People ask me: "What will we actually do?" So I wrote it down. Three real itineraries — not brochure copy, but what a day with me genuinely looks like, hour by hour.
What is included in a private tour
Before the itineraries — a clear answer to the question every traveller asks first.
✓Private transport for the whole day
✓Licensed guide (EN, UA, PL, PT, RU)
✓Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Funchal
✓Flexible route that adapts to your pace
✓Local knowledge you won't find in any guidebook
✓Weather rerouting if conditions change
Not included: entrance tickets to attractions (Cabo Girao lift, Monte Palace, etc.), lunch, or personal expenses. I will tell you in advance which stops have fees so you can plan your budget.
The price is EUR 180 per group — not per person. For two or more travellers, it is already more economical than most group tours, and infinitely more flexible.
Group size: Tours are designed for up to 6 people. Larger groups? Write to me and we will figure something out.
Itinerary 1 — The North Circuit
This is the route I recommend most often to first-time visitors. The north of Madeira is wild, green, and completely different from the south. Dramatic cliffs, tiny fishing villages, a mountain pass above the clouds. Most tourists never make it here because the roads are narrow and the drives are long without a local behind the wheel.
Itinerary 1
The North Circuit
For those who want the real Madeira, not the postcard version
- 9:00Pick-up from your Funchal hotel
- 9:45Ribeiro Frio — a trout farm village deep in the laurel forest. Short walk to Balcoes viewpoint (20 min, flat path, stunning valley panorama)
- 11:00Santana — iconic triangular thatched houses, village life, a stop at a local bakery
- 12:15Sao Jorge — coastal cliffs, a quiet church square, lunch at a family restaurant where I eat myself
- 13:30Porto Moniz — natural volcanic rock pools filled by the Atlantic. You can swim. One of Madeira's most iconic spots.
- 15:00Paul da Serra plateau — high moorland at 1,400m. A completely different landscape. Often wreathed in cloud.
- 16:30Drive south through the mountains back toward Funchal, with photo stops along the way
- 18:00Drop-off at your hotel
Best for: first-time visitors, dramatic landscape lovers, families. Walking is optional and easy — no difficult terrain unless you want it.
Itinerary 2 — Mountain Villages
This route goes to the places most tourists never find. Interior Madeira — steep terraces carved from basalt, stone walls older than the country, a culture that has not changed much in centuries. If you have already seen the main sights or simply want something genuinely local, this is the day for you.
Itinerary 2
Mountain Villages and Cliffs
For repeat visitors or those who want to go deeper than the guidebook
- 9:00Pick-up from Funchal
- 9:30Camara de Lobos — the fishing village Churchill once painted. Colourful boats, steep alleys, the best poncha (local spirit) on the island
- 10:30Cabo Girao — Europe's second-highest sea cliff, 580m straight down, with a glass-floor skywalk (ticket approx. EUR 2). The view stays with you.
- 11:30Curral das Freiras (Valley of the Nuns) — descend into a volcanic crater surrounded on all sides by walls of rock. Chestnuts everywhere in season.
- 13:00Lunch in the village — local soup, chestnut bread, regional specialities
- 14:30Eira do Serrado viewpoint — looking down into the crater from above. One of the most dramatic perspectives on the island.
- 15:30Pico dos Barcelos — sunset viewpoint above Funchal, usually quieter than Monte
- 17:00Return to Funchal. Optional stop in the old town if you'd like.
Best for: culture and photography lovers, food experiences, wine. Light walking only — no difficult terrain.
Itinerary 3 — South Coast and Funchal Hidden Gems
This route is ideal if you have a shorter visit, are travelling with older family members, or want to explore Funchal properly with someone who actually lives here. The south is gentler — warmer, calmer, and more accessible. Do not confuse "gentle" with "boring": this day still holds surprises.
Itinerary 3
South Coast and Funchal Hidden Gems
For relaxed travellers, families with young children, or anyone short on time
- 9:30Start at the market (Mercado dos Lavradores) — the best local fruit, dried flower stalls, the vendors I know
- 10:30Monte — cable car up, Monte Palace Tropical Garden, and the famous wicker toboggan ride back down (tickets separate)
- 12:30Lunch in Funchal — a place locals actually eat, not a tourist trap. I'll make the reservation.
- 14:00Camara de Lobos — 15 minutes from Funchal, a completely different world
- 15:00Ponta do Sol — the sunniest spot on the island. Pebble beach, old sugar mill, sea swimming if the waves allow.
- 16:30Coastal drive east — clifftop viewpoints, sunset colours, coffee stop
- 17:30Return to Funchal
Best for: families, those with limited mobility, shorter visits. This can also be done as a half-day tour — ask me for a tailored quote.
How the day actually works
These itineraries are starting points, not scripts. Every group is different. Sometimes we linger longer at a viewpoint because the light is perfect. Sometimes lunch turns into a conversation with a local fisherman and we are there for two hours. That is the point.
On the morning of the tour — and sometimes on the road — we adjust based on weather, your energy, and what you want more of. If you are tired after lunch and would rather head back early, we head back. If you fall in love with a village and want to stay, we stay.
I speak English, Ukrainian, Polish, Portuguese, and Russian. If your group is mixed, that is usually not a problem at all.
Booking is simple: send a WhatsApp message with your date and group size. I confirm availability within a few hours. No online forms. No waiting. Direct contact with your actual guide.
Payment is on the day, cash or card. No deposit is required to reserve a date — a WhatsApp message is enough.
Who am I?
My name is Olena Kovalova. I am a licensed private guide in Madeira (RNAAT 1199/2024). I moved to the island years ago and have not stopped discovering it since. I run tours in English, Ukrainian, Polish, Portuguese, and Russian.
I do not work for a tour company. When you book with SVOYA Madeira, you book with me — the person who will be in the car with you all day, showing you the island I live on and love.
Want to know more about me? Read my story here.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private tour in Madeira cost?
A full private day tour costs from EUR 180 for your entire group. The price includes private transport, a licensed guide, and a personalised route. Entrance fees to attractions and lunch are not included — I will tell you in advance which stops have fees so you can plan accordingly.
How many people can join?
Up to 6 people per tour. The price is per group, not per person — so the more people you bring, the better the value per head compared to any other option.
Can I completely customise the route?
Yes, completely. The itineraries above are examples, not fixed programmes. Before your tour we discuss what you want to see. If you have already visited some of these places, we will plan something entirely different.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Madeira's weather varies enormously by altitude and region — and changes fast. If the mountains are cloudy, we go to the coast. If the north is rainy, the south is usually sunny. Flexibility is the biggest advantage of a private tour, and it is especially valuable here.
Where does the tour start?
Pick-up from your hotel or accommodation in Funchal. Staying in another part of the island? Let me know — we can arrange pick-up from there too.
Can we bring children?
Absolutely. Itineraries 1 and 3 are particularly good for families. I will suggest stops that work for everyone and adjust the pace. Just let me know the ages of the children when you book.
How do I cancel or reschedule?
Just send me a WhatsApp message. I ask for at least 24 hours notice so I can offer your slot to someone else. No cancellation fees — I understand travel plans change.