Best of Madeira: The Complete Island Tour

The Best of Madeira Complete Island Tour by Portugal Getaways includes 6 nights in Funchal. Round-trip flights, airport transfers, hotel, daily breakfast, 5 included experiences, taxes and fees related to booking, and an expert trip manager are all included. No rental car is needed; all tours include hotel pickup, except the whale watching. 

• Porto Moniz Full-Day Tour (day 2, 8:30 AM to 5 PM): West coast highlights including Câmara de Lobos harbor, Cabo Girão skywalk, Paul da Serra plateau, Fanal forest, volcanic rock pools at Porto Moniz, and the dramatic north coast return. Hotel pickup included. Lunch not included.

• Curral das Freiras Half-Day Tour (day 3, 1:45 PM to 6 PM): Mountain interior tour ending with a Madeira wine tasting included. Visits Pico dos Barcelos lookout, Eira do Serrado viewpoint, and the secluded Nuns' Valley village. Hotel pickup included.

• Santana Full-Day Tour (day 4, 8:30 AM to 5 PM): East coast covering Camacha wicker village, Pico do Areeiro summit at 1,818 meters, Laurissilva forest, Santana thatched houses, traditional rum tasting, and Machico Bay. Hotel pickup included. Lunch not included.

• Câmara de Lobos Jeep Safari (day 5, 9 AM to 1 PM or 2 PM to 6 PM): Open-top Jeep through vineyards, cherry valleys, hidden viewpoints, and Cabo Girão skywalk. Hotel pickup included.

• Whale Watching Catamaran (day 6, 10:30 AM to 1 PM or 3 PM to 6 PM): 3-hour offshore marine wildlife cruise. Hotel pickup is not included. Meeting point is Marina do Funchal 09, 9000-055, VMT Madeira. Check-in closes 30 minutes before departure.

The Jeep safari involves off-road terrain on an open-top vehicle. It is not recommended for people with serious back problems or significant mobility issues. Contact the Portugal Getaways team before booking if this is a concern. All other experiences are suitable for most fitness levels. The van tours involve minimal walking. The whale watching is a boat trip on the open Atlantic. If you are prone to seasickness, bring medication. The Curral das Freiras and Santana tours involve short walks at stops but nothing strenuous.

Yes. Madeira sits above deep ocean trenches that attract marine life throughout the year. Sperm whales are resident in Madeiran waters in all seasons. Humpbacks, fin whales, pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins, and spotted dolphins are also regularly sighted. Summer tends to offer calmer sea conditions but no season is significantly better than another for sightings.

If a tour is cancelled on your scheduled day, the Portugal Getaways team will work with the local operator to reschedule or find the best available alternative. 

Group sizes vary by experience. 

• The Câmara de Lobos Jeep Safari runs in small groups of up to 8 passengers on an open-top Jeep. 
• The Porto Moniz Full-Day Tour, Curral das Freiras Half-Day Tour, and Santana Full-Day Tour operate on comfortable coaches with up to 60 passengers, a size that keeps the energy lively without feeling crowded.
•  The Whale Watching Catamaran accommodates up to 70 passengers, and the shared atmosphere on the water adds to the experience.

 All tours are led by professional local guides.

Yes. Daily breakfast is included throughout the full 6 nights. Lunches and dinners are not included, giving you the flexibility to explore Funchal's excellent restaurant scene at your own pace. 

Portugal Getaways offers a selection of 4-star hotels and options to upgrade to 5-star hotels in Funchal, including Pestana Carlton Madeira, Pestana Casino Park, Barceló Funchal Oldtown, Castanheiro Boutique Hotel, and Pestana CR7 Funchal. Properties are centrally located in Funchal but some light walking may be needed to reach the main sights. Looking for an upgrade or a more budget-friendly option? Contact the Portugal Getaways team and we'll find the best fit. Exact properties are confirmed at on the next step. The package price varies depending on the hotel selected.

No. All 5 included experiences have hotel pickup or depart within walking distance. Airport transfers are included for arrival and departure. For free time in Funchal, the city center is walkable and taxis and rideshares are readily available. If you want to explore the island independently on free days, contact the Portugal Getaways team to arrange a rental car as a paid add-on.

No. City taxes are not included and are paid directly at the hotel. 

Yes, round-trip flights are included. The package price varies depending on your departure airport. Other departure cities are available on the package page and additional options are available on request. Contact the Portugal Getaways team before booking to discuss departure options. Seat selection, extra baggage, and cabin class upgrades can be arranged as paid add-ons, subject to availability.

Checked luggage is not always included and depends on the airline and fare type in your package. You can confirm what is included and add luggage during the booking process. The Portugal Getaways team is always available to help if you prefer to arrange it with us directly.

Yes. The package price is based on two travelers sharing a room. Solo travelers pay a single supplement. Contact the Portugal Getaways team directly and we'll make it easy. You can also check solo pricing on the website by changing the number of guests from 2 to 1 in the booking calendar before clicking See Dates and Prices.

Madeira is a year-round destination averaging 21°C (70°F) throughout the year. Spring (April to June) is particularly beautiful with the island in full bloom. Summer is warm and popular. Fall and winter are quieter, more affordable, and still warm enough for all outdoor activities and whale watching. 

Portugal Getaways can add extra nights in Funchal or adjust the package before you book. 

Yes. Madeira is one of the safest destinations in Europe. Funchal and the surrounding areas have very low crime rates and are welcoming to international visitors. Standard precautions apply in busy tourist areas. U.S. and Canadian travelers need a valid passport to enter Portugal. No visa is required for stays under 90 days. Entry requirements can change - it is the traveler's responsibility to verify current requirements through their government's official travel advisory before departure.

The land portion of your package is refundable if cancelled at least 14 days before your travel date. Airfare is non-refundable from the moment it is issued, but the Portugal Getaways team will always check with the airline to explore options. Travel insurance with cancellation cover is strongly recommended. This summary does not replace the full terms and conditions of your booking.

For on-trip support during office hours, contact the team at our regular number. Outside office hours, an emergency number is provided in your trip documents. For local emergencies in Madeira, dial 112.