A Madeira day gets good fast when cliffs meet wine. This Green Devil Safari 4×4 tour mixes a small-group off-road ride with multiple picture stops and a proper tasting at Quinta do Barbusano.

What I like most is the open-top 4×4 jeep setup for real views and photos, plus the six-wine tasting paired with toast cheese at the winery table.

One thing to keep in mind: the wine part depends on Quinta do Barbusano’s setup that day and the tasting is paid as an add-on (€24 per person), and the Cabo Girão entrance is also extra.

Key highlights worth clocking

• Max 8 people per jeep, max 24 total means less time stuck waiting and more time enjoying the stops
• Open-top 4×4 jeeps are made for cliff views, quick photo stops, and off-road roads
• Cabo Girão Skywalk is built into the route, but the €5 entrance is not included
• Quinta do Barbusano tasting includes 6 local wines plus toast cheese, paid separately (€24)
• Stop timing is generous at key points like São Vicente (45 min) and Serra de Água (1 hour)
• Pickup is flexible in Funchal and Caniço, with an extra fee if you’re coming from the cruise dock

A Madeira Half-Day That Mixes Off-Road Views and Wine

This is the kind of Madeira tour that feels like two experiences braided together: a scenic driving day on a rugged island, then a tasting session that actually teaches you what you’re drinking. You’ll head out from Funchal with a friendly guide, ride in a small open-top 4×4, and pass through several classic Madeiran areas—coast, terraces, villages, and viewpoints.

The 4×4 part matters, because Madeira’s best views often sit above roads that are narrow, winding, and not exactly “walk-up and wait.” An open-top jeep also changes your sense of speed and scale—you feel the air, and you get unobstructed angles for Cabo Girão and the cliff roads on the way.

My only caution is to understand the price split up front. The tour price covers the ride and guide, but the tasting and some entrances are extra on the day. If you’re pricing this like an all-in bundle, you’ll get surprised.

Price and Value: What $66.01 Really Covers

At $66.01 per person, this is priced as a half-day adventure plus guiding. It does include free pickup in the Funchal center and Caniço, and you’ll be riding in a small-group open-top 4×4 (maximum 8 per jeep). It also includes insurance coverage, which is a comfort when you’re on rough roads.

But two big add-ons shape the true cost:

• Quinta do Barbusano tasting fee: €24 per person for the guided vineyard table and the 6 wines + toast cheese
• Cabo Girão entrance: €5 per person for the Skywalk viewpoint

If you’re on a cruise, there’s also a €5 cruise dock pickup fee unless you’re already in the pickup zone.

So is it good value? It can be, because you’re not just “driven to a wine shop.” You get a genuine off-road ride plus several scenic stops, then a tasting built around Madeira’s local wine styles. When the tasting runs smoothly, this tour checks the boxes that make Madeira feel like Madeira: elevation, terraces, ocean air, and wine culture.

Pickup, Group Size, and What the 4×4 Ride Feels Like

This tour is built for comfort in a small vehicle. You can choose pickup in Funchal (near the Cristiano Ronaldo statue) or Caniço. If your ship docks and you’re outside the base pickup area, you’ll meet at the Funchal center and pay the €5 cruise dock pickup fee.

Once you’re in the jeep, the max 8 passengers per vehicle matters more than people think. Big tour buses turn viewpoints into line management. Here, the vehicle size keeps things quicker and makes the route feel more personal.

Now, about the ride itself: it’s an off-road style experience, with rugged roads through greenery and vineyard areas. One drawback that’s shown up in real-world feedback is that some jeeps have felt old to some riders. You still get the sky-and-scenery access that makes open-top fun, but if you’re sensitive to vehicle age or road noise, go in with realistic expectations.

São Vicente: 45 Minutes for Coast-and-Cliff Madeira

São Vicente is a great first “real Madeira” stop because it anchors your day in the island’s wild north-to-south feel. This part of the route takes you through major scenic areas, including Cabo Girão, Serra de Água, and then into São Vicente. You’ll get about 45 minutes here, which is enough to get your bearings, take photos, and enjoy the slower village vibe.

What I like about the way this stop is timed is that it’s not just a quick pull-over. Forty-five minutes gives you breathing room to look around without feeling rushed. You’re also already acclimating to the island’s dramatic elevations and winding roads, so the later viewpoints land better.

If you’re short on time in Madeira overall, São Vicente is a smart use of the schedule. It’s one of those places where you can feel how the land and sea shape daily life.

Cabo Girão Skywalk: The View That Costs €5

Cabo Girão is the star for people who come to Madeira for heights and ocean views. You’ll have about 30 minutes at Cabo Girão, and this is where the Skywalk comes in. The important detail: Cabo Girão entrance is not included, and the fee is €5 per person.

That €5 matters because it changes how you compare value. If you’re trying to hit the Skywalk specifically, you should factor it into your budget before you book. If you’re mainly here for the ride and wine, you can still treat Cabo Girão as the “pay for the wow” moment.

Also, if you already visited Cabo Girão earlier in your trip, ask your guide about time adjustments. In one case, the guide made room for extra time in Câmara de Lobos as an alternative. That suggests the day can bend a bit depending on where you’ve already been.

Câmara de Lobos, Quinta Grande, Campanário, Ribeira Brava: Village Stops That Break Up the Day

This is the section that keeps the tour from feeling like a straight line between two destinations. Between the major checkpoints, the route adds classic Madeiran stops:

• Câmara de Lobos: a charming fishing village on the southwest coast known for colorful houses, a busy harbor, and a market. The name is tied to monk seals that used to live there.
• Quinta Grande: a rural area with vineyards and terraced fields. It’s known for Madeira wine traditions and historic estates (quintas).
• Campanário: a quieter village between the mountains and the sea, known for traditional architecture and peaceful scenery, plus local folk music during festivals.
• Ribeira Brava (meaning wild river): a laid-back town with a pebble beach, a promenade, and a historic church.

Because exact times aren’t listed for each of these, think of them as “photo and short stroll” stops rather than deep museum visits. The value is pacing. You’re not locked into one viewpoint for hours, and you get a better sense of the island’s zones.

If you enjoy people-watching and small-town atmosphere, these stops are your payoff. Just don’t expect them to replace a full day walking tour in Funchal.

Serra de Água and the Encumeada View: Time Well Used

Serra de Água is another high-reward stop. You get about 1 hour, and the area is known for terraced vineyards, traditional watermills, and a scenic valley setting.

The highlight here is the Encumeada viewpoint, which gives wide panoramic views over Madeira. This is the part of the day where the off-road roads start to make more sense. You’re not just collecting stops—you’re moving through the island until you reach the lookouts where it all connects.

One practical note: viewpoints can change with weather fast on Madeira. If clouds roll in, it can still be nice to enjoy the valley, but your “wow moment” might be softer. If you’re going for photos, give yourself patience time here rather than treating it as a rushed checkmark.

Quinta do Barbusano Wine Table: Six Local Wines Plus Toast Cheese

The tasting at Quinta do Barbusano is the center of the wine experience. Here’s what you should expect, based on the tour description and how the tasting is structured on the day:

You’ll sit at a prepared wine-tasting table and sample six handpicked local wines. The wines are paired with toast cheese, a simple pairing that lets the wine flavors show up clearly.

This tasting is paid separately: €24 per person. The tour also notes that the winery guided visit and the 6 table wine fees are not included in the base price. So treat the total wine cost as part of your decision, not an afterthought.

English is the working language for the guided explanation at the winery table. That matters if you’re traveling with a group that expects multilingual explanations. One downside that surfaced is that some explanations felt limited when groups included non-English speakers. If you’re flexible and just want the samples and the tasting vibe, it’s usually fine.

How to get the most from it: go in curious. Ask what makes the Madeira wines different in style and how the island’s conditions affect what’s in your glass. The tasting format is set up for you to compare varieties directly, so you can learn fast.

What Can Go Wrong (and How to Plan Around It)

Even good tours have friction points. The big ones here are tied to timing and add-on experiences.

First, the tasting and entrances are extras. That’s manageable if you plan ahead, but it can frustrate you if you expected an all-in price.

Second, the wine experience depends on the winery’s ability to run the tasting that day. There’s at least one real-world example where the tasting didn’t happen as the main attraction, leading to an unsatisfying alternative. I can’t promise how often that happens, but you should build flexibility into your mindset: if wine is your top reason to book, be ready to confirm that the tasting is scheduled and clearly included with the €24 fee on the day.

Third, the off-road ride is part of the charm and also the risk. Some feedback mentioned that jeeps felt old, and vehicle condition can affect comfort. If you’re prone to motion sickness or you have mobility concerns, it’s worth taking a careful look at your own tolerance for rugged driving.

Who This Tour Is Best For

You’ll likely love this if you want:

• a small-group 4×4 experience rather than a bus ride
• a Madeira wine tasting with multiple samples (not just one glass)
• scenic stops with enough time to enjoy views and villages
• an afternoon schedule that’s long enough to feel like an outing, but not a full day

It’s also a good fit for couples and friends who enjoy a mix of nature and local food/drink culture.

You might want to skip or think twice if:

• you’re only interested in wine and would rather do a full winery visit on your own timeline
• you’re very sensitive to vehicle comfort on rough roads
• you already visited Cabo Girão Skywalk and want your money to go somewhere else (then consider a different routing or ask about adjustments)

Should You Book This Green Devil Safari Tour?

Book it if you want the Madeira combo: cliff views, off-road roads, and a six-wine tasting at Quinta do Barbusano. The small jeeps make the day feel active, and the route gives you plenty of variety without dragging into a full long excursion.

Don’t book it blindly if you’re counting on the wine to be the only attraction and you’re expecting everything to be fully included in the base price. Factor in the €24 tasting fee and the €5 Cabo Girão entrance, and you’ll feel much more confident about the value.

If you do book, my advice is simple: go with the right budget in mind, arrive ready for some rough-road adventure, and treat the tasting as a structured comparison session. When those pieces line up, this is a fun way to experience Madeira beyond the main roads.

FAQ

Is pickup included?

Yes, pickup is included for the Funchal center and Caniço. If you’re coming from the cruise dock or outside that area, you’ll pick up near the Cristiano Ronaldo statue and may pay an extra €5 for cruise dock pickup.

Where does the tour start?

Pickup is available in the Funchal area and Caniço. If you are not in the included pickup zone, you meet at the Funchal Center near the Cristiano Ronaldo statue.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 3 hours 30 minutes.

What is the group size?

The open-top 4×4 jeeps run in small groups with a maximum of 8 people per jeep, and the total maximum group size is 24 travelers.

Is the tour in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

Does the tour include a wine tasting?

Yes, there is a tasting at Quinta do Barbusano, where you try six local wines paired with toast cheese. The winery guided visit and table wine fees cost €24 per person and are not included in the base tour price.

Is Cabo Girão included in the price?

Cabo Girão entrance is not included. The Skywalk fee is listed as €5 per person.

Is there an admission fee for Serra de Água?

Serra de Água is listed as free admission.

What about cancellation?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.

Is there a mobile ticket?

Yes, this tour offers a mobile ticket.