Four-wheel tracks and local bread lead the way. This open-top 4×4 route pushes you out toward quieter villages and viewpoint stops, with a guide who keeps the drive interesting. I like how the day mixes Madeira scenery with a Santo da Serra farmers market you’d actually use if you lived here, not just pose in front of.

One thing to watch: pickup can cost extra depending on where you’re staying or if you’re arriving via cruise or outside central Funchal. If you’re not starting in the main Funchal area, those add-on fees can quietly change the value.

Key Highlights You’ll Care About

• Small group in each vehicle: capped at up to 8 per 4×4, so you can hear your guide and still move at a human pace.
• Santo da Serra market time: a full slice of local shopping for fruits, vegetables, bread, home-made liqueurs, and infusions.
• Christ the King views timed well: you get both the miradouro viewpoint and a stop at the Cristo Rei statue.
• Off-the-road Madeira feel: hills above the south coast instead of only sticking to the main road.
• History for the statue stop: the Cristo Rei built in 1927, finished four years before Christ the Redeemer in Brazil.
• Mostly free admission stops: the big paid time cost isn’t built into the itinerary (one stop is not included if you choose to go in).

Four-Wheel Comfort, Open-Air Views, and Why This Route Works

This tour is built for people who get tired of the same photo stops and want a little more motion. The open-top 4×4 format matters because it turns “scenery” into something you feel: wind in your face, quick flashes of valleys, and lots of chances to point and ask questions while you’re moving.

The other reason it works is the pacing. You’re not rushing from one place to another with the clock redlining the whole time. You’ll have proper time blocks for views, a real farmers market, and a last stop where you can connect the island’s food and working life to what you’re seeing.

And yes, there’s a viewpoint that steals the show. The Cristo Rei area is the kind of stop where you’ll want to pause your own brain for a minute and just look.

Price and Logistics: What $60.15 Includes (and What Can Add Up)

The tour price is listed at $60.15 per person, and it runs about 3 hours 30 minutes. That duration is a sweet spot for Madeira if you want variety without feeling like your whole day is gone.

What you should account for is pickup. If you’re staying outside of Funchal (or if you’re starting from specific areas like Machico, Santa Cruz, Camacha, Estreito de Câmara de Lobos, Ponta do Sol, and more), there are set extra fees. Cruise dock pickup also has an extra per-person cost. If you’re deciding between staying central versus taking a taxi to meet the group, those added fees can shift which plan is cheaper.

Another practical note: you’ll get a mobile ticket, and the guide is multilingual with English offered. Confirmation comes at booking time, so you’re not left waiting around for last-minute details.

Santo da Serra: The Village Stop Before You Hit the Market

Your first meaningful stop is in the Santo da Serra area. This parish sits inland on Madeira’s southern coast side, around 700 meters altitude, with views toward Machico. It’s the kind of location that helps you understand the island’s shape—how quickly the world changes once you start climbing.

Timing here is about 30 minutes, and admission is free. That’s long enough to stretch your legs and get your bearings, but short enough that you don’t lose momentum before the market.

This is also where the 4×4 really feels like part of the experience, not just transportation. The drive puts you above everyday streets, and it sets you up to appreciate why locals shop where they shop.

The Santo da Serra Farmers Market: Food, Drink, and People Who Live Here

The main food-and-culture hit is the farmers market stop in Santo da Serra. You’ll have about 40 minutes here, and it’s free to enter, which is great because you can focus on what you actually want instead of calculating extra costs.

This is the place where fruits and vegetables are sold directly, plus local bread. You can also look for home-made liqueurs and infusions drinks. The best part is the vibe: this is a shopping stop for locals, not an art set for visitors.

Two practical tips help here:

• Bring a small amount of cash you’re comfortable spending, so you’re not juggling payment decisions while you’re standing in line.
• If you plan to buy something boozy, be ready for careful bag handling. You’ll be moving back and forth in open-air conditions.

There’s a reason this market time gets praised. It gives you something concrete to take home—food smells, taste ideas, and a short lesson in how Madeira’s island culture shows up at street level.

Quick Look at Clube de Golf Santo da Serra (What You Should Expect)

You’ll get a shorter 10-minute stop at Clube de Golf Santo da Serra. The course’s origin is traced back to 1937, and it was redesigned in 1991 by golf architect Robert Trent Jones Sr.

Here’s the key consideration: admission isn’t included. That doesn’t mean you’re stuck outside doing nothing—it means the stop is brief and more about getting the context, seeing the setting, and snapping photos if you’re able to from where the group pauses.

This is a nice breather between the market and the viewpoints. It also reinforces how Madeira isn’t only villages and farms. Some areas are shaped by leisure and investment too.

Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau: The Viewpoint Stop That Earns Its Time

Next comes Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau, with about 20 minutes to enjoy the views. Admission is free, and that’s a plus because it keeps the focus on looking rather than paying entry fees.

This is the moment when you get big-sky Madeira. You’ll see why the island’s viewpoints are so addictive: you’re high enough to spot the rhythm of coast and hills, but close enough that it still feels human, not just distant scenery.

If you’re serious about photos, this is the stop to take your time. Move slowly, check the light, and try a couple angles rather than firing off one quick shot and rushing back.

Cristo Rei Statue: 1927 History With a Real-Time View

After the miradouro, you’ll stop at Cristo Rei (Jesus Statue) for about 10 minutes. Admission is free. If you only had one chance to understand the island’s relationship to Portugal and Catholic tradition, this statue is a solid entry point.

Here are the specific details that make the stop more than a quick photo:

• Built in 1927 and consecrated on October 30, 1927
• Financed by local lawyer Aires de Ornelas and his wife
• Created by French artists Georges Serraz and Pierre Charles Lenoir
• Completed four years before Christ the Redeemer in Brazil

That timeline detail is the kind of historical fact your guide can turn into a simple story while you’re standing there. It helps you remember the statue as part of Madeira’s own identity, not just a copy of something bigger.

Santa Cruz at the End: Agriculture, Fishing, and the Airport Effect

Your final major stop is Santa Cruz for about 30 minutes. Admission is free. This is one of those “see how the island works” moments.

Agriculture and fishing are still the primary industries here, even though tourism has expanded across the south. The international airport also changed the flow of people and increased commercial activity tied to visitors.

What you’ll get from this stop depends on where the group pauses, but the point is clear: you finish with a place that connects Madeira’s working economy to what you’ve been seeing during the drive.

This ending also helps you transition from “tour mode” back to “how do locals live here?” because the market and the villages were the cultural side, while Santa Cruz gives you the day-to-day backbone.

Guide Style: The Real Value Add on a Short 3.5-Hour Trip

The guide is where this tour stretches beyond a checklist. The format works best when you treat the drive like a mobile classroom and ask questions—about trees you notice, farming traditions, or why certain viewpoints exist.

This is also where the best departures tend to shine. Some guides go hard on the flora and fauna side and keep it entertaining even during the road stretches. Others focus more on historical context while staying practical about what you should look for.

On an itinerary like this, your guide is what stops it from feeling like: ride, look, move on. When the guide brings the island down to earth—what’s grown locally, what people buy, and how the geography shapes life—that’s when the tour feels worth the money.

Open-Top 4×4 Tips: Make the Ride More Pleasant

Open-top vehicles can be great, but you should plan for conditions. Madeira’s weather can shift, and even when it’s warm, the wind at higher points can cool you down.

I’d bring:

• A light layer for the upper stops
• Sunscreen and something for your face if it’s breezy
• A small bag that seals well if you buy food or drinks

You’ll also likely get plenty of photo chances. The vehicle helps because you can look around while you’re moving, not only when you stop. Just remember: safety first. If you’re trying to shoot through the open areas, keep your head and arms inside the safe zone your guide sets.

Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Might Want Something Else)

This is a strong fit if you want:

• A compact tour that still feels like you’re getting off the main drag
• A hands-on local stop via the farmers market
• Viewpoints that come with context, not just a name on a sign

You’ll also enjoy it if you like small groups. Each 4×4 keeps you from being herded, and the overall cap stays modest.

If you’re the type who hates time in a vehicle or you’re aiming for long, slow shopping and lingering, you might find the stops short. The market has 40 minutes. The viewpoints are timed too. This is an active sampler, not an all-day wander.

Should You Book Green Devil Safari’s Farmers Market 4×4?

Yes, if your goal is a practical taste of Madeira beyond Funchal’s center. The value is strongest when you’re starting from central pickup areas, because the base price already covers the open-top 4×4, multilingual guiding, and the main free-entry stops.

Book it with extra attention if you’re factoring pickup fees. Compare your starting point and be realistic about the total cost once you add what applies to you. If you’re already in the Funchal zone, it’s a smoother deal.

FAQ

How long is the Funchal Local Farmers Market and 4WD experience?

It lasts about 3 hours 30 minutes.

Where does the tour start, and is pickup included?

Pickup is offered, but pickup outside Funchal (including specific extra areas and cruise dock pickup) has an added fee. The exact pickup time is confirmed after booking.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. English is one of the languages offered.

How big are the groups on the 4×4?

Each 4×4 vehicle carries a small group up to 8 persons. The overall maximum is 24 travelers.

What’s included in the price?

You get a multilanguage guide, a small-group open-top 4×4 experience, and a mobile ticket.

Are entry tickets included for each stop?

Most stops list admission as free, but Clube de Golf Santo da Serra notes admission is not included.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. Free cancellation is offered under that condition.