Madeira: Private Half-Day Tour with Skywalk & Fishing Village

5.00

(145 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to laugh so much on a tour, honestly. João picked us up right outside our Funchal hotel—he waved like we were old friends, which put me at ease straight away. The van smelled faintly of eucalyptus (he says it’s everywhere here), and as we wound up towards Monte, he pointed out the little gardens clinging to the hillsides. We could’ve done the famous Monte toboggan run—those wicker sleds sliding down the street—but I chickened out last second. Instead, we just watched a couple of brave souls zip by while sipping coffee outside a café. The locals cheered them on; one old man winked at me when I flinched at how fast they went.

After that, João drove us up to Pico dos Barcelos Viewpoint. The air was cooler there, almost sharp, and you could see all of Funchal spread below—red roofs tumbling towards the sea. He told us how families come here on Sundays for picnics. I leaned against the stone wall, trying to take it all in, but photos never quite get the light right—you know? Then came Cabo Girão: that glass skywalk. My knees wobbled stepping onto it (580 meters is higher than it sounds), but the view over the cliffs and ocean is wild. There was this salty wind that made my hair stick up everywhere; João joked that now I looked “properly Madeiran.” Entry was €2 each—worth it for that tiny jolt of adrenaline.

The last stop was this fishing village—I think Camara de Lobos? Pastel boats bobbing in the harbor and old men playing cards under striped umbrellas. Apparently Churchill used to paint here; João showed us a faded photo in his phone. We wandered along the quay, watching women untangle nets and kids chase each other between barrels. It smelled like grilled fish and engine oil mixed together—not unpleasant, just real life by the sea. On the way back, João said his brother Ricardo sometimes runs these tours too if he’s busy. Felt like you’re in good hands either way.