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Self Guided Tours
Madeira’s North-West: The Wild Side of Paradise
Take a self-guided tour through Madeira’s wild north-west, where clouds kiss the mountains and cliffs dive into the sea. Discover forests, waterfalls, and lava pools while uncovering island legends — a mix of nature, freedom, and adventure.
Take a self-guided tour through Madeira’s wild north-west, where clouds kiss the mountains and cliffs dive into the sea. Discover forests, waterfalls, and lava pools while uncovering island legends — a mix of nature, freedom, and adventure.
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📍 • Cabo Girão • Encumeada • São Vicente • Seixal • Porto Moniz • Paul da Serra • Fanal Forest • (It covers roughly 150 km and takes around 10 hours, including all the scenic stops along the way.)
Recommended: • Swimsuit • Madeira Island Pass (for discounts) • Mobile data • Brakefast at Hotel or Rentalplace • Be at first Stop at 9:00 am (avoid croweds)
Difficulty
Banana Joe the All-Knowing
Distance & duration
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Access
Recommended: • Swimsuit • Madeira Island Pass (for discounts) • Mobile data • Brakefast at Hotel or Rentalplace • Be at first Stop at 9:00 am (avoid croweds)
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.
Madeiras North-West Tour - The Wild Side of Paradise
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Introduction: Madeiras North-West
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The Wild 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!
👋 For this tour, you’ll need a car. Some sections of the road are very narrow and winding, so drive carefully and know your limits.
A road winding through sharp bends, steep cliffs, and, let’s be honest, a few heart-stopping moments. No wonder people needed a drink like Poncha at the end of the trip!
You have to try the homemade tangerine poncha here — it’s pure heaven in a glass. 🍊😇
Here you can sip a glass of real Madeira rosé wine while soaking in a fantastic view — the kind that makes you forget time (and maybe order a second glass).
Heads up! If it’s muddy, don’t go any further unless you’ve got some kind of off-road car — otherwise, you might end up starring in your own rescue story. 🚙💨🌧️
The north is still wonderfully wild and untouched — and this is one of its best roads. Don’t forget to look back… the view behind you is just as stunning.
While driving, you’ll spot sections of the old road on your left. If you’d like, you can stop and walk a bit along it — just be careful, as there may be falling rocks. 🪨🚶♂️
This spot combines the rich history of Porto Moniz with an amazing seafood restaurant — it’s both a Whale Hunting Museum and a fish restaurant in one. History, food, and ocean views… what more could you possibly want?
Madeira Island Pass holders get 10% off their lunch here — nice, right? We highly recommend trying the Espada with banana — it’s a true Madeiran classic, and the portions are huge! 🍌🐟🍽️
Welcome to Miradouro da Santinha in Porto Moniz—a place where Mother Nature shows off like it’s her runway debut.
For the next section, there won’t be any gas stations, so make sure you’ve got enough fuel before heading on — running out up here would make for a very long walk. ⛽🚗💨
Nestled in the misty heights of Madeira’s Laurissilva forest lies Fanal Forest, a place that seems plucked straight out of a fantasy novel.
Believe it or not — this forest is at its most magical when it’s so foggy you can’t see more than a few meters ahead. That’s when it truly feels enchanted. 🌫️🌲✨
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📧Due to money-laundering rules, we kindly ask for your email address in the next step — and we’ll also use it to send you a little banana-thank-you-dance video.
This self-guided drive and walk takes you on an unforgettable journey through Madeira’s wild north-west — a land of misty forests, dramatic cliffs, and stunning ocean views. You’ll wander through ancient Fanal Forest, swim in the volcanic lava pools of Porto Moniz, and discover waterfalls, hidden villages, and panoramic viewpoints along the way.
And of course — no adventure is complete without flavor! Along the route, you can taste local specialties like freshly grilled limpets, Espada, poncha, and other Madeiran delights served in cozy mountain taverns and seaside cafés.
It’s the perfect mix of freedom, flavor, and raw island beauty — yours to explore 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. 🍌
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 tour can be challenging. That’s why we’ve included GPS coordinates to make it easier to reach.
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madeiras-west-the-wild-side-of-paradise
Madeira’s North-West: The Wild Side of Paradise
• Cabo Girão • Encumeada • São Vicente • Seixal • Porto Moniz • Paul da Serra • Fanal Forest • (It covers roughly 150 km and takes around 10 hours, including all the scenic stops along the way.)
