Faial
Tours

Our most recommended things to do in Faial

Funchal: Sunrise Pico do Arieiro & Ruivo/Larano HikeTransfer

Funchal: Sunrise Pico do Arieiro & Ruivo/Larano HikeTransfer

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. *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 (it’s possible to walk a section of the PR1 trail, approx. 1.2 km to the so-called "Stairway to Heaven" at Pedra Rija and back) before returning to our bus (around 2h). Next, we’ll take you to an alternative hike: Mondays, Thursdays, Sundays: PR1.2 Achada do Teixeira – Pico Ruivo (approx. 4h) - a stunning mountain trail: https://walkmeguide.com/en/madeira/trail/17/vereda-do-pico-ruivo-pr1-2/ OR Wednesdays: Vereda do Larano (approx. 4.5h) - a scenic coastal route: https://walkmeguide.com/en/madeira/trail/45/vereda-do-larano/ These options offer equally breathtaking experiences until the full PR1 trail reopens. IMPORTANT: - The TIME shown on your GetYourGuide voucher is not your pickup time. Shortly after booking, you'll receive an automatic email (to your individual GetYourGuide inbox) with our official ticket, Trail Timing Guide, and the exact pickup time and location. - This is a SELF-GUIDED hike - there is no guide during the trail. Please check our map & location links (pins), Trail Timing Guide, and Instagram highlighted stories for details: https://www.instagram.com/get_to_hikes_madeira/ - 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! --- Classic PR1 Experience (when reopens): 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.

Eastern Madeira: Full-Day Tour with Rum Tasting

Eastern Madeira: Full-Day Tour with Rum Tasting

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. 

Madeira: Sunrise at Pico do Arieiro & Hike Larano trail

Madeira: Sunrise at Pico do Arieiro & Hike Larano trail

Pick-up & Start of the Adventure ***PICK UP TIME SENT BY 8:30PM, DAY BEFORE ACTIVITY*** 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 8:30 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" Optional HIKE - (€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.

Funchal: East Madeira Island Guided Tour & Laurissilva Walk

Funchal: East Madeira Island Guided Tour & Laurissilva Walk

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.

Madeira Funchal:East Tour Pico Arieiro & Santana&Laurissilva

Madeira Funchal:East Tour Pico Arieiro & Santana&Laurissilva

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.

From Achada do Teixeira: One-Way Transfer to Pico do Arieiro

From Achada do Teixeira: One-Way Transfer to Pico do Arieiro

Spend the day on a self guided hike on PR 1 or PR 1.2 from "Pico do Areeiro" to "Achada do Teixeira" and skip the tiring walk back with this seamless touristic bus transfer and guided journey. A complete service from "Achada do Teixeira" to "Pico do Areeiro." Spend the day on a self-guided hike on PR 1 or PR 1.2 from "Pico do Areeiro" to "Achada do Teixeira", in Santana, and skip the tiring walk back to Pico do Areeiro with this seamless service. More than a bus transfer it is also guided journey. Enjoy a complete service from "Achada do Teixeira" to "Pico do Areeiro," including local tips shared by a local. Hop on board a comfortable and spacious journey after your strenuous hike. Upload pictures from your hike along the way with the free wi-fi service, or take in views of the wilderness thorugh the large windows. Kick back and relax as your driver takes care of traffic and navigation for you. Be returned to the starting point of the hike in "Pico do Areeiro" with this reliable service.

Madeira: PR 9 - Levada do Caldeirão Verde Hike Transfer

Madeira: PR 9 - Levada do Caldeirão Verde Hike Transfer

Embark on an unforgettable adventure along the stunning Levada do Caldeirão Verde, one of Madeira's most beautiful trails. Enjoy convenient pickup from designated areas in Funchal, Caniço, or Garajau in the morning. Be transported to Pico das Pedras in Santana, the starting point of the PR9 hike, by a local driver with in-depth knowledge of the area. They will ensure you have all the information you need for a safe and enjoyable self-guided hike. PR9 is in the midst of the Laurissilva forest, where abundant water is routed through this historic 'levada', built in the 18th century, to the farmlands of the parish of Faial. Along Levada do Caldeirão Verde, punctuated by escarpments and mountains, you will pass through four tunnels carved in the rock. Only then will you find, on your left, the Caldeirão Verde lake, formed by the water that falls vertically from the bed of the brook Ribeiro do Caldeirão Verde, at an altitude of about 100 m. Distance & Duration The trail to Caldeirão Verde is approximately 6.5 km each way (13 km round trip), starting and ending at Pico das Pedras. On this activity to reach the official PR9 trail, all hikers first walk the accessible PR9.1 “Caminho para Todos”, adding another 1.9 km each way (3.8 km round trip). In total, expect to walk around 17 km, with an average duration of 4:30 to 5:30 hours, depending on your pace and time spent enjoying the views, plus transportation time to the florest. After completing the trail, enjoy a comfortable return to your original pickup location. This service is perfect for nature lovers and those looking to explore Madeira's breathtaking landscapes with complete peace of mind.

From Funchal: 2-Day Guided Tour of Madeira

From Funchal: 2-Day Guided Tour of Madeira

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.

Madeira: Pico do Areeiro Sunrise Tour

Madeira: Pico do Areeiro Sunrise Tour

Begin the tour with pickup at your hotel in Funchal, Machico, or Santana. Then, sit back on a scenic drive through the countryside. Stop in a rural cafe for a cup of coffee. Drive up to Pico do Arieiro, which is the highest mountain in Madeira, at a height of 5,965 feet (1,818 meters). Marvel at the incredible view of rugged cliffs and misty mountains from some of the best viewing platforms. Watch the sunrise and then go on a drive along countryside roads. Take in the scenery of Faial, known for its high mountains along the coast. Go for a hike if the weather is good. Finally, return to your hotel at the end.

Funchal: Pico do Areeiro to Santana 4x4 East Tour

Funchal: Pico do Areeiro to Santana 4x4 East Tour

Get to know the true spirit of the island of Madeira in this unique 4X4 jeep tour. Relax in the comfort of an all-terrain vehicle whilst you explore the magnificent scenery of these unknown areas. This tour is an opportunity to step back in time. Travel to the most outstanding and untouched areas of this wonderful island. Start your day with a convenient pick-up service from your accommodation in Funchal. Here, after a short meet and greet with your driver, you will leave Funchal, enjoying a scenic drive towards Pico do Areiro (1818m), where outstanding scenery and views await you. Proceed off-road to Ribeiro Frio and take in some of the natural surroundings, in Ribeiro Frio you will be able to do the small levada walk, Levada dos Balcões. Continue on your journey, heading downhill towards Santana, where you will have lunch. Afterwards, take a trip to see the typical houses of Santana, whilst here, get the chance to do some souvenir shopping and peruse the outstanding selection of goodies on offer. Continue on your journey, and enjoy a stop at 'Guindaste', to appreciate the panoramic views of the east coast. Enjoy some Rum tasting in Porto da Cruz. Your last stop will be in the Ponta do Rosto viewpoit, where you will have outstanding views of the Red Cliffs. You will return to Funchal via a scenic route through Machico (first capital of Madeira) and Santa Cruz.

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What people are saying about Faial

Overall rating

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6
4.6 out of 5 stars
(1,196 reviews)
5 out of 5 stars

Daniel the guide was excellent. Very knowledgeable, a good communicator, interesting, attentive to all members of the group (and we were quite a mix). He amended the itinerary to deal with the weather, which was wet at higher altitudes, as best he could. It was a good way to see a large portion of the island, which was exactly what we wanted as this was our first visit. Lunch at Santana was made more difficult by constant rain and lots of other group there at same time so eating places were heaving. We found big, not posh, inexpensive friendly restaurant (O Colmo). Would have been good at start of trip to be told how many pickups there were going to be (lots).

5 out of 5 stars

The day with Toni was a lot of fun! He was in a good mood, very nice and drove very comfortably (I often get sick when driving, but that wasn't the case here). We were able to see a lot, unfortunately we didn't get to the Pico de Arieiro because of the bad weather, but he showed us a nice bonus point. At lower altitudes we were luckier with the weather and were able to see many breathtaking views. Thank you :)

5 out of 5 stars

The day trip was well-organized from start to finish. Pickup was right on time, and the drive to the starting point included a nice introduction to both the hike and Madeira. The hike itself was great, and since we finished earlier than expected, we were conveniently picked up ahead of schedule. Overall, a smooth and enjoyable experience!

5 out of 5 stars

It was a beautiful day tour and our guide (I think his name is Toni?) had an inexhaustible knowledge of flora and fauna. He was a perfect tour guide who knew how to give everyone his absolute attention so that we all felt very comfortable.

5 out of 5 stars

A great trip to great spots in the east of the island! Our guide had so much to tell us about the country, its people, its flora and fauna! The short hike is doable for everyone!