Our most recommended things to do in Sao Jorge

Madeira: West and East Madeira Tour with Snacks and Drinks

1. Madeira: West and East Madeira Tour with Snacks and Drinks

Explore both sides of the island on one day. This tour will allow you to visit both areas of the west and east of the island in a non rushed tour that takes about 9 to 10 hours in order for us to have enough time to properly visit these wonderful areas Madeira has to offer. We start off with the East Side of the island by going to the original Christ Statue, which has a great view to Funchal. Afterwards we head to the tip of the island Ponta de São Lourenço and we do a stop there for about 25 minutes, where you can enjoy some great views to both the south and northeast coast of the island. After we go and visit another viewpoint in Faial, Santana with a skywalk, the viewpoint of Guindaste. We also visit the traditional straw rooftop houses in Santana, and then we make our way to the northwest coast using the scenic roads from the northeast and we stop along the way on a very interesting beach in Calhau de São Jorge where there are some interesting ruins and afterwards we have a little stop in São Vicente and then we make way for our lunch/swimming stop in Porto Moniz. After we enjoyed the natural pools we go to the Western tip of the island, the lighthouse of Ponta do Pargo. Afterwards we visit Paul do Mar, while taking some scenic roads as well and then we head off to a great waterfall in Ponta do Sol , called Cascata dos Anjos and we stop at the skywalk in Cabo Girão at 580 metres of altitude for some great views. If you wish to ask for a specific spot to visit you can request us beforehand and we can see if its possible to incorporate it in our tour

Madeira Island: Caldeirão Verde Levada Walk

2. Madeira Island: Caldeirão Verde Levada Walk

Caldeirão Verde means green cauldron in Portuguese and well describes the environs of this 6.5-kilometer walk. This half-day levada walk takes you through the highest area of Santana. A levada is an aqueduct or irrigation channel that is unique to the island of Madeira. This is without doubt one of the most beautiful levadas on Madeira. Located in the Laurissilva forest the highlights of the trail include fantastic views of São Jorge and a series of tunnels of natural basaltic rock. Start out in the emerald green Queimadas rainforest and enjoy scenic views over villages as you follow alongside the winding levada and through 5 short natural tunnels. When you arrive at Caldeirão Verde you’ll marvel at the majestic waterfall.

Levada Walk and Caldeirao Verde Waterfalls: Madeira

3. Levada Walk and Caldeirao Verde Waterfalls: Madeira

Madeira offers untold beauty, friendly locals, and incredible "Levada" or irrigation channels that lead directly to the Atlantic Ocean. Today, you will explore these levadas with your guide. Starting from Queimadas Forestall Park, you will wander through lush vegetation and charming stone pathways deep into the forest. Along the way, you will pass by incredible views of Santana and São Jorge, and even have a chance to snap some pictures of the Verde lagoon and waterfall. Your 4.5-hour walk takes you through a diverse landscape of flora and fauna, and your guide will help you make sense of the varieties of life around here. Your trip will be well guided, and we even have torches and walking sticks to make your trek more pleasant. Once we reach the Caldeirão Verde waterfall, we will have a 30 minute picnic in this idyllic landscape before returning back to the starting point.

Madeira: Guided E-bike Tour of the North Coast

4. Madeira: Guided E-bike Tour of the North Coast

The Wonderful North e-bike tour will explore an enchanting part of the North of Madeira! It will explore the quiet roads crossing the cultivated fields and the rainforest, also we can enjoy the magnificent view points over the coast and over the mountains! The tour starts in the small village of Boaventura, from where we climb to the first stop where we have a view over the village and over the coast line! Then we continue along the road that crosses the Laurel forest, discovering the small houses and fields of vegetables, vineyards and some exotic fruits! After crossing a small tunnel, we descend to Arco de São Jorge already in the Santana region, where we are welcomed by another fantastic rural atmosphere. We then head to the Miradouro da Beira da Quinta from where we have a spectacular over the village of Arco the São Jorge and all the northwest coast until Porto Moniz. We then cross a part of the village where we can see the farmers growing the fruits and vegetables as well as their own typical houses with its flowered gardens. Next stop will be a view point near by the sea to enjoy the see breeze, magnificent coastal view and the waves of the Atlantic. If the clients want there is a possible coffee stop, and after that we star the return to Boaventura. Reaching the centre of the village we enter the old road where we have our last view point over the picturesque town of Ponta Delgada! We go back to the mini-bus for the transport back to the Hotel.

From Funchal: São Jorge Valleys Levada Walk

5. From Funchal: São Jorge Valleys Levada Walk

Get back to nature on a levada walk through the beautiful valleys of São Jorge, and hike through the rainforest of Madeira to experience a profusion of herbs and medicinal plants. Learn about the healing properties and ancient remedies of the native flora. Walk through, or behind, a waterfall to discover a paradise on earth. Experience the peace and quiet of a landscape that will take your breath away.

Northeast Madeira 4X4 Tour from Funchal

6. Northeast Madeira 4X4 Tour from Funchal

Head out from Funchal on a full-day tour of Madeira’s north-east. Leaving the town behind, stop in São Vicente, and take in amazing 360-degree views. Marvel at the contrast of colors from the vineyards. Enjoy a drive along serpentine roads and through forests. Discover the unique scenery of the area from an open-top 4X4 vehicle. Before lunch, visit a water mill and see the traditional thatched houses of Santana. Stop to enjoy lunch in idyllic surroundings, and later visit a sugar cane and rum factory, where you can taste the local rum. Finish your tour in Caniçal, where you’ll have spectacular views of Ponta São Lourenço – the eastern part of the island.

Madeira: Walking Tour - Queimadas / Caldeirão Verde

7. Madeira: Walking Tour - Queimadas / Caldeirão Verde

This is one special tour starting in Queimadas (at Santana village), where we will enjoy the beauty and freshness of centuries old laurels. The hike is delightfully green combined with stunning views of mountains, valleys and waterfalls, as well as over the village of São Jorge. You will pass by some tunnels along the trail, so it is highly recommended to bring an impermeable jacket, flashlight and appropriate footwear. The impressive waterfall Caldeirão Verde, where the water falls into a cool and crystal clear lagoon, it is not only a spectacular view, but also very relaxing.

Madeira all day jeep nature tours.

8. Madeira all day jeep nature tours.

Life is an adventure, enjoy it,be an Offroader with Landmadeiratoursoffroader and explore Madeira Island most famous trails 4x4 all terrain and natural landscapes. We propose several alternatives routes offroad such as Boca das Voltas -Faial, Funduras at Porto da Cuz to Machico, Fanal Ancient forest at Porto Moniz. Explore also Fontaínhas and Trompica fabulous landscapes at Ribeira Brava,or enjoy the Sunrise/Sunset experience at Pico do Areeiro, or at others viewpoints. As a surprise,you can customize your own tour,giving suggestions of places of personal interest you want to visit! All experiences with pick up and drop out.

From Caniço/Funchal: Levada Caldeirão Verde Hiking Trip

9. From Caniço/Funchal: Levada Caldeirão Verde Hiking Trip

The levada of Caldeirão Verde is a moderately difficult 13-kilometer walk. This walk which starts and ends in the Queimadas forest park in the municipality of Santana, takes us to an enchanted forest where we discover at every turn the abundant biodiversity, present in the flora and fauna of the Laurissilva forest, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. It is, without doubt, one of the routes where water, the source of life, is present along the tunnels, rocks and streams which take us to Caldeirão Verde, known for its lagoon and impressive waterfall. Along the way, you can also see the small villages of Santana, Ilha and São Jorge.

Madeira: Private Guided Levada Caldeirão Verde Walk PR9

10. Madeira: Private Guided Levada Caldeirão Verde Walk PR9

Queimadas’ House is a true fairy tale which sits in a green paradise. Walking until you reach a majestic waterfall, you will notice that your surroundings are remarkably green. Along the way you will be rewarded with magnificent views over the village of São Jorge, as well as the great neighboring mountains. The water is always present along the walk. You can see the water gushing from the walls, flowing on the "levada", and falling from the sky on raining days. It’s a fantastic trail, and is 100% safe all year long. You will find some tunnels along the way, so do not forget your flashlight and protect your head with a helmet. Arriving at Caldeirão Verde, you will be able to immerse yourself in the breathtaking views of the huge waterfall cascading over the cold and crystalline lagoon.

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What people are saying about Sao Jorge

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 38 reviews

It was our second tour in Madeira, this time in the north of the island. A real wetland, rain and clouds were our companions, but this in no way restricted our impressions of the deep green jungle area. The rest area was an idyllic place at the beginning of a levada, wonderfully quiet, hardly any other groups. At almost 10.5 km with a barely noticeable increase, it is easy to walk, good, sturdy shoes are essential, it is slippery in places.

A levada with very few people and a very beautiful landscape. Very comfortable because it is almost all flat and full of shade because it goes in the middle of the forest next to the levada. Our guide Charlotte was very nice taking care of the group and gave us many explanations about the plants that we were finding. Highly recommended excursion, especially if you want to escape the overcrowding.

I enjoyed it so much! We visited few very beautiful places, which I would never get to myself. It felt like a real adventure. Highly recommend to travel around island with 4*4 and not with a microbus tours

Caldeirão Verde is a must see for hikers. Very beautiful greenery and waterfalls. The guide was fun and made us feel safe.

amazing! guide was fantastic! so knowledgeable and knew all the secrets