More about: 5 Best Safaris in Madeira from Funchal
Madeira has many attractions to visit, but sometimes it is not so easy to access certain tourist spots on the island. To discover these places, one of the best options available to travellers is to take a tour in an off-road jeep.
Most tours depart from the city of Funchal, the island's capital. This makes it very convenient, as most accommodation is located in this part of the island. Read on to find out about the best 4x4 tours.
1. 4x4 vehicle tour of Madeira
4x4 tours of Madeira are one of the best ways to discover its most natural and rugged side. Thanks to these off-road vehicles, it is possible to access places that would otherwise be difficult to reach. From boxed-in valleys to vertiginous cliffs, this activity offers the perfect experience for lovers of adventure and active tourism. In addition, you will have a local guide who will share unique details about the island's geography and culture with you.
On this 4x4 jeep tour of Madeira, you will spend around 4 hours visiting spectacular spots such as the Valley of the Nuns, the Lovers' Cave and the famous Cabo Girão, one of the highest cliffs in Europe. You will also visit Boca da Corrida, a lesser-known viewpoint with privileged views of Madeira's central massif.
This tour includes round-trip transfers from your hotel in Funchal or Caniço, so you won't have to worry about a thing. You will travel in a small group, in comfort and with Wi-Fi in the vehicle so you can share your experience in real time. This is an excellent option if you are looking for a short, intense excursion with unforgettable landscapes.
Important details
- Price: — from £41
- Duration: 4 hours
- Includes: 4x4 jeep tour, local guide, hotel pick-up and drop-off, insurance, Wi-Fi in the vehicle
2. Excursion to the mountains of Madeira in a 4x4 vehicle
Embark on this full-day 4x4 tour of the mountains of Madeira and discover the natural essence of the island. Over the course of around 8 hours, you will explore mountainous areas and remote valleys, stopping at places such as Eagle's Rock and the Riveiro Frio Natural Park. This experience is designed for those who want to see the wildest and most authentic side of Madeira, all in a convertible 4x4 vehicle.
Along the way, you will also stop at Porta da Cruz, where you will visit a sugar cane factory (entrance not included), and continue on to Santana, famous for its triangular houses with thatched roofs. In addition to the natural beauty, this tour allows you to learn about local traditions and ways of life, all explained by an expert guide. The setting is ideal for taking photos and enjoying short hiking trails in the interior of the island.
Details of interest
- Price: — from £61
- Duration: 8 hours
- Includes: 4x4 vehicle excursion, professional guide, transfer from and to your hotel, visit to the sugar cane factory (entrance fee not included)
3. Laurisilva Forest Tour
Enjoy an exciting adventure aboard a 4x4 jeep along the west coast of Madeira, departing from Funchal. This 7-hour tour takes you along secondary roads and rural routes with breathtaking views of the Atlantic. You will explore the Serra d'Água valley, the Laurisilva forest and the spectacular viewpoint of Cabo Girão, one of the highest cliffs in Europe.
During the tour, you will pass through small rural villages and stop at several viewpoints to admire the island's lush vegetation and mountainous landscapes. A local guide will accompany you throughout the day, sharing anecdotes, history and details about the native flora and fauna.
Details of interest
- Price: — from £55
- Duration: 7 hours
- Includes: 4x4 jeep tour, local guide, hotel pick-up, stops at viewpoints and rural villages
4. Jeep safari in western Madeira with views of Cape Girão
Hop into an open-top 4x4 and explore the greenest and most unspoilt part of north-east Madeira. This guided tour combines nature, adventure and culture, visiting places such as Faial, São Roque do Faial and Santana, where you can see the iconic traditional houses with thatched roofs.
One of the great advantages of this excursion is the chance to explore part of the famous "levadas", the ancient irrigation channels that are now used as hiking trails. The tour also includes trips along rural roads with panoramic views and ideal moments for taking spectacular photographs.
Details of interest
- Price: — from £60
- Duration: 8 hours
- Includes: Hotel pick-up, transport in a 4x4 jeep, expert guide, stops for photos and walks along the levadas
5. Jeep tour of north-east Madeira and the levadas of Santana
Discover the contrasts of Madeira with this jeep safari through the mountainous interior and the south coast. The tour starts in Funchal and climbs towards the centre of the island, passing through volcanic valleys, lush forests and agricultural terraces. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to visit spectacular viewpoints such as Eira do Serrado and Pico dos Barcelos.
One of the highlights of this experience is the stop for lunch at a typical restaurant, where you will enjoy local dishes in a rural setting. The journey continues along forest tracks and secondary roads, all narrated by a guide who will immerse you in the geological and cultural history of Madeira.
Details of interest
- Price: — from £75
- Duration: 8 hours
- Includes: Transport in a 4x4 jeep, professional guide, lunch at a local restaurant, pick-up and return to your hotel
Which villages in the interior of Madeira should I not miss?
For many years, the island had several areas which, due to its intricate geography, were isolated from Funchal or difficult to access.
In recent years, several of these roads have been paved, making it easier to connect villages that were practically isolated for a long time. However, there are still villages that can only be accessed by 4x4 and that you should not miss if you visit Madeira.
Curral das Feiras
This small village was built inside the crater of an extinct volcano. Its narrow streets and traditional houses are the perfect picture postcard for one of the most beautiful places in the interior of Madeira.
Its beauty is best appreciated from the Eira do Serrado viewpoint, which is located at an altitude of over 1,000 metres. If you visit the island in early November, I recommend you don't miss Curral das Feiras, as this is when the annual Chestnut Festival is held.
Serra D'Água
Almost all the houses in this village are painted white, and the contrast with the green crops on the hillsides makes Serra D'Água one of the most charming villages in the interior of Madeira.
As it is a small village, tranquillity and peace reign here, making it the perfect place to relax and admire the beautiful mountain landscape.
In addition, a few kilometres from Serra D'Água you will find one of the most important levadas on the island, which transports water for irrigation in this region.
Santo Antonio da Serra
Santo Antonio is a very quiet village with beautiful houses nestled in the green countryside. It is a perfect place to play golf thanks to its famous 27-hole course, which is also a great spot to admire the surrounding mountains.
If you take a stroll through the village, don't miss the opportunity to visit the small church of Santo Antonio Da Serra.