Off-road in Madeira
Full-day eastern Madeira 4x4 tour with lunch
Set off on a 4x4 tour that gives back to the local economy and helps keep Madeira green. Your action-packed day takes in gems like the village of Machico, UNESCO-listed laurel forests and Funchal Ecological Park. What's more, you'll do it all with the help of a local expert. Rúben, one of our guides, says, "wild and untamed nature is Madeira's most precious treasure. Make memories with an experience that the world will thank you for."During the months of October to April, your first stop is at Funchal Ecological Park, where a sustainable activity will take place, contributing to the conservation of the endemic flora of the Island. Next, you'll visit the village of Machico for a look around. When the island was discovered in 1419 by Portuguese explorers, this is where they first landed.Heading off-road towards the north, you'll zigzag through an ancient laurel forest – a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999 – on scenic trails towards the mountain town of Santana to see its steep-roofed, straw-thatched homes. After a well-deserved lunch break in a typical local restaurant, you'll round off with a pit stop at a nearby viewpoint, offering knockout coastal panoramas all the way to Madeira's easternmost point, the São Lourenço peninsula. Plus, there's a photo stop at a waterfall, Cascada de Agauge, on the itinerary, too. If you're visiting from May to September, we switch up the order of your tour, so you start your trip to Machico to learn about how Madeira was discovered by Portuguese explorers. Follow up with a swim at the golden beach of Machico and a 30-minute walk along the farm and forest trail of Levada do Castelejo, before a visit to Sao Jorge where you'll see a 300-year-old watermill that's still turning with the flow of the water. Then, it's lunch in Santana and an off-road ramble through Laurissilva Forest, a photo stop by a waterfall and ending in Pico do Arieiro in the afternoon.
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Madeira Wine Tasting Tour and Skywalk Experience
Villages, views and an insight into the local tipple are this tour to a tee. Try quality vinos and typical tapas at the largest vineyard on the island, sample the famous sweet Madeira wine at a traditional lodge, and visit Cabo Girão – one of the highest sea cliffs in the world –with its nerve-shredding glass skywalk perched over the valley below.
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4x4, Wine Experience and Catamaran Combi Tour
Madeiran wine, wildlife spotting and some thrilling off-roading combine with this trip. You'll venture along mountain roads to São Vicente valley, where you'll spend some time in a local vineyard. Enjoy a tour of the winery and a tipple, before we stop by Cabo Girão – one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe. Then, head to Funchal port and set sail in search of wild whales and dolphins.
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4x4 majestic mountains & dolphin-watching boat tour
Holidays to Madeira mean you can mix off-road adventures in the mountains with wildlife-watching cruises, all in a single day. This tour sees you hop in a rugged 4x4 to explore dizzyingly high viewpoints, enjoy free time in Funchal – the island's capital – then set off in search of whales and dolphins in the wild by catamaran.
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4x4 Cliffs, Valley & Catamaran Tour
Venturing to Madeira's unspoiled lands and seas is easy on this combination 4x4 and catamaran tour. You'll spend the morning exploring country and coastal tracks to highlights like Boca dos Namorados and Cabo Girão, then the afternoon is for relaxing on a three-hour dolphin watching catamaran cruise.
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Madeira 4x4 Tour and Wine Tasting Experience
Why stick to the usual roads when Madeira's wilder side is calling? On this off-road adventure, you'll start with ocean views at Cabo Girão – one of Europe's highest sea cliffs – before snaking through the scenic São Vicente Valley, where quiet trails wind between red-roofed farms and lush peaks. The grand finale is a visit to Quinta do Barbusano, where you'll tour the vines with an expert, enjoy a selection of local wines and nibbles – and take in views that make every sip even sweeter.
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Madeira Northern Wonders 4x4 Tour
The hidden beauty of Madeira is best uncovered by 4x4 vehicle. This off-road safari takes you to some of the island's most stunning locations, including São Vicente, the volcanic pools of Seixal and Porto Moniz, the ancient forests of Fanal, the Paul de Serra plateau and Cabo Girão.
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A half-day exploring the towering peaks of Madeira is on the cards with this tour. You'll head off-road by 4x4 up to viewpoints and mountain passes, and finish with a stop at Cristo Rei at Garajau for arguably the most iconic views of the day.The tour gets going at Largo do Miranda and continues with an exciting drive up to Pico do Arieiro at 1818 metres, from where the panorama really opens up. On a clear day, you can see Ponta de São Lourenço, Ribeiro Frio, and Paúl da Serra. Next, embark on an off-road adventure through Santo da Serra's unique and pristine forest, then journey back to Madeira's south coast, with scenic overlooks of local farmers' terraces and more awe-inspiring viewpoints. After the final stop, at the Cristo Rei viewpoint, it's time to head back to base.
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Mornings are for exploring, and with this 4x4 half-day tour you'll venture to Madeira's unspoiled locations along country and coastal tracks, just as the fresh rays of sunshine beam down on the land. And there are also great views to enjoy at Boca dos Namorados and Jardim da Serra, plus a wine tasting in Camara de Lobos.
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The enchanted east of Madeira's natural wonders 4x4 guided tour
Discover the enchanting UNESCO-listed Laurisilva forest and traditional Madeiran culture on this immersive tour. Book now for an unforgettable adventure!
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Popular experiences in Madeira
Madeira - Pico do Arieiro sunrise tour with local breakfast
Seeing sunrise from the top of one of Madeira's highest peaks will have you reaching for your camera over and over again. And this exclusive morning trip to Pico do Arieiro promises just that – views over Madeira during the mystical first light of the day, followed by a warming breakfast.
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Madeira - Dolphin and whale watching in Funchal with luxury catamaran all inclusive
Book now a luxury cruise in Funchal and discover the best locations to see and learn about the local wildlife.
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Madeira - Santana Biosphere Reserve and Arieiro Peak Full Day Open Roof 4x4 Tour
Book your Madeira full adventure and east tour in open roof 4x4 jeep. Discover Santana Biosphere Reserve and Arieiro Peak.
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Madeira - Nat Geo Day Tour: Local Farm Experience on Madeira’s Terraced Hills
Drive through Funchal's bustling town and Madeira's magnificent rolling hills towards Quinta Pedagogica da Camacha, a small farm committed to sustainable agriculture. Here, your National Geographic-trained guide will offer insights into the region and introduce you to the farm's owner, Bruno Santos. Having left accounting for agriculture, Bruno now dedicates his life to helping his neighborhood through sustainable farming, a lowered environmental footprint, and community outreach. Follow Bruno through flowering groves as you explore the grounds. You'll learn about the many uses for their freshly grown herbs and visit their strawberry plantation. Observe the fields and poios—what Madeirans call the terraced areas where they grow their crops—as you learn about the farm's produce and animal husbandry. The farm is home to various animals including chickens, goats, sheep, and more. There's even a small market Bruno created, to help other local vendors reach their greater community, inspired by the ‘buy local' mantra. You'll also experience a host of seasonal activities, offered exclusively to National Geographic travelers. Harvest ripe fruits and learn the proper techniques for sowing seeds in a planting workshop. This hands-on learning environment brings Bruno's sustainability and bio-friendly philosophy to life. Afterwards, you'll relax and enjoy refreshing tea brewed from the farm's own herbs, as well as homemade cakes, toast, and jams preserved from local fruits.
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Madeira - 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.
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Madeira - Funchal self-guided GPS-enabled audio tour
Explore Funchal at your pace with a GPS-enabled audio guide designed for cruise passengers.
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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.
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Madeira - 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.
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Madeira - 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.
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Madeira - 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.
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Madeira - Madeira the untravelled west 4x4 guided tour
Embark on an unforgettable journey through mountains, forests, and lava pools. Book your guided tour now!
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Madeira - The enchanted east of Madeira's natural wonders 4x4 guided tour
Discover the enchanting UNESCO-listed Laurisilva forest and traditional Madeiran culture on this immersive tour. Book now for an unforgettable adventure!
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Funchal - Wine flavours and tasting, skywalk and 4x4 jeep adventure
Enjoy the ultimate Madeira adventure combining breathtaking landscapes, exhilarating off-road driving, and the finest wines from Quinta do Barbusano.
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Funchal - Wine tour, tasting experience and skywalk 4x4 adventure
Enjoy the breathtaking cliffs of Cabo Girão, the picturesque valley of Serra de Água, and the charming village of São Vicente. Indulge in a wine tour at Quinta Barbusano.
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Funchal - Madeira’s hidden gem scenic cabriolet ride
Capture stunning vistas and enjoy an exhilarating journey in an open-top convertible cabriolet!
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Ready to conquer Madeira's highest peak? This trail kicks off at Miradouro do Picarouto in Santana, taking you to Pico Ruivo – towering 1,861 meters above the island. You'll get to soak up wow-factor views of rugged peaks like Pico das Torres and Pico do Areeiro along the way, plus glimpses of Penha d'Águia and the Ponta de São Lourenço rock formations. Pause at cosy shelters for a snack before continuing the climb. It's steep, but those 360° views from the summit? Pure Madeira magic.
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Madeira - Bus transfer from Achada do Teixeira to Pico do Areeiro
Hike without worrying about the return journey on PR 1 or PR 1.2 trails. While you relax, a comfortable vehicle will take you back Pico do Areeiro.
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Madeira - Bus Transfer between Pico do Areeiro and Pico Ruivo
Explore two of Madeira's most famous peaks, Pico do Areeiro and Pico Ruivo with a comfortable transfer between PR1 and PR1.2 trails and to your pick-up point.
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Madeira - Transfer to Levada do Caldeirão Verde with Pick-Up
Enjoy pickup service from Funchal, Caniço, or Garajau that will take you to the starting point of Madeira's Levada do Caldeirão Verde trail, and back.
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Funchal - East and Northeast of Madeira in 4x4
Experience the breathtaking landscape of the East and Northeast of Madeira on a 4x4 tour that has a little bit of everything and is suitable for everyone!
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