Pico Do Arieiro, Santana & More – Full Day Madeira East Tour

Madeira’s eastern regions offer a visually stunning tour experience. Travelers can visit the majestic Pico do Arieiro, hike through the UNESCO-recognized Laurissilva forest, and explore the iconic triangular houses of Santana. The tour also showcases the dramatic Ponta de São Lourenço and promotes sustainable tourism practices. With breathtaking views and unique cultural sights, this excursion promises an unforgettable exploration of Madeira’s natural beauty and heritage.

Key Points

• This full-day tour explores Madeira’s eastern regions, including the stunning Pico do Arieiro peak and the UNESCO-recognized Laurissilva forest in Ribeiro Frio.
• The tour offers panoramic views, a levada walk, and visits to Santana’s iconic triangular-roofed houses and the Miradouro do Guindaste viewpoint.
• Priced from $67.86 per person, the tour accommodates up to 7 participants and provides free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
• The tour utilizes eco-friendly electric vehicles and follows sustainable tourism practices to minimize environmental impact and support the local community.
• Highlights of the tour include the dramatic landscape of Pico do Arieiro, the serene streams and waterfalls of Ribeiro Frio, and the breathtaking geological formations of Ponta de São Lourenço.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview and Pricing

The Madeira East Tour is a full-day excursion that takes visitors on a journey through the eastern regions of the beautiful island of Madeira.

Priced from $67.86 per person, the 8-hour tour accommodates small groups of up to 7 participants.

Offered in multiple languages, it features free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and a reserve now, pay later option.

The tour includes pickup and drop-off locations in Caniço, Câmara De Lobos, and Funchal, as well as eco-friendly electric vehicle transportation and a focus on sustainable, high-quality experiences.

Itinerary Highlights

Pico do Arieiro, towering at 1,818 meters, offers stunning panoramic views that captivate visitors.

Towering at 1,818 meters, Pico do Arieiro offers visitors stunning panoramic views that captivate the senses.

The tour then ventures to Ribeiro Frio, where a levada walk through the Laurissilva forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site, showcases Madeira’s natural beauty.

Lunch is served in the charming village of Santana, famous for its iconic triangular-roofed houses.

The tour continues to Miradouro do Guindaste, a glass and steel viewpoint with dramatic cliffs and ocean vistas.

Finally, the tour explores the Ponta de São Lourenço, a stunning peninsula with breathtaking geological formations and panoramic coastal views.

• Pico do Arieiro

• Ribeiro Frio levada walk

• Santana and its triangular houses

• Miradouro do Guindaste

Pico Do Arieiro: Stunning Views at 1,818 Meters

At 1,818 meters above sea level, Pico do Arieiro stands as Madeira’s third-highest peak, offering visitors a breathtaking panoramic vista of the island’s rugged, volcanic landscape.

The summit provides sweeping views of Madeira’s dramatic central mountain range, the serrated ridges, and deep ravines that characterize the island’s striking terrain.

On a clear day, guests can gaze out over the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean, taking in the sheer scale and untamed beauty of this unique Portuguese archipelago.

This stop offers an awe-inspiring introduction to the natural wonders that define Madeira’s landscape.

Ribeiro Frio: Levada Walk Through Laurissilva Forest

Leaving the dramatic heights of Pico do Arieiro behind, the tour ventures into the verdant landscapes of Ribeiro Frio, home to the UNESCO-recognized Laurissilva forest.

This ancient laurel forest is one of the unique natural wonders of Madeira, featuring:

• A levada walk through the lush, emerald-green ecosystem

• Opportunities to spot endemic birds and rare plant species

• Serene streams and waterfalls cascading through the verdant canopy

• Insights into the fragile balance of this delicate, protected environment

Exploring the Laurissilva on foot provides a tranquil respite from the more rugged terrain, offering a chance to take in Madeira’s natural splendor.

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Santana: Lunch and Iconic Triangular Houses

The tour then leads guests to the charming town of Santana, famous for its unique triangular-shaped houses.

These distinctive homes, with their thatched roofs, are a distinct architectural style found nowhere else in Madeira. Visitors have the opportunity to explore the town and enjoy a traditional Madeiran lunch.

The quaint setting, with its colorful buildings and picturesque scenery, offers a glimpse into the island’s rich cultural heritage.

After the lunch break, the tour continues to the next stop, providing an immersive experience of Madeira’s diverse landscapes and attractions.

Miradouro Do Guindaste: Glass and Steel Viewpoint

After the charming interlude in Santana, the tour makes its way to the Miradouro do Guindaste, a captivating glass and steel viewpoint.

This striking structure offers:

• Panoramic views of the rugged coastline and azure Atlantic

• An open-air observation deck with transparent glass railings

• Architectural elements that seamlessly blend with the natural landscape

• A unique opportunity to appreciate Madeira’s dramatic cliffside scenery

Guests can take in the breathtaking vistas and feel immersed in the island’s striking natural beauty from this modern, design-forward vantage point.

Ponta De São Lourenço: Dramatic Cliffs and Ocean Views

Nestled at the easternmost tip of Madeira, the Ponta de São Lourenço showcases some of the island’s most dramatic coastal scenery.

Visitors are treated to stunning views of the rugged, windswept cliffs plunging into the deep blue Atlantic. The peninsula’s unique geological formations, sculpted by years of erosion, are a sight to behold.

Visitors can explore hiking trails that weave through this otherworldly landscape, offering breathtaking panoramas of the crashing waves and distant horizons.

This natural wonder is a highlight of the Madeira East Tour, leaving guests in awe of the island’s raw, untamed beauty.

Sustainability and Tour Features

Designed with sustainability in mind, the Madeira East Tour utilizes eco-friendly electric vehicles to minimize its environmental impact.

The tour focuses on quality experiences over quantity, ensuring a responsible approach to tourism.

Some of the tour’s sustainability features include:

• Eco-friendly electric vehicles used throughout the tour

• Careful planning to reduce the carbon footprint and environmental impact

• A focus on quality experiences that showcase Madeira’s natural beauty responsibly

• Support for sustainable tourism practices that benefit the local community

This holistic approach to sustainability sets the Madeira East Tour apart as a truly eco-conscious experience.

The Sum Up

This comprehensive Madeira East Tour offers an exceptional opportunity to experience the island’s stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Visitors can marvel at the panoramic vistas from Pico do Arieiro, explore the UNESCO-recognized Laurissilva forest, and discover the iconic triangular houses of Santana, all while the tour promotes sustainable tourism practices. It’s an ideal way to take in the captivating wonders of Madeira’s eastern regions.

You can check availability for your dates here: