Laurisilva de Madeira: Our most recommended tours and activities

Madeira: Western Madeira Guided Trip & Fanal Mystic Forest

1. Madeira: Western Madeira Guided Trip & Fanal Mystic Forest

Discover the most amazing places of Madeira, starting with a visit to the beautiful fishing village of Câmara de Lobos. See the colorful fishing boats of scabbard fish and taste the famous Poncha drink.   Continues to the stunning Cabo Girão Skywalk – a suspended glass platform – and admire breathtaking views of Câmara de Lobos and Funchal (tickets not included). Next comes Ribeira Brava, a charming village, and Fanal, where you can admire the centenary trees of the Laurissilva Forest.   Enjoy the magnificent views of the north coast at Ribeira da Janela. The tour then continues to the biggest stop: Porto Moniz where you can enjoy a lunch break and explore the natural volcanic pools.  After this, the tour will take you to see the harbor of Seixal and its dramatic cliffs from above, and finally, you will end this wonderful tour at a beautiful viewpoint with a waterfall.

From Madeira: Private Quad-Driving Experience with Pickup

2. From Madeira: Private Quad-Driving Experience with Pickup

Step away from the warm beaches and into the cool forest for a magical adventure through the lush Laurisilva of Madeira. See a different side to this exotic island as you hit the dirt tracks on a thrilling tandem quad ride and explore the diverse landscapes of the area. Hop on your ATV quad and follow your guide into the forest, steering away from the crowds. Travel through Madeira's breathtaking landscapes, from ocean to mountains. Seize the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the Laurisilva of Madeira, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and snap amazing photos of some of the iconic verdant spots you'll stop at. For private groups of up to 4 people there is the opportunity of the Buggy + Quad experience, where you can experience driving two different vehicles in just one trip!

Madeira : Rabaçal - Risco - 25 Fountains Walk

3. Madeira : Rabaçal - Risco - 25 Fountains Walk

Embark on an exhilarating journey starting at the Rabaçal Forestry Station, nestled in the picturesque Paúl da Serra region. This captivating walk opens the door to both the enchanting Levada do Risco and the captivating Levada Nova do Rabaçal, presenting an exploration opportunity like no other. Venture along this path of moderate difficulty, spanning a scenic 11 kilometers. Begin by tracing the path of the Levada do Risco, leading you to the mesmerizing waterfall that shares its name. Cascading waters and lush surroundings set the stage for an unforgettable experience. Descend further to seamlessly transition onto the Levada Nova do Rabaçal, an enchanting route guiding you toward the awe-inspiring lake known as 25 Fontes. The name pays homage to the multitude of waterfalls that adorn this breathtaking locale. As you traverse the trail, you'll find yourself immersed in the unique flora of Madeira Island. The journey showcases the island's indigenous and endemic plant life, with a special focus on the high-altitude vegetation that paints the landscape. Marvel at indescribable vistas that stretch over this protected area, offering panoramic views that stir the soul. Concluding this captivating escapade, your return journey to the south coast of the island unfolds through the mesmerizing Cavaleiro tunnel. Stretching over approximately 800 meters, this tunnel serves as a fascinating conduit between two worlds, bringing you back to the coastal splendor that defines Madeira. Unveil the beauty of Rabaçal and its surrounding wonders on this exploration that weaves together nature's finest elements. Let the enchantment of waterfalls, lush foliage, and panoramic viewpoints create memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Caldeirão Verde Levada: Roundtrip Transfer & Hike

4. Caldeirão Verde Levada: Roundtrip Transfer & Hike

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 12 km in length. The starting point and ending point are at the same location, 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.

From Madeira: Private Buggy Driving Experience with Pickup

5. From Madeira: Private Buggy Driving Experience with Pickup

Step away from the warm beaches and into the cool forest for a magical adventure through the lush Laurisilva of Madeira. See a different side to this exotic island as you hit the dirt tracks on a thrilling tandem buggy ride and explore the diverse landscapes of the area. Hop on your buggy and follow your guide into the forest, steering away from the crowds. Bring your best friend or partner along on your experience and ride together on the two-seater vehicles. Travel through Madeira's breathtaking landscapes, from ocean to mountains. Seize the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the Laurisilva of Madeira, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and snap amazing photos of some of the iconic verdant spots you'll stop at.

From Porto Moniz: Fanal 4x4 Tour

6. From Porto Moniz: Fanal 4x4 Tour

Enjoy a unique and personal experience with a local guide, while exploring untouched areas of the forest, parts of the royal roads of Madeira, and amazing viewpoints of the North Coast. The tour consists of several stops along the way, with specific information of every location, so that one can completely appreciate the tour and the landscape. Our journey initiates in Porto Moniz village, next to the natural pools. From there, we head to Ribeira da Janela, our first stop in Fanal tour. Developing from sea level to the mountains, this small village combines old stories with a pristine environment, characteristic of the North of Madeira. Heading to the mountains, Vereda da Tranquada and Fio viewpoint are must-stop locations, for their history and impressiveness within the wilderness, before reaching Fanal. In there, you'll be able to explore the entire area, from the lagoon at the lowest point to the impressive hills overlooking the whole landscape. A mystical site, even more so with its more than usual dense fog that characterizes the area. After exploring Fanal, the return is made through local roads coming down Ribeira da Janela, finishing again in Porto Moniz village, next to the natural pools.

Madeira Island: Full-Day Guided Tour of Eastern Madeira

7. Madeira Island: Full-Day Guided Tour of Eastern Madeira

This tour aims at showing the Eastern side of Madeira Island. Main attractions are Pico do Areeiro in 1818 meters, Ribeiro Frio that you can see the trout ponds, the typical straw-roofed houses of Santana the East/North part of the Island, Porto da Cruz where here you have the Rum Factory that you can make a proof and relax a little near of the sea, and for finish we visit the Caniçal the most eastern part of Madeira Island. Route: Start in Funchal / Monte / Pico do Arieiro (1818 meters) / Ribeiro Frio (Option Levada Walk Balcões) / Off-Road to Queimadas / Santana (Lunch) / Faial / Porto da Cruz (Rum Factory) / Caniçal / Machico and Return to Hotel.

Off-Road Driving Experience: Buggy & Quad ATV (with pickup)

8. Off-Road Driving Experience: Buggy & Quad ATV (with pickup)

Step away from the warm beaches and into the cool forest for a magical adventure through the lush Laurisilva of Madeira. See a different side to this exotic island as you hit the dirt tracks on a thrilling tandem Buggy + Quad ATV ride and explore the diverse landscapes of the area. Hop into your vehicle and follow your guide into the forest, steering away from the crowds. Bring your best friends or partner along on your experience and ride together on ATV vehicles. On this tour you will have the opportunity to drive a buggy and a quad ATV with your private group, making it a more complete experience! Travel through Madeira's breathtaking landscapes, from ocean to mountains. Seize the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the Laurisilva of Madeira, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and snap amazing photos of some of the iconic verdant spots you'll stop at.

Madeira: Jeep 4x4 Old Forest Safari Tour with Pico Arieiro

9. Madeira: Jeep 4x4 Old Forest Safari Tour with Pico Arieiro

Explore Madeira Island in a unique and active way on this Land Rover 4x4 trip. Prepare to see breathtaking views, visit hidden places that you can’t reach by yourself, and collect memories you’ll never forget. Visit the Laurissilva Forest and Pico do Arieiro. Start your trip by departing from Funchal in the direction of Camacha Village, where you can visit the basketwork factory. Then, continue through Vale Paraíso towards Poiso with an altitude of 1412 meters. Climb through the mountains to Pico do Arieiro, Madeira’s third-highest peak at a height of 1,818 meters. This is one of the most beautiful places in Madeira, with unbeatable views of the island. Stay here for a while and walk around. Later, descend to Ribeiro Frio and reach the Laurissilva Forest to visit the trout nursery. Continue the adventure along old paths passing Cedro Gordo and Cruzinhas until you reach the Village de Santana where you’ll get to visit the typical straw houses (colmo). After this stop, descend to the village of Faial with views down to the sea, then continue towards Ponta de São Lourenço in the east of Madeira. This part of the Island is much drier and arid, but with a unique beauty due to its cliffs and colors. End your trip with drop-off back in Funchal.

From Funchal: Pico Do Arieiro and Santana Full-Day 4x4 Tour

10. From Funchal: Pico Do Arieiro and Santana Full-Day 4x4 Tour

An opportunity to "go back in time". Travel with us in a unique way to enjoy the magnificent hidden surroundings of this wonderful island. Your east tour starts from funchal towards the highest mountains you always have funchal scenery behind us, soon you arrive at the third highest mountain in pico do areeiro at 1818m altitude with stunning views and landscapes. After that you will start our descent to Santana through ribeiro frio and cruzinhas, where you will see the beauty of our indigenous Laurissilva Forest, which was classified as a unesco World Natural Heritage site in December 1999. Once you get to Santana you will see the houses that keeps the original characteristics of Santana, a thatched roof and of course stopping for a lunch, after the lunch we come our way back by the eastern coast where you will be introduced once more to breathtaking views, at last we will introduce you to a short levada walk (15 min hikking). All of your tours have the drop-off at the same place where we pick you up.

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What people are saying about Laurisilva de Madeira

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 169 reviews

Very good guide, he was very precise with timing so that we could visit all things planned. Madeira roads are very curvy, but the guide is a confident and careful driver. It has started to rain in the Fanal forest, we didn’t bring our jacket, the guide Sergio offered us a spare one so that we could take some pictures in spite of the rain. Thank you for the trip, Sergio!

The tour was great and we saw a lot for relatively short time. If you don't want to take a rental car, it is a good alternative to see more of the island. Sergio was a great guide, told a lot of interesting facts and had a sense of humor. Highly recommended!

Diego was a great guide, I really like that the group was small -6 people and everything was very well planned. Great way to see the west side of the island!

Amazing experience. We got a private tour in the laurisilva forest. Felt very safe and got a pickup/drop of from the hotel. Highly recommended!

This tour was very good. I recommend it to Everybody if You want to see main points in West Madeira.