruz: Sugarcane, Rum Tasting, and the North Coast Story

Stop 6 takes you to Porto da Cruz, one of the north coast parishes with a strong identity. The name is tied to a cross the first settlers erected in the harbor. It’s also set under Penha D’Águia, which separates the parishes of Porto da Cruz and Faial.

This is where Madeira’s sugarcane past becomes something you can taste. The region produced white rum and brandy, and rum links directly to Madeiran culture through poncha cocktails.

What I like most is that you’re not just told a story. You get rum tasting included, and the stop includes a distillery visit described as using very old machinery. During winter season, from March to May, sugarcane is cultivated, crushed, and transformed into rum, which gives context to what you’re tasting.

If you care about practical travel value, this stop is great because it gives you a sensory souvenir. Not a trinket. A flavor memory.

Ponta de São Lourenço: Dry Peninsula Views and the Porto Santo Payoff

Stop 7 is Ponta de São Lourenço, and the scenery changes again. You’re crossing from the more lush, green part of Madeira toward the drier side. The route mentions Machico as the previous capital, then Caniçal as the fishing village with tuna and seafood.

There’s also a whale-hunting story tied to this area, based on what the village represents. But the real reason people come is the peninsula itself. Ponta de São Lourenço has a unique geological feel and natural scenes with hidden bays and beaches with natural sand.

On a clear day, you can see Porto Santo and the deserted island areas too. This is often the final “wow” moment on the drive, a clean geometric ending to a day that already hit mountains, forest, and coast.

Machico Finale: Old Capital, Sugarcane Terraces, and the Runway View

Your day wraps with Machico, Madeira’s old capital, which served as capital for almost ninety years. The stop includes sugarcane fields and terraced views overlooking the old harbor and the beach with white sand described as from Maroco. You’ll also pass monuments such as the church and fortress.

Then there’s a modern attraction that somehow works with the traditional vibe: the airport runway area that joins Machico and Santa Cruz, with old and new parts of the airport mentioned as something to look at on the way back toward Funchal.

If you’re tired, this is still worth it. It’s a last glimpse that ties Madeira’s farming roots to its present-day reality.

Price and What You Really Get for $35.95

At $35.95 per person for a full day on the east side, this tour is priced like a smart starter pack. You are paying for:

• transportation and a driver who knows the roads
• multiple major stops that would be hard to chain efficiently on your own
• rum biscuit tasting and a rum tasting stop
• a guided visit structure across varied terrain

Now, the honest part. Lunch is not included. Food and drinks are not included. There’s also a €3.00 entrance fee for the Balcões levada walk. Paid rest rooms pop up at some viewpoints too.

Still, for most people, this works out as good value because you get a lot of “day coverage” for one ticket. You are also capped at a maximum of 19 travelers, and several guides in past tours have been praised for keeping the day from feeling rushed.

One more expectation-setter: because it’s a shared tour, you are not buying privacy. One unhappy experience mentioned crowding with other coach tours. So if you hate any hint of bus-group energy, you might prefer a private option.

Getting Picked Up and Making It to the Starting Point

Starting time is 8:30 am. Pickup is offered, and you’ll need to match your location to the pickup rules.

Key details that can save you stress:

• No pickup from hotels in Machico, Ponta do Sol, and Calheta.
• Santa Cruz hotel pickup costs an extra €6.00 per person, paid in cash to the driver.
• For cruise or ship guests, shared tours meet at the front of the CR7/Museum bus stop.
• Service animals are allowed.
• The tour is described as not suitable for pets.

Also, bring a jacket. Even in daytime, the mountains can cool off fast.

What to Pack and How to Choose the Right Option on the Day

For this kind of Madeira day, the small things matter.

Shoes: you’re doing a short walk on levada terrain and spending time on rocky viewpoints. Comfortable shoes win.

Clothes: a light jacket. You can feel temperature swings between Pico do Arieiro, forest valleys, and the coast.

Money: plan for €3.00 for the levada entrance fee (Balcões). Also expect paid facilities at certain stops. Cash helps if card machines are out of service.

Energy strategy: if you’re choosing only one “active” moment, pick the Balcões walk. It gives you the most payoff per unit of effort.

Should You Book the Amazing East Tour of Madeira?

Book it if you want a first serious look at East Madeira in one go. It’s a great fit for people who like mixing big viewpoints with a bit of walking, and who want sugarcane and rum culture without doing the research and driving.

Skip or reconsider if:

• you hate crowds or bus-group vibes
• you are traveling only on days with questionable weather, since the tour requires good conditions
• you need hotel pickup from Machico, Ponta do Sol, or Calheta (those pickup areas are excluded)

If your priority is efficient coverage and variety, this is a smart choice. The day is long enough to feel complete, but structured enough that you can take photos, walk, and still return to Funchal without feeling exhausted in a bad way.

FAQ

How long is the Amazing East Tour?

It runs about 7 hours, starting at 8:30 am.

What is included in the tour price, and what costs extra?

Included are rum biscuit tasting and a 45-minute Balcões levada walk (the walk is described as not compulsory). Lunch is not included. There is also an entrance fee of €3.00 per person for the Balcões levada walk. Food and drinks are not included.

Is the 45-minute levada walk required?

No. The Balcões walk of about 45 minutes is described as easy and flat and not compulsory.

Where does pickup work, and where is it not available?

Pickup is offered, but there is no pickup from hotels in Machico, Ponta do Sol, and Calheta. Santa Cruz hotel pickup has an additional €6.00 per person cost paid in cash to the driver. Cruise or ship guests meet at the front of the CR7/Museum bus stop.

When is the Guindaste skywalk closed in 2026?

The skywalk guindaste attraction is closed from February 2 to April 2, 2026.

What happens if the weather is bad or you need to cancel?

Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time. The tour requires good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.