Madeira is small on the map but slow on the ground: roads climb in hairpins, tunnels cut through ridges and many of the best corners are reached by narrow tracks. An open-top 4x4 tour is the most enjoyable way to cover a lot of it in a day without driving yourself. Tiqets sells a family of jeep tours from Funchal, all run by the same local operator, Green Devil Safari, with live guides who speak several languages. The full-day open-top tour heads south-west past banana fields, sugar cane, subtropical fruit terraces and a rum and gin distillery that uses native fruit, then on through Ponta do Sol and Canhas to a forest stop and Fonte do Bispo, before running along the west through Ponta do Pargo, Prazeres, Paul do Mar, Jardim do Mar and Calheta. Shorter and more themed options cover Cabo Girão or the volcanic pools and forests of the north-west. It is a sociable, windswept and scenic day.
How it works: the full-day tours last about eight hours and the Cabo Girão tour about four. Pickup from central Funchal and Caniço de Baixo is included on the jeep tours, while pickup at the cruise dock or elsewhere costs extra; the meeting point is on Estrada Monumental in the hotel zone. Groups are capped at thirty, spread across several vehicles. Lunch, tips and entry fees at stops such as Cabo Girão are not included. Free cancellation is usually possible up to a day before, though some tours do not allow rescheduling, so read the conditions of the one you pick.
What to expect: open-top means sun, wind and the occasional shower, so bring a hat, sunscreen and a warm layer even in summer, because the plateau can be cold. Tracks are bumpy, and the tours are not ideal for anyone with back problems or for pregnant travellers. Guides stop often for photos and explain farming, levadas and village life along the way.
Making the most of it: choose the south-west tour for villages, terraces and the distillery, the volcanic pools tour for Porto Moniz and the Fanal forest, and the Cabo Girão tour if you only have a morning. Sit near the front for the best views and the guide’s commentary.
What to expect
The experience
A guided open-top 4x4 day or half day from Funchal, mixing back roads, forest tracks, villages and viewpoints with several photo and tasting stops.
Best time
A dry, settled day, when the plateau views are clear and the open top is a pleasure rather than a test.
How long
Four hours for the Cabo Girão tour, about eight for the full-day tours.
Tips
Wear layers and sunscreen, bring cash for lunch and entry fees, and check whether your tour allows rescheduling.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Travellers without a car who want to see the wild west of the island in a single day.
- Families
- Fun for older children and teenagers, but the long day and bumpy tracks are hard on toddlers.
- Couples
- Pick the south-west tour for village lunches, distillery tastings and sea views from the terraces.
- Pair with
- A gentle day in Funchal afterwards, with the market, the old town and a wine lodge visit.
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day.
Good questions
Which Madeira jeep tour should I choose?+
The full-day south-west tour is the best all-rounder, with villages, terraces and a distillery. Pick the volcanic pools tour for the north-west or the Cabo Girão tour if you only have a morning.
Is hotel pickup included?+
Pickup in central Funchal and Caniço de Baixo is included on the jeep tours. Cruise dock pickup and other areas cost extra.
Is lunch included on Madeira jeep tours?+
No, lunch is optional and paid locally, as are tips and entry fees at stops. Bring a card and a little cash.
Are the jeeps really open-top?+
Yes, the open-top tours use vehicles without a fixed roof, so you feel the wind and the weather. Bring a warm layer and a waterproof.
Can I cancel a jeep tour?+
Free cancellation is generally available until twenty-four hours before. Some tours do not allow rescheduling, so check before you book.
