Cabo Girão skywalk: the glass platform over Madeira’s great cliff
Visiting Cabo Girão: the glass skywalk 580 metres above the sea, the €5 fee from 2026, when to go, getting there by bus or car, and the cable car to the fajãs below.
West of Câmara de Lobos the land ends abruptly in one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe, about 580 metres high. At the top, a glass-floored platform juts out over the edge, so you can look straight down at the ocean and the tiny farmed terraces at the foot of the cliff.
Tickets
- €5 per person for non-residents since 1 January 2026
- Free for children up to 12 and for residents of Madeira
When to go
- Early morning or late afternoon for softer light and fewer tour buses.
- On a clear day. When clouds sit on the cliff, the view can disappear completely. Check the webcams at Câmara de Lobos and Jardim da Serra.
- Sunset over the south coast is beautiful from here.
Getting there
- By car: about 20 minutes from Funchal. There is a car park, which fills at busy times.
- By bus: Rodoeste buses towards the west stop near Cabo Girão; check the timetable.
- On a tour: most island tours of the west stop here.
The cable car to the fajãs
A short cable car near the viewpoint drops to the Fajãs do Cabo Girão, flat strips of land at the foot of the cliff where farmers grow vegetables and vines. There is a pebble beach and a few paths. The ride is steep and memorable. See cable cars.
Nearby
- Câmara de Lobos, the fishing village where Churchill painted, 10 minutes away.
- Estreito de Câmara de Lobos, in the vineyards above, home of the Wine Festival.
Tips
- If you are nervous of heights, you can enjoy the view from the solid part of the platform.
- The glass is cleaned often, but bring a cloth if you want perfect photos.
- Hold on to phones and hats; it is windy.
Sources: Times of Madeira, Cabo Girão fee from 2026, Visit Madeira, Cabo Girão