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Things to do in São Vicente, Madeira

Our most recommended things to do in São Vicente, Madeira

Madeira: Skywalk, Porto Moniz Volcanic Pools, and Fanal Tour

1. Madeira: Skywalk, Porto Moniz Volcanic Pools, and Fanal Tour

From Funchal we go to São Vicente in the North Coast, known for its vineyards, volcanic caves and Madeira table wine production, where we can see one of the most famous waterfall that by resembling a bride ́s veil got its name Véu da Noiva . Afterwards, we stop at the natural volcanic pools in Porto Moniz, one of the most visited places in Madeira, having the opportunity to swim in crystalline waters (entry not included) and enjoy the beautiful scenery around them. After this, we go uphill to Fanal, a place of rare beauty with centenary trees in the heart of the Laurissilva Forest (the largest in the world), which is one of the 7th Natural Wonders of Portugal. Continuing to Paúl da Serra, the biggest plateau of the island at nearly 1500 mts high with stunning views, we will have a lunch break (not included) in a typical Madeiran restaurant. To finish our tour, we drive to Cabo Girão, the highest Sea Cliff in Europe and the second in the World with 580 mts., better known for its suspended glass floor Viewpoint.

From Funchal: Best of Madeira's West Tour

2. From Funchal: Best of Madeira's West Tour

Escape the hustle and bustle of Funchal on a full-day scenic tour of the west of Madeira. Admire the unspoiled natural beauty of the area and visit the charming villages of Câmara de Lobos and Porto Moniz. Following pickup from selected hotels in Funchal, pass through the traditional fishing village of Câmara de Lobos. Continue to Cabo Girão Skywalk, Europe's highest cliff skywalk at 589m. Next, head towards the Ribeira Brava and go north through the deep and narrow valleys of Serra D'Água. Upon arrival at Encumeada, enjoy an incredible view of the south and north coast of the island. Cross a mountain pass, and witness the rugged beauty of the north coast, where Atlantic rollers deposit white surf on the cliffs. Traverse Madeira's highest plateau, and enjoy more spectacular panoramas. Continue to São Vicente on Madeira’s north coast. Visit the beautiful village of Porto Moniz and take 1 hour for lunch, as well as time to admire the volcanic swimming pools. Finish your tour at Paul da Serra to see one of the biggest natural reserves in the world.

Madeira: Wine Safari Jeep Tour with Local Guide

3. Madeira: Wine Safari Jeep Tour with Local Guide

The tour starts with a pickup from your hotel in Funchal or another nearby city. Our expert local guide will take you on a scenic journey towards Ribeira Brava, a charming town known for its stunning views of the ocean and traditional Madeiran houses. Experience the stunning beauty of Madeira Island and its rich wine culture with our Wine Safari Jeep Tour. This tour is perfect for those looking to explore the island's breathtaking scenery and indulge in its famous wines and tapas. We will then continue the journey towards Encumeada, which is located in the central mountain range of the island. Here, you will witness breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. After exploring the natural beauty of the island, we will head towards São Vicente, a charming village known for its wine culture. Here, you will have the opportunity to indulge in the island's famous wines and tapas, as you learn about the island's wine-making traditions and history.

From Funchal: Enchanted Terraces and Porto do Moniz 4WD Tour

4. From Funchal: Enchanted Terraces and Porto do Moniz 4WD Tour

Depart from Funchal and travel by 4WD vehicle towards Madeira's northwest coast, passing a stunning green landscape to locations such as Serra de Água. Journey along forgotten and enchanted old roads and get a glimpse into the island's everyday life. Go to Encumeada, where one of the island's famous walking trails leads to Madeira's highest peak. Pass through the laurel forests of Chão dos Louros and marvel at the mountains and valleys from Ginjas and Paul da Serra. Continue to Fanal in the middle of the Laurissilva Forest and then proceed to Porto do Moniz, famous for its natural swimming pools. If weather permits, enjoy the warmth of the sea or continue to Seixal known for its black sand beach. Stop for lunch (optional and not included) in Seixal, before continuing to the coastal town of São Vicente. Make your way back to Funchal at the end of the tour.

Madeira Island: Whole Island Mega Tour

5. Madeira Island: Whole Island Mega Tour

Explore both sides of the island on one day. This tour will allow you to visit both areas of the west and east of the island in a non rushed tour that takes about 9 to 10 hours in order for us to have enough time to properly visit these wonderful areas Madeira has to offer. We start off with the East Side of the island by going to the original Christ Statue, which has a great view to Funchal. Afterwards we head to the tip of the island Ponta de São Lourenço and we do a stop there for about 25 minutes, where you can enjoy some great views to both the south and northeast coast of the island. After we go and visit another viewpoint in Faial, Santana with a skywalk, the viewpoint of Guindaste. We also visit the traditional straw rooftop houses in Santana, and then we make our way to the northwest coast using the scenic roads from the northeast and we stop along the way on a very interesting beach in Calhau de São Jorge where there are some interesting ruins and afterwards we have a little stop in São Vicente and then we make way for our lunch/swimming stop in Porto Moniz. After we enjoyed the natural pools we go to the Western tip of the island, the lighthouse of Ponta do Pargo. Afterwards we visit Paul do Mar, while taking some scenic roads as well and then we head off to a great waterfall in Ponta do Sol , called Cascata dos Anjos and we stop at the skywalk in Cabo Girão at 580 metres of altitude for some great views. If you wish to ask for a specific spot to visit you can request us beforehand and we can see if its possible to incorporate it in our tour

From Funchal: West Madeira and Laurel Forest Day Trip

6. From Funchal: West Madeira and Laurel Forest Day Trip

Discover the highlights of Madeira's beautiful landscapes and charming towns on this guided tour in a comfortable vehicle, with pickup and drop-off included. Stop at Camara de Lobos, the Ribeira Brava and visit the village of São Vicente. After pick-up from your hotel, make your way to Camara de Lobos where beautiful landscapes were painted by Sir Winston Churchill in the 1950s. The drive takes you along the old narrow roads of Estreito de Camara de Lobos, where the vines were first introduced and still exist today. Admire the banana plantations and sugarcane on the steepy terraces that sometimes are difficult to get to. Visit Madeira's pride and Cabo Girão, the highest sea cliff in Europe and the second-highest in the world. Discover the breathtaking views over the mountains and sea and old agricultural terraces still planted today. Then, the route descends to Ribeira Brava, visit old monuments including the church. Continue the drive through to Paul da Serra Madeira´s popular flat plateau at 1500m above sea level. Embrace the beautiful laurel forest views through Madeira´s little green Scotland, where the oldest Laurel Trees and endemic vegetation that grows and embraces the long Rabaçal Valley, to Porto Moniz valley, well known for its natural volcanic pools in the summer. Spend 2 hours and in the winter 1 and half hours there. A stop for lunch or a light snack follows after (not included in the price). The tour continues along the north coast where waterfalls are visible. Drive through the village of Seixal, well known for its black natural volcanic beach and wine terraces which continues right through São Vicente. Appreciate Portugal's own little "Hawai" due to the high wave attraction in the winter and surfing attraction nature will escort up to the Encumeada Pass, where the North meets the South at 1007 meters above sea level (this stop will depend on the weather conditions). At the end of the tour you will be dropped back at your hotel.

Madeira: Amazing West - Porto Moniz

7. Madeira: Amazing West - Porto Moniz

This jeep safari tour will start in Funchal City and then you will visit several unique places in Lugar de Baixo, Lombo do Mouro, Bica da Cana, Paul da Serra, Santa, Porto Moniz, Seixal, Serra d´água, and Funchal. Explore the fascinating landscapes along the rugged North coast of Madeira. Appreciate the crystal clear air and mysterious wilderness as you head into the indigenous Laurissilva forest at Santa, before descending in to the impressive villages along the outstanding Northern coast. For example, go to Seixal to see its many different waterfalls. Next up, travel to Porto Moniz, known for its natural saltwater pools composed of volcanic rocks, which are some of the most beautiful natural swimming pools in the world. Finally, go to the stunning Serra de Àgua valley to see the South Coast, Encumeada, Ribeira Brava, and Campanário. On Mondays you can explore the west and north of Madeira Island.

From Funchal: Madeira Northern Highlights and Porto Moniz

8. From Funchal: Madeira Northern Highlights and Porto Moniz

Take in the fascinating natural scenery of North Madeira on a guided tour departing from Funchal. See the vineyards of San Vicente and the volcanic pools at Porto Moniz, and immerse yourself in the lush laurisilva forest. Visit the Paul da Serra plateau and the Cabo Girão viewpoint. From Funchal we go to São Vicente in the North Coast, known for its vineyards, volcanic caves and Madeira table wine production, where we can see one of the most famous waterfalls that by resembling a bride ́s veil got its name Véu da Noiva . Afterwards, we stop at the natural volcanic pools in Porto Moniz, one of the most visited places in Madeira, having the opportunity to swim in crystalline waters (entry not included) and enjoy the beautiful scenery around them. After this, we go uphill to Fanal, a place of rare beauty with centenary trees in the heart of the Laurissilva Forest (the largest in the world), which is one of the 7th Natural Wonders of Portugal. Continuing to Paúl da Serra, the biggest plateau of the island at nearly 1500 mts high with stunning views, we will have a lunch break (not included) in a typical Madeiran restaurant. To finish our tour, we drive to Cabo Girão, the highest Sea Cliff in Europe and the second in the World with 580 mts., better known for its suspended glass floor Viewpoint.

Madeira: Northwest Full-Day 4x4 Tour

9. Madeira: Northwest Full-Day 4x4 Tour

Discover the northwest of Madeira on a full-day tour. Swim in a natural volcanic pool in Porto Moniz, visit the quaint village of Ginjas, and marvel at the lush nature of the island. Begin your tour with a comfortable pickup at your hotel or guest house in a 4x4 vehicle. Enjoy your ride to Serra d'Água, where you will have the opportunity to learn about the island of Madeira. Continue north to visit the tiny town of Ginjas. Next, go off-road in your 4x4 and head to the top of a mountain to reach Paúl da Serra. Explore the natural beauty of this island, meet the people, and explore the cultures, traditions, and local food and drinks. Stop in Porto Moniz to swim in the natural swimming pools created by cooled volcanic lava. Continue on to Ribeira da Janela to admire its towering rock formation. Marvel at the beautiful beaches of Seixal and the lush forests of São Vicente. Stop at one of the villages to enjoy a short "levada" walk through water and forest before returning to your hotel.

Madeira: Jeep 4x4 Safari Tour with Porto Moniz Natural Pools

10. Madeira: Jeep 4x4 Safari Tour with Porto Moniz Natural Pools

Uncover the beauty of the countryside of Madeira on a jeep tour from Funchal. Travel to locations like Cabo Girão cliff and the village of Lugar de Baixo. Take pictures of a viewpoint overlooking the valley of Encumeada. Enjoy the convenience of being picked up from your accommodation in Funchal. Sit back and relax on the way to the charming red-roofed town of Câmara de Lobos. Climb up to the cliff of Cabo Girão which is 580 meters above of sea level. View the island from a glass platform.  Continue to the sea village of Lugar de Baixo. Begin an ascent from sea level into the mountains along an ancient path. See how local people live and how they work the agricultural terraces of banana trees, vineyards, and various other crops.  Pass through the forest, mountains, and valleys until you reach the Loch of the Moor. Admire the magnificent view of the valley of Encumeada and Serra de Água. Head through the scenic countryside of Bica da Cana, Paul da Serra, and Fanal. Reach the village of Ribeira da Janela to see the northwest coast of the Island. Drive back down to sea level to visit the coast and take in ocean views. Have the chance to stop and purchase lunch in Vila do Porto Moniz.  After lunch, you can purchase entrance to the natural pools in Porto Moniz which were created by the porous shape of the volcanic rocks. Go to the Village of Seixal to visit the waterfall of the Véu da Noiva. Finish your tour with a drive through São Vicente before heading back to Funchal.

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What people are saying about São Vicente, Madeira

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 4,846 reviews

An amazing tour to get to know some of the most beautiful spots on Madeira. The guide Francisco was amazing, friendly and very helpful, he gave us great explanations about each spot and also a lot of recommendations. Driving in a jeep made this experience even more adventurous! I can only recommend this activity!

The tour was fun and astonishing! Although the weather was not the best, we have the opportunity of enjoying and admiring amazing spot of this amazing island. Special thanks to the guide Diogo Pinto for the tour and to all the other traveler I’ve shared this peculiar day with!

We had a great day with Francesco as our guide. The trip felt well planned and well paced. Francesco’s passion and knowledge for Madeira made the day even better.

The tour with Rui was great! We had so much fun! I would definitely recommend it if you are looking for a fun way to explore the island :)

Stunning way to see the island with great stops and even better tracks. I would highly recommend this particular tour.