Madeira best of the east full day guided tour

Madeira 4x4 tour with ecological park visit and local tastings

On this tour, you'll dive into Madeira's wild side, giving you a taste of the island's nature, traditions and local life all in one trip. First up is the Parque Ecológico do Funchal, where you'll explore the island's sustainability efforts. Depending on the month, you'll either plant a tree to help restore Madeira's ecosystem or check out the Interpretation Centre to see how this landscape has been protected over time. Riu, one of our local expert guides, says, “this is the kind of experience that lets you give something back to Madeira while discovering what makes the island so special.”After this, you'll head up to Santo da Serra for a 4x4 adventure that winds through hidden trails you'd never stumble across on your own. Then, things slow down with a walk along the Levada Serra do Faial, following Madeira's historic irrigation channels through dense greenery and streams. If the weather isn't playing ball, you might swap to the equally picturesque Paradise Valley Levada instead – either way, you'll get a feel for the island's deep connection to water and nature.To wrap it all up, you'll stop at a bar for a proper taste of local life. You'll be welcomed with a regionally-crafted sidra and carne vinha d'alhos – marinated pork with a garlicky sauce – followed by sopa de trigo, Madeira's oldest traditional soup, cooked over a wood fire and served with a glass of red wine. After some live folklore music, you'll make your way to Ribeira de Machico, a valley lined with terraced farms that show just how much care locals have poured into this land for generations.

Madeira Fado experience with a glass of wine

At Fado & Fado, music and tradition come together as you step into the soundtrack of Madeira. In an intimate setting, performers guide you through the past and present of this emotional art form, sharing the stories behind each song. As you savour the music, enjoy a glass of Madeira wine, included with your ticket. It's an unhurried evening that feels less like a show and more like a shared moment of Portuguese culture.

Madeira Monte Palace Tropical Gardens with optional toboggan ride

The Monte Palace Tropical Gardens float a thousand metres above Funchal, so breathe deeply and enjoy the fresh mountain air on this half-day tour. You'll begin with a visit to the village of Monte, before heading to the main event – 70,000 square metres of themed gardens, sculptures, wildlife and water features.There's something new around every corner of this sprawling garden. Head to the lake to see koi carp, a waterfall and swans paddling by, stroll through the forested area to appreciate Madeira's native plants and make sure you visit the Japanese and Oriental gardens for intricate bridges, Buddha statues and incredible city views from the pagoda. There're also paths you can follow to see hundreds of sculptures and traditional azulejo – intricately painted ceramic tiles that tell the story of Portugal's history and culture. In Monte village, you'll have the option to pick up the pace with an experience that screams Madeira – a ride back down the hill in a wicker toboggan. It's the traditional way down and quite an adrenaline rush. The toboggan ride is an added cost, but if you choose not to take it, you'll enjoy a slower, yet equally scenic route down the mountain and back to your hotel.

2-hour snorkelling boat tour at Ponta de São Lourenço

Explore the untouched coasts of Madeira Island on a thrilling speedboat ride. Dive into clear waters for a guided snorkelling adventure at Baia D'Abra.

Madeira half-day Happy Hour sailing trip with open bar

Sailing out of Funchal Marina, you'll take in impressive views of Madeira's south coast as you help yourself to the open bar. Watch, as over the course of your three-hour trip, the terrain changes from dramatic sea cliffs and volcanic rock formations to quiet fishing villages and the shady palms of the island's banana farms. The skipper will drop the anchor so you can swim and snorkel in the mild waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Plus, keep an eye out for whales and dolphin as it's a popular spot to see them.

Value Package

A duo of City Sightseeing routes in Madeira are covered by this two-day city value package. You'll be able to hop on and hop off at your leisure and explore the attractions along Blue Essentials and Red Iconic lines. The Blue covers Monte, the Old Town and Funchal Market, among other sights, while the Red takes you up to Pico dos Barcelos and down to the picturesque fishing village of Camara de Lobos. You can also take a stroll through the city's gardens on a guided walk to learn more about the art and architecture, included in your package.

Red and Blue Essentials

It's easy to get lost in Funchal's jigsaw-like jumble of cobbled streets – so a great way to explore is with a city sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus ticket. The Blue Line circuit ticks off top sights like the exotic gardens of Monte Palace, as well as the ‘Painted Doors' art project in Funchal's old town and the produce-packed farmer's market.

Red Line City Sightseeing Iconic

When it comes to exploring Madeira's capital, this hop-on hop-off bus tour puts the fun in Funchal. With your 24-hour ticket and 21 stops to jump on and off at, you can visit must-sees like the ‘Painted Doors' art project in the old town, the upmarket marina on Avenida do Mar, or stop to shop in one of the city's best malls.

Wine tasting, mountains and coastal villages 4x4 tour in Madeira

Experience the beauty of Madeira on a 4x4 tour. Visit Ribeira Brava, Cabo Girao, and Camara do Lobos. End with wine tasting at a local winery.

Madeira the untravelled west 4x4 guided tour

Embark on an unforgettable journey through mountains, forests, and lava pools. Book your guided tour now!