Photos: Dietmar Rabich, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Diego Delso, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo credits
Photos: Dietmar Rabich, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Diego Delso, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Levada dos Balcões, a walk beside the water channel
Your local guide
João Nóbrega
View profile
Highlights
- A water channel cut by hand
- A short tunnel through laurel forest
- Views toward Pico do Arieiro's ridges
- How levadas still water the terraces
- An easy path into Madeira's interior
About this tour
This session follows the Levada dos Balcões from its start near Ribeiro Frio to a viewpoint over Pico do Arieiro's ridges. You see the centuries-old water channel up close and pass through a short tunnel cut by hand. João explains how these levadas still water the terraces far below.
After a sound check at the trailhead, the walk moves at an easy pace along the channel, slowing at the tunnel and again at the final viewpoint so the sound of water and birds comes through clearly. Questions about the levada system come up naturally along the way.
This suits anyone drawn to Madeira's landscape who prefers a gentle route to a strenuous one. It also works well for viewers researching the island's water history before a visit of their own.
Included
- Live video walk with a local guide
- Questions to your guide all the way
- A short list of places to visit later
Not included
- Internet connection
- Travel to the city
Itinerary
-
Welcome and sound check 7 min
The guide joins the video call, checks the picture and sound with you, and gives you a quick sense of Funchal before heading out.
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Levada channel 21 min
The camera follows the narrow stone channel that has carried water down from the hills for centuries. I explain how these levadas were dug by hand and still irrigate the terraces below.
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Laurel forest tunnel 21 min
The path passes through a short hand-cut tunnel under thick laurel forest. I slow down here so you can hear the water and the birds before we come out into the light.
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Balcões viewpoint 21 min
At the end of the path the trees open onto a view of Pico do Arieiro's ridges. I point out the peak and explain why this viewpoint is called the balconies.
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Your questions 14 min
Time to ask anything about Funchal: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.
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A short list to keep 6 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Poncha and Monte, worth a slower look.
Good to know
- A stable wifi or mobile connection makes the picture smoother than a shaky one.
- Any phone, tablet or laptop with a camera works. You watch, the guide does the walking.
- Times are shown in Madeira time, so check the time where you are before you book.
- The session is not recorded, and recording it yourself is not allowed. Feel free to take your own notes.
- Ask questions any time, out loud or in the chat. The guide will pause to answer.
- Sessions run in small groups, up to 8 people, so there is room for everyone to ask something.
Questions about this tour
What will the session cover?
The guide walks through Funchal, showing you Levada channel and Laurel forest tunnel live on camera, plus whatever else you would like to see.
What happens if my connection drops?
Rejoin with the same link within a few minutes and the guide will catch you up on anything you missed.
Can I ask the guide questions during the session, or is it a fixed script?
Anything, any time. Sessions leave room for your own questions throughout, not just at the end.
How it works
- You get one join link after booking.
- Join from any device: phone, tablet or laptop.
- We meet on Google Meet, link in your booking confirmation. I carry my phone along the levada as we walk.
Times shown in Madeira time (WET)
Cancellation
Flexible
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start: full refund.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before the start, or no-show: no refund.
- If the guide cancels or the date does not reach its minimum group: full refund.
- Cancel in My Account → Bookings; the refund is calculated from the start time in the tour's local time.
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Next: Sun 25 Oct · 8 seats left From 28,00 €
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