By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 18th November 2024 | Updated: 29th November 2024
Visiting the island of Madeira and want to experience the beautiful tropical west but don’t want the hassle of driving yourself? That is where a one day Madeira west tour comes in! With some of the highest sea cliffs in the world, valleys with clouds that fall like waterfalls, famous levada walks and the only part of the island with banana plantations, why wouldn’t you want to visit the west coast of Madeira.
So here is our guide to the best one day Madeira west tour:
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During our trip to Madeira we took a couple of tours to explore the island, (to both the west and east of Madeira), all without the worry of driving and parking, and we honestly couldn’t recommend it more. With pick up and drop off at various hotels in the centre of Funchal and stops along the way that you may not have passed by otherwise, it is a great way to experience the island.
Best of Madeira’s West Tour
The west of Madeira is full of the most changeable landscapes from across the whole of the island. From the sky high sea cliffs, (which Matt loved and I found terrifying!), valleys filled with clouds and Laurel forests with levadas to volcanic swimming pools, quaint villages and waterfalls galore. The west of Madeira is really quite stunning.
We can highly recommend stopping at the following places for a bite to eat along the Madeira West tour:
📍 Ribeira Brava – Tropical Cafe in Ribeira Brava is the best place to stop on the tour for a slice of local cheesecake and the biggest Pastel de Nata you will find on the island!
📍 Porto Moniz – For the perfect post swim food, be sure to stop at Salgueiro for a traditional garlic steak sandwich, they are heavenly and much cheaper than the nearby Orca restaurant.
During our Madeira West tour after we had been at the last official stop we also stopped at a number of other locations on the way back to Funchal including Miradouro do Véu da Noiva a viewpoint which has an incredible view over Seixal and a nearby waterfall that flows into the sea, as well as Sao Vicente, which is a tiny village with big views, hidden behind a hill away from the view of pirates at sea.
Languages spoken on the tour: English, French, German, Portuguese & Spanish
Where does the one day Madeira west tour start?
There is free pick up at most hotels in Funchal.
How long is the Madeira west tour?
The tour last 8 hours, with a start time at 8:30am.
What are the main stops on the Madeira west tour?
To and from Funchal this is the order of the main stops on the Madeira west tour:
📍 Câmara de Lobos
📍 Cabo Girão Skywalk (at 580m above sea level this really is a sky walk!)
📍 Ribeira Brava (small but wonderful village with lovely cafes and a beautiful church)
📍 Serra D’Água (also known as Forest of Water where the clouds seem to fall over the mountains)
📍 Encumeada viewpoint and mini levada walk (the perfect mini levada walk surrounded by beautiful native woodland)
📍 Paul da Serra
📍 São Vicente
📍 Porto Moniz (with unique volcanic sea pools that you have the chance to swim in if the weather is good)
What to bring on the one day Madeira West Tour
Water & lunch / snacks, if you chose not to have lunch in Porto Moniz.
Book your Best of Madeira’s West Tour here!
Madeira West Tour Map
Where to stay in Funchal for the Madeira West Tour
We would highly recommend staying in Turim Santa Maria for your trip to Madeira as it is central in Funchal and also close to lots of restaurants and bars. The hotel also has a rooftop pool and 360 bar and restaurant, perfect for views over the surrounding city and coastline.
The Best One Day Madeira West Tour FAQs
Which is better the east or west of Madeira?
The east and west of Madeira are very different to one another but both worth visiting. The east is typically very windy and much cooler and wetter than the west, which is more sheltered and generally the sunniest place on the island.
Is Funchal in Madeira walkable?
Funchal is a very walkable city, and as it is quite small, you can easily walk around it in a day. From our accommodation to the shorefront took roughly 15 minutes to walk, and roughly 30 minutes to walk from Rua de Santa Maria to Santa Catarina Park.
How many days is good in Madeira / Can you do Madeira in 1 day?
We spent a week in Madeira and it was an ideal amount of time, especially for a first visit. We would say though, that if you have more time to spend, 10 to 14 days, then you can plan more time hiking and exploring the islands levadas, which is the one things we which we had more time to do. You definitely can’t do Madeira in 1 day.
What is the best time of year to visit Madeira?
The best time to visit Madeira if you want warmer weather, less tourists and cheaper accommodation, is in the winter or spring, (just not over the Christmas holidays). We visited in April, and not only was it one of the best times of the year to see the island blooming, but also see the waterfalls and levaads with more water, which means more beautiful!
What is the cheapest month to visit Madeira?
We visited Madeira in April and not only was it a great time of year to visit, but it was cheaper for both accommodation and flights, than if it had been over the summer holidays or Christmas. The cheapest months, (and quietest), to visit Madeira are generally the winter months from January to March.
What is the best area to stay in Madeira?
We stayed in the centre of Funchal, and it was the perfect place to be so that we could take day trips out to locations around the island and be close to numerous restaurants and cafes.
Where is the warmest place in Madeira?
The warmest place in Madeira is the west of the island, and more specifically around Ponta do Sol.
What is Madeira famous for?
Madeira is famous for being the home of Cristiano Ronaldo, (the airport is named after him, his old house is now a museum and most tours through Funchal will in some way mention him) for its incredible scenery, (think levadas, mountain range perfect for hiking, volcanic landscapes and blooming flowers), and of course its Madeiran wine.
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Conclusion: The Best One Day Madeira West Tour
There is our guide to the best one day Madeira West Tour. We absolutely loved our time on this tour experiencing the best of the west in Madeira and would recommend it to anyone who want to enjoy Madeira but without hiring a car.
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Gemma Tedaldi
Gemma is the owner and author of The Travelling Tedaldi, a travel blog helping travellers to discover the best road trips and travel itineraries throughout the UK and Europe. When she isn’t writing about her favourite travel destinations, she can often be found out exploring local hikes or planning future trips.