Private tour · Madeira
From the third highest peak on the island to the bare red cliffs of São Lourenço, the east combines high mountains, laurel forest and a very different coastline.
Eastern Madeira is the side of the island where altitude and geology do most of the talking. The morning typically starts with the climb to Pico do Areeiro, at over 1,800 metres, where on clear days the neighbouring peaks rise out of a level sea of cloud. It is one of the few places in Europe where you can drive almost to the summit.
Descending into the laurisilva, the tour stops at Ribeiro Frio, where a short and mostly flat levada path leads to the Balcões viewpoint and its wide view over the Ribeira da Metade valley. This is a good introduction to Madeira's UNESCO-listed forest without committing to a long hike.
The north-east coast follows: Santana with its small triangular thatched houses, and Porto da Cruz beneath the Penha de Águia rock, where the Atlantic arrives far less politely than it does in Funchal. The day usually ends at Ponta de São Lourenço, the treeless volcanic peninsula at the eastern tip, and at the Cristo Rei statue above Garajau on the way back.
The east tour is a good choice for travellers who want altitude and dramatic geology, walkers who like short scenic paths, and anyone who has already seen Funchal and wants to understand how varied the island is within a short distance. As with all our tours, the vehicle is private, so the pace and the stop list stay yours.
The stops below follow the usual flow of the day. Order and timing stay flexible: weather, road conditions, closures, safety and your own preferences all shape the final route, and we adjust as we go rather than forcing a fixed schedule.
Madeira's third highest peak, reached by road, with panoramic views over the central massif and often above the clouds.
Cold and windy at the top even in summer — bring a jacket.
A short, mostly level levada walk through laurel forest to a natural balcony viewpoint over the mountains.
Around 30–40 minutes on foot, return, at an easy pace.
Known for its traditional small thatched houses and green farmland running towards the north coast.
A north coast village with a rock-pool bathing area, a working sugar cane mill and the Penha de Águia cliff above.
The bare, wind-shaped eastern tip of Madeira: red and ochre cliffs, no trees and open ocean on both sides.
Viewpoint stop, with the option of a short section of the trail.
A clifftop statue with a wide view back along the south coast towards Funchal, often the final stop of the day.
A simple view of how the day flows between areas of the island. Distances on Madeira are short in kilometres and long in altitude, so the driving time between stops is part of the scenery.
Send us your preferred date and group size. We reply with availability — your request is not a confirmed booking until we come back to you.
From €45 / personSea cliffs, volcanic natural pools and the misty Fanal forest along Madeira's wild western coast.
Private tour
€45 per person
Groups of 5–8 · €200 minimum for 1–4
From €135An early mountain start for first light above the clouds, followed by viewpoints on the way down.
Per private group
Still deciding? Compare all Madeira private tours, request a booking or contact YourWay Madeira Tours.
