madeira tour guides

23 Best Madeira Tours to Book in 2024

LOOKING FOR THE BEST TOURS IN MADEIRA? 

You’re definitely in the right place, as this article outlines 23 of the best Madeira tours. If you didn’t already know, Madeira is an archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean, approximately 1,000 km (620 mi) from mainland Portugal.

Don’t have time to read the whole article?

The best boat tour in Lagos is this half-Day Lagos Golden Coast Cruise with Lunch , with an almost perfect ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating 😊 ❤️

Madeira has some of the most stunning natural beauty you’ll ever see. The island is truly enchanting from the dramatic cliffs that jut out along the coast to the mystical forests and hidden lagoons. 

Why take a Madeira tour ? Well, most of what you see in Madeira is not in Funchal; it’s all around the island and can be hard to get to. So, if you don’t plan on driving around Madeira, booking one of these tours is the best way to see the island.

Top 3 Picks: Best Madeira Tours

Private Bespoke Grand Island Tour  

→ wide panoramic roof in the car → fully customizable tour

Madeira Food & Culture Tour

→ Visit seven different spots → Try local Madeiran food specialties

Private Tour to the West: Visit Fanal, Porto Moniz and Seixal

→ Private personalized tour → go off-the-beaten path

23 Best Madeira Tours

Experience the best of the island with these 23 top Madeira tours. Whether you’re navigating through scenic landscapes on Madeira jeep tours, sipping local flavors on Madeira winery tours, uncovering hidden gems with Madeira guided tours, trekking with Madeira hiking tours, or following the iconic waterways on Madeira Levada tours, adventure awaits.

1. Madeira Private Bespoke Grand Island Tour  

⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 6-8 hours | 🌄 BOOK NOW

Create your own itinerary on this bespoke Madeira Grand Island Tour . You’ll be able to explore the immense diversity across the island, from secluded swimming spots to viewpoints atop volcanic mountains, as you’re guided around the old roads of the island.

We knew we were short on time and wanted to maximize our island experience and with Nuno as our guide, that’s exactly what we got!  — SYDNEY   (READ MORE  REVIEWS )

The entire day is customizable to your exact preferences. If you see a spot where you want to stop, ask. On this private tour, your guide will bring you in a luxury car with a panoramic roof through the roads less traveled.

You’ll avoid tunnels and crowds and go along the tops of mountains and down scenic coastal routes. On one of the best private Madeira tours , your guide will also teach you more about the island’s political and cultural history and agriculture.

BEST MADEIRA TOURS

2. madeira food & cultural tour  .

⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 8 hours | 🍽️ BOOK NOW

Enjoy the unique taste of Madeiran cuisine, a combination of typical Portuguese dishes and locally produced fruits and vegetables, on this Madeira food tour .

On this tour, you’ll visit a total of seven different locations across Funchal, eating, drinking, and learning. You’ll have the chance to sample fruits, vegetables, meats, chocolates, teas, and even local Madeira wine. 

Great experience, tasting delicious, local specialities from Madeira. The red wine was great and the Portuguese tarts were exquisite. — STEFAN   (READ MORE  REVIEWS )

There are alternative options for non-drinkers and vegetarians . Your guide will tell you more about what you are eating, as well as historical facts and interesting stories about various spots you pass and about the island as a whole.

3. Private Tour to the West: Visit Fanal, Porto Moniz and Seixal  

⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 8 hours | ⛰️ BOOK NOW

Spend a day touring the western side of Madeira with its beautiful, dramatic cliffs and charming villages on this private day tour to Fanal, Porto Moniz, and Seixal . 

This tour is fully customizable and can even be altered as your day progresses. You can visit banana plantations, visit spectacular viewpoints, or try some local Madeiran rum. No matter what you do, your guide will take you to hidden gems.

We just loved everything! The views, the trip, the time spent with Valdemar, he is a very kind, caring, highly knowledgeable person! 🙏 — ADAM   (READ MORE  REVIEWS )

The tour is done in an open-top 4X4 jeep, ensuring you can get to spots most cars won’t be able to reach, making it one of the best Madeira 4×4 tours to take while visiting the island.

4. Madeira Peaks: Explore the Island’s Best Viewpoints  

Take in the lush green peaks of the island from some of the highest viewpoints — Eagle’s Rock and Ribeiro Frion — on this Madeira Peaks 4X4 tour of the island’s southeast .

On a clear day, from the open-top 4×4 vehicle, you’ll see the twinkling blue of the sea below, or you may have cloud cover adding a layer of white to the hues of Madeira’s landscape. 

Very fun and worthwhile excursion. Madeira is stunning! — JAN   (READ MORE  REVIEWS )

In addition to the peaks, this tour will bring you to a sugar cane factory in Porto da Cruz, plus to Santana village to see the distinct houses there with their extremely peaked roofs making a sort of triangle shape with fun colors and thatched tops.

5. Sunrise Tour at Pico do Arieiro

⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 5 hours | 🌄 BOOK NOW

Experience one of the most amazing sunrises you’ll ever see on this sunrise tour at Pico do Arieiro .

After a convenient hotel pick-up around 6:00 AM, you’ll journey towards Pico do Arieiro, ⛰️ Madeira’s highest viewpoint at 1818 meters . Around 8 AM, you’ll witness a breathtaking sunrise, a spectacle made even more delightful with a hot cup of coffee or tea.

The experience continues with a buffet-style breakfast. Savor sandwiches, homemade cake, biscuits, water, orange juice, fruit jam, cheese, and ham—all included in the tour price.

Sunrise was incredible! Such an amazing experience. Stopped for brekfast after and a lovely stroll at the Levada.  — Jenna   (READ MORE  REVIEWS )

Afterward, you’ll return to the Camacha area for a scenic 40-minute adventure Madeira levada walk in the enchanting Paradise Valley.

🌨️ If the weather isn’t good, the location will change to the Skywalk Viewpoint of Guindaste in Santana, ensuring you can still enjoy a spectacular sunrise.

6. Private Sunset Boat Tour from Funchal

⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2.5 hours | 🌄 BOOK NOW

Watch from the comfort of a private boat as Madeira’s coastline turns even more dramatic under the deep hues of a pink and purple sunset on this private boat tour from Funchal. 

On this evening cruise, you’ll pass by the lofty cliffs of Cape Girao and the orange-roofed houses of the small fishing village Camara De Lobos . You’ll also get another perspective on the tiers of Funchal City from what it looks like when you’re standing in it.

It was a beautiful calm evening a nd we had a great trip. The sunset was made to order and Paulo was a charming host.

A first-time guide to the magical island of Madeira

Jul 24, 2023 • 8 min read

Hiking on a levada trail is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Madeira © Paul Biris / Getty Images

Located off the coast of Africa but also an autonomous region of Portugal, Madeira has its own unique identity.

Rugged and subtropical, home to both tropical fruit and legendary wine, seaside resorts and remote mountain villages, misty forests and rocky beaches, it’s the kind of place that makes your head spin – in a good way.

In particular, Madeira has much to offer the independent and intrepid traveler. Hiking, swimming, diving and surfing are not only accessible but exist at a variety of skill levels. And a unique and delicious food and drink scene awaits you between pursuits.

When should I go to Madeira?

Madeira is blessed with a subtropical climate, and the island experiences an average temperature of 70°F (21°C).

January sees the most rainfall, while the waters surrounding the island are at their warmest in September. If you're seeking peace and quiet, you may want to avoid the crush of tourists in August. Otherwise, Madeira is a great vacation option virtually year-round.

Is it easy to get to and around Madeira?

Madeira is linked to the world via Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport (yes, he’s a native of the island), a destination for international flights, including direct flights from New York City .

However, getting around the island is a bit more complicated. There is an extensive public bus transport system, but if you want to hit the more remote corners for hiking routes or beaches, you’ll almost certainly need a car. Several car hire companies have offices at the airport, although rates aren’t cheap.

Driving in Madeira has its challenges. The island is incredibly hilly, and its roads can be intimidatingly steep and winding. If you don’t feel confident driving in these circumstances, be sure to rent an automatic (more expensive than the standard European manual, but worth it in this case).

How long do I need in Madeira?

Because Madeira’s highlights are found at disparate points across the island, a stay of at least four days is necessary. Consider a night in Funchal to get oriented, and supplement this with stays in one or two more destinations elsewhere on the island – dedicate a day to active pursuits and, ideally, the following day to recover on the beach. Tack on at least another two nights if you plan to hit Porto Santo, the other inhabited island that forms part of the Madeiran Archipelago.

Top things to do in Madeira

Hike a levada or a vereda.

Nearly all of Madeira’s rain falls on the island’s north shore, so to facilitate agriculture on the island’s south, its early settlers created a series of man-made aqueducts known as levadas . Madeira is home to more than 804 km (500 miles) of levadas , a feat of engineering recognized by Unesco. Today, the island’s levadas , as well as its veredas (a general word for a path) double as hiking routes, which often pass through spectacular scenery and landscapes that include waterfalls, cliffs, jungle and incredible viewpoints.

Levadas exist in varying degrees of difficulty and repair; check out WalkMe , a regularly updated guide, to see if the levada you have in mind is open and safe.

A popular, entry-level walk is the Levada do Caldeirão Verde , on the island’s west end. The hike spans a relatively easy 11.8km (7.3 miles) round trip, which passes through diverse scenery that includes a lagoon and waterfall. Another popular walk with an entirely different feel is the Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço , a 7.2km (4.4 miles) round-trip that tackles the island’s dry, rocky easternmost point and includes an opportunity for a refreshing dip in the ocean.

For those looking for more of a challenge, consider the trails that summit Pico do Areeiro and Pico Ruivo , the latter the island’s highest point, and a route that occasionally goes above the cloudline.

Ride a cable car

Madeira’s coast is home to fajãs , areas backed by cliffs that were previously only accessible to boats. That is until a series of cable cars were built. Originally used to shift goods and crops, today Madeira’s cable cars also transport tourists and day-trippers.

The Teleférico das Achadas da Cruz, on the island’s northwest corner, is 600m long, lasts five minutes and is one of the steepest cable cars in Europe. The destination is a vast, crowd-free rocky beach.

Also impressive is the cable car that descends to Fajã dos Padres , a rocky beach that is home to a farm and banana plantation, a cafe/restaurant and a dock for swimming.

Swim in a natural pool

The waters that surround Madeira have both an otherworldly azure hue and a temperature that’s accessible year-round. Unfortunately, the island’s rugged geography and stone beaches mean that accessing that water isn’t always easy. Thankfully, on a few different spots across the island, locals have taken advantage of lava outcroppings to sculpt oceanside swimming pools.

The most famous natural pool is in Porto Moniz, on the island’s northwestern corner, although with its extensive handrails, bathrooms and changing rooms, it doesn’t feel so natural these days. An even more dramatically-positioned version can be found at Doca do Cavacas, on the island’s south shore. For something much more natural, consider the pools in Seixal or Cachalote, both of which also have the benefit of being free.

Taste fortified wine

Madeira’s eponymous wine was created when barrels of the stuff spent months on ships baking in the hot sun. This happy accident caused the wines to oxidize, giving them an entirely new and desirable set of flavors and aromas. Today, seven houses on Madeira make fortified wines in this style, nearly all of whom offer tours and tastings. H.M. Borges , in Funchal, was founded over a century ago and is one of the more traditional houses on the island – they offer a visit and tasting with advance notice. Barbeito is one of the more progressive houses and offers a variety of tastings daily.

Madeira also used to be the most important center of sugar production in the world and there are still six operational sugarcane mills/distilleries on the island. Today, it’s the only place in Europe that produces agricultural rum – rum distilled from sugarcane juice rather than from sugar or molasses. North Mills Distillery , on the island’s north shore, is one of the only remaining steam-powered factories in Europe. Contact the distillery to arrange a visit and tasting, including a Rum Masterclass. In the island’s south, Engenhos da Calheta dates back to 1901, offers tastings, and is also a good place to buy bolo de mel , Madeira’s signature sweet that combines molasses, citrus juice, lard, Madeira wine and spices.

Much of the local rum makes its way into poncha , a drink that combines white rum, orange and/or lemon juice and honey and/or sugar, which is then whipped to a frothy consistency with a special wooden tool. One of the most popular places for the drink is Taberna da Poncha , located in a mountain town in the island’s interior.

Visit a beach

Specifically, a rocky beach. Madeira’s particular geography and location mean that the island’s beaches consist exclusively of round stones. Buy a pair of aqua socks to traverse this relatively challenging terrain, and take note of the haunting roar of tens of thousands of rocks spinning and shifting with each wave.

If you want sand, head to the man-made beaches at Calheta or Machico, or take the ferry to Porto Santo, which has a 7.5km (4.6 miles) fine-sand beach that’s considered one of Europe’s best.

Eat an espetada

Madeira’s signature dish is espetada , chunks of beef marinated in garlic and bay leaves, skewered on a laurel branch or metal skewer, and grilled. To serve, the skewers are hung from unique contraptions, and diners pair them with bolo do caco , a type of bread made in part with sweet potato that’s toasted and slathered with garlic butter; milho frito , cubes of deep-fried polenta; and a green salad.

It’s a delicious combination of dishes, not to mention the perfect post-levada-walk meal. It’s also a fun way to eat, with espetada venues in Madeira ranging from butcher shops, where you choose your cut and grill your own skewer, to old-school restaurants.

My favorite thing to do in Madeira

I love digging into regional food and the Sunday market in Santo António da Serra, a mountaintop village in the island’s east, is Madeira’s culinary scene in miniature. Vendors assemble in the early morning and bring a huge variety of tropical fruits – bananas, of course, but also passionfruit, guava, papaya, custard apple, pitanga, tamarillo and other fruit generally more associated with South America.

There are also beautiful vegetables, baked goods, dried herbs and local honey, among other items. A handful of stalls sell simple prepared foods, and a butcher provides a grill and tables for a DIY espetada . The market has a particular emphasis on drinks, with vendors selling pitchers of poncha , local cider, and even boozy coffee drinks, all of which are paired with dentinhos – snacks that can range from deep-fried pork rinds to a tiny salad of favas.

How much money do I need for Madeira?

Unfortunately, Madeira isn’t exactly a budget destination. Accommodation is relatively expensive, with relatively few hostels or budget options, and a rental car is needed to get to the more remote corners of the island.

That said, this is Portugal – food and drink are pretty good value.

Hostel bed: from €60

Basic room for two: from €120

Self-catering apartment (including Airbnb): from €120

Public transport ticket: €1.35

Coffee: €0.75

Sandwich: €1.50

Dinner for two: €40

Glass of poncha : €2.50

Does it rain a lot on Madeira?

The north half of Madeira can be relatively wet, but the south, including Funchal, only receives between 600mm and 1000mm of rain per year. In general, and especially outside of the relatively wet period between November and February, rain is only an occasional concern on Madeira.

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“Very well organized. The instructions were clear and our driver helped us a lot with finding places to see and things to do.” Nicole, traveled in April 2022

• Hiking & Trekking
• Coastal Walks
• Relax on Porto da Cruz's black sandy beach
• Hike old supply routes with stunning views
• Explore Santana's traditional houses and views

“A very enjoyable trip with exciting walking and scenery. Definitely a trip to remember.” Ian, traveled in October 2022

• Christmas & New Year
• Meet your CEO and fellow travelers
• Hike the Larano trail with coastal views
• Climb Pico do Arieiro, Madeira's peak

“Being able to go out in warmth every day and walk at our own pace no one left behind.” Susan, traveled in December 2023

• Mountain Hikes
• Enjoy a clifftop stroll of the Sao Lourenco Peninsula
• Walk along the unique irrigation channels of the Levado
• Bask in the spectacular alpine views of the Balcony Walk

“A lovely, relaxing holiday with a variety of walks in beautiful and varied countryside.” Christopher, traveled in April 2013

• Explore the diverse trails of Ponta de São Lourenço
• Trek through the misty, ancient Fanal Forest
• Discover Madeira's rum at a traditional factory

“The hotels were very good. The only improvement would be either to include GPS in the rental car or a proper detailed map.” Michael, traveled in March 2024

• In-depth Cultural
• Explore Quinta do Santo da Serra's gardens
• Hike to Pico do Areeiro for stunning views
• Visit the natural pools in Porto Moniz

• Self-Guided Cycling
• Relax at a beachfront hotel and meet your guide
• Cycle through Camacha and visit wicker artisans
• Explore restored thatched houses in Santana

• Sightseeing
• Relax at a beachside hotel with evening briefing
• Cycle through Camacha and visit basket makers
• Explore thatched farmhouses and cycle in Santana

“Very enjoyable, well organised and nothing was a problem for him. It was a great trip.” Valerie, traveled in December 2023

• Explore traditional Santana village
• Hike along Madeira's scenic levadas
• Swim in Porto Moniz's natural pools

• Explore Funchal and dine on local cuisine
• Ascend Pico do Areeiro for stunning views
• Visit traditional houses and scenic coasts

“The Hotel stays were well chosen to give a great, peaceful and comfortable stays.” Philip, traveled in January 2023

• Self Guided Walking Holidays
• Walk the ancient path from Santana to Sao Jorge
• Explore the Green Cauldron Levada's lush scenery
• Taste grilled meats at Santo da Serra's market

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