East or West Madeira Jeep Tour: Which Should You Choose?

Two routes, at a glance.

Start with the places you most want to see. Both routes are full-day outings with a local guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, and a mix of scenic roads and off-road sections.

Go East for peaks and peninsula.

The East route brings together several very different landscapes. Pico do Areeiro is the mountain stop, Balcões opens out over the forest, and Santana adds the traditional thatched houses. Guindaste and Ponta de São Lourenço then bring the Atlantic back into view.

Choose this day if the mountain scenery is the image that made you book your trip to Madeira. It also suits a first visit when you want to combine viewpoints and villages without planning the driving yourself.

A stop at Pico do Areeiro is not the Pico do Areeiro–Pico Ruivo hike. Likewise, visiting Ponta de São Lourenço on this tour does not mean walking the full peninsula trail. If a long hike is your priority, leave a separate day for it and check current access before setting out.

Go West for forest and ocean.

The West route links Cabo Girão and the Encumeada ridge with the north coast. There is the Véu da Noiva waterfall viewpoint, time in Porto Moniz, the sea stacks at Ribeira da Janela, and the ancient laurel trees of Fanal before crossing the Paul da Serra plateau.

Choose West if Fanal is on your wish list, or if you like a day that mixes scenery with time by the water. Porto Moniz gives the route a different rhythm: a chance to pause for lunch and, when conditions allow, a swim.

Bring swimwear and a towel if you hope to use the pools, but don’t make swimming the only reason for choosing the route. Sea conditions, opening arrangements, and the day’s schedule can affect access. Fanal’s mist is also a possibility, not something a tour can promise.

Which day feels more like you?

Neither side wins for everyone. Use the way you like to travel as the deciding factor.

• For a first visit: choose East if the mountains and Santana matter most; West if Fanal and Porto Moniz are your must-sees.
• For photography: East offers mountain and peninsula compositions; West offers forest textures, sea stacks, and coastal scenes. Light and visibility will shape either day.
• For families: West may appeal if everyone wants time by the pools. East may suit those more interested in villages and viewpoints. Tell us children’s ages and any walking needs before booking.
• For a short stay: choose the route with the most places you will not visit elsewhere in your itinerary. Avoid paying for a second trip to the same stops.
• For a gentler pace: discuss a private itinerary with us. A shared full-day route has several stops, and off-road sections can be bumpy.

Leave room for the weather.

Neither route comes with guaranteed clear views. If seeing Pico do Areeiro is your main reason for going East, tell us when you enquire. If your priority is swimming in Porto Moniz, mention that too. Knowing what matters most helps us discuss your dates and expectations.

Pack a layer, a light waterproof, comfortable shoes, and water for either route. You will get out at several stops, rather than spend the whole day in the vehicle. Share any mobility requirements in advance so we can explain the walking involved and discuss a suitable option.

Treat the published route as the plan for the day, with changes possible when weather or access requires them. A standard daytime East tour also does not promise a sunrise arrival; ask separately if sunrise is what you want.

What to check before booking.

Use the tour links below for current adult and child prices and the full inclusion list. Shared tours are priced per person; private options have their own pricing. Compare the total for your actual party, rather than just a headline starting price.

Both published routes include the vehicle, a local guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, and scenic stops. Confirm your pickup location and ask about lunch, pool admission, and any other attraction fees before you request the day. Do not assume an entry fee is included just because a stop appears in the itinerary.

Booking through Safarico starts with a request. Send your preferred date, party details, and pickup location; the team then confirms availability and arrangements. No payment is taken in the website request form.

Have two days? See both sides.

East and West are separate full-day routes. Combining their main stops into one day would take away much of the time you have to enjoy them. With two days available, you can see both sides without turning the trip into a checklist.

If you only have one day, pick your two must-see places and let those decide. Pico do Areeiro and Santana point East. Fanal and Porto Moniz point West. If your choices fall on opposite sides, send us your dates and we can help you choose a shared route or discuss a private day.