Discover Madeira In 2 Days (from 09h To 17h – Each Day)

Two days in Madeira means big changes in scenery. This tour strings together both coasts, so you get Cabo Girao’s glass skywalk and Porto Moniz natural swimming pools without spending your entire trip in a rental car.

I especially like the tight mix of short viewpoint stops and longer time to actually enjoy the spots, plus the fact that most stops are marked free. It also works for people who want history and nature at the same time, not just photo pull-offs.

The one real consideration is weather. You’re going through mountain passes and coastal viewpoints, so if visibility is poor, some parts may feel less satisfying, even if the plan tries to keep you moving.

Key highlights worth planning for

• Small group size (max 15), so you are not stuck in a huge bus shuffle
• Pickup from Funchal and nearby areas, with help getting to the nearest meeting point if you are outside the main zone
• Cabo Girao viewpoint, including the famous glass skywalk (ticket not included)
• Caminho Real da Encumeada PR12, a high pass road with views over both coasts
• Levadas country at Ribeiro Frio, a popular starting point for short walk options
• Traditional Santana houses, with time to look closely at the thatched triangular homes

Two Days, Two Coasts: how the 09h-17h schedule really feels

This is a full two-day outing, each day running from 09h to 17h. That matters because Madeira is not a flat sightseeing grid. Distances look short on a map, but roads snake through hills, valleys, and coastal bends, so a scheduled route saves you from constantly re-planning on the fly.

Most stops are time-friendly. You get quick hits for big views, plus a few places where you can slow down. Porto Moniz is the clear example: you get two hours there, which is long enough to actually swim, not just pose and move on. On the other hand, several stops are around 20 to 30 minutes, which is perfect for first-time orientation but not enough to turn every stop into a full hike.

The tour also keeps the logistics straightforward. You get a mobile ticket, pickup is offered, and the group size is capped at 15 travelers. If you are traveling solo, that smaller number tends to make the day feel more conversational and less chaotic.

My practical tip: pack like you are doing outdoor sightseeing plus possible water time. Even if it is not “beach day,” Porto Moniz is built around natural pools, and Pico do Arieiro and Ribeiro Frio can feel noticeably cooler than the coast.

Day 1: Camara de Lobos, Cabo Girao, and the west coast’s best hits

Day 1 leans west, and it moves fast in the best way. You start in a classic fishing setting, then shift to cliff views, then to the northern side’s famous volcanic pool area.

Baia de Camara de Lobos: the fishing-village mood

You begin at Baia de Camara de Lobos, a traditional fishing village about five kilometers from Funchal. The big claim here is not the architecture or museums. It is the atmosphere, and the fact that Sir Winston Churchill was inspired to paint the nearby scene.

You only have 30 minutes, so treat it like a “get your bearings” stop. Walk around the bay area, enjoy the boats and coastline feel, and use this time to ease into the day rather than chase every photo angle.

Cabo Girão: the glass skywalk viewpoint

Next is Cabo Girao, often described as the highest sea cliff in Europe. You do not just stand near a viewpoint either. You face the adventure side of the island with a glass skywalk.

This is only 20 minutes, which is smart because you probably will want to spend most of that time on the viewpoint itself, not in a long waiting line (if there is one). Also note: admission for this stop is not included, so plan for a separate ticket here.

If you are afraid of heights, you can still enjoy Cabo Girao from the approach areas, but the main draw is the skywalk, so your comfort level matters.

Ribeira Brava Beach: southwest coast “wild stream” energy

Then you head to Ribeira Brava Beach. The name itself hints at the vibe: Ribeira Brava means wild stream. You also get context about the municipality structure, including parishes like Campanário and Serra d’Água, which helps you understand why the island feels so patchwork from one valley to the next.

This is 30 minutes. That is not enough time to treat it like a full beach afternoon, but it is perfect for a quick reset and a change of scenery after the cliff.

Caminho Real da Encumeada PR12: the high pass road with both-coast views

After that, you move up to Caminho Real da Encumeada PR12, a road crossing the 1004 m-high Encumeada pass. You start from Ribeira Brava and the route winds toward Serra d’Água, noted in the description as the island’s first water power station.

The payoff is views of both the south and the north coast. Even though this stop is only 15 minutes, it is designed to give you a “hold onto this view” moment. If you want a slower experience, keep your stop short and focus your photos, because you still have more day ahead.

Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools: why people build a day around this

Now for the big one: Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools. This is where Madeira goes from “pretty” to “wow” in an instant. The description is clear: Porto Moniz looks like it fell from above into the northern sea, and the pools are famous for swimming.

You get two hours, and the admission is listed as free for this stop. That combination is a value win. You can actually plan your time: change shoes if needed, grab a spot near the water, and do not rush the swim. If the water is busy, you still have enough time to relax, take photos, and try again.

Miradouro do Véu da Noiva and Santo Antão Church area

After Porto Moniz, the route includes Miradouro do Veu da Noiva (about 20 minutes). In the description, this area connects to Seixal in the Porto Moniz municipality, including a trout farm in Chão da Ribeira, and you are also told not to miss Santo Antão Church.

There is a useful practical angle here: this is a chance to switch from “swim and pose” to “slow and look.” Even if you do not go into the church, the viewpoint stop gives you sea and mountain perspectives that help the swimming pools make sense in context.

São Vicente: sheltered hinterland with a sea-boulder chapel

You finish Day 1 in São Vicente, a coastal village that is also described as having a more sheltered hinterland. Right by the sea sits a big boulder with the Saint Vincent chapel built into it.

You only have 20 minutes, but this is one of those stops that feels special because it is not a big-ticket attraction. It is a small, specific story told by the geography.

Day 2: Pico do Arieiro and Ribeiro Frio levada country

Day 2 goes higher and more nature-forward. It is the “Madeira is real, not postcard-only” day.

Pico do Arieiro: 1818 m views and the Porto Santo possibility

First up is Pico do Arieiro at 1818 meters. The description says it is the third highest peak on Madeira, and also the second highest with pedestrian access. The good news for most people: you can reach it by car.

The viewpoint time is 30 minutes, and the key detail is the visibility bonus. With good weather, you may even spot Porto Santo, about 30 nautical miles to the north.

Practical tip: if the summit weather looks iffy, do not wait around too long pretending it will clear. Use your time for a quick scan, then adapt your expectations.

Balcões de Ribeiro Frio: starting point vibes for levada walks

Next is Balcoes de Ribeiro Frio, around 30 minutes. This is described as a popular starting point for levada walks, and it also ties into the island’s older vegetation story.

You are told Ribeiro Frio still has much original vegetation, and that Madeira was once covered with Laurissilva forest, described as a prehistoric relic. Even if you only do a short portion (based on the time), the place helps you understand why Madeira is famous for these walking routes.

East Madeira: Faial views, Santana’s thatched houses, and Ponta de São Lourenço

Day 2 then shifts toward the island’s east, where you get mix-and-match stops: fortress views, traditional villages, and a more untouched-feeling coastline.

Fortress of Faial: east point views across north and south

The Fortress of Faial stop is listed for 20 minutes and is framed as an east point for superb views of the north coast’s boldness and the south coast’s sunnier feel.

This is one of those “small stop, big payoff” moments. If you tend to rush, resist the urge. Stand where you can see the coast direction you are moving between.

Santana: the thatched triangular houses with long local use

Then you move to Santana, with two hours. Santana is known here for small thatched triangular houses, built from natural stone and used for centuries as stables and dwellings.

The time is generous enough to do more than just a quick look. You can walk around, compare angles, and take in the way the homes sit in the village layout. This is a strong stop if you like everyday architecture and not only scenic pull-offs.

Ponta de São Lourenço: rocks, sea, and a quieter feel

After Santana, you go to Ponta de São Lourenço, only 20 minutes. The description highlights it as one of the last nearly untouched places on Madeira, shaped by rocks, sea, and nature.

Since the time is short, aim to enjoy the big picture. If you take the perfect photo and feel restless, step back and let your eyes adjust to the coastline rhythm. The place is meant for that.

Machico and Loja do Mercado: explorers arrived in 1419

Finally, you stop at Loja do Mercado de Machico for 20 minutes. Machico is described as one of the most populated cities on the island, and the key historical note is that explorers first arrived in 1419 here.

This is a practical ending point if you want to keep moving after the tour. Even with limited time, it gives you a sense that Madeira’s story did not start at today’s viewpoints.

Guides and small-group energy: why the day feels smooth

The tour caps at 15 travelers, and that translates into less waiting and more time actually being in the moment. It also tends to make it easier to ask questions, especially when you are bouncing between cliff viewpoints, beaches, and high passes.

The guiding talent is part of why people rate it so highly. Names you may hear include João, Leonel, Paulo, Gloria, Renato, Patricia, Tino, Sergio, and Julia. That range matters because you get different teaching styles, and some guides lean more lively, some more structured.

One good sign from real-world operation: punctual pickup. Multiple guide-driver combinations were praised for arriving early rather than cutting it close. In a schedule like this, that makes a difference. When you do not lose time at the start, you can enjoy every stop that follows.

Price and value: why $72.09 can work if you plan smart

At $72.09 per person for two days (about 16 hours total at 09h-17h), you are paying roughly $4.50 per hour of guided transport and organized sightseeing. That is a useful way to frame it because Madeira’s private driving and multi-day planning can add up quickly.

Here is where the value gets real: many stops are marked free for admissions, and only Cabo Girão is explicitly listed as not included. With that, you are getting scenic viewpoints, walking-time stops, and a serious chunk of pool time without feeling like you are constantly adding tickets.

Also, the route covers both west and east areas. If you try to do this on your own in two days, you would still face long drives and tricky sequencing. The tour already solves the “what should I see first” problem.

What I would do to get maximum value: bring swim gear for Porto Moniz and come prepared for cooler air near higher points like Pico do Arieiro and Ribeiro Frio. If you can enjoy the outdoor parts fully, the ticket feels like it pays off instantly.

Weather reality check: when mountain visibility changes the vibe

Madeira’s mountains mean weather can switch quickly. Even if the itinerary is designed to hit major sights, visibility affects how much you can truly appreciate the highest viewpoints and the pass roads.

The good news is the tour is set up to adapt. The sequence can change, and updated information is sent if the order is modified. Still, if you are traveling in a period with heavy clouds or storms, you should keep expectations flexible for the mountain sections.

My practical approach: pack layers and a rain layer even if the forecast looks okay. If you get a weather break, you will enjoy the viewpoints more. If you do not, you can still have a good day, because the route includes plenty of non-summit moments too, like fishing village atmosphere and the natural pools.

Who should book this tour, and who might want a different plan

This is a strong fit if you:

• Want a two-day sampler of Madeira with both coasts covered
• Like a mix of viewpoints, short nature stops, and one big relaxation anchor at Porto Moniz
• Prefer a small group with organized transport and limited hassle
• Are okay with short stop times at most places and longer time only at the best-value spots

You might want a different plan if you:

• Want to spend long hours hiking multiple levadas. This route includes a levada starting area, but most stops are brief
• Have trouble with drive-heavy days. Even with short walking stops, you will still spend time in the vehicle

The tour does say most travelers can participate, but it still includes uneven outdoor walking around viewpoints and coasts. Wear shoes you trust.

Should you book Discover Madeira In 2 Days?

I think this is an easy yes if you want Madeira quickly, and you value organized routing over building your own two-day path. The combination of west coast highlights, a serious Porto Moniz time block, and the second day’s high viewpoints makes it feel like you are getting more than the price suggests.

Book it if you can handle a schedule that moves from stop to stop and if you bring the right gear for possible cool or damp conditions. If weather looks rough on arrival days, I would still book, but set your mindset to enjoy the “what you can see right now” version of Madeira rather than expecting perfect summit clarity at every stop.

If you want variety more than deep single-site exploration, this tour is built for you.

FAQ

What is the price of the Madeira tour?

The price is listed at $72.09 per person.

How long is the tour?

It is approximately 2 days.

What time does the tour run each day?

The schedule runs from 09:00 to 17:00 each day.

Where does pickup happen?

Pickups are available from Funchal city centre and the main tourist area. Pickup from hotels in Caniço de Baixo and Garajau is also offered for a minimum of two people.

What if my accommodation is outside the pickup areas?

If your accommodation is not within the pickup areas, you will be directed to the nearest meeting point in Funchal.

Is this tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

Do I receive tickets on my phone?

Yes, the tour includes a mobile ticket.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 15 travelers.

Are entrance fees included?

Most stops are listed as free, and Cabo Girao is listed as not included.

Can the tour order change?

Yes. The order of activities may change, and updated information is sent if the sequence is modified.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.