One day, two coasts, and lots of views. This full-day Madeira ride in an open-roof 4×4 strings together the north and west in one long, satisfying day, with stops for waterfalls, volcanic pools, and a proper poncha break. Small-group touring also helps you actually hear your guide and move at a human pace.

I love the mix of big-name lookouts with real time to wander. At Cabo Girão, you get the famous skywalk viewpoint (ticket sold separately), and later you have time in Porto Moniz to swim in natural volcanic pools if you want. I also like that your guide-driver, Christophe, keeps the story going—history, plants, and how Madeira changes as you climb and cross the island.

One catch to plan around: lunch and drinks aren’t included, and Cabo Girão’s glass platform has an extra admission cost. If you want a relaxed “only pretty stops” day, an 8.5-hour route with some winding roads may feel like a lot.

Key highlights

• Câmara de Lobos + Xavelhas boats in a village made famous by Winston Churchill
• Cabo Girão skywalk viewpoint with extra admission (highest promontory in Europe at 580m)
• Véu da Noiva, Poça das Lesmas, and Porto Moniz pools for waterfall + volcanic water fun
• Fanal’s centuries-old tís forest with a misty, fairy-tale feel
• Taberna da Poncha stop for brandy-and-lemon peel poncha (plus non-alcoholic options)

Madeira’s open-roof 4×4 day trip: what you’re really buying

This is not a quick drive-by tour. You’re signing up for a full day of moving between Madeira’s climates—coast, mountain, forest—while standing in the fresh air on an open-roof 4×4. You feel the breeze, you see the coastline as you rise and fall, and the day doesn’t just read like a checklist.

At $74.98 per person (with hotel pickup and drop-off included), the value is in the routing and the guide time. You’re getting a professional guide/driver, about 8.5 hours total, and a small group capped at 12 people. That means more attention from Christophe and more chances to stop early for photos before everything gets crowded.

The other big value is the “mix.” You’ll see the famous viewpoint stuff, but you’ll also have free time at places where you can actually stand, take in the water, and choose what you want to do—walk a little, swim a little, or just look.

Price and logistics: the practical stuff that affects your day

Here’s how the day tends to feel on the ground. The tour starts at 8:00 am, and you’ll get contacted to confirm the pick-up location. If you’re staying near Funchal, hotel pickup and drop-off is usually the easiest way to avoid taxi math all day.

This tour is offered in English and runs with a maximum of 12 travelers, which keeps it friendly and not hectic. You also get a mobile ticket, so you’re not juggling paper.

What’s not included matters for budgeting: lunch is optional, and food and drinks are not included. So you’ll want to plan for a lunch stop in Porto Moniz (where you’ll have about 2 hours) and bring water or pick it up along the way if needed.

Starting in Câmara de Lobos: Churchill’s fishing village comes alive

Your morning kicks off in Câmara de Lobos, a traditional fishing village that became internationally known through a painting by Winston Churchill. The key visual detail here is the Xavelhas—the characteristic fishing boats that dot the waterline and give the harbor that postcard feel.

This isn’t just a “stand and point” start. It’s the kind of place where you get your bearings fast: you’ll see how the ocean sits right up against Madeira’s dramatic slopes, and you’ll get a sense of why the north and west coasts look so different from the south.

If you like grounding your day in something local rather than jumping straight to viewpoints, this first stop sets a good tone.

Cabo Girão skywalk: highest promontory vibes without the long wait

Next up is Cabo Girão, one of Madeira’s biggest viewpoint moments. You’ll head to the glass suspended platform—often called the skywalk. It’s one of the most visited stops on the island, and the reason is simple: Cabo Girão is the highest promontory in Europe at 580 meters.

You’ll have about 25 minutes here, and the important detail is this: admission ticket is not included. So budget for the skywalk fee if you want to go on the glass platform. Even if you choose not to, the viewpoint from the area is still dramatic, with wide views over Câmara de Lobos and Funchal.

Practical tip: wear shoes you can trust. The viewpoint is worth your time, but you also want solid footing while you frame photos and hang around for the best light.

Seixal and Véu da Noiva: quick waterfall time on the north coast

Then you roll toward the north coast to Seixal for the Véu da Noiva Waterfall viewpoint. The time here is short—about 10 minutes—but it’s a very focused stop.

You’re looking for a specific feeling: waterfall water bursting from a hillside covered with vegetation, projecting out toward the sea. The viewpoint gives you that classic “water veil” look without needing a long hike.

If you’re trying to maximize your day, this is a good kind of stop. You get scenery and photos without swallowing hours of transport time.

Poça das Lesmas: volcanic rock pools with turquoise contrast

After Seixal, you’ll reach Poça das Lesmas and the Well of Lesmas. This stop is about 30 minutes, and it’s one of those places that works best when you slow down just slightly.

The rocks are volcanic in origin, and their shape forms natural pools. Dark rock tones and turquoise Atlantic water create that high-contrast look that’s hard to fake in a phone photo.

You don’t need a big plan here. Walk around, look down into the pools, and enjoy the contrast. If you’re someone who likes “stop-and-stare” spots, this is a great one.

Porto Moniz: lunch, volcanic pools, and a real swim option

Porto Moniz is where your day gets fun in a more physical way. This is known for its natural pools, built from volcanic formations, and you’ll have around 2 hours here. Lunch is optional, and this is your main meal window.

If you want to swim, this is the moment to do it. The stop is built for that choice: go for a dip, keep it casual, or just use the time to walk the area and enjoy the sea views and rock formations.

Practical advice from the way people describe the day: change into swimwear before you arrive if you can. Bring what you need for a comfortable break—towel and flip-flop-style footwear if you plan to wet your feet. The pools are a highlight, and it’s worth being prepared so you don’t spend your fun time rummaging for stuff.

Ribeira da Janela: short view stop, big “Madeira interior” feeling

Next is Miradouro Ribeira da Janela, a viewpoint area named after the Ribeira da Janela watercourse. You get about 15 minutes here, so think of it as a “reset your eyes” stop.

This part of the island is famous for imposing mountains, where green slopes meet clear blue Atlantic views. Even in a short time window, you can tell you’re moving through a different Madeira mood—more interior feel, stronger vertical lines, and a sense that water carving the island matters here.

If you like quick payoff viewpoints, you’ll enjoy this.

Fanal forest: tís trees, misty atmosphere, and peaceful walking time

Then comes Posto Florestal Fanal. Fanal is known for a mystical feel, with a centuries-old tís forest. These trees date back to a time before the archipelago was discovered, which gives this stop a heavier, more “time-worn” sensation than the coastal lookouts.

You’ll have about 30 minutes here, and it’s the kind of place where a short walk is better than constantly rushing for photos. The weather can add to the mood, too—people describe it as misty in a way that makes the view feel more dramatic.

Wear shoes that handle uneven ground, because if you take a real walking loop, you’ll want secure footing.

Ponta do Sol: sunshine hours, farming, and a gentler pace

After forest and volcanic water, the day shifts again at Ponta do Sol. You’ll have about 30 minutes, and the vibe here is more village-and-coast.

Ponta do Sol is known for having the greatest number of sunshine hours per year in Madeira. The stop also highlights what grows here: bananas and sugar cane. Floriculture and horticulture play a role too, so you’re seeing Madeira as a working island, not just a viewpoint factory.

If you’ve been staring at sea cliffs all morning, this part lets your eyes rest and your brain reset.

Serra de Água + poncha: your taste of Madeira happens in the middle of the drive

You’ll pass through Serra de Água, where the tour includes a stop at Taberna da Poncha. This is a true culture break, timed for about 30 minutes.

Poncha is Madeira’s traditional drink, and the classic pescador version is made with brandy and crushed lemon peel with sugar. Over time, there are variations like regional ponchas with passion fruit or tangerine.

There are also other styles described for later generations of poncha, including versions with nikita, and there’s specifically an alcohol-free option for kids. Even if you don’t drink alcohol, this stop is still worth it for the atmosphere and for understanding how locals take a pause during a full day.

How the driving feels: winding roads, open air, and off-road tracks

A big part of why this tour works is the way it’s driven. The vehicle is open-roof, and the route includes narrow, winding roads plus off-road driving on back tracks. The off-road piece is described as fun and adventurous, and the open roof helps you feel more connected to the scenery as you move.

Safety matters here. The guide-driver’s job is not just navigation—it’s reading road conditions and pacing the group. People specifically mention feeling safe even when roads get a bit hairy. That’s comforting if you’re worried about motion or comfort on curvy Madeira roads.

Also, be ready for sensory input. You’ll get breeze and sound, and you’ll be standing and looking around more than you would in a closed van.

What to bring (so you don’t cut your day short)

You’ll move fast across different conditions, and the stops vary from viewpoints to pool time to a forest walk. Here’s what makes the day easier:

• Comfortable running shoes for viewpoints and the Fanal forest walking
• Swimwear and a way to change if you plan to use the Porto Moniz pool time
• A small towel if you’re swimming (optional, but helpful)
• Sun protection (Madeira sun shows up even when the forecast looks mild)
• A light layer for open-roof breezes, especially if the coast feels cooler in the shade

If you pack for walking and pool time, you’ll enjoy more of the day instead of choosing “only photo stops.”

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

This is a great match for first-time visitors who want a lot of Madeira diversity in one day: north coast viewpoints, volcanic pools, a forest stop, and poncha. It’s also a strong choice if you like active travel—standing up for views, taking short walks, and doing a few flexible activities.

It’s not the best choice if you want a slow, low-impact day with minimal road time. Also note the guide’s vehicle and route aren’t recommended for children under 3 years old.

If your priority is a deep, long hike, you may find some stops short. But if your priority is seeing more of the island than a single coastal area, this day does the job.

Should you book Full Day Madeira Island Tour – Open Roof?

Book it if you want a well-paced day that mixes famous viewpoints with natural, off-beat spots, and you like the idea of an open-roof 4×4 experience. You’ll get a lot done—Câmara de Lobos, Cabo Girão, Seixal, Poça das Lesmas, Porto Moniz, Ribeira da Janela, Fanal, Ponta do Sol, and a poncha stop—without spending the day in long, boring transfers.

Skip it if you hate curvy roads, you’re not interested in volcanic pools/swimming, or you don’t want an 8.5-hour schedule. Also remember the tour requires good weather, so if conditions are rough, your day may shift or be refunded depending on what the operator decides.

If you like practicality, good timing at each stop, and a guide who brings the island to life while you drive, this is one of the stronger all-in-one ways to see Madeira.

FAQ

How long is the Full Day Madeira Island Tour?

It runs for about 8 hours 30 minutes.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 8:00 am.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at your hotel are included.

Does the tour include lunch?

Lunch is optional, and food and drinks are not included.

Is Cabo Girão admission included?

No. Cabo Girão’s skywalk ticket is not included, and you’ll need to pay separately if you want to go on the glass platform.

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

What should I plan for if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.