Banana Trail, Garden Tasting & Cliffside Thrills: A Jeep Tour to Ponta do Pargo

A Full-Day Jeep Tour Through Madeira’s South and West

Enjoy the best of Madeira´s coastline on an immersive 8-hour Jeep tour that blends local culture, dramatic landscapes, and authentic island flavors. Starting from the capital city of Funchal, you’ll travel through sun-drenched villages, terraced banana plantations, and off-the-beaten-path routes, ending the experience in the rugged cliffs of Ponta do Pargo.

The day begins with a morning pick-up by a local Jeep guide. From there, the journey heads west to Ponta do Sol, one of Madeira´s most picturesque and sunniest towns. Here, you’ll explore the BAM Museum, dedicated to the island´s banana-growing heritage. This stop offers a deeper look into one of Madeira´s most significant agricultural traditions, complete with tastings of fresh banana, locally-made banana liqueur, and Banana Coral Beer, a unique way to experience the island’s flavors firsthand.

From Banana Plantations to Garden Tastings

The next stop is Madalena do Mar, where you´ll enjoy a peaceful self-guided walk along the Banana Route. This short and easy path goes through lush banana plantations, offering panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and insight into the island´s terraced farming methods. The route finishes near a local church, where your Jeep guide will meet you again.

Continuing westward, you will arrive in Calheta, home to the Socalco Nature Hotel, a place where agriculture and hospitality intertwine. Here, you will explore organic gardens and vineyards maintained by the island´s traditional levada irrigation channels. Learn how seasonal produce is cultivated, and enjoy a tasting of homemade cake and herbal teas made directly from the garden´s ingredients. The experience continues with a relaxed lunch at RAZAO Restaurant, where the menu emphasizes local ingredients and farm-to-table practices, highlighting the sustainable spirit of this part of Madeira.

Cliffside Views and the Wild Beauty of Ponta do Pargo

After lunch, the tour shifts into a more adventurous mode with an off-road drive toward Ponta do Pargo. This 30-minute Jeep ride takes you through rugged landscapes that few tourists ever see. Ponta do Pargo is located at the island’s westernmost point and is known for its raw, untouched scenery. Your visit here includes a stop at the lighthouse viewpoint, where dramatic sea cliffs fall into the Atlantic.

This journey offers more than just sightseeing, it’s a rich cultural experience, connecting you to the land, people, and traditions that make Madeira so unique. Perfect for nature lovers and food enthusiasts, this Jeep tour is the best way to discover the authentic soul of the island.

DAY 1:
FUNCHAL - PONTA DO SOL - MAGALENA DO MAR - CALETHA - PONTA DO PARGO - FUNCHAL

• Banana Trails, Garden Tasting & Cliffside Thrills: A Jeep Journey to Ponta do Pargo (Duration: 8hrs approx.)
• 09:00AM: Pick up from your hotel in Funchal by our local Jeep 4X4 guide.
• Begin your scenic jeep adventure along Madeira´s southern coast.
• Visit the BAM Museum in Ponta do Sol to learn about the island´s banana heritage.
• Enjoy a tasting of fresh banana, banana liqueur, and Banana Coral Beer.
• Continue to the village of Madalena do Mar for a peaceful walk along the Banana Route, surrounded by terraced banana plantations and sweeping ocean views. (NOTE: This route will be self-guided, our driver will drop you at the starting point, and it is a marked paved path that goes through the banana plantation and is a very easy walk, about 20 to 30 mins. max, and it will come out where a church is, and our driver will pick you up there. The driver will tell you everything, and you will have his mobile number too during the day.)
• Head to Socalco Nature Hotel in Calheta to explore the organic gardens and vineyards.
• Learn about traditional levada irrigation and the seasonal treasures of the land.
• Enjoy a tasting of homemade cake and herbal teas from the garden.
• Indulge in a refined farm-to-table lunch at RAZAO Restaurant.
• Enjoy a thrilling off-road ride to Ponta do Pargo (30 minutes).
• Conclude with a 20-minute stop at the Lighthouse Viewpoint, soaking in panoramic coastal views.
• Return back to Funchal by highway.
• 05:00PM approx.: Drop off back at the hotel and final goodbye from our Jeep driver/guide.

L

END OF THE TOUR SERVICES