PRESS PLAY · FUNCHAL AUDIO TOURS
Good funchal audio tours sell their best slots weeks ahead. Below: the 9 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Start before dawn with a shared transfer from Funchal or Caniço to Pico do Arieiro. Your driver explains the route, sunrise viewpoints, and pickup plan, then you hike independently toward Pico Ruivo and Achada do Teixeira. Route closures can mean a PR3 alternative.
“Easy transport, communication and directions! Nuno was great. Would recommend”
Start before dawn with pickup in Funchal or Caniço, reach Pico do Arieiro for sunrise, then hike at your own pace. Drivers such as Pedro, Filipe, Nuno, and Adriana explain the route and weather. Depending on trail access, you may follow PR1, PR1.1, or PR3.
“This experience is a hit and miss. Be very aware the photos are one in a 100 event. If you do get lucky then the views are good otherwise it is not as described.”
Join Do It Madeira for a self-guided walk along Madeira’s famous 25 Fontes and Risco levadas. Drivers such as Adriana, Pedro, Henrique, and Filipe provide maps, trail advice, and island tips, then give you five hours to walk independently before collecting you at the parking lot.
“Take your swimwear 😉go early as it gets really busy later on in the day, take some change for the toilet”
Take a self-guided walk along Madeira’s Levada do Caldeirão Verde from Pico das Pedras. Your driver, such as Vítor or Roberto, handles the mountain transfer and explains the route, while you walk through Laurissilva forest, tunnels, and waterfalls at your own pace.
“The drive to the start of the walk through tight narrow roads was an experience in itself, but our driver Vitor got us there safely. The views on the walk were stunning, as was the waterfall at the end. The walk was fairly easy, but some rough ground and narrow walkways with shear drops one side made it exciting at times. It wasn't too hard to get the on-line hiking passes need for the trip.”
Start before dawn at Pico do Arieiro, with an optional 1.2-kilometre PR1 hike, then visit Miradouro do Guindaste and walk the self-guided Larano trail. Pickup runs from Funchal and Caniço. Driver Rosbert is often praised for clear instructions and local insight, but hikes are generally unguided.
“Het weer zat helaas niet mee, we hebben regen gehad en het was erg mistig. Dit was ook de weersvoorspelling, helaas was een andere dag geen mogelijkheid meer voor ons. Toch mochten we de zonsopkomst zien. De wandeltocht was ondanks de mist alsnog een hele mooie beleving. Een echte aanrader! Waarbij Rosbert een fijne taxichauffeur was. De route wandel je zelfstandig, maar maakt het met de groep waarin je loopt enorm gezellig.”
Ride from Funchal to the start of the PR8 trail at Ponta de São Lourenço, hike independently for about 3.5 hours, then return by air-conditioned vehicle. Small groups, WiFi, and pickup are offered. Driver Fabio is noted for clear hiking advice and careful timing.
“That is a wonderful hike. It was raining the day before and in the morning, so the first part of the trail was as slippery as an ice rink. When the rain stopped, and sun began to shine it got a little drier, making it easier to follow. The views are unforgettable, really worth going. The car was small, but clean and comfortable. I was meant to be picked up from my apartment, but instead had to walk to the bus stop nearby Cable Car in Funchal, while some old Germans were picked up from the door of their hotel in the village on the road to Sao Laurenco. This…”
Travel from Funchal, Caniço, Santa Cruz, or Machico to Queimadas, then walk independently through Laurissilva Forest beside the Caldeirão Verde levada. You have 5.5 hours for the 15-kilometer route to Pico das Pedras, with driver support and return transport.
“Beautiful views and friendly helpful guide. The biggest minus was that there was not enough time (5.5h) to enjoy views or have a rest stop in the end (had 15min). Ran through the route...”
Start with a morning pickup in Funchal or Caniço, then hike at your own pace from Pico do Arieiro along the Stairway to Heaven and Vereda do Burro. Luis, Felipe, or Diago may handle your transfer, explain the route, and collect you at Funchal Ecological Park.
“The trips was really good organized and we had plenty of time to do the hike. It was great and i woud recommend to do it”
You’ll hike the PR13 Vereda do Fanal route independently after an air-conditioned transfer from Funchal. Expect about 10.7 kilometers, Laurissilva forest, open mountain views, old tis trees, and pickup at Fanal. Drivers such as Filipe provide clear trail advice and reliable timing.
“Nice and reliable service! Our driver was very helpful and service minded. The PR13 is an easy to moderate hike with great views and not too much people. You will have a varied landscape; from forests, Mountain views to plains. Highly recommend to see this route through this service, as the route takes you from point A to B, and the route otherwise would be 22 km and a lot more challenging. With this service you’re looking at 10,7 km with the best part waiting for you at the end!”
Pick a walk, a drive, a ticket or a game.
