Pico do Areeiro and Balconies Tour East

Madeira’s east side hits different fast. This Pico do Arieiro to Balcões day packs huge horizons, a UNESCO walk, and village time without wasting hours.

I love how the tour is built around standout viewpoints with clear time blocks, so you get a real taste of each place. I also like the practical setup: pickup from your stay and a small max of 16 travelers, which keeps the day moving.

One thing to plan for: the experience depends on good weather, and one major stop, the Balcões viewpoint walk, has an admission ticket not included in the price.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Pico do Arieiro (1,818 m) in about 30 minutes, with free admission
• Balcões de Ribeiro Frio plus a Levada da Serra do Faial walk through the Laurissilva Forest UNESCO site
• Multiple miradouros with smart pacing, including a quick stop at Miradouro do Guindaste
• Santana time set aside for lunch and village culture
• Porto da Cruz and a rum-production stop connected to Engenho do Norte
• Ponta de São Lourenço for dramatic Atlantic cliff views in about 20 minutes

Why this east-side Madeira route feels like good value

At about $44.55 per person for a roughly 7-hour day, this tour works best if you want variety without planning your own transport. You’re paying for a full circuit of viewpoints on the island’s east side, plus an air-conditioned vehicle and pickup so you don’t have to string together buses or rental-car logistics.

The value gets even better because most of the scenic stops are free admissions in the schedule, including Pico do Arieiro and the final viewpoints. The one “extra cost” thing you should expect is that the Balcões stop’s admission ticket is not included, and lunch isn’t included either. That means you’re not paying for everything twice, but you should still budget for a meal and any required ticket.

Pickup, small group size, and the rhythm of the day

You start at 9:00 am and the tour includes pickup and drop-off, with the driver searching for you at your hotel, Airbnb, or central address. That’s not a minor detail in Madeira. East Madeira can mean winding roads and time lost if you’re trying to coordinate your own rides.

The group is kept to a maximum of 16 travelers, which I find matters for viewpoint stops. You can usually get in, look around, take photos, and move on without feeling like you’re trapped behind a large crowd.

You’ll also get an onboard guide who shares curiosities about Madeira during the drive. One guide name that comes up for good history and facts is Daniela, so if she’s the one leading your day, expect extra context along the way.

Finally, the tour uses a mobile ticket, which is a small convenience but a real one when you’re juggling time and scenery.

Pico do Arieiro: 1,818 meters and the horizon effect

Pico do Arieiro is the big altitude hit on this route. You’ll spend about 30 minutes here, and the admission ticket is free. At 1,818 meters, the view is all about scale. You look outward and the island feels huge, almost like you’re seeing Madeira from a higher, wider dimension.

A quick stop like this is a feature, not a flaw. It lets you enjoy the high viewpoint without turning the day into a long waiting game. The only catch is that at altitude, weather can change fast. Since the tour requires good weather, the operator will only run your experience when conditions allow for it.

Practical move: plan to arrive ready to move. Hats, sunscreen, and a light layer can help, but you’ll feel the main thing up here: openness and wind.

Balcões de Ribeiro Frio and the UNESCO Laurissilva walk

The Balcões de Ribeiro Frio are one of Madeira’s iconic, accessible viewpoints, and this stop is where the tour adds a quieter, nature-heavy pace. You’ll have about 1 hour total, and the admission ticket for this portion is not included.

What makes Balcões special here is the approach. The walk follows the Levada da Serra do Faial area, inside the Laurissilva Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. So you’re not only getting the viewpoint payoff. You’re also getting the in-between experience: the steady rhythm of a levada route through forest that feels older than your day trip.

Because the admission ticket is not included, you should expect to pay something on your side for that specific component. The tour format stays simple, but you don’t want to get surprised mid-day.

Also, wear proper walking shoes. Even if the route is described as a quiet walk, levada-style paths tend to ask for real grip underfoot.

Miradouro do Guindaste: a short, strong viewpoint moment

Next up is Miradouro do Guindaste in the Faial area. The schedule keeps it to about 15 minutes, and admission is free.

This is the kind of stop I love when time matters. You get a sharp viewpoint hit, then you’re back on the road instead of waiting in circles. The goal here is to connect with that Madeira feeling: rugged strength, wide views, and a calm pause before the day changes again.

If you want a simple photo plan, it’s this. Step out, scan the view first, snap your shots quickly, and then spend a minute just looking. The short timing is designed for that kind of focused attention.

Santana: where lunch time meets village culture

Santana is included for about 1 hour, and admission is free for the stop. The schedule specifically reserves time for lunch, which matters because lunch is not included in the tour price.

What you’re really buying at Santana is breathing space and cultural flavor. The day shifts from pure viewpoints to a more human scale. The area is described as combining culture, history, and flavors in a quiet and welcoming setting.

Since you have only about an hour, I’d treat this as your reset button. Don’t plan on trying to “do everything.” Choose one meal and one quick wander, and keep the pace easy so you still enjoy Porto da Cruz and Ponta de São Lourenço later.

Porto da Cruz and Engenho do Norte rum production

Porto da Cruz gives you a slower, simpler feel. You’ll spend about 30 minutes, and admission is free.

The main draw here is Engenho do Norte, described as a landmark tied to rum production. Even if you’re not a rum fanatic, it’s a good stop because it adds Madeira’s food and drink story to the scenery-heavy day. It’s one more angle on the island beyond viewpoints and coastal cliffs.

Tip for making this stop worthwhile: use the time to read, ask questions, or simply connect the story to what you see around you. A place like Engenho do Norte is at its best when you match the short visit with curiosity, not rushing.

Ponta de São Lourenço: cliffs and the Atlantic show

The tour ends at Ponta de São Lourenço, with about 20 minutes on site and free admission. This area is known for dramatic cliffs where mountains meet the Atlantic.

This is a high-impact finale. In a single stop, you get that classic Madeira feeling of stone, wind, and a coastline that looks carved by time. It’s the kind of place where your brain goes quiet for a minute because there’s just so much to look at.

Because the stop is short, plan to bring your patience, not your checklist. Watch the water, take in the cliff lines, and then let the day close naturally.

What to bring so the day stays easy

This tour is designed to feel smooth, but you’ll still be out and about for hours. Here’s what helps based on the day’s mix of high-altitude viewpoints, a forest walk, and short miradouro stops:

• Comfortable walking shoes for the Balcões levada route
• A light layer, especially for the higher Pico do Arieiro and windy viewpoints
• Sun protection, since exposed viewpoints are part of the schedule
• Money for lunch in Santana since lunch isn’t included
• Budget for the Balcões admission ticket since it’s listed as not included

If weather gets questionable, remember the tour requires good conditions. If it can’t run, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund, which reduces the stress of planning around unpredictable skies.

Who this tour suits best

This is a strong pick if you:

• Want an east Madeira hit without planning transport
• Like a route with multiple viewpoints instead of one long hike
• Prefer a small group day, max 16 travelers, with onboard context from your guide
• Enjoy variety: altitude views, a UNESCO forest walk, a village lunch break, and a rum-production stop

If you’re the type who needs long free time at every stop, you might find the schedule moves quickly. But if you like structured scenery, this pacing is the point.

Should you book this Pico do Areeiro and Balconies Tour East?

I’d book it if you want the east side of Madeira in one efficient day, with pickup, air-conditioned comfort, and scenic stops that mostly keep admission costs simple. The route is especially worth it for the combination of Pico do Arieiro’s altitude view and the Balcões levada walk through the Laurissilva Forest UNESCO area.

I would hesitate only if you hate short viewpoint stops, or if you’re worried about walking on a levada-style path. Also, keep in mind you’ll need to cover lunch and the Balcões admission ticket separately.

Overall, for the price, the mix of big views plus real Madeira atmosphere makes it a solid value. Get your shoes ready, bring a layer, and plan to let the scenery do the talking.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 9:00 am.

Is pickup included from my hotel or Airbnb?

Yes. Pickup and return are included, with the driver searching for you at your hotel, Airbnb, or central address.

How long is the tour?

The duration is approximately 7 hours.

What’s included in the price?

The price includes an air-conditioned vehicle and you receive a mobile ticket. Admissions are free for several stops, but not all costs are included (see the next question).

What costs extra during the day?

Lunch is not included, and the Balcões stop has an admission ticket that is not included.

How many people are in the group, and what language is used?

The tour is in English and has a maximum group size of 16 travelers. Most travelers can participate.