One of the most common questions visitors ask when booking a Madeira tour is:
Should I explore the north west or the north east of the island?
The truth is — both are absolutely stunning, but they offer very different experiences.
And choosing the right one depends less on “which is more beautiful” and more on the kind of atmosphere and experience you’re looking for during your time on Madeira.
Why the north west is so popular
The north west of Madeira is probably the island’s most famous touring region.
Places like:
- Porto Moniz
- Seixal
- Fanal Forest
- Ribeira da Janela
have become iconic Madeira destinations for good reason.
This part of the island offers:
- dramatic volcanic coastlines
- waterfalls flowing beside roads
- natural lava pools
- misty forests
- huge mountain landscapes
- incredible sunset locations
It’s also where many visitors experience their first real “wow” moment on Madeira.
As someone who lives in this part of the island, I completely understand why it’s so popular.
The reality of mass tourism in the north west
At the same time, because the north west is now the most requested route, it can sometimes feel busier than people expect.
Large numbers of:
- jeep tours
- buses
- rental cars
- hiking transfers
- organised excursions
often move through the same locations during the day.
For example, around lunchtime in Porto Moniz, it’s very common to suddenly see many different 4×4 tours arriving at the same time because it’s one of the few places with larger restaurants and facilities.
Even though the scenery remains spectacular, you are usually sharing it with many other visitors.
In some ways, it reminds me of the famous Pico do Arieiro to PR1 trail experience.
It’s still beautiful — incredibly beautiful — but because everyone wants to do it, the atmosphere has changed compared to years ago.
That doesn’t mean you should avoid the north west at all.
Far from it.
It simply means expectations should be realistic during busy periods.
Why the north east feels completely different
The north east of Madeira offers a much quieter and more rural atmosphere.
Places like:
- Faial
- Boaventura
- Santana
- São Jorge
- Ponta Delgada
often feel slower, more authentic, and less touched by mass tourism.
This side of the island is not about famous tourist stops every few kilometres.
Instead, it’s about:
- traditional farming landscapes
- quiet mountain roads
- tiny villages
- dramatic cliffs
- local lifestyle
- hidden valleys
- old agricultural terraces
Sometimes you can drive for long stretches without seeing another tour vehicle at all.
For many visitors, this becomes the side of Madeira that feels the most genuine.
The beauty of slower exploration
One of the biggest advantages of the north east is the atmosphere.
You spend less time:
- waiting at viewpoints
- searching for parking
- moving through crowds
and more time simply experiencing the island naturally.
You notice:
- farmers working on steep terraces
- small roadside cafés
- changing weather rolling through valleys
- tiny roads disappearing into forests
- villages where daily life still feels very local
It’s a very different type of beauty from the more dramatic “headline” scenery of the north west.
And for photographers, nature lovers, or people trying to avoid overtourism, the north east can become a real highlight.
Why shorter off-road tours are underrated
One thing many visitors overlook is that you don’t necessarily need a full-day island loop to have an amazing experience.
A 4-hour off-road style tour focused on quieter regions can sometimes feel far more memorable than rushing around the island trying to “see everything.”
Exploring forgotten areas like:
- Faial
- Boaventura
- remote forest roads
- hidden north coast viewpoints
often creates a much deeper connection to Madeira than simply ticking off the island’s most famous stops.
Sometimes the best moments happen completely unexpectedly:
- a hidden waterfall after rain
- clouds rolling through the mountains
- a quiet poncha bar
- an empty viewpoint at sunset
- local conversations in small villages
These are often the experiences people remember most.
So which Madeira tour is best?
Honestly — both.
The north west delivers some of Madeira’s most spectacular and iconic scenery.
The north east offers a quieter, more authentic, and slower experience of the island.
Neither is “better.”
They simply offer different versions of Madeira.
For many visitors, the perfect balance is actually experiencing both:
- one day exploring Madeira’s famous dramatic landscapes
- another discovering the quieter corners most tourists never reach
Because beyond the famous viewpoints, Madeira still has many hidden sides waiting to be explored.
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