Madeira’s north feels like another planet. This 7 hour 45 minute drive mixes geology, quiet villages, and big viewpoints with live commentary. It’s the kind of day that helps you see more of the island without stressing over directions.

I especially like the small group size. With a maximum of 18 travelers, you get a calmer pace and more useful explanation from the guide. I also love how the itinerary doesn’t just hit the obvious spots, it threads through lesser-visited corners on the north and east side.

One thing to consider: lunch and snacks are not included, and the São Vicente caves and Volcanism Centre are optional with admission costs not included. So you’ll want a plan for food and a little extra budget if you want the cave experience.

Key highlights I’d plan around

• São Vicente Caves option with a long underground route over 1,000 m and low-ceiling sections (about 5 to 6 m high)
• Volcano Centre audiovisuals that explain how Madeira formed, plus eruption simulations
• North coast village stops like Ponta Delgada (30 minutes) and Porto da Cruz (30 minutes) for real local rhythm
• Penha D’Aguia at Porto da Cruz and a chance to visit the Northern Milling Company rum factory
• Viewpoint timing that makes sense: Pico do Facho (15 minutes) and Machico valley views before the day ends in Santa Cruz
• Max 18 travelers with live commentary, plus insurance included for peace of mind

Why This Go North Madeira Drive Feels Worth It

If you like Madeira for the way it surprises you, this tour delivers. You start in Funchal, then spend the day moving north and toward the east with frequent chances to look out over the island and learn what you’re seeing.

The big win is the structure. You aren’t stuck on one long stretch of road with nothing to do. Instead, you get a series of short, focused stops that keep the day moving, but not frantic. That makes it a good fit when you want variety in one outing.

Also, the price includes insurance and live commentary. Those two things matter more than they seem. Insurance takes the edge off, and commentary turns scenic pullouts into something you can actually remember.

The one “watch this” item is that not every highlight is included on-site. The main add-on is the São Vicente caves experience, where admission isn’t included.

Funchal Pickup, Departure Window, and How the Day Stacks Up

This tour starts and ends back at the same meeting point in Funchal: Monumental Experience, Estrada Monumental 284, São Martinho, 9000-096 Funchal. Pickup is offered from two center-of-town meeting points, including by the cable car station in the old town, and at the Rotunda do Infante roundabout.

The schedule provided shows departures on Tuesdays, with a pickup or start window of 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM. Your day will feel full because it runs about 7 hours 45 minutes overall.

What I like about this kind of day is that it naturally includes breaks. You have a lunch window built into the itinerary, plus short village and viewpoint stops. You still need to be okay with a driving day, but the pacing is designed to let you step out and stretch.

One practical tip: because lunch and snacks are on you, bring something simple. Even if you plan to buy something, having a backup snack in your bag keeps the day smoother.

São Vicente Caves and the Volcanism Centre Option

Stop 1 is São Vicente Caves, and this is where the tour leans hard into Madeira’s volcanic story. You’ll have an optional visit to the Volcanic Caves and the Volcanism Centre. Admission for that cave portion is not included, and the cave-focused time block is listed at 1 hour 10 minutes.

Here’s what makes the caves feel real: you’re not just looking at rocks. You follow an underground route running for over 1,000 m, and the cave height varies between about 5 and 6 metres. That low ceiling detail is important. If you don’t like enclosed spaces or you’re tall, plan accordingly.

After the caves, you may access the Volcano Centre pavilion. This is set up with educational and entertaining audiovisual displays that recreate the geological evolution of the caves. It also covers the eruption of a volcano and even a simulation tied to the birth of the Madeira Islands.

If you’re the type who enjoys learning while sightseeing, this is the stop that will likely stick with you longest. It gives a “how and why” behind the scenery you’ll see all day.

A balanced approach: if caves are not your thing, the rest of the day still covers plenty of viewpoints and villages. But if you do the caves, wear comfortable shoes and be ready for the cave conditions.

Ponta Delgada: A Quick North Coast Reset (30 Minutes)

Ponta Delgada is a small village on Madeira’s north side, located between the mountains and the ocean. You get about 30 minutes here, and it’s listed as free of extra admission.

This stop is short on purpose. It’s the kind of break that helps you shake off the road time without turning the day into a long march. You can use it to look around, take photos, and get a feel for how the north coast sits against the terrain.

I find that these short village stops do two things. First, they make the later viewpoints feel more grounded because you’ve already seen the human scale. Second, you get some variety without losing the tour’s momentum.

Sao Jorge and Your Lunch Break Over Arco de São Jorge (1 Hour)

Next up is Sao Jorge, centered on a viewpoint over the village of Arco de São Jorge. This is also your lunch break, scheduled at 1 hour, and it’s listed as free.

From a planning point of view, I like this setup. A lunch break timed with a viewpoint means you’re not eating in a parking lot. You can relax, eat, and take in the view.

Because lunch isn’t included, you’ll likely bring your own food or grab snacks elsewhere. The tour indicates you can bring your own food, which is handy. If you bring lunch, you’ll have the freedom to settle quickly and not burn time figuring out food.

If you’re traveling with kids or you just need a mental pause, this is one of the better “breather” stops on the itinerary.

Porto da Cruz: Penha D’Aguia and a Chance to See Rum History

Stop 4 is Porto da Cruz, a picturesque village that’s easy to recognize by its rock formation, Penha D’Aguia. You get about 30 minutes here, and admission for this stop is listed as free.

This is also your optional peek into rum history. The itinerary notes a possibility to visit the Northern Milling Company, described as the only steam-operated facility in Europe. If that kind of old-school industrial process grabs you, this is likely the most interesting “hands-on” moment of the day beyond the caves.

Even if you skip the factory visit, Porto da Cruz is still worth it for the vibe and the dramatic look of the coast. Madeira’s north can feel rugged, and the Penha D’Aguia rock helps explain why the coastline is so visually striking.

The practical reality: factory visits might not be long. You’ll want to be punctual when the tour reconnects, so you can see what you came for without rushing at the end.

Pico do Facho: A Viewpoint Stop That Caps the Eastward Stretch (15 Minutes)

Then you hit Pico do Facho viewpoint for about 15 minutes. This is a quick stop, but the payoff is the range of sightlines.

The viewpoint is described as offering views over the Machico valley, reaching as far as Madeira’s central peaks and Ponta de São Lourenço. That kind of “from here to there” visual is exactly what makes a viewpoint stop valuable, even when it’s brief.

If weather is good, this is where you’ll want your phone charged and your camera ready. If visibility is poor, Pico do Facho can still be worth stepping out for, because you’ll at least understand the island’s layout and how the road and valleys relate.

Santa Cruz Promenade and São Salvador Church (30 Minutes)

The final stop is Santa Cruz, with about 30 minutes to slow down. You’ll find a pleasant promenade by the sea, which is a great place to stretch your legs and reset for the return drive.

There’s also an optional cultural stop: the São Salvador Church, described as a gothic manueline style temple. The key detail here is that it’s one of the churches outside Funchal and noted for architectural interest.

This ending is smart. After caves and viewpoints, you end with something calmer and more human. It helps the day feel complete, not just like a series of pullouts.

When you’re choosing what to do at the church, prioritize what matches your interests. If you love architecture, spend a few extra minutes inside. If you’re done walking, enjoy the promenade and call it a win.

Price and Value: What You’re Really Paying For

At $46.81 per person, this tour sits in a reasonable range for a full-day north and east drive. The price includes insurance and live commentary, and that’s meaningful value when you’re covering a lot of ground.

Pickup also helps. Being collected from either the cable car area or the Rotunda do Infante roundabout means you avoid the hassle of getting yourself to a remote start point.

What’s not included is where your personal budget may change. The São Vicente caves and Volcanism Centre admission is not included, and lunch and snacks are on you. So the true cost depends on whether you want the caves experience and how you handle meals.

Here’s how I’d think about it:

• If you do the caves, you’re paying for both the tour and the ticketed attraction. This is best for anyone who wants geology and explanation.
• If you skip the caves, you still get village time and viewpoints, and you can keep your total spending down.

Either way, you’re paying for the driving and the guidance. With a maximum group size of 18 and a live guide, that’s the part you can’t easily replicate on your own without planning.

The Guide Factor: Why Luis Makes This Day Work

The experience gets high marks for the guide, and one name comes up: Luis. In particular, the way he shares personal insights and a life philosophy style makes the day feel less like a checklist.

It also helps that Luis is described as a great driver and able to work with multiple languages on at least one departure. If you’re English-speaking, you should expect English commentary, since the tour is offered in English. But it’s a comfort to know the guide can handle language needs when the group is mixed.

In practical terms, a good guide affects more than mood. It can change how you spend your time at each stop. You’ll spend fewer minutes guessing what matters and more time noticing what you came for.

Practical Tips Before You Go North

You’re going to be out for most of the day, so plan like it’s a full outing, not a quick sampler. Bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes, especially if you do São Vicente Caves
• A snack plan since lunch and snacks are not included
• A light layer, because Madeira weather can shift and caves are cooler
• Sun protection for viewpoint stops like Pico do Facho

If you’re considering the cave option, remember the cave ceiling height can be as low as about 5 to 6 metres. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it, it just means you should expect to duck slightly and move carefully.

Also, the tour requires good weather. If conditions are poor, it may be canceled and you’ll be offered a different date or a refund.

Who This Tour Fits Best

This is a great choice if you want:

• A full day of north and east Madeira without doing all the logistics yourself
• Mix of learning and scenery, especially with the caves and Volcano Centre option
• Small group touring, max 18, which keeps the day calm and organized

It’s also a good fit if you like photos but don’t want to spend hours driving between viewpoints on your own. The route is designed for quick hits that still feel meaningful.

I’d think twice if you dislike driving days or you want long, slow wandering in each village. Several stops are 15 to 30 minutes, which is enough for a look and a few photos, but not enough to turn every stop into a deep exploration.

Should You Book This Go North Tour?

If you want a guided day that combines geology, north coast villages, and viewpoints without complicated planning, I think this is an easy yes. The cave option and Volcano Centre component is the stand-out for anyone who enjoys learning, and the guide experience with Luis is a big part of why the tour feels satisfying.

Book it if:

• You’re okay with bringing your own lunch or buying snacks
• You’re willing to pay admission for the cave experience if you choose it
• You want a small-group tour that covers a lot efficiently

Skip or adjust if:

• You only want fully included attractions and prefer no ticket add-ons
• You want very long time in one place, because the itinerary is built on multiple short stops

If the weather is good and you’re ready for a full day of views, this tour is a strong way to see the Madeira that most people drive past without really understanding.

FAQ

How long is the Go North Tour on Madeira?

The tour runs for about 7 hours 45 minutes.

Where does the tour start, and does it return to the same place?

It starts at Monumental Experience, Estrada Monumental 284, São Martinho, Funchal, and it ends back at the same meeting point.

Is pickup offered from central Funchal?

Yes. Pickup is offered from two meeting points in central Funchal: by the cable car station in the old town, and at the Rotunda do Infante roundabout.

What languages are offered, and is commentary included?

The tour offers live commentary and is offered in English.

Is admission included for São Vicente Caves?

No. Admission tickets for the caves and Volcanism Centre are not included.

Do I need to buy lunch during the tour?

Lunch and snacks are not included. You can bring your own food, and you’ll stop for lunch or snacks.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 18 travelers.

Does the tour run in all weather?

It requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.