Madeira’s west feels like a highlight reel. This small-group route strings together Fanal Forest and the Porto Moniz natural swimming pools, plus cliff views, waterfall roads, and a proper wine-village stop. It is the kind of day where you get variety without having to plan every turn.

What I like most is the way the day mixes big viewpoints with time to slow down, especially the long break at Porto Moniz. I also really enjoy the Fanal portion, because those old laurel trees can look plain eerie when clouds roll in.

One thing to consider is that it is a long day in a van, with multiple pickups and a lot of driving. If you are very sensitive to timing or prefer a fully relaxed pace, you may want to manage expectations.

Quick hits you can plan around

• Fanal Forest stop with 700-year-old laurel trees (and possible cloud drama)
• Cabo Girão glass platform costs extra, plan €5 per person
• Porto Moniz has free and paid pools (paid side is €3 per person)
• No levada walk, you just take in the plateau views and points of interest
• North-coast drive includes Ribeira de Janela and its whale-hunting caves

A West-Madeira Day That Moves, but Still Lets You Stop

This tour is built for people who want the west and north coasts in one day, without white-knuckling the mountain roads yourself. You start in the morning, then you work your way through fishing villages, cliff viewpoints, high plateaus, and forest paths, before ending back in the Funchal area.

The value here is not just the number of stops. It is the fact that several of them are “look, breathe, take photos” moments, and at least one stop gives you real time to do something active. You are not rushed through every place like a checklist. Still, you should treat it as a full-day outing because the road time adds up.

The group size matters too. With a maximum of 15 travelers, you usually get more flexibility to step out for photos and regroup without the chaos that can come with bigger coaches.

Price and Value, Plus the Fees You Should Budget

The tour price is $36.01 per person, and it covers transportation and the free portion of the Porto Moniz natural pools. That alone is a strong start, because entrance fees can stack up on Madeira.

Here is what to budget for:

• Cabo Girão entrance fee: listed as €5.00 per person (separate from the tour price)
• Porto Moniz paid pool side: €3.00 per person

The tour includes the free pool area, so you can choose not to pay extra if you just want to swim.

Food is not included. The Porto Moniz break gives you time around restaurants and supermarkets, and you can grab lunch on your own. If you want to keep costs down, you can pack snacks and then use the town options during breaks.

My take: if you are paying for a tour anyway, you are essentially buying two things you might otherwise pay to access or struggle to coordinate. One is the structured driving plan. The other is that long swim window at Porto Moniz.

Pickup, Timing, and the One Mistake to Avoid

Start time is 8:30 am. Pickup can take a bit because the driver collects people around Santa Cruz, Caniço, and Garajau. Your plan should be “morning pickup, lots of stops, back late afternoon.”

You should also be aware of pickup rules:

• Pickup is not offered from Machico, Calheta, or Ponta Sol, unless the group is above 8 people, with an additional cost.
• Hotels in Santa Cruz have an additional €12 per person pickup fee, paid in cash to the driver (and this is also relevant for guests in Vila Galé and Santa Cruz Village, per the notes).

The practical tip that can save you stress: double-check the meeting point details right after booking, and again the day before. There is a warning signal in the way the tour communicates times and locations, so you want to show up prepared and not be figuring it out at the last minute.

Also bring the mindset that the day can shift a little if roads are closed due to weather, snow, or heavy rain. Madeira can change quickly, especially with mountain routes and the higher plateau areas.

From Camara de Lobos to Cabo Girão: Cliff Views and Old-School Madeira

Your first real scenic hit is the drive through Camara de Lobos, a fishing village with a bay full of docked boats. This is where the area’s connection to popular fish comes up, and you get to see the cliffs towering above the village.

What I like here is that it is not just a “park and pose” stop. You get the sense of the place. You are also right in the orbit of places associated with artistry, with Cabo Girão’s views often tied to the kind of painterly light people go searching for on Madeira.

Next comes Cabo Girão, one of the big-ticket viewpoints. You go to the cliff area with the glass platform that looks down toward the terraces and the sea. It is a short stop, so I recommend arriving at the main viewpoint, then deciding quickly how much time you want for the glass section and how much you want to use the rest of the time for photos and the best angles.

A heads-up: Cabo Girão is not included. Plan €5 per person and have cash or card ready.

Ribeira Brava and the Queijada Pause Before the Highlands

You then reach Ribeira Brava, a mountain-surrounded town that feels tucked into the island. The stop is about 30 minutes, and it is designed for a reset: a quick walk, a look at key monuments, and a chance to use restrooms.

This is also where the tour points you toward classic Madeira tastes. The famous queijada cheese tart is a natural thing to try if it is offered by local spots nearby during your stop. Even if you skip dessert, the town’s fortress-era presence and decorated church details give you a sense of the island beyond pure scenery.

The timing here is smart. After the cliff and coastal driving, you get a calmer moment before you head up toward Paul da Serra and the forested north-coast segments.

Paul da Serra Plateau Points: What You Get Without a Levada Walk

After Ribeira Brava, you drive through the warmer south-west coast, then start climbing through the routes with banana plantations, eucalyptus, pines, and little garden-like terraces cut into the hills. This is where the drive itself becomes part of the experience, because it changes feel as you gain altitude.

You reach the Paul da Serra plateau area at about 1550 meters. The highlight here is the way you can see levadas in the distance, those water channels that shape Madeira’s life. That said, this tour does not include a levada walk. So you should think “views and photo stops,” not “hiking.”

If you are visiting in colder months, the tour description even notes winter conditions like snow coverage on the plateau, with water and springs adding to the experience. Even without that, the plateau stop is useful because it gives you a break from constant coastal cliff angles.

Vereda do Fanal: The 700-Year-Old Laurel Forest Moment

This is one of the best-known stops for a reason. Vereda do Fanal is where you slow down, step into a forest, and let the place do the work.

The drive to Fanal is about 15 minutes, then you get around 35 minutes in the forest itself. This is a stop built around ancient laurel trees that can be over 700 years old. If clouds roll through the area on your day, it can make the whole scene feel oddly theatrical, like the air turns thicker and the forest looks like a movie set.

The tour also frames the “other side” view, where you can sometimes see the Laurel Forest and the north coast beyond. Even when visibility is not perfect, the forest remains special because the trees are so old and so large. You get those thick trunks and the feeling of walking through something that has existed far longer than Madeira tourism ever has.

Practical note: bring comfortable shoes. Forest ground can be damp or uneven depending on weather, and you have limited time, so you want to move confidently.

Ribeira de Janela and the Window Valley Photo Break

Next comes Levada Ribeira de Janela, a stop with strong “Madeira’s history is written into the land” energy. You drive through the north coast area and reach the Window Valley, which is described as a mix of old paths, houses, and vines.

This portion includes a short photo stop around 10 minutes. It is not a long walk, and that can be a good thing because it keeps you from burning time before the Porto Moniz swim break.

The historical note here is unique: the village made history through whale hunting, and there are still short caves without exit connected to that sea-mammal storage. Even if you do not go deep into the details, it adds meaning to what you see. You are not only looking at scenery, you are seeing evidence of how people used the coast.

Porto Moniz Natural Pools: Free Swim Time, Choose Your Comfort Level

Porto Moniz is your big reset and the reason many people book this tour. You arrive for a break of about 2 hours in summer/spring and about 1.5 hours in winter. That means you get time to change, wade in, float around, and actually enjoy the sea pools instead of treating it like a quick dip.

Here is the key choice: there are two sets of natural pools.

• One set is free for this tour
• The other set is paid, with an entrance fee of €3.00 per person

I like that this gives you control. If you just want the experience of swimming in the natural basalt pools, you can use the free area. If you prefer the paid pool setup for whatever reason, you can decide once you are there.

A couple of practical things to plan for:

• Bring swimming wear, because you will not be just spectating.
• The sea can be rough, especially on the north coast. If conditions are rough, the “swim” part might be more about safe wading and taking in the wave spectacle.
• Restaurants and supermarkets are in the area, so lunch is on your own schedule.
• There is an aquarium you can visit, but that has an additional entrance fee that is not part of the tour.

Also keep an eye on the view connections. Porto Moniz sits with north-coast drama all around it, so even when you step out of the pool, you get that constant “waves and stone” backdrop.

Seixal Waterfalls From the Viewpoint and São Vicente Wine Cellars

After Porto Moniz, you head to Seixal. This area is known for vine plantations and grapes used for Madeira wine. You stop near a viewpoint where you can see the beach, but the description notes that going down toward the beach can be difficult because roads are blocked by rental cars during peak seasons.

Instead, the stop centers on the waterfalls along the road, including Agua de Alto, which looks like a ribbon dropping toward the sea. It is the kind of stop that works well even if you do not want to walk far.

Then you finish in São Vicente, a village shaped by mountains and old foot paths. This is a wine-focused stop, and you get free Madeira wine tasting in an old wine cellar that still has an older wine press. If you enjoy wine tastings, this is a great way to end the day because it is interactive and not just another viewpoint.

There is also the playful side of Madeira here, with poncha and Nikita cocktails mentioned as options in the area. You may not have time to do everything, but you get the chance to sample and learn how the local drinking culture fits into village life.

The sea conditions are also part of the story in São Vicente. The area is known for big waves and surfing, so even if you are not surfing yourself, you will likely see why it attracts people who are comfortable with rough water.

Finally, the tour returns toward Funchal via the Serra de Água village route.

Who This Tour Suits Best, and Who Might Want a Different Plan

This tour fits you if:

• You want multiple iconic west and north-coast stops in one day
• You care about Fanal Forest and Porto Moniz enough to spend real time there
• You want a guided plan to avoid navigating tight mountain roads

It might be less ideal if:

• You are the type who gets grumpy when a day runs long. Even when the schedule is efficient, there is morning pickup time, and the return depends on traffic.
• You dislike paying add-ons like Cabo Girão. Porto Moniz can stay mostly free if you stick to the included pool side, but Cabo Girão is still extra.
• You want a lighter day with fewer stops and less movement. This is not a slow stroll tour.

Group size stays small, and the tone depends on your driver-guide. Some guides are noted for being very chatty and informative, and others keep things more practical. If you value facts and local flora details, choose this tour anyway because the forest and plateau stops naturally lead to that kind of island talk.

Should You Book Majestic West Tour and Fanal Forest?

My call: book it if you want a single-day “greatest hits” plan that still leaves time to swim and take in Madeira’s older forest feel. The pairing of Fanal Forest with Porto Moniz is the strongest reason to choose this route, because it mixes ancient nature and real sea-pool time.

Hold off if you know you will be stressed by:

• extra driving time and multiple pickup points
• separate fees at Cabo Girão
• the weather-driven nature of ocean conditions at Porto Moniz

If you do book, your best move is simple: confirm the meeting point details, arrive prepared for a full day, and pack for two moods, cool forest air and swim time by the sea.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 8:30 am. Pickups can take time because the driver collects guests around Santa Cruz, Caniço, and Garajau.

How long is the tour?

It runs about 7 hours 30 minutes on average, and the return to Funchal is described as arriving around 17:00 to 17:35.

What is included in the price?

The price includes transportation and the free portion of the natural pools at Porto Moniz. Mobile tickets are offered, and the tour is available in English.

Do I have to pay for Cabo Girão?

Yes. Cabo Girão has a separate entrance fee listed as €5.00 per person, and you can pay by cash or card.

Are Porto Moniz natural swimming pools free?

One set of natural pools is free, and there is a second paid pool set. The paid entrance is listed as €3.00 per person.

Does the tour include lunch?

No lunch is included. Porto Moniz has restaurants and supermarkets, so you can buy your own meal during the break.

Do I need to bring swimming wear?

Yes. The tour specifically asks you to bring swimming wear for the Porto Moniz swimming break.

Is there a levada walk included?

No. The tour does not include any levada walk, even though it visits levada-related viewpoints on Paul da Serra.

Where do you pick up, and are there extra pickup fees?

Pickup is offered for areas including Santa Cruz, Caniço, and Garajau. Pickup is not offered from Machico, Calheta, or Ponta Sol, unless the group is above 8 people with an added cost. Hotels in Santa Cruz can require an additional €12 per person pickup fee paid in cash to the driver.

What happens if weather is bad?

The tour requires good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor weather you are offered a different date or a full refund. Bad weather can also lead to changes because roads may close, including due to snow or heavy rain.