A cliff, a fishing bay, then natural pools—yes, it’s a lot. I really like the way this tour keeps you moving fast between sights (so you’re not stuck waiting on other transport), and I love that Porto Moniz has real time to enjoy the sea pools at lunch. The main thing to consider is that it’s a full day with lots of stops, so you’ll spend more hours in the minibus than you might like, especially if weather shifts the route.

You start in Funchal at 9:00 am, with optional pickup around Funchal and Caniço, and the group stays small (max 16). Most of the value here is practical: you get an organized loop across the island’s west side and north coast without dealing with parking or drive times on narrow roads.

It’s also a day built around viewpoints and coastal towns, so bring the right gear. If you plan to swim at the natural pools, pack a towel and swimwear—one stop is basically designed for it. And if you’re sensitive to heat, note that at least one past guest reported the minibus had no air conditioning.

Key things I’d focus on before you go

• Small group (max 16) means easier timing and less hassle at each stop.
• West-to-north routing hits dramatic coasts, towns, and major viewpoints in one day.
• Cabo Girão viewpoint is the adrenaline-style cliff stop, with the glass-bottom option (fee not included).
• Porto Moniz natural pools give you the most “hang out” time, plus a lunch break.
• Plan for weather: the route can change based on conditions.

Price and what you actually get for $50.69

At around $50.69 per person for an about 8-hour outing, the value is mainly about logistics, not luxury. You’re paying for a licensed guide, organized stops, and minibus transport across multiple islands’ worth of terrain—steep roads, ocean overlooks, and scattered villages.

Lunch isn’t included, and two of the big “money attractions” (Cabo Girão and the Porto Moniz pools) aren’t included either. Still, this tour works well if you want a fast sampler of the west and north without renting a car. And with a group capped at 16, you’re not fighting crowds at every viewpoint like you might on bigger bus tours.

If you already have your own car and you know you’ll stop slowly, you might feel less “forced” to do this. But if you’re visiting for a short stay and want the highlights nailed down, this is a very practical way to spend the day.

The morning flow: getting out of Funchal without stress

This tour starts at 9:00 am from Funchal, and it returns you back to the same meeting point. Pickup is offered, but if your hotel is outside Funchal and Caniço, pickup/drop-off is on request (which you’ll want to confirm before day-of).

That pickup detail matters more than people think. On Madeira, “just drive yourself” turns into a real mix of narrow streets, quick turnoffs, and parking that can be annoying at popular coastal points. Having the guide manage the timing—and the driving—keeps you focused on the views.

You’ll also have some long road stretches. Past guests praised guides for keeping good rhythm between stops, and for running commentary in multiple languages. On this route, that storytelling is useful. It helps you connect what you’re seeing—fishing villages, cliff geography, and north-coast life—with how Madeira grew into this rugged island.

Stop 1: Câmara de Lobos fishing bay (easy coastal charm)

You begin with Câmara de Lobos, a fishing bay with colorful boats and a town feel right down by the pier. This is one of those stops where you can do something simple: wander narrow streets, look at the water, then pop into a bar or restaurant nearby.

The timing is short—about 30 minutes—so treat this as your “get your bearings fast” stop. If you want photos, it’s a good moment to grab them early before the light changes or the day gets more crowded.

What I like about starting here is the contrast it gives you. You get real coastal life first, before the day turns into cliffs and high viewpoints.

Stop 2: Cabo Girão’s cliff views (save room for the glass floor)

Next comes Cabo Girão, home to one of the highest sea cliffs in the world and the highest in Europe. The big feature is the viewpoint area with a glass-bottom floor, designed for that “stand over the drop” adrenaline feeling.

Your time is about 30 minutes here, so don’t plan to linger for a full meal or a long stroll. Go in knowing what you’re there for: the dramatic ocean drop, the coast lines, and the panoramic look over Funchal and Câmara de Lobos.

Important detail: the entrance fee isn’t included. So if you want the glass-bottom experience, budget for it separately.

If you’re traveling with someone who loves heights and photos, this is often the moment they remember most. If you’re not into “look down at 500+ meters” energy, focus on the panoramic views and skip any add-on that feels too intense.

Stop 3: Ribeira Brava promenade and landmarks (a breather stop)

Then you head to Ribeira Brava, a small sea town tucked between steep mountains. This stop is about 30 minutes and it’s intentionally less intense than the cliff.

What you can do with the time:

• walk the promenade
• grab a drink or snack
• check out landmarks like the lighthouse and the Fort of São Bento

This is also a nice spot for plain observation. Madeira’s north-to-south interior shapes everything here, so even from the town you’ll feel the mountains “pinning” the sea.

Because the stop is shorter, don’t treat it as your main shopping hour. Treat it as your reset before the higher-altitude scenery.

Stop 4: Pico Ruivo plateau and levadas starting point

At Pico Ruivo do Paul da Serra, you’re up around 1,300–1,500 meters, with wide views over green mountains and valleys. This is another stop with about 30 minutes, but it gives you something different from the ocean stops: big open air and mountain scale.

This area is also connected to levadas—Madeira’s famous irrigation walkways. The stop is near places like Rabaçal, and it’s described as a starting point for well-known levadas, including Risco and 25 Fontes.

That matters even if you’re not hiking today. It helps you understand why so many Madeira visitors return for longer walking days. You’ll see the terrain that makes those routes worth planning.

A practical note: at altitude, weather can feel different even if Funchal is sunny. Bring a light layer even on warm days.

Stop 5: Porto Moniz natural swimming pools (your long lunch break)

By far the most relaxing-feeling part of the loop is Porto Moniz. You arrive from the mountains down toward the sea, and suddenly you’re right at the waterline.

This stop is about 2 hours, and it’s also where lunch typically fits in. The sea here is famous for its natural swimming pools, and the admission fee for the pools isn’t included.

You’ll likely choose what to do during the break:

• eat at a nearby restaurant or café
• explore the pool area
• take it slow and just enjoy the coast views

One very specific tip from past guests: bring a towel and swimwear if you want to use the pools. This stop can turn into a highlight if the weather cooperates, because it’s not just a viewpoint—you get to be in the water.

If you’re not swimming, you’ll still enjoy the scenery and the “sea meets stone” vibe. Just know that the two hours can feel like a lot if you prefer nonstop sightseeing. For me, it’s the right kind of pause in an otherwise full day.

Stop 6: Seixal waterfall viewpoint (quick nature moment)

Right after Porto Moniz is Seixal, another short 30-minute stop focused on a coastal setting. Here you’ll see a platform flowing down from the mountains into the sea, backed by green hills and ocean ahead.

The headline feature is the Véu da Noiva (Bride’s Veil) waterfall. It’s the kind of spot where the timing matters—if the waterfall is running well, it’s dramatic. If it’s quieter, it’s still a pretty coastal break.

Because the stop is short, keep your expectations realistic: you’re grabbing photos and enjoying the view more than you’re doing a long nature walk.

Stop 7: São Vicente for north-coast food and mountain drama

Your final stop is São Vicente, built along the sea with mountains rising up on both sides. It’s another 30-minute stop, and it’s often a satisfying finish because you get a real town atmosphere plus big mountain framing.

This is a good time to:

• eat or snack (if you didn’t eat enough earlier)
• look out at the ocean
• take in how the mountains “box in” the coast here

The timing works well as an endcap to the day. You’ve already seen cliff views and pools. Now you see how everyday life fits into the terrain.

The guides: what you can hope for (and what to do if you’re picky)

Most of what makes this tour feel good is the human factor. Several guides have stood out by name, including Fernando, Rafael, Bruno, Eduardo, and Dennis, plus driving/guide Hidalgo. The consistent theme is that the guide keeps decent timing and provides commentary that helps you connect the dots across the island.

One helpful detail: guides often speak multiple languages during the road time, not just English. If you’re multilingual, you’ll probably find it easy. If you’re not, it may feel like you catch bits and pieces rather than one constant stream—still, the driving commentary is meant to keep you informed as you pass different areas.

That said, not every experience is perfect. One guest reported an unorganized day when the vehicle broke down and communication wasn’t great, and another said their guide experience didn’t match what they expected. That’s rare in a 72-review sample, but it’s a good reminder to be patient if something goes wrong. Madeira roads are steep and weather can change plans fast.

Transport realities: time in the minibus is part of the deal

This tour is about moving between scattered stops. You’ll spend more time in the minibus than in a walking-only day tour. That’s not a flaw; it’s the point.

Two practical things to plan for:

• Bring water and wear clothes that handle sun and wind (coast + cliffs can swing fast).
• If you’re heat sensitive, consider that at least one past guest reported no air conditioning. That doesn’t mean it’s always the case, but it’s worth considering.

Also, a few past guests felt some stops were a bit short for villages and long for viewpoints. That comes with a high-hit itinerary: more sites means less time per site. If you’re the type who wants deep time in one place, this may feel a little “hit and run.”

What’s not included (so you don’t get surprised)

To plan your spending, remember these aren’t included:

• Lunch (you handle this on your own)
• Cabo Girão entrance (including the glass-bottom viewpoint area)
• Porto Moniz natural pools admission

So build your budget for at least those entrances plus a meal. If you want the full “pool time” at Porto Moniz, expect to pay for entry and plan for a swimsuit setup.

Weather and route changes: don’t fight it

This experience depends on good weather. And it’s explicitly allowed to adjust the route based on conditions. That’s Madeira life. Clouds, wind, and rain can turn cliff viewpoints less comfortable and sometimes unsafe.

If the weather forces changes, your best mindset is flexibility. You didn’t book it for one exact photo spot. You booked it for a day that shows you what makes west and north Madeira so distinct.

Who this tour suits best (and who should choose something else)

This tour fits best if you:

• have limited time on Madeira and want west + north highlights in one day
• prefer guided driving over a rental car
• love viewpoints and coastal scenery, with a chance to swim at Porto Moniz
• like clear stop timing so you can explore on your own at each point

Choose something else if you:

• want a slow, relaxed day with minimal driving
• hate the idea of short stops (some are only 30 minutes)
• plan to spend most of your day indoors or in a single town

Final verdict: should you book West of Madeira?

I’d book this if your goal is a fast, structured sampler of Madeira’s west side and north coast, with the payoff of Cabo Girão and the real fun factor of Porto Moniz natural pools. It’s good value because you’re buying convenience: transportation, a licensed guide, and a route that covers a lot without you wrestling the details.

I’d hesitate only if you’re sensitive to long drive time, heat inside the minibus, or you dislike itineraries where stops can feel short. If that’s you, look for a slower tour or a walking-focused day instead.

If you do book it, pack smart: sun protection, a light layer for higher areas, and if weather looks swim-friendly, bring a towel and swimwear for Porto Moniz. That one decision can turn the day from a nice tour into a memory you keep.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts in Funchal, Portugal and ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 9:00 am.

Is pickup available?

Pickup is offered. If your accommodation/hotel is outside Funchal and Caniço, pickup and drop-off are on request.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes a licensed and certified guide. Lunch is not included.

Are there entrance fees during the day?

Yes. Cabo Girão and the Porto Moniz natural swimming pools have entrance fees that are not included.

Does the itinerary change due to weather?

Yes. The route can be altered depending on weather conditions, and the experience requires good weather.