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Madeira Island Tours & Best Levada Walks for First-Time Visitors

First time in Madeira? In this post you’ll find a way to get the most of your next Madeira holiday, either you plan to rent a car in Madeira, explore the island by bus or be guided on tours and levada walks.

How to Get Around Madeira

CAR RENTAL IN MADEIRA

When it come to car rental deals, I suggest you use an online platform that compares car rental deals from various companies. If you opt to rent a car in Madeira, my  5 top tips are: 1) choose a car with enough power for the mountain roads 2) select suppliers with high ratings, (8.0+), 3) be sure to take photos of the car’s condition before departure and drop-off, 4) book with full coverage for peace of mind  5) prefer full prepayment to avoid additional charges on arrival. Click (here) to find car rental deals in Madeira.

⇒10 MUST-KNOW TIPS BEFORE RENTING A CAR IN MADEIRA

CAR PARKING IN FUNCHAL

In Funchal, most people use the car parks on the main shopping centers (Plaza, Anadia, Forum Madeira, Madeira Shopping). If you want to explore the old town area by night, or park your car nearby the marina to go on a bout tour, on a cable car to Monte, or hop on a bus to other parts of the island, another option is Parque Almirante Reis, easy to access nearby the cable car, just be sure to check its opening hours. In terms of street parking, just beware that you cannot park if there’s a yellow line area on the floor, blue lines means you have to display a parking receipt from the nearest parking machine (most only take coins) and white lines with an M written stands for “moradores” which means those spots are reserved for residents on that street.

USING BUSES IN MADEIRA

In case you rather use public transportation, please be sure to plan the routes in advance, as there are 3 different companies that operate in different parts of island: Horários Funchal, CAM (eastern half of the island) & SIGA Rodoeste (western half of the island).

AIRPORT TRANSFERS

For getting an airport pickup, between the Madeira Airport and your accommodation, you can book a transfer to Funchal for 40 €* (from 1 to 4 persons) & be greeted by a driver, who will wait at the arrivals gate with a sign displaying your name. The driver will track your flight so you don’t have to worry about a flight delay. You can use this (link) to book it. At the arrival gate, on the ground floor, nearby to the Cristiano Ronaldo statue, there is also a  Taxi rank.

AEROBUS TO/FROM AIRPORT

If you opt for the Aerobes, the cost for a single ticket is 6,50€*. You cannot book in advance, tickets are purchased on board the bus , (cash only). You can find the bus stops map here (link).

LUGAGGE STORAGE IN FUNCHAL

If you need a place to drop your bags in Funchal center, you can use the app Bounce. The price per bag is approx. 3,5€* per day. In terms of locations, you can find it here ( link ).
*prices as of January 2026

BEST MADEIRA ISLANDS TOURS & LEVADA WALKS

When I travel I usually book my tours online in advance, through the platform “Get Your Guide”, an online marketplace for travel activities, like tours and experiences. Before booking make sure you read the travel plan in detail as well as the other guests reviews.

In order to help you get organized, I’ve divided the following tour suggestions by location: The capital city Funchal, East & West of Madeira, plus Porto Santo Island.

THINGS TO DO IN FUNCHAL:

In Funchal there are lots of things to do, from guided walks through the history of Funchal to hop-in, hop-off bus Tours, dolphin watching by boat & even canyoning!

By foot – Enjoy a slow pace walk in Funchal with a guide, listen, look & learn about Funchal’s history

If you’re a foodie, taste the best of both worlds in this food & wine walking tour in Funchal and get familiar with traditional products from the local markets, restaurants and wine producers while exploring the city.

By Tuk-Tuk – This is a fun way to get around! A 75 minutes ride will give you a nice perspective of the city

By Bus – Sit down, put your headphones on and stop at the points of interest. This is a good 3 in 1 option: 48 hours or 22 stops in Funchal+ Visit Câmara de Lobos City Bay + Shuttle bus to Cabo Girão

By Toboggan ride in Monte + Pico dos Barcelos & Nun’s Valley. Oh yes…this toboggan ride in Monte is a must-do in Madeira. In this tour you also get to see one of the most iconic valleys of Madeira- the Nun’s Valley.

By Boat – Enjoy dolphin watching in the comfort and the privacy of a luxury catamaran.

By canyoning water courses in the mountains!

BEST TOURS IN EAST MADEIRA:

Trekking lovers walk the route PR8 – VEREDA DA PONTA DE SÃO LOURENÇO to see the beautiful easternmost point of Madeira

Walk, above the clouds, in the highest peak of Madeira – PICO RUIVO. There are several options to get there, see which suits you best:

Walk the route – PR18 – Levada do Rei to delve deep into the Laurel Forest.

Breathtaking views on this coastal walk from Machico to Porto da Cruz, that starts off easy and becomes more challenging as you go.

Take great landscapes photos over the city of Machico, where the island was first discovered!

Go snorkeling in Ponta de São Lourenço and swim in its pristine waters!

Walk in PR9 – LEVADA DO CALDEIRÃO VERDE in Santana and find out why it’s one of the most famous levada walks in Madeira.

BEST TOURS AND LEVADA WALKS IN WEST MADEIRA:

Walk in PR 6- LEVADA DAS 25 FONTES to find an abundance of waterfalls in Rabaçal.

Get close look at the mystic trees of Fanal, part of UNESCO Heritage, Laurissilva forest, that survived the ice-age in Madeira.

Admire the beautiful landscapes of the Serra de Água Valley, spot some of the native wildlife and take in spectacular views of the south coast.

Short of time? You can explore both sides of the island on a 2-day tour

If you’re a wine lover, these wine tours are an extraordinary way to discover Madeira ;)

THINGS TO DO IN PORTO SANTO ISLAND

To make the most of your stay in this neighbour island, you can opt to rent a car in Porto Santo Island. Although the island is small in size, most of its hidden gems are easier to reach by car.

If you need more inspiration please take a look at my blog posts about Madeira & Porto Santo Island. So either you’re travelling solo, as a couple or with a group of friends, I hope you make the most of your holiday. Feel free to leave a comment below if you have other suggestions or tours that you have enjoyed in Madeira. Have fun ;)

Frequently Asked Questions About Madeira Tours & Levada Walks

Are levada walks in Madeira suitable for beginners?

Yes, many levada walks in Madeira are easy and well-marked, such as Levada do Rei and Levada dos Balcões. Guided tours are recommended for first-time visitors.

Do I need a car to explore Madeira?

Renting a car offers flexibility, but many Madeira tours and levada walks include transportation, making it easy to explore without driving.

What are the best tours to book in Madeira?

Popular options include levada walks, dolphin-watching boat tours, East and West Madeira full-day tours, and food & wine experiences in Funchal.

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