Madeira’s east side packs three big wow-moments into one day. This tour drives you to Pico do Arieiro for sweeping high-altitude views, then down to Santana to see the island’s famous thatched triangular houses, and finally out to the dramatic São Lourenço peninsula. You’ll also get a guide who talks while you ride, so the day feels like more than just photo stops.

I especially like the way the route mixes altitude, forest remnants, and coastline in a tight 8-hour loop. I also like that your transport is handled end-to-end, with free pick-up and drop-off in the Funchal area so you can skip stress on Madeira’s twisty roads. The main drawback to plan around is that lunch isn’t included, so you’ll want to budget for a meal stop in Santana.

Key things that make this East Madeira day worth your time

• Pico do Arieiro at 1,818 m: the third-highest peak with serious panorama potential
• Santana’s triangular straw-roof houses: a distinctive slice of traditional Madeira
• São Lourenço peninsula views: rugged rock, sea, and open-sky eastern scenery
• Ribeiro Frio and trout pools: a taste of Madeira’s levada-walk world
• Laurissilva forest context: you learn why this “old” forest matters
• Machico bay finale: a relaxed look over the water and golden beach area

Getting to the tour: Funchal meeting points that actually work

Most days, you meet at Funchal’s Lido area. If you’re staying in the Funchal area, you may also be able to use free hotel pick-up from selected locations, which is the kind of detail that saves time and effort on day trips.

This matters because Madeira days can start fast. Once you’re out of central Funchal, you’re on winding mountain roads, and it’s nice not to be hunting for a meeting point or timing a taxi.

Terreiro da Luta: the first viewpoint that sets the tone

After pick-up or the Lido meet-up, the tour begins with a short drive out of Funchal to the viewpoint area of Terreiro da Luta. It’s a useful warm-up stop because it gives you quick context for Madeira’s shape: steep slopes, sharp ridgelines, and sudden drops to the sea.

Think of it as your “orientation moment.” From here, the rest of the day makes more sense, because you can start spotting how the island’s different neighborhoods connect.

Pico do Arieiro at 1,818 meters: the day’s big altitude payoff

Next comes the climb to Pico do Arieiro, Madeira’s third-highest peak at 1,818 meters. This is the classic “stand back and look” stop, the place where cloud, sun, and wind can change your view from dramatic to ghostly in minutes.

A practical tip: bring a layer. Even when you start the morning in comfortable beach weather, higher elevation can feel cold and sharp. One of the best things about doing this as a guided day is that you’re not stuck improvising when conditions shift.

One important planning note: the road to Pico do Arieiro may occasionally close due to weather. If that happens, the tour runs an alternative instead of canceling the entire high-viewpoint portion. That flexibility is worth something, because Madeira weather isn’t polite.

Descending through forest to the coast: why the drive is part of the experience

After the highest drivable point moment, you head back down through the forest toward the coast. This part of the route is where you feel Madeira as a living system, not just a set of postcards.

As you go, you’ll pass pretty villages and see scenery transitions: from higher ground into greener slopes, then out toward the open sea. Your guide’s explanations during the drive help connect what you see with why the island looks the way it does.

Eastern panoramas: when São Lourenço starts to feel real

As the day moves east, you’ll reach Madeira’s easternmost point for superb panoramas, with views over both the north and south coasts. This is a great stretch of time if you like quiet thinking with your camera, because open viewpoints give you room to breathe.

You also start to notice what makes the east feel different from the west. The coastline can look rougher, and the rock formations feel more exposed to wind and weather. That “out there” feeling is exactly what you came for.

Ribeiro Frio and levada country: trout pools and forest relics

On the northern slopes, you’ll visit Ribeiro Frio, a popular starting point for levada walks. Even if you’re not doing a full hike on this tour, it’s a smart stop because you’re seeing where the walking routes begin and how the water infrastructure shapes the island.

You’ll also see interesting trout pools and get a look at original vegetation. And here’s the deeper context your guide will likely connect: Madeira used to be largely covered by laurissilva forest, a relic from prehistoric times. That’s not just a fun fact; it explains why the island’s plants and microclimates feel so distinctive.

Santana for lunch: those thatched triangular houses in real life

Lunch happens in Santana, and that stop is more than a break. Santana is known for small thatched triangular houses, a visual tradition that’s hard to forget once you see it in person.

Since lunch isn’t included, plan to treat this as your meal budget moment. The good news is that this is the kind of town where a casual lunch feels connected to the place, not like you’re eating in a random roadside spot. If you’re hungry, this stop hits at the right time in the day flow.

One more practical thought: take a little time around the houses for photos, but don’t rush. The charm is in the details—shapes, materials, and the way the village sits against the surrounding slopes.

From Portela to Ponta de São Lourenço: rugged sea meets rock

After Santana, the route continues past Portela and toward Ponta de São Lourenço, on Madeira’s eastern part. This is one of those places where “scenery” is actually literal: rocks, sea, and nature look like they’re working together, not just adjacent.

The coast here feels more exposed and wind-swept, and the rock formations can look almost sculpted by weather. If you like coastal drama, this is your payoff stretch.

Bring shoes you’d feel comfortable standing in while you look. Even when you’re not hiking, viewpoints can involve uneven ground or short walks to get the best angles.

Machico bay finale: a calmer end with sea views and golden sand

The last town on the route is Machico, finishing with a viewpoint over the bay and the area’s golden sandy beach. This is a smart close to the day because it shifts you from high, rugged terrain into something more open and easy to process.

If you’ve been taking lots of photos at cliffs and ridges, the bay view is a breather. It also gives you a sense of scale: Madeira’s mountains feel huge until you see how everything connects back to the sea.

Price and value: what $42 really covers for an 8-hour day

At $42 per person for an 8-hour tour, the value comes from what’s included. You get free pick-up and drop-off in the Funchal area, plus all taxes and fuel surcharges.

What you should factor in is what’s not included: lunch. If you plan to eat a full sit-down meal, that’s the one add-on cost to budget for. Still, compared with the hassle (and cost) of renting a car, paying for parking, and building your own route, this price can feel very fair—especially for first-timers who want the east highlights without driving.

Comfort and the small practical stuff that can make or break the day

This is a full-day drive, so you’ll be on a minibus or similar vehicle for a lot of the time. In multiple accounts, the vehicle is described as clean and comfortable, with air-conditioning mentioned by some passengers.

The guide setup is another big deal. People often note clear audio (speaker system working well), and live narration in Spanish, English, French, German, and Portuguese. So even if you’re not near the front, you should still get the story of what you’re seeing.

And because Madeira roads are narrow and twisty, safe driving is essential. Many people highlight how comfortable they felt with the driver handling tight turns and steep roads, which matters more than you might think until you’re sitting in the vehicle.

Who this tour fits best

This tour is a good match if you:

• Want the best-known east highlights without planning a route
• Don’t want to manage driving on steep, winding roads
• Like your sightseeing as a mix of views, villages, and cultural stops
• Want a guide to explain what you’re seeing while you move between places

It’s also a nice option for people traveling in pairs or groups who want an organized day but don’t want the pace of a rushed checklist.

Should you book the Best of the East tour from Funchal?

Yes, if your priority is a balanced east-side overview with major viewpoints plus traditional Madeira in one day. The combination of Pico do Arieiro, Santana, and Ponta de São Lourenço hits three very different sides of Madeira, and the included pick-up/drop-off makes the day feel easy.

I’d be slightly cautious if you’re the type who hates being in a vehicle for long stretches or if your lunch budget is tight. Also keep an eye on conditions at altitude: the Pico do Arieiro road can close, though the tour notes it will substitute an alternative.

If you want a low-stress way to see the east without a car, this is one of the simpler decisions you can make.

FAQ

How long is the Best of the East tour from Funchal?

It runs for 8 hours.

Where does the tour start in Funchal?

You can meet at Funchal’s Lido, or use free hotel pick-up in selected Funchal-area locations.

What is included in the price?

The tour price includes free pick-up and drop-off at hotels in the Funchal area, plus all taxes and fuel surcharges.

Is lunch included?

No, lunch is not included.

Which places will I visit?

You’ll visit viewpoints including Terreiro da Luta, Pico do Arieiro, Santana, Ponta de São Lourenço, and end in Machico, plus a stop in the Ribeiro Frio area.

What happens if the road to Pico do Arieiro is closed?

On days when weather forces a closure, the tour will do an alternative stop instead of that exact point.

What languages is the live guide available in?

Live guiding is available in Spanish, English, French, German, and Portuguese.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is a private group available?

Yes, private group options are available.