The best viewpoints in Madeira, coast to coast
Madeira’s most spectacular viewpoints: mountain peaks above the clouds, sea cliffs, valley rims, the western lighthouse and the best places for sunrise and sunset.
Check the webcams first: a viewpoint in the clouds shows you nothing.
Madeira is a mountain rising straight out of the sea, so almost every road climbs to a view. These are the ones worth planning a day around. Look at the webcams before you go; clouds come and go fast.
In the mountains
- Pico do Arieiro (1,818 m): above the clouds on good days, with the jagged central peaks all around. The classic place for sunrise. See sunrise at Pico do Arieiro.
- Pico Ruivo (1,862 m): the highest point, reached on foot. See the PR1 walk.
- Balcões: a balcony over the central valleys at the end of an easy walk. See Levada dos Balcões.
- Bica da Cana and the Encumeada pass: views to both coasts from the edge of the Paul da Serra plateau.
Over the valleys
- Eira do Serrado: looking down into the deep valley of Curral das Freiras.
- Pináculo, São Gonçalo: a viewpoint over Funchal and the bay from the east.
Over the sea
- Cabo Girão: the glass skywalk on top of a 580-metre sea cliff.
- Ponta do Pargo lighthouse: at the western tip of Madeira, on a cliff over the open Atlantic. The best sunset point on the island.
- Ponta do Rosto and Ponta de São Lourenço: the wild eastern tip, with cliffs in red and black.
- Guindaste, Faial: a platform over the north coast, with the huge Penha d’Águia rock nearby.
- Véu da Noiva: a waterfall dropping into the sea on the north coast road near Seixal.
- Cristo Rei, Garajau: a statue of Christ on a headland east of Funchal, with views along the coast.
Over Funchal
- Pico dos Barcelos: the whole amphitheatre of the city and the harbour, especially beautiful at dusk.
- Monte: reached by cable car, with views down over the rooftops.
Sunrise and sunset
- Sunrise: Pico do Arieiro, Ponta de São Lourenço, Pico dos Barcelos.
- Sunset: Ponta do Pargo, Cabo Girão, the Lido promenade in Funchal, Ponta do Sol.
Tips
- Mornings are clearer in the mountains; evenings are better on the west coast.
- Bring a warm layer for any viewpoint above 1,000 metres.
- Stay behind barriers; edges can be unstable.