The east of Madeira changes fast, and this tour strings it together. I love that you get both big mountain moments at Pico do Arieiro and a shaded levada walk in the Laurissilva forest. I also like that lunch and a rum tasting are built in, so you do not spend your day hunting for food. One thing to consider: the schedule is active, and the route can shift with weather or traffic.

If you want the highlights without renting a car, this is a strong fit. The day runs about 8 hours, with pickup typically between 8:00 and 9:00, and you are back by about 17:00. The minibus is modern and air-conditioned, usually carrying a small group around 8 to 14 people, which helps you actually enjoy the stops instead of just rushing through them.

Key things I’d circle before you go

• Pico do Arieiro and the other high-altitude viewpoint stops, with time to shoot photos
• Ribeiro Frio levada walk through the Laurissilva forest, plus a small trout-farm stop
• Santana lunch with thatched-roof A-frame houses and room to wander
• Faial Skywalk and the north-east coast viewpoints, including São Lourenço views
• Porto da Cruz rum tasting, included, plus aperitif time at a coastal stop

Why Madeira’s East Side Works So Well in One 8-Hour Loop

Madeira’s east is the type of place where you can feel the island’s personality within a few hours. You start near Funchal and climb toward the highlands, then you drop back down into cooler, forested terrain, then you end up looking outward at the ocean and neighboring islands on clear days.

This tour is efficient without feeling like a speedrun. The route is designed so the stops have variety: high peaks, forest paths, traditional villages, and coastal viewpoints. That mix matters, because it keeps the day from turning into one long drive with photo stops that feel too similar.

For value, the day bundles several experiences that usually cost extra when you plan them yourself: a guided day in a small minibus, a 3-course lunch with drinks on shared tours, and a rum tasting at Porto da Cruz. The only add-on that is clearly called out is the levada entrance fee paid on the day of the walk.

Morning pickup and the climb toward Pico do Arieiro

Your day begins with pickup from hotels in Funchal and Caniço, and cruise guests meet at the CR7 Museum for shared tours. Pickup timing can fall between 8:30 and 9:00 depending on where you start, and the tour is structured to begin between 8:00 and 9:00.

From the first viewpoint above Funchal, you get the feel of Madeira’s “vertical” geography. You drive through areas tied to the national park scenery, including black forest type terrain in parts of the route. Even before the big peak stop, you are already looking down from elevated roads where you can see the curvature of the island and how quickly the vegetation changes with altitude.

Next up is the main altitude moment: Pico do Arieiro, the island’s third-highest peak at 1,818 meters. The stop is about 35 minutes, enough time to get your bearings, take photos, and enjoy the view without the pressure of a never-ending line.

There is also a smaller photo stop at Miradouro do Guindaste, around 15 minutes. This kind of stop sounds minor, but it often becomes the best “quick photo” moment of the day because the light and the angle can be more dramatic than the big scenic overlook.

Practical note: the day can start warm in Funchal, but it can feel colder once you are higher. Bring your jacket, even in warmer months, and wear shoes that handle uneven ground at viewpoints.

Ribeiro Frio and the Laurissilva levada walk

After the high peak air, you go where many people come to Madeira for: the Laurissilva forest. The tour brings you to Ribeiro Frio, where you visit a trout farm and then step into a levada walk toward Balcões.

Why this part is so good: a levada walk is not just scenery. It is a window into how Madeira’s water system shaped life on the island. You walk alongside those channels, and the forest cools the day down in a way that feels like a reset button after mountain driving.

The levada walk is listed as having an entrance cost of €3 paid on the day of the walk. So keep a little cash or card handy for that. If you are counting costs, this is the only extra item clearly named.

The walk itself is also the tour’s main physical element. It is not framed as extreme, but the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, so if you need flat, fully accessible paths, this likely will not work for you.

When weather is moody, this forest stretch can still feel magical, but it is also when footing matters most. Wear your comfortable shoes, and plan to move at a steady pace. Short and focused works better than trying to rush and still enjoy the details.

Santana lunch, thatched houses, and why this stop matters

Next, you swing toward Santana, famous for its traditional A-framed cottages with thatched roofs. On this tour, Santana includes about 1.5 hours for sightseeing and some free time.

This stop is more than “look at a village.” It gives you a sense of how Madeira towns used to be built to handle weather and wind. The architecture also helps you understand why so much of Madeira tourism is tied to old traditions and local materials, even though modern life is now everywhere too.

Lunch is included on shared tours as a 3-course meal with drinks, served as part of the day’s schedule. The tour data names lunch at the Santana Centre, and that lines up with what you should expect: a proper sit-down meal rather than a snack stop.

One small reality check from on-the-ground experience: some people have said the lunch venue has changed compared to what they expected, including cases where a cave lunch setup at Grutas do Faial was not used anymore. If you are the kind of person who plans your day around a very specific lunch location, confirm what the current lunch location is when you book.

North coast to Faial Skywalk: Porto da Cruz rum and ocean views

After Santana, you continue along the north coastal road toward Faial, with a key viewpoint stop at Faial Skywalk. This is the part of the day where you often get the wide ocean perspective again, plus the sense of distance toward the islands beyond Madeira.

From there, you head to Porto da Cruz for a photo stop, visit time, and included rum tasting. The tour explicitly calls out free rum tasting at Porto Cruz Village, and the itinerary also includes an aperitif-like moment during that stop.

The Sao Lourenço viewpoint moments come from the later coast stretch. You will see views around Ponta de São Lourenço, plus glimpses of areas like Machico. On a good day, you can even see the Desertas Islands and Porto Santo from the viewpoints, which is exactly the sort of payoff that makes the driving feel worth it.

Timing-wise, you have shorter windows at some of these coastal stops. One stop is about 25 minutes, and earlier one is about 15 minutes, so treat these as “wander and photograph” time, not “tour the whole town” time.

Price and logistics: what $63 buys you, and what to budget

At about $63 per person for a full 8-hour day, you are paying for three things at once: transportation in a small group, guided time across multiple regions, and meal and tasting inclusions.

Here’s how that value plays out:

• Shared tours include lunch plus drinks as a 3-course meal. That is usually where DIY days get expensive because you either pay for a restaurant without planning or lose time searching.
• The rum tasting is included, which adds a distinctly Madeira experience that is not just a viewpoint.
• The group size is small enough to feel personal, which matters when you are traveling by mountain roads and need guidance on what to look for.

What you should budget for:

• €3 levada entrance fee paid on the day of the walk
• If you take a private group, the data says lunch is not included for private tours, so you may need to plan an extra meal cost
• If you are being picked up in Santa Cruz, there is an additional pickup cost mentioned for groups

Comfort and pacing are part of the logistics too. The minibus is air-conditioned, and that helps on long drives. Still, a few people have noted the air system can be a bit imperfect, which is not a dealbreaker but something to keep in mind. Dress for the weather at altitude, not for the temperature where you start.

The guide factor, comfort, and whether the day feels rushed

This tour lives or dies on the guide. And the strong pattern from guide feedback is that the best days come with a host who can connect the scenery to everyday Madeira.

People have praised guides like Lucy, Carlos, and Toni (spelled a few ways) for being friendly, fluent, and full of practical stories. Some guides also add small extra stops when conditions allow, like additional viewpoints. That is a big deal because it can turn a standard itinerary into something that feels tailored.

Pacing is the one common tension. A few people have said it can feel a little rushed at times, which usually happens when the route has multiple viewpoint stops with limited minutes. The tradeoff is that you also see a lot of areas in a single day, which is what most people want when they have limited time on Madeira.

On this tour, you can reduce stress by treating free time at stops as your own photo and snack break, not as another “must do everything” checklist. If you want long, slow exploration, you might feel constrained. If you want a guided sampler platter that hits the big moments, the pacing is often about right.

Finally, the tour can change due to traffic restrictions and weather. That is normal in Madeira. If you come with flexibility, you will probably enjoy the day more than if you arrive expecting every single stop exactly as written.

Who should book this East Madeira day, and who should skip it

This is a great choice if:

• You want to see the east side highlights in a short window
• You like a small-group vibe around 8 to 14 people
• You prefer a guided day instead of driving and parking in mountain areas
• You are comfortable with some walking on uneven forest paths for the levada portion

You might choose a different plan if:

• You have mobility limitations that make uneven paths difficult, since it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments
• You want a super slow, unstructured day with minimal transitions
• You are allergic to paying small extras, since the levada entrance fee is an add-on

Should you book the Madeira East Island Tour and Levada Walk?

I think you should book it if your goal is a one-day route that mixes mountain drama, forest shade, traditional village life, and coastal viewpoints without turning your day into logistics hell. The fact that lunch and rum tasting are included on shared tours makes it easier to justify the price and keeps the day feeling full.

Before you commit, check two things in your own travel style: first, confirm you are good with a schedule that is active and can feel time-tight at some stops. Second, plan for the €3 levada entrance and bring your jacket for the higher altitudes. If those fit, this is one of the better ways to get a real sense of Madeira’s east in a single day.

FAQ

What time is pickup, and when will I be back?

Pickup is available from hotels in Funchal and Caniço, and the tour starts between 08:00 and 09:00. You should be back by 17:00, with drop-off back in Funchal at two locations listed for the end of the activity.

How long is the Madeira East Island Tour and Levada Walk?

The duration is about 8 hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch is included on shared tours as a 3-course meal with drinks. For private group tours, lunch is not included.

Do I have to pay extra for the levada walk?

Yes. The levada walk has an additional cost of €3 paid on the day of the walk.

Is rum tasting included?

Yes. A visit to the rum factory and rum tasting in Porto Cruz Village is included, and the tasting is free.

What should I wear or bring?

Wear comfortable shoes and bring a jacket. Higher altitudes can feel cooler even when Funchal is warm.

What languages are the guides?

The live guide is available in English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish.

How does meeting work for cruise ship passengers?

For shared tours from a cruise ship, you meet at CR7 Museum. For private tours, pickup from the harbour is free, with the ship needing to arrive by 08:00 or before and depart at 17:00 or later.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.