Madeira rewards early starts. This pack is a smart way to see both coasts of the island, with Porto Moniz natural swimming pools plus Santana and a half-day trip into Curral das Freiras. You get a guided route built around viewpoints and quick culture stops, not just a bus ride.

I especially like how the day plans mix big scenic anchors with smaller photo moments along the way. The drive-by stops for geography, history, and even food talk make the views feel more meaningful, and the group stays small (up to 15 people).

One heads-up: these full-day loops run around 7 hours, and lunch isn’t included. If you hate long days or you don’t plan snacks, you’ll feel it.

Key highlights at a glance

• Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools with about 90 minutes on site (admission listed as free)
• Cabo Girão and Encumeada viewpoints that frame Madeira in layers
• Santana’s traditional houses plus a break long enough to actually slow down
• Truffle ranch stop and a visit connected to Agardente possibility
• Valley of the Nuns viewpoints including Eira do Serrado (1094m) and 360 views from Pico Barcelos
• Nuno Martins is specifically praised for communication, knowledge, and professionalism

West Coast classics: Porto Moniz natural pools, Cabo Girão, and the Encumeada drive

The West-style day in this pack is the one that really shows off Madeira’s dramatic feel. The tour starts between 08:30 and 09:15, and you’ll be on the road for about 7 hours total. Pickup is from your Funchal hotel (typically 08:45 to 09:15), so you’re not trying to puzzle together buses before the island wakes up.

You move through a run of classic places, usually with short, timed photo stops and narration from your driver/guide. The planned route includes Câmara de Lobos, the Cabo Girão viewpoint, Ribeira Brava, and the Paul da Serra plateau area. Then comes the main event: Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools.

Expect about 90 minutes at Porto Moniz. That matters. Natural pools are best when you can take your time—watch the tide rhythm, find a spot with the best light, and decide how long you’ll actually stay in or around the water. Admission is listed as free for that stop, which boosts the value of the day since you’re not paying extra on top of the tour price.

What I like about this design is pacing. You get a long scenic corridor before the pools, so when you arrive, the payoff feels earned. What you should plan for is basic comfort: wear grippy shoes for uneven ground near viewpoints, and bring a light layer because coastal weather can shift.

Porto Moniz pools: what to do during your 90 minutes

With 90 minutes, you can do the essentials without feeling rushed. I’d treat it like three mini-blocks:

• Look first: walk the edges, find the best vantage, and check where you can stand comfortably.
• Then decide: if you want a swim, take your time easing in rather than sprinting for the water.
• Finish slow: hang back for photos and the “watch the water” moment.

And since lunch isn’t included (more on that later), this is also a good time to think ahead about energy. If you tend to get hungry fast, bring something small you can eat during the ride breaks.

East side with Santana: truffle ranch stops, traditional houses, and Machico history

On another day, the pack switches gears to the East. This one also runs about 7 hours, starting between 08:30 and 09:15. The exact day changes by schedule, but it’s listed as Sunday or Wednesday for the East/Santana portion.

This route is built around variety: high views, food culture, and iconic Madeira architecture. Along the way, you’ll make photo breaks and receive explanations that connect what you’re seeing to the island’s geography and history. You’ll pass or stop at places like Fajã-like points and reach a sandy peak that’s described as the third highest on Madeira, plus R. Frio.

Then comes one of the more interesting stops: a truffle ranch visit. Even if you’re not a big food-tour person, these kinds of farm stops add texture to Madeira. They help you understand how the island feeds itself and why certain flavors and crops show up in local products.

Santana’s typical houses and the 90-minute break

Santana is the headline. You’ll get a 90-minute break there, which is enough time to walk around, take photos of the famous typical houses, and browse if you find small local offerings. A longer break is important because Santana is one of those places where you want to wander a bit rather than just snap and go.

After Santana, the itinerary continues toward Porto da Cruz, with a possibility of an Agardente tour, then on to Machico. Machico is where the Portuguese landing is referenced, so the tone shifts from scenic to historical.

A practical note on Agardente

Because the tour mentions a possibility rather than a guaranteed add-on, I’d treat Agardente access as dependent on timing and operations that day. Plan your day assuming you’ll at least get the stop and the drive-by context, and treat any extra distillery-style experience as a bonus if it happens.

Half-day Valley of the Nuns: Pico Barcelos, Eira do Serrado views, and tastings

The third piece of Madeira Pack 1 is shorter: a half-day in the afternoon, listed as running on Monday and Friday. The start window is about 13:30 to 14:15 depending on your pickup location, and the total time is about 4 hours.

This is the stop that feels most like a “slow view day.” You’re not trying to cover two coasts. Instead, you focus on a cluster of viewpoints in and around Curral das Freiras, plus food tastings.

The planned first big moment is Pico Barcelos, a 360-degree view over the Funchal bay. Then you head to Eira do Serrado at 1094 meters above sea level, with views specifically over Curral das Freiras. If you like when the scenery has depth—layers of valleys, ridges, and a sense of scale—this is your best bet in the whole pack.

Tastings: liqueurs or chestnut cake plus Madeira wine

The itinerary includes a tasting of liqueurs or chestnut cake typical of this village. It also lists a Madeira wine tasting on the way back.

A couple of practical tips: wear comfy shoes for viewpoint walking (even short distances add up), and if alcohol is involved for you, go in with water nearby and pace your sipping. You’ll want to be able to enjoy the views afterward, not just push through to get to the hotel.

What the guide actually does for you (and why Nuno Martins gets praised)

The big value in this package isn’t just the list of stops. It’s the way your driver/guide works the route. The schedule explicitly builds in small stops for photo breaks, plus explanations that tie the island together geographically, historically, and gastronomically.

That’s not fluff. Madeira can look chaotic from the bus window until someone gives you a framework. Once you understand how ridges, plateaus, and coasts shape everything—from where towns grew to why certain crops and products matter—the same scenery feels more coherent.

The reviews single out Nuno Martins for strong communication, knowledge, professionalism, and a way of sharing details that make Madeira’s people and places feel closer. I take that as a sign that you’re not just paying for a vehicle—you’re paying for someone to translate the island as you pass it.

If you care about learning while you travel (even lightly), this is the kind of tour where you’ll feel the benefit without needing to be a trivia machine.

Timing, comfort, and where lunch fits (since it’s not included)

Full-day tours here are long, around 7 hours, and pickup is early. You return to your hotel around 16:30 / 17:00 for the full days. That timing is useful: you get a complete sightseeing block without losing your evening.

Lunch is not included, but the itinerary mentions a 90-minute midday stop for lunch. Translation: you’ll have time to eat, but you’re responsible for choosing where and paying. If you’re a picky eater, plan this ahead. Choose a style of meal you can find easily—simple local dishes, something familiar, or a quick plate—so you’re not spending your lunch time hunting.

For snacks and drinks, the listing says soda/pop and snacks aren’t included, and lunch isn’t included. So I recommend bringing a reusable water bottle and at least one small snack you can grab quickly when the day gets busy. Even on guided tours, hunger has a way of stealing your attention from the best viewpoints.

Also note: these tours require good weather. If conditions are poor, the experience is scheduled to be canceled and you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Value for $131.06: what you’re paying for, and what to plan around

At $131.06 per person, this pack can be a solid deal if you want multiple major areas without organizing separate rentals. Here’s what you’re getting that makes the price feel more reasonable:

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Parking fees
• Multilingual driver/guide (English is offered)
• Scheduled time at key spots, including Porto Moniz with 90 minutes and admission listed as free
• A small group size: maximum 15 travelers
• Mobile ticket is provided

What you aren’t getting is just as important for value:

• Lunch
• Soda/pop
• Snacks
• Gratuities

So the real question isn’t whether lunch is included. It’s whether you’ll handle the “bring your own basics” part. If you’re comfortable buying lunch once and bringing water and snacks, this pack likely feels efficient. If you want all meals handled and zero extra spending, you’ll need to look at different options.

One more value detail: the itinerary includes a 90-minute lunch stop on full days, plus shorter timed breaks at viewpoints and locations. That adds up to more “time spent seeing” and less “time stuck in transit.”

Best for who: the type of traveler who’ll love this pack

This pack suits you if:

• You want to see multiple regions (West coast highlights, East coast classics, and a Curral das Freiras viewpoint day) without car planning.
• You enjoy learning while you travel and appreciate a guide who explains what you’re looking at.
• You like small-group energy more than big-coach crowding (up to 15).

You might not love it if you’re the kind of traveler who prefers total free time and zero schedule. The route has structure, and full days are long. Also, if you struggle with early hotel pickups, you’ll feel it on the days the tours start around 08:30 to 09:15.

And if you’re visiting on December 25th or January 1st, the itinerary states that no excursions run. That’s a key planning detail.

Should you book Madeira Pack 1?

I’d book Madeira Pack 1 if your goal is breadth and clarity: you want the island’s key visuals—Porto Moniz pools, Santana’s iconic houses, and 360/1094m viewpoints—plus a guide who connects the dots so you remember more than just the photos.

I wouldn’t book it if you hate long days or you prefer to design your own routes day-by-day. The full-day loops are about 7 hours, and lunch isn’t included, so you’ll need to manage your own basics.

One last practical tip: since this is a pack across different days, double-check the schedule for which day each section runs (West on Tuesday/Thursday, East on Sunday/Wednesday, Valley of the Nuns on Monday/Friday afternoon). If your trip lines up, this is an efficient way to see Madeira without scrambling.

FAQ

How long is the Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools day?

The full-day Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools route runs about 7 hours total, with around 90 minutes at the natural pools.

How long is the Santana and East route?

The Santana and East route also runs about 7 hours total, with about 90 minutes at Santana.

What’s the duration of the Valley of the Nuns tour?

The Valley of the Nuns is a half-day afternoon experience, lasting about 4 hours (around +/- 4 hours).

Which days do the tours run?

Porto Moniz is listed for Tuesday or Thursday. The East/Santana route is listed for Sunday or Wednesday. The Valley of the Nuns tour is listed for Monday and Friday afternoon.

What time does pickup happen in Funchal?

For full-day tours, pickup is between 08:45 and 09:15. For the half-day tour, pickup is between 13:45 and 14:15 depending on location.

Are the tours offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English, and the driver/guide is listed as multilingual.

Is there free admission for Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools?

Yes. The Porto Moniz stop lists admission ticket free for about 90 minutes.

What is included in the price?

The price includes parking fees, an air-conditioned vehicle, and a multilingual driver/guide.

What is not included?

Lunch, soda/pop, snacks, and gratuities are not included.

What happens if weather is poor?

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