Portugal · MADEIRA TOURS

Madeira Tours and Levada Walks: The Best 15

295 tours  ·  from $12

Madeira is vertical, so the day is decided by which side of the island you are on and what the cloud is doing. These 15 cover the levadas, the 4WD runs to Porto Moniz, the ridge sunrises and the whale boats, with prices and pickup notes.

From Funchal: Ecological Catamaran Dolphin Whale Watching - Funchal Marina check-in and the first half-hour at sea
Boat Tours in Madeira, Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Dolphin Watching in Madeira, Madeira Tours, Sailing, Sailing Trips in Madeira, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching, Whale Watching in Madeira

From Funchal: Ecological Catamaran Dolphin Whale Watching

1.Ecological Catamaran Dolphin Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5,771 reviews · from $40Our pick

Set out from Funchal Marina aboard the 2022 Magic Dolphin Eco, Madeira’s only hybrid-electric whale-watching catamaran. Land-based spotters help locate dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, turtles, and seabirds. You’ll have two decks, large viewing nets, onboard toilets, a bar, a coastal cruise, and a swimming stop near Cabo Girão.

“It was an unforgettable experience. The guides were very informative and welcoming. They explained right from the start that dolphins and whales are wild animals and hence can sometimes not be seen. We got incredibly lucky and got to see 4 different species that day: pilot whales, bottomnose dolphins, common dolphins and striped dolphins. I loved how they respected the animal’s space, and kept the limited time in each observation area. It’s a beautiful way to see these animals in their natural habitat. I loved that the guide explained after why it’s so good that we chose this way to observe the animals instead of going to a aquarium or…”

Check availability →Read our full review

Madeira: Skywalk, Porto Moniz, Seixal, and Fanal 4WD Tour - Cabo Girão’s glass floor and the south coast
Jeep Safari Tours, Jeep Safari Tours in Madeira, Madeira Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Madeira: Skywalk, Porto Moniz, Seixal, and Fanal 4WD Tour

2.Skywalk, Porto Moniz, Seixal, and Fanal 4WD Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 5,732 reviews · from $72

Spend about eight hours exploring Madeira’s west in an open-roof Land Rover. Swim at Porto Moniz, stop at Seixal and Véu da Noiva, walk through Fanal Forest, cross Paúl da Serra, and enjoy a short off-road ride. Guides including Victor, Tony, Gil, Jas, and Gabriel are praised for local insight and good humor.

“we enjoyed the mix of stopovers - they were varied and interesting. Many thanks to our wonderful guide/driver Diogo Camacho for his guidance and help!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise - Watching dolphins and whales in Madeira’s waters
Boat Tours in Madeira, Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Dolphin Watching in Madeira, Madeira Tours, Sailing, Sailing Trips in Madeira, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching, Whale Watching in Madeira

Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise

3.Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5,697 reviews · 3 hours · from $41

Spend three hours aboard Catamaran Seaborn, searching Madeira’s waters for dolphins, whales, turtles, and flying fish. Your English or Portuguese speaking crew explains the marine life and stops beneath Cabo Girão for a summer swim. The boat has shaded seats, sun decks, netting, and a bar selling drinks and snacks.

“The boat is amazing and the crew were top! We saw dolphins and swam and the ocean. Thank you for the great experience. 🙏😊”

Check availability →Read our full review

Funchal: Enchanted Terraces, Porto do Moniz & Fanal 4WD Tour - From Funchal to Ribeira da Janela
Jeep Safari Tours, Jeep Safari Tours in Madeira, Madeira Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Funchal: Enchanted Terraces, Porto do Moniz & Fanal 4WD Tour

4.Enchanted Terraces, Porto do Moniz & Fanal 4WD Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4,930 reviews · 8 hours · from $74

Spend eight hours exploring Madeira’s northwest in a small-group open-top 4x4 with a multilingual guide. You’ll visit Fanal Forest, Paul da Serra, Seixal, São Vicente, and Porto Moniz, with time for natural-pool swimming. Guides such as Diego, Jorge, Pedro, and Ruan are praised for good driving, local stories, and friendly service.

“This is a great way to go around the north of the island and hit all the good spots in an efficient amount of time. I had Pedro as my guide. He was an excellent driver and very knowledgeable about the island. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to maximize their time on the island.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Porto Moniz, Seixal, Fanal Forest, Cliff Skywalk in Open Roof 4X4 - São Vicente and the north coast opening
Jeep Safari Tours, Jeep Safari Tours in Madeira, Madeira Tours, Tour Reviews

Porto Moniz, Seixal, Fanal Forest, Cliff Skywalk in Open Roof 4X4

5.Porto Moniz, Seixal, Fanal Forest, Cliff Skywalk in Open Roof 4X4

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,631 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $75Top rated

Spend about eight hours crossing Madeira by open-roof 4x4, with a local guide, off-road forest tracks, north coast views, Porto Moniz pools, Fanal Forest, Seixal Beach, and Cabo Girão’s glass skywalk. Guides such as Graham, José, Tony, and Eddie have earned praise for their driving, humor, and island insight, though lunch and some entry fees cost extra.

“Miguel was a wonderful tour guide- high energy. Madeira is beautiful. We were able to see parts of the island we wouldn’t have otherwise been able to without a rental car.”

Check availability →Read our full review

From Funchal: Best of Madeira's West Tour - From Funchal to Cabo Girão’s glass platform
Madeira Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Funchal: Best of Madeira’s West Tour

6.Best of Madeira’s West Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3,463 reviews · 8 hours · from $42

Spend eight hours exploring Madeira’s west and north by air-conditioned minibus. Guides such as Marco, Bruno and Luciane combine local stories with careful driving on steep mountain roads. You’ll see Cabo Girão, cross Paul da Serra, stop at Porto Moniz, view the Bridal Veil waterfall and return through São Vicente.

“Our guide, Marco, was excellent. The trip was interesting and the stop for swimming in the rock pools at Porto Moniz was well worth it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Madeira: Best of the East Tour from Funchal - Starting near Funchal and Terreiro da Luta
Madeira Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Madeira: Best of the East Tour from Funchal

7.Best of the East Tour from Funchal

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3,364 reviews · 8 hours · from $42

Spend eight hours exploring Madeira’s east from Funchal with a multilingual guide such as Marco, Bruno, Patrícia, or Nuno. Travel by minibus to Pico do Arieiro, Ribeiro Frio, Santana, Ponta de São Lourenço, and Machico, with hotel pickup in selected areas. Lunch is not included, and mountain weather can change the route.

“Marco is a very good guide and kept us excellently informed about the island throughout the trip. The vehicle, a minibus for 17 people, was very clean and comfortable. Marco is a very safe driver. This tour is highly recommended.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Funchal: Old Town Walking Tour - Funchal City Hall and the sweet factory
Madeira Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Madeira

Funchal: Old Town Walking Tour

8.Old Town Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3,233 reviews · 2 hours · from $19Best value

Start at the Jesuits’ College and walk through central Funchal with a small group and a guide such as Annabelle, Elias, Elea, or Hannah. Visit the Farmers’ Market, a 19th-century sweet factory, old streets, churches, and a traditional Wine Lodge. The tour ends with useful local tips and often a small wine tasting.

“Superb tour by Evelina Matejovska. Very informative, friendly guide who was extremely knowledgeable. Covered the central area and old town and learnt historical facts, details about industry and food interests! Very worthwhile tour to do .”

Check availability →Read our full review

Funchal: Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Transfer Self-guided Hike - The early pickup from Funchal or Caniço
Hiking & Trekking, Hiking Tours in Madeira, Madeira Tours, Morning, Mountain Peak Hikes, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews

Funchal: Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Transfer Self-guided Hike

9.Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Transfer Self-guided Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,798 reviews · from $37

Start with a Funchal or Caniço pickup, reach Pico do Arieiro before sunrise, then hike independently toward Pico Ruivo and Achada do Teixeira. Your driver explains the route, timing, and meeting point, but you walk without a guide. Route closures may switch part of the hike to PR3.

“pick up and drop off excellent. Our guide Fernando great. Weather awesome for us so sunrise with cloud inversion was amazing. Shame about the 100's of folk on top but good to escape them down the PR3. great day, thank you so much”

Check availability →Read our full review

Funchal Bay: Dolphin & Whale Watch Luxury Catamaran Cruise - Searching for dolphins and whales in open water
Boat Tours in Madeira, Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Dolphin Watching in Madeira, Madeira Tours, Sailing, Sailing Trips in Madeira, Tour Reviews, VIP, Whale Watching, Whale Watching in Madeira

Funchal Bay: Dolphin & Whale Watch Luxury Catamaran Cruise

10.Funchal Bay: Dolphin & Whale Watch Luxury Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 2,684 reviews · 3 hours · from $47

Sail from Funchal’s New Marina aboard the Atlantic Pearl, a comfortable catamaran limited to about 20 people. Your Portuguese or English-speaking crew searches for dolphins and whales, then stops beneath Cabo Girão for swimming and snorkeling. Expect open-sea views, covered seating, hammocks, onboard bathrooms, and drinks for purchase.

“Great go do it we saw whales jumping and went for a swim”

Check availability →Read our full review

From Funchal: West Madeira Waterfalls and Fanal Forest Tour - Câmara de Lobos starts the day by the water
Madeira Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Waterfall Tours

From Funchal: West Madeira Waterfalls and Fanal Forest Tour

11.West Madeira Waterfalls and Fanal Forest Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,630 reviews · 8 hours · from $33

See Madeira’s dramatic west in one full day, from Câmara de Lobos and Cabo Girão to misty Fanal Forest, Porto Moniz pools, waterfalls, and Serra de Água. Small-group guides such as Luca, Alex, Roy, and Albino are praised for safe driving and island knowledge, though Fanal’s short stop may leave hikers wanting more.

“Alex is best Gute Ever. . He 'upgrades' a Standard Programm to a top adventur.. and in german language!!! And he is a super driver!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

All Inclusive Whale and Dolphin Watching Luxury Tour - The Secret Stop and the Service Afloat
Dolphin Watching, Dolphin Watching in Madeira, Madeira Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, VIP, Whale Watching, Whale Watching in Madeira

All Inclusive Whale and Dolphin Watching Luxury Tour

12.All Inclusive Whale and Dolphin Watching Luxury Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,573 reviews · 3 hours · from $93

Sail from Funchal with a small group aboard a spacious luxury catamaran. Crew members such as Liv, David, Bruno, Maggie, and Nico may guide the trip, serving Madeira snacks and unlimited drinks while you search for dolphins, whales, and turtles. The tour includes a swim beneath 586-meter Cabo Girão, snorkeling gear, towels, toilets, and a welcome glass of sparkling wine.

“Lovely crew, beautiful boat, delicious snacks and drinks. Saw pods of pilot whales and bottle nose dolphins.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Madeira: Full-Day Jeep Tour with Guide and Pickup - Cabo Girão: a dramatic start at 589 meters
Full-Day, Guided, Jeep Safari Tours, Jeep Safari Tours in Madeira, Madeira Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Madeira: Full-Day Jeep Tour with Guide and Pickup

13.Full-Day Jeep Tour with Guide and Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,216 reviews · 8 hours · from $78

Spend eight hours exploring Madeira in a small jeep group of up to six. Guides such as Paulo, Pedro, Renato, and Ricardo share local stories while you visit Cabo Girão, Trompica, Seixal, Porto Moniz, Fanal Forest, and Ponta do Sol. Expect bumpy tracks, narrow roads, changing weather, and time for swimming and lunch.

“it was fantastic tour, lots of fabulous places, great experience and more than 150 photos are made))) the weather was perfect that allowed us to explore the island)”

Check availability →Read our full review

Madeira: Enjoy a Guided Levada Walk in the Rabaçal Valley - Pickup from Funchal and the journey to Paul da Serra
Guided, Levada Walks, Madeira Tours, Tour Reviews, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Madeira

Madeira: Enjoy a Guided Levada Walk in the Rabaçal Valley

14.Enjoy a Guided Levada Walk in the Rabaçal Valley

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,197 reviews · 8 hours · from $50

Join a guide such as Sara, Ruby, or Robina for an eight-hour walk from Funchal through Madeira’s Rabaçal Valley. Follow historic levadas to Risco Waterfall and the 25 Fontes lagoon, watch for endemic plants and birds, and pass through a wet 800-meter tunnel. Hotel pickup, transport, and drop-off are included.

“Great walk with Sarah as a guide. Enjoyed the day with the group”

Check availability →Read our full review

From Funchal: West Madeira and Laurel Forest Day Trip - Câmara de Lobos and the farming terraces
1-Day Tours, Madeira Tours, Tour Reviews

From Funchal: West Madeira and Laurel Forest Day Trip

15.West Madeira and Laurel Forest Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,067 reviews · 8 hours · from $37

Travel from Funchal with a multilingual guide such as Tony, Daniel, Carlos, or Gama to Cabo Girão, Ribeira Brava, Fanal Forest, Porto Moniz, Seixal, and São Vicente. Expect about eight hours on steep, winding roads, with time for viewpoints, a possible swim, lunch, and local sights. Pickup is available at many Funchal hotels.

“we took the West tour with Tony , who was in fact one of the best guides I have ever encountered, he was very knowledgeable, funny and in general a great person. we stopped in so many places , like small cute towns , amazing viewpoints and more. we also got info on the way about random things like flowers and crops that are seen in the road and even a bit of history about Madeira. in my honest opinion, this tour worth even more than the price it listed for :) 10/10”

Check availability →Read our full review

Scroll to Top

Where to next in Portugal

Pick a coast, a river or a cellar.