Madeira tastes better when you climb for it. I like the off-road day out over the north coast, and I love that you get two separate wine tastings with real production education, not just a quick pour-and-go stop. This is one of those tours where the views keep changing every hour.

One thing to plan for: lunch and snacks aside from what’s tied to the tastings aren’t included, and Cabo Girão has a small entrance fee (€3). If you budget a bit extra, the rest of the day feels well put together.

Key points I’d prioritize

• Serra d’Água and Miradouro da Encumeada photo stops with big north-coast views on the way north
• Mel da Laurissilva (honey museum) focused on local honey, sustainability, and the tools used then and now
• Quinta do Barbusano vineyard tasting with a structured set of wines plus local cheese and chorizo
• Cabo Girão Skywalk on Europe’s highest sea cliff at about 580 meters
• Henriques & Henriques tasting with Madeira by age, including Sweet and Dry options (3, 10, and 15 years)

A small-group Madeira day built around views, honey, and wine

This is a 7.5-hour, small-group tour (up to 8 people) designed for people who want Madeira beyond the town center. You start in Funchal with pickup from the central area or near the port, then work your way into the north side of the island where the scenery gets sharper, higher, and more dramatic.

The best part is the pacing. You get photo stops, a real off-road segment, an education-heavy honey visit, and then two different wine experiences. By the time you reach Cabo Girão, you’ll feel like you earned it—because you’ve been moving through the island’s different terrains all day.

Serra d’Água and the north-coast drive that sets the tone

Your day kicks off with a standard pickup and then a drive out of Funchal toward Serra d’Água. Expect a photo stop and a short safety briefing before you start getting into the tighter, steeper roads.

One reason people rate this tour so highly is that the driving isn’t treated like a chore. You’re taken via viewpoints like Miradouro da Encumeada, where the scenery opens up and you can see why Madeira’s north side is so famous for dramatic coastlines and valleys.

As you head toward São Vicente, the tour switches into the fun part: off-road time. The route is built around sweeping lookouts over:

• Porto Moniz
• Ribeira da Janela
• Paúl da Serra
• São Vicente

This is also the moment to note the practical tip: the higher you go, the more the weather can change. Even if Funchal feels warm, bring something for cool air on the way up. One review mentioned it can get chilly, and that matches the reality of Madeira’s elevation changes.

The honey museum stop (Mel da Laurissilva): small place, big context

Between the viewpoints and the vineyards, you’ll stop at the honey museum, often described as Mel da Laurissilva. This is one of those stops that doesn’t just entertain—you leave with context for how the island works.

Here’s what you’ll do:

• Learn how honey is produced and why it matters locally
• Hear about sustainability and the local benefits of honey production
• See tools used in the past and how things are done today
• Take in panoramic views while you’re there
• Taste a local honey sweet treat

If you’re a food person, this is a great “pause.” You’re not rushing through a showroom—you’re learning how a small natural product ties into Madeira’s landscape and farming traditions. And if you’re not usually into honey, the museum is still worth it because it’s about practices and tools, not just tasting.

Quinta do Barbusano vineyards: Madeira wine tasting with actual structure

Next comes the heart of the wine region. You’ll be guided through one of the biggest vineyard areas on the island, and the tour focuses on how Madeira wine fits into the culture and production.

At Quinta do Barbusano, you’ll get a professional tasting that’s more like a lesson than a random sampling. You’ll taste:

• one rosé
• three whites
• two reds

You won’t just taste solo either. The tasting comes with Portuguese cheese and chorizo, which is handy if you’re trying to understand how different wine styles work with salty, savory bites. It turns what could be a quick stop into a proper meal-time-style experience—just without the full lunch component.

The way Madeira wine is made matters here, because Madeira doesn’t behave like many other wines. Even if you only know Madeira as a “sweet wine from a bottle,” this stop helps you connect what you’re tasting to the island’s methods and history.

São Vicente break and lunch time: plan your own fuel

You’ll reach São Vicente for a break and free time, with a lunch break built in. This is where the tour is honest: meals aren’t included (other than what’s tied to the wine tastings/snacks).

So I recommend you treat this like a reset. Use the time to:

• Stretch your legs after the earlier driving and off-road segment
• Grab lunch on your own based on what looks best and what’s convenient
• Take photos with calmer pacing than the viewpoint rush earlier in the day

The coast setting is part of the appeal, but the key is flexibility. You have time to choose, not a forced sit-down meal.

Cabo Girão Skywalk: 580 meters of Atlantic views

After lunch time, you head to Cabo Girão, known for its dramatic height and the Skywalk platform.

This is the iconic stop:

• About 580 meters above the Atlantic
• Photo stop plus time to visit and take in the views
• Skywalk entrance is not included (there’s an €3 fee)

What makes this part work is the contrast. Earlier you’ve been looking out over valleys and north-coast bends. Now you’re literally looking down from one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe. Even if you’re not usually into heights, the Skywalk is one of those “check it off” experiences that gives you a clear sense of scale for Madeira.

Practical note: the platform areas can feel exposed to wind. Wear clothing that handles a breeze.

Henriques & Henriques finish: Madeira by age, sweet and dry styles

The day ends in Câmara de Lobos, a traditional fishing village that’s close to Funchal but feels more grounded and local. Here, your tasting finale is at Henriques & Henriques Madeira Wine Lodge.

This is where the tour shifts from education and views into pure wine enjoyment. You’ll taste Madeira wines, including:

• Sweet and Dry (3 years old)
• Sweet (10 years old)
• Dry (15 years old)

This finale matters because it shows Madeira wine across time and style, not just one “house taste.” If you like drinking and learning at the same time, this is the part that clicks.

One extra detail to know: during some Portuguese holidays, the visit to the lodge may not be available. When that happens, the tour offers a 20-minute visit to the traditional fishing village in Câmara de Lobos Bay instead.

Guides, comfort, and small-group pacing that feel intentional

You’re traveling in a way that suits the island: the tour uses a vehicle built for the roads and the off-road sections. Several past participants have highlighted the value of having a driver who handles the terrain confidently—especially when the route gets narrow or steep.

A few guide names have come up repeatedly in past experiences, including Rui, Gill, Diogo, Ruben, and Carla. If your group includes one of them, you’re likely in for a day that connects the dots between what you see and why it’s there.

On the comfort side, the tour includes a few helpful extras:

• Free pickup and drop-off from Funchal’s central area and near the port
• Wi‑Fi on board
• Vehicles are sanitized with ozone
• Alcohol gel available
• Safety support: safety instructions and first aid, plus required insurances under Portuguese law

And because it’s only up to 8 participants, it doesn’t feel crowded. You get real viewpoint time without constant jostling.

Price and value: what you’re really paying for at $104

At about $104 per person, this tour isn’t the cheapest thing in Madeira—but it also isn’t overpriced in terms of what’s included.

Here’s why the value can add up:

• Pickup/drop-off from key Funchal areas is included
• You get a professional local guide throughout
• You receive two tasting experiences:
• One tasting at the vineyard site (rosé + whites + reds) with cheese and chorizo
• A second tasting at Henriques & Henriques (Sweet/Dry across ages)
• You also get the honey museum stop plus the honey tasting sweet treat
• The day includes major “icon” sightseeing at Cabo Girão Skywalk (you pay the small entrance fee, but you still get the stop built into the route)

The main reason to factor cost carefully is that lunch and non-tasting food/drinks aren’t included, and Cabo Girão costs €3. Once you accept that, the rest of the itinerary is packed with included experiences rather than optional add-ons.

Who should book this Madeira wine and nature tour?

I think this tour fits best if you:

• Want Madeira wine tastings that include both a structured set and an age-based tasting
• Like driving days when the scenery changes often, rather than sitting in a single location
• Enjoy a nature-food connection, like the honey museum that focuses on sustainability and tools
• Don’t mind a long-ish day (about 7.5 hours) with walking that’s likely manageable if you wear comfortable shoes

It’s not a great match if you have mobility constraints, since it’s not suitable for wheelchair users and isn’t appropriate for children under 3. It also lists restrictions for pregnant women and prohibits pets and luggage or large bags.

Should you book this tour?

If your goal is a Madeira day that blends north-coast views, a hands-on-feeling honey museum, and two well-timed wine tastings that end with a proper age-based Madeira lineup, then yes—it’s a strong pick.

I’d book it especially if you want to leave with both photos and wine knowledge, without having to stitch together multiple tours yourself. Just budget a little extra for lunch and the Cabo Girão fee, bring a warm layer, and wear shoes you can stand in comfortably.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Madeira Signature Wine Tasting, Skywalk & Nature Expedition?

The tour lasts about 7.5 hours.

What’s included in the wine tastings?

You’ll have a Madeira table wine tasting (one rosé, three whites, two reds) with Portuguese cheese and chorizo, plus a Madeira wine tasting featuring sweet/dry options that include 3, 10, and 15 years old wines.

Is the entrance to Cabo Girão included?

No. Entrance to Cabo Girão costs €3 and is not included.

Where are the pickup and drop-off points?

Pickup and drop-off are included from Funchal’s Central Area and next to Funchal’s Port. Other pickup locations have an extra fee.

How big is the group?

The tour is a small group limited to 8 participants.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is part of the schedule as a break, but meals are not included (food and drinks excluding wines and snacks).

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes.

Are pets allowed on the tour?

No, pets are not allowed.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No, it is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Are there any restrictions on bags or luggage?

Yes. Luggage or large bags are not allowed.