Canico Trip Overview
The East Tour starts with a scenic drive to Camacha which is regarded as the culture capital of the island. From here we carry on to Pico do Arieiro, the second highest peak in Madeira (1.808 m.) if the weather is in our favor we even can see Porto Santo from there. After, we’re going to be driving through the Laurissilva forest to Ribeiro Frio, the small village where we cultivate fish (trouts).
Next stop in Faial’s viewpoint, where we can have the most amazing view of the coast line from the East part of Madeira. After that, we get to Santana, where the famous typical houses are, here we stop for lunch and you can also have a walk around the village.
Now we get to the famous view point in Portela. On this viewpoint you get some splendid views of the north coast especially over Porto da Cruz and the Eagles Rock which stands 580 meters high. From here we go to Ponta de Sao Lourenco, the “End” of the island. Our final stop is the village of Machico, the first capital of Madeira
Additional Info
* Duration: 8 hours
* Starts: Canico, Portugal
* Trip Category: Day Trips & Excursions >> Day Trips
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What to Expect When Visiting Canico, Madeira Islands, Portugal
The East Tour starts with a scenic drive to Camacha which is regarded as the culture capital of the island. From here we carry on to Pico do Arieiro, the second highest peak in Madeira (1.808 m.) if the weather is in our favor we even can see Porto Santo from there. After, we’re going to be driving through the Laurissilva forest to Ribeiro Frio, the small village where we cultivate fish (trouts).
Next stop in Faial’s viewpoint, where we can have the most amazing view of the coast line from the East part of Madeira. After that, we get to Santana, where the famous typical houses are, here we stop for lunch and you can also have a walk around the village.
Now we get to the famous view point in Portela. On this viewpoint you get some splendid views of the north coast especially over Porto da Cruz and the Eagles Rock which stands 580 meters high. From here we go to Ponta de Sao Lourenco, the “End” of the island. Our final stop is the village of Machico, the first capital of Madeira
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Camacha, Camacha, Madeira, Madeira Islands
Camacha is a beautiful small village a few kilometres in the hills east of Funchal. It is famous for its ‘Apple Festival’ and its very active folklore dance groups.
Camacha is also called ‘the village of basket makers’ which is actually not doing it any justice as it is much more than that … it represents the centre of Madeira’s willow craft industry!
Duration: 25 minutes
Stop At: Pico do Arieiro, E 202, Funchal, Madeira 9000-900 Portugal
Pico do Arieiro, with an altitude of 1818 metres, is the third highest peak on the island (and the second highest with pedestrian access). Fortunately it can be reached by car. Views are spectacular up here, and when there is very good weather, it is even possible to see Porto Santo, the neighbouring island, which is situated 30 nautical miles to the north
Duration: 25 minutes
Stop At: Ribeiro Frio, Ribeiro Frio, Madeira, Madeira Islands
Ribeiro Frio is an exquisite place, surrounded by aromatic forests, offering a welcoming environment. Its hillsides are crowded with numerous vegetal species and make up the Forest Part of Madeira.
Here, taking advantage of the environmental benefits, it has been installed a little trouts fish farm. Obviously, the trout is one of the most recommended dishes of its neighbouring restaurant
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Miradouro do Forte do Faial, VR1, Santana, Madeira 9230-067 Portugal
Faial is a small picturesque village located on the northeastern coast of the Island named after a local tree known as faia ‘myrica faya’. Settlers first colonized Faial around 1519 and were mostly Moorish & Gallician. During the first settlement when the sugar plantation was at its peak, water mills were built in the rivers of Ribeira do Faial and Ribeira Seca to crush sugar cane and today ruins may still be seen under the bridge. Faial was also known for its bridges, the largest being 130 metres and known as Ponte das Sete Bocas (bridge of the seven mouths) but unfortunately in 1984 the bridge collapsed during a severe storm.
Faial’s main industry is agriculture; the best example is perhaps the anona ‘Cherimoya’ fruit. It’s the most common produced and to promote it, in 1990, an exhibition took place that has now become a big event famously known as Festa da Anona, every year in March
Duration: 25 minutes
Stop At: Santana, Santana, Madeira, Madeira Islands
Characterised by its small thatched triangular houses, Santana is a beautiful village on the north coast. These small houses, built of natural stone and thatched with straw, have served the locals for centuries as stables and dwellings
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Miradouro da Portela, Caminho do Lameirao, Machico, Madeira 9200-162 Portugal
The Portela Viewpoint, located between Porto da Cruz and Machico, provides one of the most beautiful landscapes of Madeira. Here you will find magnificent scenery, with mountains that seem to flow down a valley towards the sea.
You can find here an excellent view over Porto da Cruz and Penha d’Águia, which despite being located on the North Coast of the island, belong to the Machico municipality. You can also see the Cortado area in Santana
Duration: 25 minutes
Stop At: Ponta de Sao Lourenco, Baia da Abra, Machico, Madeira Portugal
The trail follows S. Lourenço Point, the eastern-most peninsula of Madeira island, named after the caravel sailed by João Gonçalves de Zarco, one of the three discoverers of Madeira island, who on coming near this piece of land shouted to his ship “São Lourenço, that’s enough!”
Duration: 25 minutes
Stop At: Machico, Machico, Madeira, Madeira Islands
From the historic point of view this is probably the most interesting town on the island, as Machico was the landing point of the discoverers of Madeira. This peculiar corner of the island boasts Madeira’s oldest church, the ‘Capela dos Milagres’, and two forts still bear witness of the locals’ defence against the many pirate attacks on the village.
Machico has a wonderful beach and good facilities for both swimming and sunbathing. This tranquil town boasts some excellent guesthouses and restaurants, and is a good starting point for a number of nice ‘levada’ walks
Duration: 25 minutes
