Machico

Bus & minivan tours

Discover the diverse landscapes of Madeira on a day-long tour. Wander charming towns, enjoy panoramic views and learn about the area from your expert guide. Depart from the meeting point at Funchal's Lido or take advantage of a free hotel pick-up in selected areas. The first stop is at the beautiful viewpoint of Terreiro da Luta, located a few kilometers outside Funchal. Next, drive toward the mountain of Pico do Arieiro. At an altitude of 1,818 meters, the third highest peak on the island offers breathtaking views. Once you've been to the highest drivable peak in Madeira, head back down through the forest on the way to the coast. Admire some of Madeira's emblematic straw-roof houses, pass pretty villages and get stunning seascape views. Arrive at the very eastern point of the island for some superb panoramas of the north and south coasts. Discover the popular start point for the levada walks, Ribeiro Frio, on the northern slopes of the island. See interesting trout pools and original vegetation. Madeira was once completely covered by laurissilva forest, a relic from prehistoric times. Stop for lunch in Santana, characterized by its small, thatched triangular houses. Past Portela go towards Ponta de São Lourenço, situated in the eastern part of the island. This is a place where a fantastic combination of rocks, sea, and nature combine. The last town to be visited is Machico, a viewpoint where you can look over the bay and the golden sandy beach.

Sunrise at Pico do Areeiro & Flexible Hiking Adventures Start your day by meeting your Madeira hiking transfer at one of the pickup points in Funchal, Caniço, or Garajau. From there, you'll be transported directly to the trailhead for a magical sunrise at Pico do Areeiro. Witness the golden hour amidst the dramatic peaks of Madeira as the day awakens around you. *Temporary Route Adjustments! While part of the PR1 trail is currently closed, you’ll still have time after sunrise to explore the accessible section up to Pedra Rija (1.2 km, also known as the "Stairway to Heaven") before returning to our bus. Next, we’ll take you to an alternative hike: - Vereda do Larano (a scenic coastal route) https://walkmeguide.com/en/madeira/trail/45/vereda-do-larano/ OR - PR1.2 Pico Ruivo Hike (a stunning mountain trail) https://walkmeguide.com/en/madeira/trail/17/vereda-do-pico-ruivo-pr1-2/ These options offer equally breathtaking experiences until the full PR1 trail reopens. --- **Classic PR1 Experience (when reopened): After the sunrise at Pico do Areeiro, you’ll follow the thrilling PR1 trail to Pico Ruivo. This well-marked path leads you through Madeira's stunning landscapes to its highest peak, with unforgettable panoramic views along the way. - Distance: 10 km - Duration: 3-5 hours - Difficulty: Moderate - Elevation Gain: 637 meters - Essential Gear: Headlamp or phone torch for early morning hours. Your hike concludes at Achada do Teixeira, where timed transportation will bring you back to your chosen stop. --- **Important Notes: Madeira’s high mountains are subject to sudden and severe weather changes. For safety reasons, we may occasionally need to cancel or adjust the hike. In such cases, you’ll receive a full refund or the option to rebook for another day. Please wear clothing suitable for changeable weather conditions and prepare for an unforgettable adventure in Madeira’s stunning outdoors!

Hike at your own rhythm on a self-guided trek in Caldeirão Verde. Explore the incredible Laurissilva Forest and mystical trail along a water channel, with green views on one side and stunning waterfalls along the other. Observe the waterfalls, ancient endemic trees, the Levada trail, and feel the nature of Queimadas. Get picked up at your accommodation with a shared transfer (up to 8 guests per van). Arrive at your destination and receive your hike instructions with scheduling and map explanation. The hike is a round trip trail totalling 15 km in length. The starting point will be at Queimadas Park. This hike will take you roughly 5.5-hours to complete. The minimum elevation on this tour is 872-meters whereas the maximum is 1062-meters, so it's known for no hills or stairs.

Starts with pick ups in Santa Cruz and Caniço then Funchal, Start with pick-up from the hotel and drive through Funchal's Capital steep roads. Pass the Eucalyptus and Mimosa forests overlooking the Christmas pines (Black Forest), into the breathtaking mountains of Pico do Arieiro at 1,800 meters. Third Highest Peak in Madeira. The centenary Forest covered by the old trees (Laurisilva) is a must and a short walk along the Levada Madeiras water channels can be taken as an option Short walk of 50 minutes to the viewpoint of Balcões where the birds chaffinch comes to the hand to greet the guests. Taking the old road of Faial overlooking the eagles rock mountain, Stop at the Guindaste Skywalk with a glass platform new highlite in the northern point of the island.(This stop will depend on the traffic and the feasts in the village.) Santana will be the next stop. Visit the town's traditional thatched houses and vines. Make a stop for lunch (not included in the price). Weekends the farmers sell their harvests in the tratitional market. After the lunch stop in Santana, continue to Porto Cruz, passing the sugar cane fields. Visit the only steam rum factory in Europe (with rum tasting) and explore the village. See the rough black sandy beach popular for surfers. Then, travel along the North Coast where sugar cane terraces are still visible. See the old capital of Madeira, Machico, where the first Portuguese settlers arrived in the 15th century, before heading to Ponta de São Lourenço, the eastern point cape of the island.  Dragon Back The tour ends with a drop-off at your hotel. 

Explore the most incredible Natural Reserve of Madeira - PR8 Vereda da Ponta São Lourenço on a self-guided hike. Enjoy a convenient transfer to the start of the trail and get picked up and driven back at the end. Hike at your own rhythm, exploring the eastern coast of the Island. It is a peninsula of volcanic origin, mostly made of basalt, but with some limestone sediment formations. At the end of it, there are two islets: Desembarcadouro Islet and Farol Islet. The semi-arid climate and exposure to northern winds explain the low vegetation and the absence of trees in this place, contrasting with the rest of the island. It is classified as a Partial Nature Reserve heritage site, home to rare plants and a diversified fauna. Get picked up at your accommodation (Funchal, Caniço, Santa Cruz, Machico) with a shared transfer (up to 8 guests per van). Arrive at your destination and receive your hike instructions with scheduling and map explanation. The hike is a round trip trail totaling 7.5 km in length. This hike will take you roughly 4 hours to complete. The elevation gain is not much and the altitude is around 100 meters sea level. Due to the easy level of hike experience, its family, senior and child friendly.

Pick-up & Start of the Adventure Your journey begins with a hotel pick-up approximately 1.5 hours before the official sunrise. The exact pick-up time will be sent to you via email or WhatsApp by 8 PM the day before the activity. Please note that the weather in the mountains can be completely different from Funchal, so come prepared with warm clothing and gripping shoes. Sunrise at Pico do Arieiro Upon arriving at Pico do Arieiro, you will witness an unforgettable sunrise (weather permitting). While we strive to offer the best experience, clouds may sometimes cover the view, making the sunrise less visible. This is part of the natural unpredictability of the mountains, so refunds will not be provided in case of poor visibility. PR1 "Stairs of Heaven" Hike (Optional - €3 Fee On-Site) Once at Pico do Arieiro, you have the option to hike part of the PR1 trail (1.2 km) towards the famous "Stairs of Heaven", offering dramatic landscapes and breathtaking views. If you choose this option, please note there is an on-site fee of €3 to access the trail. If you prefer, you can stay near the van, relax, and enjoy the mountain views before the next part of the adventure. ⏳ Important Timing for PR1 Hikers For those who decide to hike PR1, you must return within the time specified by the driver, which usually allows around 45 minutes after sunrise. It is crucial to respect the schedule to ensure a smooth transition to the next part of the tour. Glass Platform at Guindaste Viewpoint Next, we will stop at the Glass Platform of Guindaste Viewpoint, where you can step onto a transparent floor and admire the endless views of the Atlantic Ocean. This is a perfect photo opportunity before we continue to the main hike of the day. Larano Trail – 7 km Coastal Hike (~2.5h) The final adventure of the tour takes you to the stunning Larano Trail, a scenic 7 km hike along the dramatic cliffs of Madeira’s northeast coast. The trail, connecting Machico to Porto da Cruz, offers spectacular sea views and an immersive nature experience. The hike is moderate in difficulty and takes approximately 2.5 hours to complete. Drop-off at Your Hotel After completing the Larano Trail, you will be taken back to your hotel, ending the tour with memories of an incredible day exploring Madeira’s most stunning landscapes.

Embark on an exciting 2.5-hour adventure along the renowned 'Trilho das Funduras' in Fajã dos Rolos. As you follow this scenic route, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the Floresta Laurissilva, a UNESCO World Heritage site, immersing you in the island's lush, verdant landscapes. Take a moment to pause at Casa das Funduras, a key hub for forestry activities, before continuing towards Pico do Furado. From here, enjoy panoramic views of Madeira's rugged north coast and capture stunning photos of the island's iconic green slopes and dramatic scenery. This trail offers a true sense of adventure, with sections of dust and mud, making it a thrilling journey through the heart of Madeira's natural beauty.

Pico Areeiro: Start the tour in the magnificent Pico do Areeiro mountain at an altitude of 1818 meters. Ribeiro Frio: Here you will enjoy a small ( 40 - 45 minute) Levada Walk ( has a fee of 3€ per person, not included in the price ) to a beautiful viewpoint. If you are not a walking person, you can enjoy this stop to visit the Trout nursery. Santana: This stop is the bigger one. You can take advantage of this 1.5-hour stop for lunch and visit Santana village. Faial: At the Guindaste viewpoint you can admire the wonderful northeast coast view. Porto da Cruz: At this small village the stop is around 20 to 30 minutes. Here you can visit the North Mills Distillery and taste the local rum. Ponta São Lourenço: The Ponta do Rosto is a must-see viewpoint. It's situated at the easiest part of the Island and gives you astonishing views over the North and South Madeira Sea and sometimes also of Porto Santo Island.

About this is excursion: -Terreiro da luta ,Senhora da Paz Sanctuary, the largest monument on the island, with a total height of five metres. was built as part of the promise made by madeirans during the bombing raids carried out by German submarines against Funchal in 1917. Carved in marble, this statue in honour of NossaSenhora do Monte is part of the affective heritage of the island's people. -Pico do aereio 1818m (5965 fts). It is the third highest peak in Madeira. visiting the highest (driveable) peak in Madeira, One of the most visited places for sunrise, with a huge dramatic mountain view, very beautiful with a unique and unforgettable panorama -Ribeiro Frio, Laurissilva forest this forest was classified in the World Heritage by UNESCO in 1999. starting point for 'levada' walks Balcões. With its interesting trout pools, this area still has much of its original vegetation. You can walk to view point balcões,around 20 minute easy flat walk . (opcional) -Santana that is characterised by its small thatched triangular houses. charming village. With beautifulchurch, caffe and restaurant. - Faial (GUINDASTE) , 1 of the best view point in north coast,the exciting new addition to is two glass walkways suspended over the ocean, providing visitors with a stunning vantage point from which to take photos and enjoy the breathtaking panorama. -Porto Da Cruz , this village.It has a beautiful sea promenade. And (Engenho do Norte) is one of the main living testimonies of the historical company production of sugar on the island. Visiting these facilities is, therefore, truly synonymous with a journey back in time. -Machico (Pico Do Facho) ,which looks as if a balcony overlooking the sea and the mountains,andold capital ,machico was landed when Madeira was discovered in the year 1419. -Ponta São Lourenço, has a similar climate to that of the island of Porto Santo. situated in the eastern part of the island, this is the place where a fantastic combination of rocks, sea and nature combine, People say it is grand canyon united state.

During this 2 day tour, from 9AM to 5PM each day, you will have the change to experience the best of Madeira. Here are a few highlights that you will discover - Cabo Girão: Our first stop, we travel up to the magnificent 580m high, glass balcony view point of Cabo Girão, famous for being the highest in Europe and second highest cliff in the world. - Ribeira Brava: Traveling along the coast of the island we soon arrive at the village of Ribeira Brava, where we can visit a church dated in the 15th century. - Madalena do Mar: Next we make our way to Madalena do Mar, a smnice visit throught the lush green banana plantations. - Fonte do Bispo: From an altitude of between 1300-1500 meters we find the tourist attraction of Paúl de Serra and it's initiation of several levada walks that connect to different points of the island through the Laurissilva forest. - Porto Moniz: Home of the largest volcanic natural pools of Madeira. On our decent towards the town we can enjoy fantastic views, especially those of the volcanic pools in their entirety. Lunch stop / free time, about 1.30 to 2 hours stop. - Seixal: Next we enjoy a brief stop in Seixal. Along the way, we have the pleasure of passing several waterfalls, particularly the famous and stunning Bridal Veil waterfall. - São Vicente: Thereafter we visit the picturesque neighbouring village of São Vicente, where you can visit a beautiful church dating from the 17th century before returning to Funchal. - Câmara de Lobos: Situated 5km from the city of Funchal, our last stop is the quaint and famous fishing village of Câmara de Lobos; a favourite painting spot of the late Winston Churchill! - Cristo Rei in Garajau: Situated in one of the most surprising places on the Island of Madeira, the statue of Christ the King of Garajau is one of the most emblematic monuments on the east coast. - Machico: A historic city, it was here that the first settlers loved in 1420 and Funchal only became the capital in 1508. - Ponta de São Lourenço: Ponta do Rosto, the easternmost point of Madeira and is a natural reserve with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and spectacular rock formations; it is a unique landscape very different from the rest of the island. - Porto da Cruz: A small village located in the North Eastern part of Madeira, an ancient rum distillery testifies the importance of sugarcane for Madeira. - Faial: A small and picturesque village on the northeast coast of the island that was named after a local beech tree. The colonizers arrived here only in 1519 and were mostly of Moorish and Galician origin. - Santana: Santana is a charming village on the northeast coast of Madeira, well known for its colorful, thatched, triangular houses. Lunch stop / free time, about 1.30 to 2 hours stop. - Ribeiro Frio: Ribeiro Frio is a natural park located in a deep valley in the north of the island surrounded by mountains. - Pico do Arieiro: Pico do Arieiro is the third highest peak on the island of Madeira, with an altitude of 1818 meters. The views are fabulous, with clouds hovering over the fantastic rock formations - an impossible scenario to describe.