Things to do in Madeira, Madeira Islands: The Best Private Tours

September 17, 2021 Nobuko Falco

Breezy Madeira is an eponymous island in the Madeira Islands, a Portuguese archipelago. The capital city of Funchal was settled in the 15th century and is a colorful collection of gardens, religious sites, and quirky tourist attractions like the thatched-roof Madeira Story Centre. Hike to the summit of Pico Ruivo and you’ll feel like you’ve climbed through the clouds. Unwind over a glass of Madeira wine, an historic fortified beverage that’s musky and subtly sweet.
Restaurants in Madeira

1. Private Southwest Coastal Day Tour from Funchal

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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Enjoy a full-day private tour of the southwest side of the island of Madeira. Accompanied by just your guide and travel companions (a maximum of four people), visit Calheta, where you can observe the manufacturing of rum and sugar cane honey; the natural pools of Porto Moniz, and volcanic caves of São Vicente.

Inclusions: All taxes, fees, and handling charges, Hotel/port pickup and drop-off, Transport by air-conditioned minivan

Exclusions: Food and drinks

2. Private Full-Day Personalized 4x4 Safari Santana, Porto Moniz up to 8 Persons

Up Mountain Madeira Walks & Tours, Rùa Imperatriz D Amelia 60, 9000-018 Funchal, Portugal Up Mountain Madeira
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5.0 based on 20 reviews

Being with a small company like us, with a local guide, we assure we will help to deliver the trip you wish to design on this is a personalised tour done on 8 hour just for you and your familly or group! Take a ride on the wild side, With UMM in our cool army open top jeep, on this full day tour in a calm relaxed laid back trip were the guide and jeep will be just for your, design your route or let us know what you wish to do and see and we can propose the best day out in Amazing Madeira!

Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Live commentary on board, Local guide, Professional guide, Driver/guide, Port pickup and drop-off, Private tour, Local taxes

Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified

Reviewed By daniellelidke

I cannot say enough great thinks about Nico and his crew. They made our trip memorable and customized our tours to meet are needs, timelines & wishes. We were 5 rambunctious ladies looking for adventure. They nailed it! Highly highly recommend!

3. Private Tour: Regional Road Drive with Stunning Views and Poncha Drink Tasting

Carochentos - Tours & Weddings
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5.0 based on 6 reviews

In this tour we cross the regional road in a VW Beetle Cabrio or other classic car towards the Ribeira Brava with passage through Câmara de Lobos and Campanário. Admire the great views along the way. We stop at Cabo Girão, the highest cliff in Europe with 580 meters (entrance included). Possibilitie of tasting poncha (or other regional drink) in Câmara de Lobos and Serra de Água. Return by the expressway.

Inclusions: Driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Local guide, Hotel/port pickup and drop-off in Funchal area (outside Funchal additional fee €20), Private tour, Transport by private vehicle

Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified, Gratuities

Reviewed By Mrs K T

This was the perfect way to see the Funchal lights! We were picked up from our hotel in the 1979 VW Beetle then driven to Funchal. Once there the roof came down and we were treated to a comprehensive tour of the lights of the city. We saw so much more than we would have done on our own or on foot. We also learnt more about Madeira from the informative guide. The tour left me grinning from ear to ear a real highlight of my holiday! I cannot recommend this enough! A unique and personal experience.

4. Sunrise (Private Tour) - Adventureland Madeira 4x4 Tours -

Rua D. Carlos I 11A, 9060-051 Funchal, Portugal Adventureland
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

a unique and fantastic experience, lived on the top of the mountain. Where the sunrise becomes a magical moment

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle

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Reviewed By AbdurPatel

Fantastic private jeep tour with Adventureland. We witnessed some amazing scenes and Pedro was a great tour guide. He took time out to explain everything and had great rumour

5. Private - Madeira Island Tour

My Guide Madeira
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5.0 based on 8 reviews

This tour is a private tour with max. 4pax. (Coronavirus update: we are a ''Clean and Safe'' company, respecting all the hygienic and personal protection measures according to the Portuguese Official Tourism Office). It has a duration of 8 hours and you get to know all the island. We do a trip passing in all the major points of the island. Cabo Girao Viewpoint, Poncha da Serra de Agua, Funchal,  Camara de Lobos, Santana, Natural Swimming Pools Porto Moniz, Pico Areeiro and much more. You also can customize the tour. The price includes insurance, qualified and friendly guide. Free picnic and transport.

Inclusions: Driver/guide, Snacks, Bottled water, Beverages, Light refreshments

Exclusions: Lunch

Reviewed By Livvy1309

The 25 fountains walk was absolutely brilliant. The guide Luis was very knowledgeable and has a great personality! He knew lots of facts about the Levada’s and the history as well as being able to give us tons of information about Madeira as a whole. His English was fantastic and he got on board with all our jokes and chats which was great. This walk itself has quite a few steps, probably around 400 which are quite steep. It isn’t a hard walk but the way back up can be quite tiring - however there is the option to get in a mini bus up the hill, but this doesn’t avoid the steps. The views overall are amazing, Luis took us at the start of the day where the sky was clear, it was slightly cooler and it wasn’t busy at all. Most tourists come later in the day and it can be a bit of a squeeze passing on the steps. The actual fountain is very beautiful and we had a quick dip in the water, it was so so cold but defiantly worth it for a photo! Luis was more than happy to take any photos and pointed out the best spots to have them. I would 100% book with our guide Madeira again.

6. Private Service VIP Nun's Valley Halfday Tour

Pearl of the Atlantic Madeira
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5.0 based on 21 reviews

Our half day starts at Pico dos Barcelos viewpoint, a very nice view of all Funchal, where we can see different locations of the city and have an amazing sight for lovely pictures. Continuing up, we head in direction to one of the biggest tourist attractions of Madeira, Eira do Serrado at a height of  1053m (3455 feet), where we can enjoy the magnificent view of Nuns Valley, which once was a refuge for the Nuns of the Monastery of Santa Clara during the invasion of the French Privateers to the Island. During our trip we will stop in some viewpoints to see the Socorrido Stream and tell the story of Old Madeira with some narrow old roads built on the mountains.

Inclusions: Driver/Local guide, Hotel/Port/Apartment pickup and drop-off, Private tour, Transport by private vehicle, Free WIFI onboard

Exclusions: Food and drinks

Reviewed By RuiPedro65

It was a wanderfull day that i spenddl whit the pearl of the atlatico.Tour west has really beautiful views. The guiedes of the company are really professionals.

7. Cabo Girão and viewpoints tour

Avenida Sá Carneiro, Av. Sá Carneiro, 9000 Funchal, Portugal YouGoTo.com
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Discover Funchal and its most enchanting neighbourhoods on a 2-hour Tuk Tuk tour. This tour also gives you the opportunity to visit other places outside Funchal, the fishing village of Câmara-de-Lobos, well-known for its cliff, Cabo Girão, and being one of the highest cliffs in the world. Following a pick-up from your hotel in Funchal, you will start your tour in the city of Funchal. Pass by Monumental Street, where many 4 and 5-star hotels are located. Stop in the fishing village of Câmara-de-Lobos. Next, go up to visit Cabo Girão with a breathtaking view over the Atlantic Ocean. This tour is a great way to combine a ride on a tuk-tuk in Funchal and a visit to some of the points of interest outside the magical city.

Inclusions: Hotel pick-up and drop off (Funchal only), Driver/guide

Exclusions: Pick-up and drop off at hotels outside Funchal

Reviewed By C1399GVpaulw

This is a beautiful place where you can see one side of the island, then walk a few steps and see the other. There are plenty of levadas on the way up (or down) to take in the scenery and valleys below. Also there is a cafe which is very reasonable, €2 for a cheese and ham tostie for example.

8. Rabaçal Waterfalls : Full Day Hike and 4x4 Tour

Hit the Road Tours
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5.0 based on 6 reviews

The walk takes place in the middle of the Rabaçal valley, one of our most prized nature attractions in the Madeiran Laurissilva forest, the largest laurel forest in the world! ​Possibly the most underrated hike on the island, away from the big crowds and a must do for all nature and Madeira Lovers! The hike is a moderate, 15km walk, including a fair amount of steps to overcome as well as a tunnel, flat and spacious.​ It takes approximately 4:30 hours to complete ranging in altitudes of 900m to 1290m above sea level. We are one of the smaller operators on the island and all our hikes are in small groups of 7 persons maximum. This creates a more intimate setting where everybody can hear the guide and feel more involved in the experience. We take our time and personalise the experience according to the day, the weather and group dynamic and we are very attentive to our clients photography needs. Nobody regrets booking with us.

Inclusions: All taxes, fees and handling charges, Driver/guide, Professional Mountain Guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities

Reviewed By blesso870

We just completed a full-day west end tour led by Jeff. It was a fantastic day all around. Jeff arrived on time and showed us many beautiful sights we never would have found on our own. We did some off-roading in his Land Rover and felt completely at ease with him driving on these Madeira roads. We then went and saw many of the highlights of the north west side of the island. We were very happy to have the entire day rather than a half-day, which would have felt too short. Jeff listened to what we wanted to do and customized the day for us. A great value too. I highly recommend this tour.

9. Private Half day Madeira tour (8 seat Mercedes Vito)

Madeira taxi tours by Diogo
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5.0 based on 26 reviews

I'm a native of Madeira and have been providing tours for over six years. I have a real passion for the culture, the heritage and a love for the natural beauty of my island home. I provide fun, interesting and informative tours for tourists, business travelers and even seekers of their roots in Madeira. I'm a steady and safe driver with a clean and comfortable vehicle. We will enjoy the day at your pace.

Inclusions: Private transportation, Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Admission to toboggan run, garden entrance will need to be paid separately if wanting to do this.

Reviewed By Madeira_my_dear

We booked two island tours with Diogo, one on the East side and one on the West side of the island. Diogo is a very easy going and relaxed person, who is never in a hurry and makes you feel there is all the time in the world to enjoy the fantastic scenery of Madeira. He takes you to places which are off the beaten track and knows some fantastic restaurants to have lunch. He is very knowledgeable and always in a good mood!

10. Porto Moniz - Private Full-Day - Safari 4x4 Tour - NorthWest

Praia Formosa, 9000-250 Funchal, Portugal Miguel Is Here
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5.0 based on 7 reviews

The West tour takes you to the lush northwest, full of cliffs, valleys, forests, mountains, waterfalls and cows! Always far from the beaten track. So many experiences, in just one day. Levada walk, swimming, and incredible landscapes. Get ready to be amazed by panoramic views and explore the heart of nature, while learning all about Madeira's traditions and history. I have the BEST vehicle for that, an UMM (open classic ex-army Portuguese jeep - it has a cover also for all weather conditions) and creativity to take you to places that you just have to see! So, join me and let´s have fun together, exploring without stress, no Rush… as friends, fleeing the Tourist Traps and Crowds. We have time! If the weather permits, we will walk in a section of a levada for about 30/40 minutes (optional). We will stop 2 hours in Porto Moniz for lunch & swim (Lava Pools) I will do my best to provide you a unique experience that you will never forget!

Inclusions: Private transportation

Exclusions: Lunch not included – extra 12,00€, Entrance to Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools (1,50€)

Reviewed By melaniem842019

Great day trip with Miguel. We visited a lot of beautiful parts of Madeira, the views were breathtaking, the discovery of the island was amazing. Miguel was a really friendly guide, very patient, helpful, caring of us and teaching us a lot of things.

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