Madeira East Island Tour with Levada Walk and Lunch

One road trip. Big changes in scenery. This east Madeira tour strings together mountain lookouts, traditional villages, and an actual walking break on the levadas, plus lunch and rum tasting.

I especially like how it’s set up for first-timers: you get picked up, you’re not stuck figuring out connections, and the day moves at a pace that still leaves time to look around. I also like the small-group vibe the company aims for, with guides who clearly care about the island.

One thing to watch: if weather or road access shifts, you might see changes to the route or the walk, and some days can affect village access or how much time you get in each stop.

Key highlights to know before you go

• East-coast viewpoints that feel worlds apart from the island’s west side
• Levada time along the canal paths, with optional add-on Balcões
• Traditional stops in Camacha and Santana (including local fiesta days when access varies)
• Pico do Arieiro and Ribeiro Frio for major viewpoints and cooler highland air
• 3-course lunch plus wine on Grutas do Faial area timing (sometimes a bit tight on busy dates)
• Rum tasting in Porto Cruz paired with a stop on the coast near Machico

East Madeira, the practical way: transport, timing, and what you really get

Madeira’s east side has a different feel than the west. More cliff views. More dramatic mountain climbs. More of those roads that twist and drop in the same breath. This tour is built for exactly that: you ride in an air-conditioned vehicle, someone else handles turns and parking, and you hit the key spots without renting a car or guessing schedules.

The day is long (about 8 hours), and that’s the real trade. You’ll spend a good chunk of it in transit. But the stops are spaced so you can step out, take photos, and actually look. I like that the itinerary mixes viewpoints with villages and a walking segment. That combo keeps the day from turning into a nonstop drive-by slideshow.

The tour also tries to keep things manageable with a small-group approach (the tour info says a maximum of 15, and the experience is advertised as a small group). In real life, vehicle size and group count can be affected by operations, and that’s worth keeping in mind when you’re packing expectations.

Getting picked up in Funchal (and what to do if your hotel is a pain)

Pickup is one of the big reasons this works for visitors. The day starts around 9:00 am, with hotel pickup typically between 8:00 and 9:00 am, depending on where your hotel sits.

Here’s the practical setup:

• If pickup at your hotel isn’t possible, you’ll be directed to meet near the cable car area or at an H&M Store in Funchal.
• If you’re coming by cruise ship, pickup is from the first roundabout out of the harbor area (a short walk).
• For Santa Cruz, there’s an additional pickup/drop-off cost of €6 per person, while Caniço pickup is listed as free.

Two quick tips for you:

1. Bring a jacket. Even in warm seasons, the higher points can feel cold fast.
2. If you have kids, note that the tour states strict rules against lap travel, so you’ll want the right chair arranged in advance.

The drive route that shapes the day: Santana, mountains, then the coast

This is an east-coast loop with a lot of variety. A typical sequence includes Santana, Camacha, Pico do Arieiro, Ribeiro Frio, then back toward Santana and onward through Faial, Porto da Cruz, Portela, and Machico.

What matters for your expectations is how the day “breathes”:

• You start with village life and coastline angles.
• Midday shifts you into cooler, higher ground where it can be windy or chilly.
• Later you swing back down toward the coast and finish with the kind of stops that feel more relaxed, like the rum tasting.

Road conditions and weather can change the routing. The tour info is clear about that. So if your goal is one specific photo spot, keep a flexible mindset.

Stop-by-stop: what Santana, Camacha, Pico do Arieiro, Ribeiro Frio, and the rest feel like

Santana: traditional houses and local atmosphere

Santana is the village stop that most people picture when they think Madeira. It’s classic, photogenic, and very “Madeira” in feel.

One nuance: access can change on certain dates. For example, the tour info and real experiences note that Santana can be affected by local events and road closures (like a fiesta day). In those cases, you might not be able to access everything the route plans for, or you may feel the day is a bit rushed. That doesn’t always mean the day is ruined, but it does mean you should expect some flexibility.

Camacha and Poiso: quieter village rhythm

Camacha shows you a different side of island life than the main viewpoint stops. You get a sense of the “real Madeira” vibe without needing a full day wandering on foot.

Poiso is another part of the routing that helps you move through the interior rather than treating the day like a checklist of viewpoints. These stops are where the pace feels more human: less climb, more browsing and looking at how the land connects to daily life.

Pico do Arieiro: high-altitude views that can be cold and change fast

Pico do Arieiro is one of the big-name viewpoints on Madeira’s east side. It’s also the point where weather matters most. If clouds roll in, you’ll still get the experience of being up there, but you might not always see the full clarity.

The tour advises you to bring a jacket because it can get cold in the mountains. That’s not theater. It’s practical. Even in pleasant weather at sea level, the wind and chill can surprise you.

Ribeiro Frio: cooler air and green mountain feel

Ribeiro Frio is a stop that fits between the higher viewpoint energy and the more relaxed later-day coastal pace. It’s known for the cooler, greener feeling of the interior. You’ll likely get time for photos and walking around a bit, even if the day’s schedule keeps it structured.

This is also the kind of stop where you’ll appreciate having a guide. They’ll often point out plants and tell you what you’re looking at, and that turns random scenery into something you can actually name in your head.

Laurissilva forest area: why it’s included even when conditions change

The itinerary references the Laurissilva forest experience as part of the day. In practice, the biggest factor is weather. If conditions don’t cooperate, the walk or the forest time might be reduced or swapped.

The good news? Even when the walk is shortened, you usually still get enough stops to keep the day from feeling like a compromise.

The levadas: canal paths, photos, and one real walking segment

The tour’s signature is the levada walk. Levadas are Madeira’s historic irrigation canals, and walking alongside them is one of the best ways to see how the island works beyond the viewpoints.

Two important things to know:

• Some days include time for a shorter walk segment.
• An optional extension called Balcões may be available and costs extra (the tour info lists an additional €4.50 per person and notes a separate €3.00 paid directly on the walk for levada walks such as Balcões).

That sounds confusing, but it’s also a common reality with optional add-ons. The key is to clarify what’s offered on your specific day and whether you’re paying once or once per segment.

Also pack footwear. A muddy levada walk is possible, and your feet will thank you.

Lunch at Grutas do Faial island area: what’s included, and when it can feel tight

Lunch is a major part of the value. The tour includes lunch with a three-course choice menu, plus wine. One review even called it plentiful and delicious, and another pointed out lunch at a Santana restaurant (O Colin) on their date.

When lunch goes smoothly, it’s one of those “this is why I booked a tour” moments: you’re fueled, you’re not hunting for a place, and you sit down instead of squeezing everything between viewpoints.

But watch timing on busy dates. On days when Santana access is affected by events, lunch can feel a bit rushed because the schedule compresses. It doesn’t sound like the lunch is bad, just that the day can run tighter.

Porto da Cruz and the rum tasting: a fun payoff on the coast

Porto da Cruz is where you shift into the coast phase. This is also where the tour includes a rum tasting, which most people find more enjoyable than yet another viewpoint.

Even if you don’t become a rum expert by the end of the day, the tasting is a solid way to connect food, agriculture, and the east-coast vibe in one stop. Reviews also mention that the visit is interesting and that the driver keeps the day moving with commentary while you’re on the road.

Machico and the wrap-up feeling

Machico is part of the ending loop. By this stage, you’ve had the mountains and the walking. The coast stops help you come down from the adrenaline.

Since the tour returns you to the original departure point, it’s straightforward for planning the rest of your evening back in Funchal.

The guides make a difference: Tony, Carlos, Lucy, Michael, and more

Guides seem to be the reason this tour earns steady scores. Names show up again and again in the experiences shared:

• Tony (often praised for being fun, safe driving, and making sure you don’t miss stops)
• Carlos (mentioned as friendly and knowledgeable)
• Michael (driver/guide with an ability to explain the areas in a way that sticks)
• Lucy (praised for clear information and keeping the schedule tidy)
• Gamma and Gomes (often described as very attentive and passionate about Madeira)

What you should take from this as a traveler: this isn’t just a bus-and-drop service in the best cases. When the guide is strong, you’ll leave with more than photos. You’ll have real context for what you saw.

One practical note: some reviews mention that the guide doesn’t always spend time doing a big narrative at every stop. So if you love constant talking, you might need to lean into your own exploration during free time. If you prefer calm and efficient pacing, that can actually be a win.

The levada walk reality check: shoes, cold, and schedule changes

This tour is good for most active travelers, but the levada walk means you shouldn’t treat it like a short stroll in perfect conditions.

Your to-do list:

• Bring proper footwear. Reviews call out mud risk.
• Expect cold at higher points and pack a jacket.
• If you’re prone to feeling carsick, consider that the day includes winding mountain roads. Seating can matter on long, twisty drives.

Also keep in mind: levadas like Balcões are optional. Don’t force a walk extension if your legs are tired or if conditions don’t look good. It’s better to enjoy the viewpoints and village time than to rush and end up uncomfortable.

Price and value: what you’re paying for at $66.38

At about $66.38 per person for an ~8-hour day, the value comes from combining multiple costs:

• Round-trip transport by vehicle
• Hotel pickup/drop-off in selected areas
• A driver/guide
• Lunch with a three-course choice menu
• Wine with lunch
• A rum tasting stop
• Included meals (as listed)

If you were to replicate this by yourself, you’d likely spend time and money on transport, plus you’d still need to arrange a lunch spot and handle the timing between mountain viewpoints and coastal stops. Here, the day is packaged so you can spend your energy enjoying rather than negotiating roads and reservations.

That said, it’s smart to confirm the practical details before you go:

• Pick-up feasibility for your exact address/hotel
• Any optional walk add-ons and their payment method
• The day’s route plan if weather might disrupt parts of the itinerary

Who this tour suits best (and who should skip it)

This tour is a great fit if you want:

• East Madeira highlights in one day
• A bit of walking without planning a hike from scratch
• Included lunch and a guided day that reduces stress

It may not suit you if:

• You have mobility issues (the tour notes it’s not recommended)
• You strongly need guaranteed access to every planned stop regardless of weather or events
• You want a super-pure small group where every seat and headcount is exactly as advertised every single day

Small-group promises vs. real operations: keep your expectations flexible

The experience is marketed as small group and a max size is listed, and many people report intimate days. Still, a review mentioned a larger group count than expected and another pointed out a mismatch between the advertised vehicle size and what arrived.

I’d treat that as a “day-of operations” reminder:

• Expect the experience to be organized.
• But also accept that on some days, the day can run slightly differently due to vehicle availability and road rules.

If you’re the type who needs everything to match perfectly, you may feel the friction. If you’re flexible and focused on the overall day, you’ll likely still enjoy it.

Practical tips before you book

• Wear shoes you trust on uneven, possibly muddy paths.
• Pack layers. Mountains can feel chilly even when Funchal is warm.
• If you’re booking for a child, make sure the right chair is arranged (the tour states strict rules against lap travel).
• If Santana is affected by a fiesta or road closures, don’t assume the whole day will fail. It usually just shifts the schedule.
• For pickup, double-check the closest meet point if your hotel pickup isn’t listed as available.

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

I’d book it if you want an organized, high-coverage day that hits the east side’s contrasts: traditional villages, major viewpoints, a levada walk, and a lunch-and-tasting finish. The included meal and wine alone make it easier to justify than “half day + extra costs” planning.

Skip it or at least choose it with open eyes if you’re walking-light, mobility-limited, or you’re expecting the levada portion to be identical every day regardless of weather and local road access. This is a tour that depends on conditions, and Madeira is the kind of place where that’s never fully controllable.

If you like your days structured but still scenic, and you’d rather pay for logistics than solve them, this one is a solid value play on Madeira’s east side.

FAQ

How long is the Madeira east tour?

It runs for about 8 hours (approximately), with pickup beginning in the morning and return to the original departure point.

Is lunch included, and what does it include?

Yes. Lunch is included with a three-course choice menu, and wine is included as part of the lunch experience.

Do they pick you up from your hotel?

Pickup is offered from selected hotel areas. If hotel pickup isn’t possible, you’ll need to make your way to a meeting point in Funchal near the cable car area or an H&M Store.

When does the tour start?

The start time is listed as 9:00 am, and pickup usually happens between 8:00 and 9:00 am depending on your area. The tour can start between 8:00, 8:45, and 9:30 am.

Do I have to pay extra for the levada walk?

Some levada walks such as Balcões are optional and have an additional cost listed in the tour information. The payment is noted as being made directly on the walk.

What should I bring for the walk?

Bring a jacket, since it can get cold in the mountains, and wear proper footwear because the levada walk can be muddy.