Four wheels, fresh food, and big cliff views. This off-the-tourist-trail open-top 4WD trip from Funchal strings together hillside villages, viewpoints, and a proper local shop stop at the Santo da Serra market, so you get both scenery and real Madeiran tastes in one half-day-ish outing. The main thing to watch is that pickup is extra if you’re outside central Funchal or Caniço.

What makes this tour feel good is the human scale. You ride with a small group (up to 8 per vehicle, and the overall tour caps at 24), and the guides can turn the ride into a running talk about food, plants, and island life. If you’re lucky enough to be guided by someone like Michel, Lino, or Eddie, you’ll likely get extra context along the way. The one possible drawback is that one short stop involves the Clube de Golf area, and entry there is not included.

Key highlights on this Santo da Serra to Cristo Rei 4WD route

• Small-group open-top 4×4 ride with room to ask questions along the way
• Santo da Serra farmers market stop, focused on what Madeirenses actually buy
• Christ the King views at Garajau, with photo chances built in
• Real island stops, from plateau villages above Machico to Santa Cruz
• Guide-led storytelling, with names like Michel, Lino, and Eddie showing up in past trips

Why this 4WD route feels more local than most Madeira tours

I like tours that cut through the “drive, stop, photo, repeat” pattern. This one works because the route is designed around three things you can actually feel: local communities, local food, and viewpoints that are close enough to enjoy without racing.

You start inland and uphill, then you drop back toward the south coast. That simple rhythm matters. Madeira’s coast can be busy, while the interior near Santo da Serra gives you a calmer, more agricultural feel. Add an open-top 4×4, and the whole experience becomes less like a bus tour and more like exploring with a friend who knows the island.

The other key value is the market time. This is not just a quick glance at a few stalls. The Santo da Serra stop is long enough that you can see what’s for sale, look at bread and produce, and taste the idea of Madeiran everyday life through what people buy.

Getting around in an open-top 4×4 from Funchal, Caniço, and beyond

This is a 3 hours 30 minutes experience, and the format is straightforward. You’ll get a pickup time confirmation, then meet your vehicle. Pickup at port locations or outside Funchal comes with extra fees.

Here’s what matters for planning:

• If you’re staying in or near Funchal, pickup is typically easier to handle without the larger add-on charges.
• If you’re farther out, the price can creep upward depending on where you’re picked up.

The tour company runs multilanguage guide support and issues a mobile ticket. Most people can take part, and it’s listed as near public transportation, which can help if you’re coordinating your day on your own.

The vehicle setup is also important to set expectations. Because it’s an open-top 4×4, you’re out in the air. Bring sunglasses and something for sun, and expect that the ride may feel more exposed than a closed car. It’s part of the fun, not a deal-breaker.

Stop 1: Santo da Serra plateau views above Machico

You begin at Santo da Serra, in the interior of Madeira’s southern coast, within the municipality of Machico. It sits around 700 meters altitude on a rough plateau, overlooking Machico. That altitude shift is one reason this start works: you’re already up where the air feels different and the views open up.

This stop is around 30 minutes, and it’s described as an easy base to orient yourself. You’re not stuck in a “museum moment” here. Instead, you get a sense of how the island sits, how the neighborhoods relate to each other, and why Santo da Serra is known as a farming area.

Practical tip: if you want photos, aim to step out early in the stop window. Viewpoints tend to get busy, even on tours that are small.

Stop 2: The Santo da Serra farmers market, bread, fruit, and home-made drinks

The heart of the experience is the local market in Santo da Serra. This isn’t a craft fair. It’s a grocery day in island form.

During your market stop, you can see farmers selling fruits and vegetables, plus local bread. The market also includes licours home made and infusions drinks, so you get a taste of Madeira’s everyday pantry culture, not just its tourist souvenirs. The tour also notes that this is a shopping destination for the Madeirenses themselves, which is exactly what you want if your goal is to meet the island through food.

This is one of the most praised parts of the whole outing. People highlight that the market feels character-filled and that it’s the best stop when compared with other similar trips. Even better, the market time gives you breathing room to actually look around, chat, and figure out what you want to bring back.

A balanced way to approach it:

• Come with curiosity, not a shopping mission.
• Think about small edible souvenirs you can carry home easily.
• If you’re sensitive to strong scents, pace yourself with the drink stalls, since the market has that full-rotation smell of bread and alcohol and fruit.

One note: the itinerary lists this stop as free admission. So you’re paying for the ride and guide, not for a ticket to see stalls.

A quick look at Clube de Golf Santo da Serra (and why it’s a good photo stop)

Next you pass by the Clube de Golf Santo da Serra area. This connection matters because it shows Madeira’s mix of rural roots and big-name sports real estate.

The club’s original course dates to 1937, and it was redesigned in 1991 by Robert Trent Jones Sr. The tour mentions a spectacular 27 hole course set in a natural setting. The stop time here is short, about 10 minutes, and it states admission is not included.

What I like about including this stop is timing. You get a pause in the tour that’s different from food and viewpoints. Even if you are not a golfer, you can appreciate the architecture and the way the island terrain gets used.

If you want the best photos, look for angles that show both the built area and the island’s drop-offs. Since the stop is brief, don’t get stuck trying to photograph everything at once.

Stop 4: Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau for the viewpoint payoff

Now you shift to the coast at Garajau. The itinerary’s Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau stop is about 20 minutes and it’s centered on views and photo chances.

This viewpoint is a key moment because it’s not just a random lookout. It’s paired with the iconic statue stop that follows. In other words, you get to see the full story from the angle that makes sense, then you can go closer for the statue experience.

A practical tip: dress for wind. Viewpoints on the coast can be breezy, and being open-air makes that feel stronger. If you’re visiting in peak sun, sunglasses help a lot.

Stop 5: Cristo Rei statue details, built 1927 and consecrated in October

The Cristo Rei (Jesus Statue) stop is around 10 minutes and it’s another free admission moment. This is where the tour earns its keep for people who like facts with their photos.

Here are the details included in the itinerary:

• The statue was built in 1927 and consecrated on October 30, 1927.
• It was financed by local lawyer Aires de Ornelas and his wife.
• The statue was created by French artists Georges Serraz and Pierre Charles Lenoir.
• It was completed four years before Christ the Redeemer in Brazil.

That last comparison is a fun one, because it reframes what you might think you know. Instead of only seeing the Brazil statue as the reference point, you can spot Madeira’s place in the timeline.

If you’re taking photos, think about two shots: one from a wider distance showing the statue in relation to the coast, and one closer shot that emphasizes the statue details. Ten minutes goes fast, so keep your camera ready.

Stop 6: Santa Cruz, where agriculture and fishing still matter

To finish, you head to Santa Cruz for about 30 minutes. The itinerary points out that agriculture and fishing remain primary industries here, even with south-coast tourism growth and the development of the international airport increasing tourist-related activities.

I like this stop because it grounds the day after all the viewpoint time. It’s the kind of place where you can sense how the island functions beyond the postcard spots.

This is also a good moment for people who want something simple: a final look at everyday life, a chance to orient your understanding of Madeira’s geography, and a reset before heading back to Funchal.

The stop is listed as free admission as well, so the focus is on observation, not tickets.

What you’re paying for: value at $60.15 per person

At $60.15 per person for about 3 hours 30 minutes, the value comes from combining three cost drivers:

1) the open-top 4×4 ride and small-group operation

2) a guide who narrates the island while you travel

3) meaningful time at the Santo da Serra market, not just a quick photo stop

Most similar tours in Madeira either focus on scenic viewpoints with minimal time on local life, or they focus on market visits with less actual driving and viewpoint payoff. This one blends both. That mix is why it works, especially if you only have a short window from Funchal.

Also worth noting: the itinerary lists admission as free for several stops, including Santo da Serra, Santo Antonio da Serra market, Miradouro do Cristo Rei, and the Cristo Rei statue. The one exception listed is the Clube de Golf Santo da Serra area where admission is not included.

If you want to get your money’s worth, treat the market as your main “return on value” moment. If you shop a bit, snack on bread, or sample an infusion drink, the experience becomes more than just sightseeing.

The kind of guide that makes the ride feel fun

This tour is guide-led, and that’s not a throwaway detail. Past guides linked to the experience include Michel, Lino, and Eddie, and the pattern in their feedback is consistent: the island talk is lively, and the drive becomes part of the story, not background noise.

So what should you expect your guide to do?

• Explain what you’re looking at, from plateau farms to coastal viewpoints
• Bring context to the market beyond stall photos
• Keep the energy up during the driving parts, especially on an open-top vehicle

If you like asking questions, this is a good fit. The small group size means you are less likely to feel like you’re stuck in a crowd of strangers.

Who should book this 4WD market and viewpoint combo

This is a strong choice if you want:

• Off-the-tourist-trail driving around Madeira, not just the obvious stops
• A real local market stop focused on food and everyday purchases
• Viewpoint time that includes the Cristo Rei story with built-in photo moments

It also suits people who don’t want a full day on buses. At 3 hours 30 minutes, you get a complete feeling without sacrificing your whole day.

You might skip it if:

• You strongly dislike vehicles that are open-top, since wind and sun exposure are part of the experience.
• You want very long stops at each location. The pacing is meant to cover multiple meaningful stops.

Should you book the Green Devil Safari farmers market 4WD from Funchal?

I’d book it if you’re the type who likes to spend your Madeira time on two things: local food and views you can feel in your body. The Santo da Serra market stop gives you the local side, and the Garajau Cristo Rei viewpoint plus the statue gives you the wow factor.

Before you commit, do one quick check in your head:

• Where are you staying, and will pickup fees apply?
• Are you okay with a short stop at the Clube de Golf area where admission is not included?
• Do you enjoy open-air rides? If yes, this tour is a great fit.

If you can align pickup costs and you’re excited about a market that’s used by locals, this is one of the better “do-it-in-fewer-hours” ways to understand Madeira beyond Funchal’s main streets.

FAQ

How long is the Funchal local farmers market 4WD experience?

It runs for about 3 hours 30 minutes.

What’s included in the tour price?

You get a multilanguage guide, small group transport (up to 8 persons per 4×4), and an open-top 4×4 experience. A mobile ticket is also provided.

Is pickup included?

Pickup is offered, but not included for every location. Pickup outside Funchal / Caniço has an extra fee, and cruise dock or other areas have different add-on amounts.

Are there admission fees for the Cristo Rei viewpoints and statue?

The itinerary lists admission tickets as free for the Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau and for the Cristo Rei (Jesus Statue).

How many people ride in each vehicle?

The tour keeps it small, with up to 8 persons per 4×4 vehicle, and a maximum of 24 travelers overall.

Can I cancel and get a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel for free and receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the experience start time.