At madeira.rentals, we've been connecting travellers with local owners since the beginning. We know Madeira well — its apartments, campervans, levadas, and quiet bays. But one thing we can't offer ourselves is a person who walks beside you, reads the weather before breakfast, and builds a day that belongs entirely to you.
That's what Olena does. And after following her work for some time, we wanted to introduce her properly.
Who Is Olena?
Olena is a private guide in Madeira who offers something very different from the standard tour bus experience. She works exclusively with small private groups — your family, your friends, or just the two of you. No strangers, no fixed itinerary carved in stone, no ticking off a checklist of sights.
She moved to Madeira and spent years building the kind of knowledge that only comes from living somewhere — not visiting it. She knows which levada feels magical after rain, which restaurant the locals actually eat at on a Sunday, and how to read the island's mercurial weather to plan a day that actually works.
Her project is called SVOYA Madeira — "svoya" meaning "your own" in Slavic languages. The name tells you everything about the philosophy: this is not about seeing Madeira. It's about discovering your Madeira.
We don't sell a tour. We give you a day worth remembering.
— Olena, SVOYA MadeiraWhy Choose a Private Guide Over a Group Tour?
Madeira has no shortage of group tours — minibus trips to the same viewpoints, the same cafés, the same thirty-second stops. They're convenient, affordable, and forgettable.
A private guide in Madeira changes the equation entirely:
- The pace is yours. If you want to sit at a viewpoint for an hour because the light is extraordinary — you sit. If you hate a trail after ten minutes — you pivot.
- The places are real. Not the ones on every Instagram page. The ones that take 12 minutes of driving down an unmarked road and reward you with something you'll describe to people for years.
- The language is yours. Olena guides in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Ukrainian and Russian — fluently, not haltingly.
- The company is people you actually like. Your group. Nobody else.
Madeira is an island that reveals itself slowly. A private guide accelerates that reveal — not by rushing, but by knowing exactly which door to open first.
What Olena Offers
What Travellers Say
The reviews on Olena's website are the kind that don't sound like reviews — they sound like letters. People write about specific moments: a particular mist on a particular morning, a viewpoint they didn't know existed, a lunch that turned into a three-hour conversation about the island.
"We've travelled a lot. This was different. Olena took us to places we never would have found alone — and made the whole day feel completely unhurried." — Sarah M., United Kingdom
"The levada walk in the morning mist was something else. Quiet, beautiful, and our guide knew every tree and bird by name." — Thomas & Anna, Germany
"Best decision of our Madeira trip was choosing a private guide over a group tour." — Elena V., Netherlands
More experiences and moments from Olena's days on the island: Instagram @olena.svoyamadeira · YouTube @svoyamadeira
How madeira.rentals and SVOYA Madeira Work Together
We focus on where you sleep and what you rent — apartments with ocean views, campervans parked at cliff-edge viewpoints, camping gear for levada overnights. Olena focuses on what you do during the day.
Together, we can cover a complete Madeira experience: arrive, settle into a place that feels like home, and spend your days with someone who knows every corner of the island.
If you're planning a trip and want both — browse our apartments and villas here, or rent camping gear for a levada night. And for the days themselves, we genuinely recommend booking a private day with Olena at SVOYA Madeira.
Experience Madeira with a private guide
No crowds. No fixed itinerary. Just you, Olena, and the island. From €90 for a half-day to €180 for a full private day.
🗺️ Visit SVOYA MadeiraFrequently Asked Questions
How much does a private guide cost in Madeira?
A private guide in Madeira costs from €90 for a 2–4 hour orientation session to €180 for a full private day including transport. Multi-day experiences are available from €160/day. All experiences with Olena are 100% private — no shared groups.
What languages does Olena speak?
Olena guides in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Ukrainian and Russian. Her website SVOYA Madeira is available in 9 languages, making her one of the most accessible private guides on the island.
Is a private guide in Madeira worth it?
Yes — particularly if this is your first time on the island or if you have limited days. A private guide gives you access to hidden spots that group tours skip, a completely flexible schedule, and local knowledge that takes years to accumulate. Olena's clients consistently say it was the best decision of their Madeira trip.
How do I book a private tour with Olena?
Contact Olena directly via WhatsApp (+351 912 336 734), by email at svoyamadeira@gmail.com, or through her website svoyamadeira.com. She typically replies within a few hours. No agency, no middleman — direct booking means the best price and a conversation that actually helps plan your day. You can also follow her journey on Instagram @olena.svoyamadeira and watch her Madeira videos on YouTube @svoyamadeira.