Madeira’s East: The Untamed Side of Paradise
Take a self-guided tour through Madeira’s untamed east, where sunrise lights the peaks and green valleys flow into the sea. Discover ancient huts, dramatic peninsulas, and sky-high viewpoints while uncovering island stories — a mix of tradition, beauty, and calm adventure.
Includes
• Pioc do Arieiro • Ribeiro Frio • Laurel Forest • Santana • Porto da Cruz • Pounto Sao Lorenco • Jesus Statue (It covers roughly 120 km and takes around 10 hours, including all the scenic stops along the way.)unto
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Recommended: • Swimsuit • Light Jacket • Madeira Island Pass (for discounts) • Mobile data • Brakefast at Hotel or Rentalplace • Be at first Stop at 9:00 am (avoid croweds)
Your Guide
Banana Joe the All-Knowing
Disclaimer
Most of our self-guided tours are exclusive to Island Pass holders — available in both Digital and Printed versions. Once you grab your Pass, you’ll get a special password that instantly unlocks all our tours across Madeira. 🎧✨
The only self-guided tour you can try for free is the “Taste & Tales of Funchal City Walk.” It’s the perfect way to see how our tours work — fun, easy to follow, and full of stories, food, and local flavor!
Good To Know
Just press play and let our guide Banana Joe walk you through this awesome tour. Tip: on mobile, you can enlarge the tour by clicking the yellow button in the upper right corner.
The Untamed Side of Paradise
Press Play to meet your guide for the day and discover what today’s epic tour has in store for you — go on, tap it… the adventure starts there!
Check your Madeira Island Map for the unlock code — or your email — to open the Madeira’s East Tour. Let the adventure begin! 🌄🚗
Only those in the know have the super-secret, ultra-mega-difficult password — the rest will just have to guess… and fail gloriously. 🔒😏
Jesus Crist Statue
Madeira’s Christ the King is part spiritual, part scenic, and totally selfie-worthy. Ocean vibes included.
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Landingbridge of CR7 Airport
Driving under the actual landing strip of Madeira Airport feels completely surreal.
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Machico
Machico holds a special place in Madeira’s history — it was the island’s very first settlement, the starting point of everything that followed.
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History & Fun in Machico
Depending on the mood of the weather, you can explore the church, take a swim, or do both — just don’t mix up the outfits.
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Viewpoint of Ponta de São Lourenço
The easternmost point of Madeira, where the island dramatically ends, but the views just keep getting better!
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Viewpoint of Portela
Perched at 670 meters above sea level (hello, lungfuls of fresh air!), this spot delivers a jaw-dropping panorama that makes you feel like you're floating between heaven and Instagram.
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Porto da Cruz Walk
Porto da Cruz is a super laid-back little spot that started with an iron cross, survived on rum, and now surfs its way into everyone’s heart (and Instagram feed). From holy beginnings to hang-ten vibes — this place has stories to tell!
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Engenhos do Norte - Rum Factory
Finally… it’s time to uncover the juicy past of rum and poncha – the two troublemakers behind many Madeiran smiles (and a few wobbly walks). 🥃📖 Ready for a sip of history?
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Peter's Bar
A hidden Gem that offers superb food & Poncha of all Kinds.
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Viewpoint of Guindaste
Glass floors suspended over the ocean's dramatic cliffs.
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Santana
Quirky triangle houses with straw hats? Only in Santana, baby!
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Ribeiro Frio
Ribeiro Frio sits deep in the heart of Madeira’s ancient laurel forest — home to legendary walking trails and some seriously chill trout just living their best mountain life. It’s part fairytale, part fish tale.
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Pico do Arieiro
Welcome, adventurers and brave souls, to the Miradouro do Ninho da Manta — aka the "Eagle's Nest" for those of us who like to pretend we're in a dramatic nature documentary!
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Poço da Neve
High up on the winding road to Pico do Arieiro, far above Funchal’s sun‑drenched harbour, sits a curious stone dome that looks as if it has been transplanted from the Arctic.
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Abrigo do Poiso
One of the best spots to try traditional Ganja (chicken soup with soul) or Açorda (garlic soup with attitude)
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Tip Box
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This self-guided drive and walk takes you on an unforgettable journey through Madeira’s untamed east — a land of sky-high peaks, rolling green valleys, and dramatic ocean peninsulas. You’ll stand atop the island’s highest mountains, wander through the traditional Santana huts, and explore the windswept beauty of Ponta de São Lourenço, where the land ends and the Atlantic begins.
And of course — every great adventure comes with great flavor. Along the way, you can taste local treasures like Espetada, Bolo do Caco, sugarcane rum, fresh seafood, and other Madeiran classics served in cliffside cafés and cozy village restaurants.
It’s the perfect blend of scenery, tradition, and calm island charm — all yours to enjoy at your own pace.
All these extras are completely optional and instantly available when you show your Madeira Island Pass (digital or printed) at the recommanded stops. The best part? No need to book ahead! Just show up, join in, and enjoy everything at your own pace, all on the same day. 🍌
Facilities
Location
To start navigation on your phone, click 'View larger map' in the top left corner of the map.
Sometimes, finding the exact location of the hike can be challenging. That’s why we’ve included GPS coordinates to make it easier to reach.
32.648011425874444
-16.900141499516174
Highlights
The only pass you need in paradise
