Madeira Lido Tours

Porto Moniz will be our lunch stop. Here you will have approx 1h 30 minutes to eat and relax, and where the guide will recommend several snack bars, coffee shops and restaurants where guests can choose what food they would like to eat. It’s a pleasant town located at the north-west point of the Island. Best known for its natural volcanic pools, it is very popular with locals and tourists alike in the summer.

There is also another very popular attraction nearby, the historic Fort of João Batista, which was built in 1730 to protect from Pirate raids and has now been restored and transformed into the Madeira Aquarium with more than 70 typical species of fish and ocean life.

Take a walk along the promenade and you will find a variety of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops and the Living Science Centre; a place for all ages to explore a mixture of science and cultural exhibits.

In Seixal the stop is not as long. For approx 10 minutes we will stop at a view point called “Véu da Noiva” which has the meaning of “The Bride’s Veil”. This is a waterfall that descends from the plateau directly into the Atlantic Ocean. A “Kodak” moment not to be missed…

São Vicente is a pleasant village in the north of the Island, set in one of the most beautiful valleys of Madeira. The São Vicente Caves “Grutas de São Vicente” (which can be visited when doing our “Northern Wonders” tour) are the best underground channels of lava ever found in Madeira.

During the stop of approx 20 minutes, visit São Vicente’s main church in the centre of the village. It was dedicated to Saint Vincent when built back in the 17th century with its magnificent ceiling paintings, of which one is of Saint Vincent blessing the town.

When looking further down the valley by the sea you will find a small symbolic chapel built in 1694, constructed right on the very spot where it is said Saint Vicente appeared. This town is fast becoming popular with surfers, thanks largely to a pebble beach with excellent conditions where many surfers from all over Europe come to ride the waves.

Ribeira Brava, which has the meaning of “Wild River”, is located on the southern coast of Madeira. On some occasions when it rains heavily in the mountains, waters rapidly run down to sea. You will have the opportunity to visit the local church “Igreja de São Bento“, considered over the years as the best-preserved and presented regional monument containing valuable paintings dating back to the 16th century.
There is also and area for safe swimming, a man-made black sandy beach, children’s swimming pool and promenade with cafes, snack bars and restaurants.

Cabo Girão is said to be the 2^nd highest sea cliff of Europe. It rises above sea level between 560 and 589 metres.

There are terraced fields lying beneath the cliffs that used to be only accessible by boat. In August 2003, a cable car was installed on the slope of the cliff so farmers can reach these fields. Here you can also find the Chapel of Our Lady of Fátima, built in 1931 it’s one of the most important pilgrim places on the island. The view is spectacular and for sure a stop that should not be missed.