You’ll see Madeira’s east side from street level to cliff edge. This small-group Jeep day strings together big-name scenery like Pico do Arieiro and Santana’s thatched roofs. The format is built for getting off the main roads without turning your day into a bus-and-bullhorn slog.

Two things I like right away: you cap out at just eight participants, and you get real driving plus stops to walk and photograph along the way. Many people also enjoy that you start in/near Funchal, so the whole day feels like a guided route instead of a puzzle.

One consideration: this trip is weather-dependent, and some viewpoints can be fogged or rain-heavy. Plan for wet shoes and bring patience if cloud cover changes what you can see.

Key Points Worth Knowing Before You Go

• Maximum 8 people keeps the ride calmer and the stops easier to manage
• Jeep access gets you to places bigger vehicles can struggle to reach
• UNESCO Laurissilva Forest plus a leada walk gives you more than just lookouts
• East Madeira contrast runs from lush forest to the drier, rockier São Lourenço area
• Lunch is optional: you can eat where the guide recommends, but it’s not included
• Swimming may happen only if conditions and timing allow

A Small-Group Jeep Day From Funchal Toward Santana

This is the kind of Madeira tour that works when you want variety in one day. You’ll leave Funchal and gradually work your way through mountain viewpoints, forest and levada scenery, then out to the north/east coastline. The day is built around short stops and a few small walking moments, so you’re not stuck in any one place too long.

The standout value is the combo of Jeep driving and itinerary flexibility. With only up to eight people, the guide can adjust pacing, let you get that photo without rushing, and still keep the schedule moving. You’ll also hear explanations in English, which makes the stops feel more intentional than just hopping out for pictures.

If you’re traveling with height or fit concerns, say something ahead of time. The operator asks people over 190 cm to inform them, and people over 100 kg to do the same. Since this is a Jeep-style vehicle, you’ll be happier if you’ve planned for comfort before you arrive.

Pico do Arieiro First: Madeira Turns Vertical

Your morning starts with pickup offered from where you’re staying in the Funchal area, then heads toward the island’s dramatic interior. A key early stop is Pico do Arieiro, Madeira’s third-highest peak.

What makes Pico do Arieiro special is the sense of scale. Even when you’ve already seen mountain roads and terraced towns, the view here feels different: you’re looking out over high ridgelines and deep valleys that make the island feel much bigger than it is on a map. The tour gives you about 40 minutes at the viewpoint area. That’s enough time to take photos, check wind and cloud conditions, and do a short wander if the weather allows.

Practical tip: if you see breaks in the clouds, move fast for photos. Mountain weather changes quickly, and you don’t want to spend 30 minutes deciding whether to shoot the view.

Ribeiro Frio: Levada Walk Energy and Off-Road Forest Fun

Next up, you get a stop around Balcoes de Ribeiro Frio, a spot tied to laurissilva forest scenery and the island’s water system. Here you’ll find features like trees and ferns, plus the area’s association with fish farming (trout) and the natural park atmosphere.

You also get a bit of what Madeira does best: a short walk along a levada, those old water channels that have guided life on the island for generations. Even if you only do a light stretch, it changes your perspective from lookout-only sightseeing. You’re suddenly walking near the island’s practical heartbeat, not just gazing over it.

Then comes the part people talk about when they say this tour feels like an adventure: a secret off-road section through the forest. The timing is about 30 minutes, and the tour notes that this portion has an admission ticket not included. You’ll want to budget for that extra bit, even though the exact cost isn’t specified here.

The upside is simple: this is where the day turns from scenic drive to real exploration. The drawback is also simple: muddy footing is possible in forest areas, so wear shoes that can handle wet ground.

The Fortress of Faial and the Switch to Santana

As you move on, you stop in Faial area for sea views and mountain scenery, with a focus on the Penha de Águia area. The route includes a beach stop where you can see a volcanic rock formation, and the timing is about 30 minutes.

Then you head toward Santana Village, which changes the vibe again. Faial is about coastal perspective and rugged geology; Santana is about people, architecture, and a different kind of Madeira charm.

One benefit of this middle-of-day structure is that it keeps fatigue down. You’re not grinding your way uphill all day. You’re getting a sequence: high viewpoint, forest and water, then coastline-and-village.

Santana Village: Thatched Roofs, a Waterfall, and Time for Lunch

This is the stop that makes the tour feel complete. In Santana, you visit the village known for its thatched-roof houses. The tour gives you about 1 hour here, which is a good length: long enough to walk around, take photos, and actually enjoy the atmosphere.

There’s also a waterfall stop in/near the Santana area during this segment. It’s a straightforward break, but it matters because it adds movement and sound to the day. You’re not just looking; you’re experiencing.

Lunch isn’t included, but the tour notes that you can choose a typical restaurant. That matters for value: the price includes the driving and most sightseeing access, and you get freedom to pick what fits your appetite and budget. The only catch is timing. If you want a sit-down meal, plan to use at least part of that hour efficiently.

Photo tip: Santana’s roofs and village corners are photogenic, but so are the views back toward the hills. If you’re at all into photography, use the hour to do both.

North Coast Views From Miradouro do Guindaste to Porto da Cruz

After Santana, you shift into viewpoint mode along the coast. At Miradouro do Guindaste, you get about 30 minutes for cliff and sea views. On a sunny day, you can even see Porto Santo from here. That’s the kind of detail that makes the day feel like more than a checklist.

Then the route continues to Porto da Cruz with a seafront promenade stop. You’ll have around 30 minutes there, and the tour notes the opportunity to visit an older sugar cane distillery. Even if you don’t go inside, the promenade break is useful. It lets you reset with flatter walking and a less steep environment after mountain stops.

One practical note: coastal viewpoints often have wind. Bring something light you can pull on for comfort, especially if you’re traveling in shoulder seasons.

São Lourenço and Ponta do Rosto: East Madeira Gets Dry and Dramatic

This is one of the biggest “contrast moments” on the route. Ponta de São Lourenço is described as the eastern tip of Madeira, and it feels different from much of the island because it’s drier and more arid. You’ll see sea cliffs and volcanic rocks of different colors, and the tour gives about 30 minutes here.

From there, you visit Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto, another viewpoint known for cliff color variation. The timing is also about 30 minutes, and this is one of those stops where the best move is to walk to the edge carefully and take your photos without blocking others.

If you’re the type who wants variety more than comfort, this section is a highlight. The island’s geology shows up in a way that’s hard to reproduce by reading about it. You’re basically looking at nature doing its own special effects.

Cristo Rei do Garajau: Ending With a Big View Over Funchal

Near the end of the day, you stop at Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau. You’ll see the Jesus Christ statue and get views back toward Funchal and the Garajau beach area. Timing is about 30 minutes.

This last stretch is nice because it puts you back into familiar “island city” context. After hours of cliffs and ridges, it helps to look down at how Funchal sits in the landscape.

Finally, you return to Funchal, with about 20 minutes at the end for the tour to wrap up.

Price and Value: Is $78.10 Worth It?

At $78.10 per person for an approximately 8-hour day, the price is often fair because you’re paying for three things at once: Jeep transportation, curated stops, and small walking moments. The small-group cap at eight people matters here. You’re not sharing the ride with a long bus line of strangers, and it usually leads to more time at the viewpoints you care about.

Also, many of the stops listed have free admission entries, which is a quiet value win. Your non-included costs mainly come from lunch (you choose where to eat) and the one part around the secret forest/off-road section marked as not included.

If you’re staying in Funchal and planning to see east Madeira, this tour is a strong use of time. If you already know you want to spend the whole day hiking hard trails, or you’re on a super tight budget for every extra fee, you might prefer a lighter self-guided plan plus one paid highlight. But for most people, the combination of drive + viewpoints + forest + Santana is what makes the cost feel earned.

How to Have a Smooth Day: Timing, Weather, and What to Pack

This experience needs good weather. That doesn’t mean you won’t go out if it’s not perfect, but it does mean fog, heavy rain, or dangerous conditions can affect what you can see. It’s also why the tour notes that swimming is only possible if weather allows and timing works out.

Pack like you’re doing active sightseeing:

• Good walking shoes for forest paths and uneven spots
• A rain layer, even if the day starts sunny
• A light wind layer for coastal viewpoints
• Water and a small snack, since lunch is optional and depends on where you stop

If you want the best photos, plan to move quickly when a viewpoint looks clear. Mountain clouds can close in fast, and the tour is structured so you’ll have a chance at multiple viewpoints rather than banking everything on one.

Finally, know that the tour runs with pickup from your accommodation in/near Funchal, and there may be an extra fee if your pickup point is far from the city center. If you want to avoid surprises, confirm pickup details when you book.

Who This Jeep Tour Suits Best (and Who Might Want Something Else)

This fits you if:

• You want a single-day overview of east Madeira highlights
• You like off-road driving and don’t mind a bit of rough-road fun
• You enjoy viewpoint stops plus short walking breaks
• You’d rather be in a group of up to eight than on a crowded bus

It might not fit you as well if:

• You’re traveling with strict mobility limits and want fully flat sightseeing (the route includes small walks)
• You hate rain risk and need guaranteed views every minute
• You’re extremely tall or need custom seating comfort, since you’ll be in a Jeep-style vehicle (tell the operator ahead)

Should You Book This Jeep Tour to Santana East-Side?

Yes, if you want a day that feels like Madeira’s “best of east” without spending your vacation figuring out every road and turnout. The price makes sense for what you get: Jeep access, Santana’s thatched-roof charm, UNESCO laurissilva forest scenery, and a late-day run of coastal viewpoints that really show why this side of the island feels different.

Book it especially if you’re short on time, you like variety, or you want the kind of day where the guide can adjust when conditions shift. If weather looks shaky, check the forecast and pack for wet feet and wind.

If you want a guaranteed city-and-beach-only day, you might choose something else. But for most first-timers who want east Madeira in one go, this is a strong pick.

FAQ

How long is the Jeep Tour to Santana (East-Side) from Funchal?

The tour runs for approximately 8 hours.

What is the price per person for this tour?

The price is $78.10 per person.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 8 travelers.

Is pickup from my hotel included?

Pickup is offered. You should tell the company where you’re staying, and there may be an extra fee if your pickup point is far from Funchal.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Do I need admission tickets for the stops?

Most stops are listed with admission tickets as free. One part of the day (the off-road forest section) is marked as not included, and lunch is also not included.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not included, but you can stop at a typical restaurant if you want to eat.

Is swimming included?

The tour includes a small walk, and if the weather is good, you may stop for swimming.

Is the tour weather dependent?

Yes. It requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Are there height or weight notes for the vehicle?

Yes. People over 190 cm and people over 100 kg should inform the company in advance.

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