Madeira looks different when the roof is open. This full-day 4×4 tour from Funchal strings together north and west scenery with multiple short stops and a real off-road feel, so you spend more time seeing and less time staring at a map. I especially love the open-roof setup because it makes viewpoints and sea breezes feel immediate.

I also like how the route balances famous hits with quiet nature breaks, from Fanal’s ancient laurel forest to the volcanic natural pools at Porto Moniz. One consideration: this tour requires good weather, and cloud or rain can affect what you can comfortably see and do, especially at exposed viewpoints and during the driving portions.

Key things to love about this Madeira 4×4 day

• Open-roof 4×4 ride for breeze-on-your-face views
• Cabo Girão Skywalk viewpoint at 580 meters (ticket not included)
• Porto Moniz natural pools stop with time for lunch and a swim
• Fanal Forest stop in a misty, otherworldly laurel setting
• Poncha stop at Taberna da Poncha to end the day the Madeiran way
• Max 12 travelers with hotel pickup and drop-off in Funchal

Open-Roof 4×4 in Madeira: the best way to feel the island

This is the kind of tour that makes Madeira’s geography hit fast. You’re not stuck behind glass. With an open-roof vehicle, you get a stronger sense of altitude changes, sea air, and that winding-road momentum as you move between the north and south sides.

That matters here because the day is built around contrast. You’ll go from fishing-village charm to high cliff viewpoints, then down toward the Atlantic coast where volcanic rock shapes the scenery and the water does its own thing. You also have frequent short breaks, which keeps the day active without turning it into a long bus grind.

The tour runs about 8.5 hours, starting at 8:00 am, with pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Funchal. That early start helps you reach popular lookouts before crowds fully peak—useful for photos at places like Cabo Girão.

Morning start in Câmara de Lobos and the “Xavelhas” boats

Your first stop is Câmara de Lobos, a traditional fishing village that became famous far beyond Madeira thanks to a painting by Sir Winston Churchill. The village is known for the characteristic fishing boats called Xavelhas, and the surroundings make that boat-and-coast life feel very real.

This opening stop works well because it sets the tone: you’re not just touring viewpoints. You’re moving through places with specific local identity. Even a short visit here helps you understand why people love Madeira—weather, ocean, and work on the water have shaped daily life for generations.

Practical tip: take a moment for photos that include both the village setting and the ocean. From here, your day keeps pulling you toward cliff edges and coast angles, so it’s nice to have a baseline view early.

Cabo Girão Skywalk: the 580-meter viewpoint moment

Next comes Cabo Girão, one of the most visited viewpoint stops in Madeira, famous for its glass suspended platform, the Skywalk. Cabo Girão sits 580 meters above the ocean, and that height is the whole point. From up there, you can see how the coastline bends and how Funchal sits in relation to the cliffs.

The stop is about 25 minutes, which is enough time to get your bearings and take photos. Admission for the Skywalk is not included, so you’ll either choose to pay for it on-site or stick to the regular viewpoint area. If the Skywalk is a priority, plan to budget extra and go in with enough time to wait if you arrive when it’s busy.

Why this stop is worth it: it gives you a scale check. Later in the day you’ll see volcanic pools and forest, but this viewpoint ties it all together by showing the island’s vertical drama in one glance.

Seixal and Véu da Noiva: quick waterfall viewing on the north coast

After Cabo Girão, you head toward the north coast for a short stop in Seixal. The highlight is the Véu da Noiva Waterfall, admired from the Véu da Noiva viewpoint.

This stop is only about 10 minutes, so don’t expect a long walk. The goal is a look, a photo, and then back into motion. The waterfall is described as bursting from a hillside covered with vegetation and projecting toward the sea, which is classic Madeira: water working its way through steep terrain instead of following gentle river paths.

Best use of your time here: stand slightly back from the viewpoint edge so you can frame shots with context—coastline, rocks, and the waterfall line all in one.

Ponta/Well of Lesmas: volcanic rock pools with odd beauty

Next you’ll stop at Poca das Lesmas, known for the Well of Lesmas. This is one of those places that feels strange—in a good way. The volcanic rock formations create natural pools, and the contrast between dark rock tones and turquoise Atlantic water can look almost unreal.

The stop is about 30 minutes, which is a nice length for a viewpoint-style pause. You can take your time with photos, then step back to avoid getting too close to slippery edges (volcanic coasts can be wet even when it doesn’t look dramatic).

If you’re the type who likes “one more photo,” this is a strong place to do it. It’s scenic without being overly tour-bus crowd controlled.

Porto Moniz: lunch plus the volcanic pools (and maybe a swim)

At Porto Moniz, the day shifts into its most flexible segment. Porto Moniz is known for its natural volcanic pools, and this is where you’ll stop for about 2 hours.

That time is built for two choices:

• Lunch on your own
• Swimming in the volcanic pools if conditions and tides suit you

Admission is listed as free for this stop, which helps keep the day’s cost manageable. The pools are volcanic, so they feel less like a resort and more like a rugged coast feature carved by geology. The surrounding sea-rock coastline also gives you panoramic views even if you skip swimming.

Practical swim advice: bring something you can change into quickly, plus a small towel. The tour description doesn’t list these items, but you’ll be glad you have them if you plan to get wet. A second practical note: wear shoes with grip for the walkways around coastal pools. You don’t want to slip after a long morning in the sun.

Ribeira da Janela and the green-blue north coast feel

After the Porto Moniz time, you’ll get a quieter scenic moment at Miradouro Ribeira da Janela. Here the focus is on Ribeira da Janela, a watercourse in the island’s interior, plus the dramatic mountains rising around it.

This stop is about 15 minutes, so treat it like a “reset” stop: fresh air, quick photos, and a chance to see those steep slopes where deep greens meet bright blue ocean views.

This part of the itinerary is important because it shows you the north coast’s character between bigger attractions. It’s not just cliffs and pools. It’s also the island’s shape—water carving through mountain terrain.

Fanal Forest: older than the island’s story

Then it’s on to Posto Florestal Fanal, one of Madeira’s most atmospheric stops. Fanal is known for a centuries-old laurel forest, described as dating back to a time before the discovery of the archipelago.

Expect a mystical feel, especially if there’s mist. The forest area is presented as something you can enjoy peacefully, and that matches how Fanal works in real life: it slows your pace. You can stand, watch light shift through trees, and feel the cool damp air compared to the coast earlier.

This stop is around 30 minutes, so it’s long enough to do a light stroll and still not feel rushed. It’s also a great contrast to the volcanic coast stops. In one day, you’re basically switching between island “chapters”: ocean-rock, then ancient forest.

Ponta do Sol: sunshine hours and Madeiran crops

Next is Ponta do Sol, described as the place with the greatest number of hours of sunshine per year. That sunshine reputation matters here because the scenery can feel brighter after the cooler north-coast segments and the forest stop.

The area is also known for bananas and sugar cane. You’ll also find floriculture and horticulture, which ties nicely into Madeira’s identity as an island shaped by farming as much as by cliffs.

Stop time is about 30 minutes. Use it for a quick village/sea view reset. Even if you don’t do anything active, the time helps break up the day so you arrive at the final meal/drink stop without running on empty.

Serra de Água and poncha at Taberna da Poncha

The last major experience is in the Serra de Agua area with a stop at Taberna da Poncha, where poncha is the point. If you want to end the day with something that feels like Madeira rather than just scenery, this is your moment.

Poncha is described in detail as a drink made with brandy, lemon peel crushed with sugar. Over time, it expanded into different versions like passion fruit and tangerine, plus other variations. There’s also an alcohol-free option for children, which says a lot about how family-friendly this stop is.

Stop time is about 30 minutes, so it’s enough for a taste and a relaxed final stretch. Plan to arrive with your day’s sugar craving switched on. Poncha is sweet and tangy, and it pairs well with a winding road day that has you hungry even when you didn’t notice you were getting tired.

Price and value: why $74.98 can make sense

At $74.98 per person, the pricing can feel high until you break down what you’re paying for. This price covers hotel pickup and drop-off and a professional guide/driver for an 8.5-hour loop across multiple regions of the island.

You’re also getting access to several stops that would be annoying to stitch together on your own:

• high viewpoint timing at Cabo Girão
• multiple north-coast photo points
• Fanal Forest timing
• the Porto Moniz natural pool window
• and a guided cultural stop for poncha

Not included are lunch and food/drinks, plus the Cabo Girão Skywalk ticket if you want it. So the day becomes a value win if you plan to at least snack lightly, budget for the Skywalk if you care about it, and decide in advance whether you’ll swim at Porto Moniz.

Who this tour fits best (and who should skip it)

This is a great match if you want one day that touches both the north and west with an active format. It’s also ideal if you like photos but hate rushing through a single “top 3 attractions” pattern.

You might want to choose something else if:

• you dislike driving on narrow winding roads (the route includes them)
• you need a fully flexible schedule with long independent time blocks
• you’re traveling with very small kids, since it’s not recommended for children under 3

Bottom line: should you book it?

I think you should book this Open Roof 4×4 Madeira day if you want variety—cliffs, waterfalls, volcanic pools, a real forest stop, and a local drink—without having to rent a car and plan six separate legs. The open-roof setup plus the mix of short scenic stops makes the day feel packed in the best way.

If weather looks shaky, wait to see the forecast before you commit with full confidence. Since the tour requires good conditions, you’ll enjoy it most when the island is clear enough for viewpoints and coastal views.

FAQ

How long is the Madeira Island Tour with an open roof?

The tour lasts about 8 hours 30 minutes.

What is included in the price?

Pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Funchal, plus a professional guide/driver, are included. You’ll also have a mobile ticket.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is optional, and food and drinks aren’t included.

Do I need to pay for the Cabo Girão glass skywalk?

Yes. The Skywalk admission ticket is not included, though the viewpoint time is included in the tour.

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers.

Is it suitable for young children?

It is not recommended for children under 3 years old.

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