West Madeira packs a lot into one day. The Go West tour strings together cliff views at Cabo Giráo and the famous Porto Moniz natural pools, with entry listed as free at each stop. The catch is the pacing: you spend plenty of time in the van and most stops are short, plus one departure had a higher bus step that made boarding a bit of a chore.

I like that this is built as a small-group day (max 15) with free pickup from Funchal, Caniço, Santa Cruz, and Câmara de Lobos. It runs about 8 hours starting at 9:00 am, it’s offered in English, and you get a mobile ticket—handy when you’re juggling viewpoints, weather changes, and tight schedules.

Key highlights worth knowing

• Cabo Giráo at 580 meters: a towering cliff viewpoint with big Atlantic Ocean views and a quick 20-minute window
• Porto Moniz natural pools: about 2 hours in the north, where the timing depends on weather and wave conditions
• Seven stops, west-to-north loop: Câmara de Lobos, Cabo Giráo, Ribeira Brava, Encumeada, Porto Moniz, Seixal, and São Vicente
• Free admission listed for each stop: great value if you want to see the island without adding ticket costs
• Small group feel: capped at 15, so you’re less likely to feel like cargo on a long day

Entering the West loop: what this tour feels like in real life

This is the kind of day tour that makes sense if you want a lot of Madeira in one go, without planning drives, parking, and transfers. You start in the Funchal area, then roll west for viewpoints and fishing towns before working your way up toward the north coast villages.

The best part is the way the route mixes “stop-and-look” moments with “actually hang out” time. Cabo Giráo is quick and dramatic. Porto Moniz gives you the time to slow down, walk around, and soak in the natural pool area (when conditions allow). The north coast finishes with São Vicente, which feels more like a calm valley village than another quick photo stop.

Price and logistics: value at $42.06, but mind the van time

The price is $42.06 per person, which is pretty easy to justify on Madeira when so many sights cost extra. Here, the itinerary lists admission as free at every stop, which matters. You’re paying mainly for transportation, guiding, and an efficient route that hits multiple regions in one day.

Two practical notes. First, it’s scheduled for about 8 hours, and the stops are short at several points (20–30 minutes each). That means you’ll enjoy the highlights more than you’ll explore at your own pace. Second, the bus experience can vary. One review pointed out that the automatic sliding step didn’t work on their day, and getting up and down became difficult for elderly guests. If you have mobility concerns, it’s worth considering extra caution for boarding and exiting.

How pickup works from Funchal, Caniço, Santa Cruz, and Câmara de Lobos

You start at 9:00 am, and pickup is offered free from the Funchal city area, Caniço, Santa Cruz, and Câmara de Lobos. That’s a big help on Madeira, where getting from the hotel zone to the wider island road network can take more time than you expect.

Because it’s a mobile-ticket tour, you’re not stuck printing anything. You’ll just need to keep your phone ready for check-in. With a maximum group size of 15, pickup also tends to feel smoother than cattle-call style tours.

Stop 1: Câmara de Lobos, the fishing-town welcome

Câmara de Lobos is your first taste of Madeira’s working side—fishing and agriculture—with a bay where boats are moored and scenery turns picturesque fast. It’s near Funchal, so you’re not far from home base yet, and you get around 30 minutes here.

What I like about starting here is the contrast. You arrive from the city area, then shift into a smaller historic-feeling setting where the harbor and boats do most of the work. Even if you don’t linger, you can usually catch a few good views and settle your bearings fast.

Stop 2: Cabo Giráo’s 580-meter cliff viewpoint (and why it’s the main draw)

Cabo Girão is the kind of stop that earns its place early on. This almost-vertical promontory sits about 580 meters above the sea, and it’s described as the highest promontory in Europe and the second highest in the world.

You get 20 minutes, and that’s just about right: enough time to find the best viewpoint spots and take in the Atlantic Ocean without turning this into a long hike. You’ll see a wide sweep of the island, including the view toward Câmara de Lobos and Funchal.

Practical tip: bring a layer or a light rain shell. Even on calm days, cliff wind can sneak up on you, and the Atlantic has its own plans.

Stop 3: Ribeira Brava—old parish roots and a transit hub

Ribeira Brava gives you Madeira’s “connect-the-island” story. It’s one of the oldest parishes on the island, created after the death of infant D. Henrique in 1460. The town also sits in an area of central accessibility, linking by land toward the north through gorges and by sea through a small port for freight connections to Funchal.

You’ll have 30 minutes here. That time is enough for a quick stroll and a look around, but it’s not built as a full exploration stop. If you like history in the background—how places grew because of fishing, freight, and routes—this stop fits nicely without demanding too much.

Stop 4: Caminho Real da Encumeada PR12 at 1,007 meters

This is your high-altitude pause. At 1,007 meters, the viewpoint is part of the Caminho Real da Encumeada PR12 area, and the stop is focused on the vista from Boca da Encumeada.

You get about 20 minutes, and the payoff is perspective: you can look across deep valleys on the south coast (Ribeira Brava area) and on the north coast toward São Vicente. It’s also the kind of viewpoint where weather changes quickly, so your best plan is simple—go in ready to look fast, take photos without overthinking angles, then enjoy what the moment gives you.

Stop 5: Porto Moniz natural pools—where weather matters most

Porto Moniz is the big north-coast highlight, and you get roughly 2 hours—the longest stop of the day besides the overall tour. It’s famous for its natural pools, and the area’s story is tied to isolation: it was cut off for centuries, reachable only by foot and by sea, and the road connecting Porto Moniz and São Vicente came after World War II.

Here’s the real-world detail that affects your day: if the weather turns rough, the natural pools can close. One departure had to deal with strong weather, and the sea pools were reportedly closed, but the waves were still spectacular—so you still got the drama, just not the swimming/pool access.

Practical tip: if you want to actually spend time near the pools, pack for wet conditions. Even when pools are open, spray and slippery edges are part of the deal.

Stop 6: Seixal and Porto do Seixal’s black sand beach

Next comes Seixal, a calmer north-parish stop with a coastline scene shaped by green mountains and the sea. The highlight is Porto do Seixal, a natural black sand beach next to the port of Seixal.

You’ll have around 20 minutes. This isn’t a long beach day. It’s more like a quick reset—walk a bit, look at the cliffs, and enjoy the way the north coast feels quieter than the areas around Funchal.

If the day is chilly, you’ll feel it more here because you’re closer to the open sea. A warm layer plus sturdy shoes makes a difference.

Stop 7: São Vicente—caves, limestone slopes, and a slower pace

São Vicente wraps up the north-coast section. This village sits in a valley with high marine limestone slopes, and it’s known for a picturesque historical center and a set of caves formed by lava channels.

You get about 20 minutes, which means you’ll mostly be browsing rather than exploring in depth. Still, it’s a strong finish. The vibe tends to be more relaxed than the earlier stops, and the caves detail gives you something interesting to look for even if you don’t have time for a longer visit.

Guides and driving: the difference between a good day and a memorable one

One reason this tour scores well is the human factor. In particular, guides like Lionel and Sergio show up with clear information and helpful direction, and they manage the timing so the route feels organized instead of chaotic.

Sergio is noted as being an excellent driver on Madeira’s narrow roads—exactly what you want when you’re moving between viewpoints and towns where the turns are… spirited. Lionel is praised for clear directions and being genuinely helpful, which matters when multiple stops depend on you finding the right viewpoint quickly.

The weather reality check: storms can change what you get

Madeira weather can shift fast, and this tour can’t fully control it. One review described a west tour during strong rain and storm conditions, and the guide reportedly adjusted the plan to keep the day moving. That adaptability is a plus.

The other weather impact is Porto Moniz. When conditions are rough, the sea pools may be closed, and your time shifts to watching waves and scenery instead of using the pools. If you come in with that mindset, the day still feels worthwhile even when nature takes over.

Who this tour suits best (and who should think twice)

This is a good fit if you:

• want a full-day West Madeira overview without driving yourself
• like built-in stops with free entry so you can focus on scenery and photos
• enjoy a guide’s context, especially for the island’s route history and settlement patterns

You might want to think twice if:

• you’re sensitive to cramped seating or long time in a van
• you have mobility concerns around boarding and exiting a bus step (especially after one reported malfunction)
• you want long time at beaches or one “deep” sightseeing area rather than many quick highlights

Tips to get the most from the Go West day

• Wear shoes with grip. Viewpoints and coastal areas can be slick, especially in wind or rain.
• Bring layers. You’ll go from coastal breezes to higher elevations around Encumeada.
• Expect short stop windows. Plan to take photos, enjoy the view, and move on without needing an hour-long detour.
• If you care about natural pools at Porto Moniz, keep your schedule flexible mentally. Weather can affect what you can access.

Should you book the Go West tour from Funchal?

I’d book it if you want a strong mix of cliff views, a standout north-coast finish, and a guided route that uses your day efficiently. The value is in the combination of free admissions listed at every stop plus pickup from multiple areas around Funchal, all capped at a small group size.

I’d hesitate only if you hate van time, dislike rushed stops, or have difficulty with bus boarding steps. In that case, look for a tour with more time at fewer places, or choose a day with calmer conditions for Porto Moniz.

If you’re the flexible type who shows up ready for changing weather and just wants the island’s big moments in one outing, this one makes a lot of sense.

FAQ

How much does the Go West tour cost?

The price is $42.06 per person.

How long is the tour?

It runs for about 8 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 9:00 am.

Where do you get picked up?

Free pickup is available from Funchal city, Caniço city, Santa Cruz city, and Câmara de Lobos city.

What language is the tour offered in?

It is offered in English.

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 15 travelers.

Is there an admission fee at the stops?

The itinerary lists admission ticket free for all included stops.

What are your options if plans change?

You can cancel 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.