From Funchal: Open Roof Jeep Tour with Madeira Wine Tasting

Jeep roads, wine tastings, big Madeira views. This small-group open-roof classic Jeep tour threads scenic valleys, local culture, and stops like Cabo Girao with guides such as Ricardo or Andre setting the pace.

I particularly liked two things: the Henriques & Henriques tasting, and how the guides bring Madeira’s stories to your route. You also get plenty of time off the main roads, with a fun poncha stop that turns a bumpy stretch into a proper break.

One thing to think about: the tour runs rain or shine, and the open-top Jeep plus off-road roads means it can feel wet, windy, and bumpy. Also, entry tickets are not included, so if you want to go onto the Cabo Girao glass platform, plan for that extra cost.

Key highlights that make this tour worth your time

• Open-roof classic Jeep for mountain-road drama (and great photo angles when the weather cooperates)
• Henriques & Henriques wine tasting with sweet, dry, and medium-dry options
• Nun’s Valley and Curral das Freiras area views, explained by a local guide
• Poncha at a local bar during the off-road sections, with guides even helping you order
• Cabo Girao at 683m, including one of the world’s highest cliff glass platforms

Setting off from Funchal in a classic open-roof Jeep

A jeep tour in Madeira is never just transport. It is a way to see how the island is built, from coastal curves to steep green folds that feel too sharp for a normal car. Because this one runs in a small group, you are not stuck watching other people’s tour pace, you are more like part of a day out with a local driver.

Pickup and drop-off are from your accommodation in Funchal, and the experience lasts about 6 hours total. That time matters here. You get to cover multiple viewpoints in one shot without spending half your day driving from place to place on your own.

The Jeep aspect is the big mood setter. An open-roof vehicle makes the air and views feel closer, especially when you hit higher ground or look out over the ocean. It also means you should dress like you might get breezy weather on the cliffs, even if Funchal starts warm.

Curral das Freiras and the Nun’s Valley area stop

Your day starts with a guided introduction as you head toward Curral das Freiras. This is the heartland around the Nun’s Valley idea, and the guide uses the stop to explain both the landscape and the island’s human side. You get break time, plus sightseeing and a guided tour in the area.

What makes this stop work is the contrast. From sea-level Funchal, Madeira can feel dense and quick. Then you look into the valley and you start to understand how these communities got shaped by steep geography and winding roads. If you like background that turns scenery into context, this is the moment it clicks.

Practical tip: wear comfortable clothes you can move in. You will be out, looking around, and standing for viewpoints. Comfortable shoes are not listed, but from the kind of sightseeing and driving this tour does, you will feel the difference.

Camara de Lobos on older side roads, not the rushed route

Next, you go to Camara de Lobos, the famous fishing village that people often photograph from afar. The difference here is you are not just arriving by the quickest road. You travel using older side roads, which keeps the day from feeling like a checklist.

Camara de Lobos is where Madeira turns from scenery into daily life. Fishing villages are rarely all show. Here you get a sense of how the coast works, and you have time to look at the village setting and the ocean edges that photographers chase.

The main drawback is time feel. Village stops can be short on jeep tours, especially when you are sharing the day with multiple viewpoints. This is why the small group matters. You are less likely to feel herded through.

Boca dos Namorados viewpoints, then bumpy off-road fun

As you continue, you reach the Boca dos Namorados area for a look into the Nun’s Valley. Even if you have seen a postcard version, the viewpoint dynamic on Madeira is still different in person, because the island folds toward the sea and the changes in elevation are immediate.

Then comes the part a lot of people book for: off-road driving that is fun and super scenic. The tour is described as traveling safe, but also super fun off roads, so expect real texture in the ride. The good news is that the guide is focused on making it an experience, not just a ride.

This is where poncha enters the story. There is a bar stop during the off-road stretch, and you get a traditional poncha. In practice, this tends to be the moment where the group relaxes. People stop taking photos long enough to chat, taste, and refuel for the remaining viewpoints.

If you are sensitive to cold or rain, keep in mind the Jeep is open. A light layer helps. If the day is wet, you will want to wipe down your phone before you shoot Cabo Girao.

Madeira wine tasting with Henriques & Henriques

The wine tasting is one of the most praised parts of the experience, and it is easy to see why. You are tasting Henriques & Henriques Madeira wines, with options served to each guest in sweet wine, dry wine, and medium-dry.

That spread is useful. Madeira wine is not a single flavor. It shifts depending on style, and the tasting structure helps you compare rather than just sip one kind and move on. If you normally avoid wine tastings because you worry you will not know what you like, this setup makes it easier. You can pick a direction fast.

Also, a Madeira wine tasting can be more than drinking in a room. The best ones tie the taste to the island’s culture and crops. Here, the guide also works in local flora and history during the drive, so the tasting lands in context rather than feeling separate from the rest of the day.

What to do with your palate: take a small sip first, then pause. Madeira wine can taste different right after you stop moving, compared with a few minutes later after you catch your breath. If you want to remember what you liked, note it in plain terms like sweet, dry, or medium, before you order anything else later.

Cabo Girao glass platform at 683m, sky views with a plan

Cabo Girao is the big finish for many people, and the numbers help explain the wow factor. This is a high cliff area at about 683m, and it includes one of the highest glass platforms in the world. You are up over the Atlantic, looking down on rock and coastline that feels unreal.

The value here is timing. Because the day is paced as a circuit from Funchal into valleys and back toward the coast, you arrive at Cabo Girao after you have already built context. You have seen the interior folds and now you understand what you are looking at from above.

One consideration: entry tickets are not included. That matters for budgeting, and it affects how you plan your time on the platform. If you want the glass experience, be ready for that extra line item.

If the weather is poor, viewpoints can still be worth it, but glass platforms are more uncomfortable in strong wind and rain. On a bad-weather day, you might still enjoy the views without lingering on the platform longer than necessary.

Why the guides make the day feel personal

This tour is built around a local guide, and it shows. Guides such as Ricardo and Andre are repeatedly praised for knowing Madeira from the inside, including stories that come from growing up on the island and understanding how people live with these roads and views.

You should expect more than facts. In a good jeep tour, the guide’s personality sets the temperature. This one keeps a fun tone, and the group stays small enough that you can actually talk, ask questions, and get answers that match what you care about.

Another reason people rate this so highly: customization. The day is designed to be tailored to group interests as best as possible. If you already know a bit about Madeira, you will still get useful context. If you are brand new, the guide should give you a smooth base map of what you are seeing.

Price and value: is $94 a smart deal for this 6-hour loop?

At around $94 per person, you are paying for three things that are hard to replicate cheaply on your own: a small-group guide, a classic open-roof Jeep experience, and a guided wine tasting.

You are not just paying for sightseeing. Included in the price are hotel pickup and drop-off, the driving and guiding time (the day is long and packed with stops), and the wine tasting. That is solid value because Madeira is not flat. If you tried to do this route yourself, you would still need to plan parking, driving time, and how to cover multiple viewpoints without rushing.

What could make it feel pricey is the extra costs. Entry tickets are not included, and personal expenses like souvenirs are on you. But even with that, the wine tasting component makes the cost easier to justify than a standard viewpoint tour.

In other words: if you want a guide, a non-stress route, and a proper food and drink moment, this price sits in the reasonable zone for what you get.

Who should book this open-roof jeep and wine tour

This tour fits best if you want the Madeira version of a best-of day without renting a car. It is also a great option if you like off-road driving as an activity, not just scenery from a bus window.

You will likely enjoy it if you:

• Want multiple viewpoint stops in one day, including Cabo Girao
• Like structured tastings, with sweet, dry, and medium-dry wine options
• Enjoy guides who share local context, not just GPS directions
• Prefer small-group touring, capped at 7 participants

It is less suitable if you are looking for a calm, easy ride. The description includes narrow roads and off-road segments, plus a bumpy stretch before poncha. And if you are pregnant or traveling with a child under 2 years, this tour is not appropriate.

Should you book it or look for another Madeira plan?

I would book this if your goal is a full-sensory Madeira day: open-roof Jeep roads, valley viewpoints, Camara de Lobos, a guided wine tasting with Henriques & Henriques, and a poncha stop along the way. The small group size and the guide-led storytelling are the kinds of details that make the tour feel worth paying for, not just worth checking off.

I would think twice if rain is likely and you hate wet, windy weather, or if you would rather skip paid platform entry and glass viewpoints. In bad conditions, the open-roof ride can turn annoying.

If you want a fun, local-feeling highlight day from Funchal, this is one of the better ways to do it.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about 6 hours, including pickup and drop-off from your accommodation in Funchal.

What is included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, the driving and guiding service, and wine tasting are included.

Is the wine tasting included, and what wines are served?

Yes. You will enjoy a Madeira wine tasting with Henriques & Henriques wines, including sweet, dry, and medium-dry options.

Where do the tour stops take place?

You visit places including Curral das Freiras, Camara de Lobos, the Nun’s Valley area (including a viewpoint at Boca dos Namorados), and Cabo Girao.

Are entry tickets included for Cabo Girao?

No. Entry tickets are not included.

What languages do the guide and driver speak?

The driver guides in English, French, and Portuguese.

What should I wear or bring?

Wear comfortable clothes.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Yes. The tour takes place rain or shine.

Is this tour suitable for children or pregnant travelers?

No. It is not suitable for children under 2 years old and it is not suitable for pregnant women.

Can I reserve without paying right away?

Yes. You can reserve now and pay later, keeping your plans more flexible.

If you tell me your travel month and whether you prefer sea views or mountain views, I can suggest the best time slot to pick and how to plan around poncha and the wine tasting.