Top 10 Viewpoints on Madeira
Madeira is volcanic basalt rising 1,800 metres straight from the Atlantic, and the resulting topography is almost entirely viewpoint. The Portuguese for "viewpoint" — miradouro — appears on local signage every few kilometres. The list below is a curated route around the island that combines summits, cliff edges, levada platforms and one urban viewpoint above Funchal.
1. Cabo Girão skywalk, Câmara de Lobos — 580 m
The Cabo Girão skywalk is the second-highest sea cliff in Europe (580 m) and the highest in continental Europe. The glass-floored viewing platform built in 2012 cantilevers over the cliff edge — looking straight down between your feet to small banana terraces on a beach 580 metres below. Free entry; shuttle from Câmara de Lobos.
2. Pico do Arieiro, central Madeira — 1,818 m
Madeira's third-highest peak, accessible by road, with an observatory and a small chapel at the summit. The view from the summit covers the central cordillera south to Pico Ruivo (the highest peak, 1,862 m). The walking route between Arieiro and Ruivo (PR1, 12 km return) is the canonical Madeira high-altitude hike. Above-cloud inversions are frequent.
3. Miradouro do Ninho da Manta, Pico do Arieiro
The "Buzzard's Nest" viewpoint is just below the summit of Pico do Arieiro, accessed by a 10-minute walk along the eastern flank of the ridge. The view drops 600 metres into the head of the Ribeira Brava valley with a frequent vertical view of the Madeira buzzards (manta) circling below eye level.
4. Cabo Girão (levada walk approach), Câmara de Lobos
The Levada do Norte traverses the upper edge of the Cabo Girão cliff for several kilometres. The walking access from the miradouro to the western viewpoints (Quinta Grande) is a gentle level walk on the irrigation channel path with continuous cliff-edge views. The full path continues to Estreito de Câmara de Lobos.
5. Pico Ruivo summit — 1,862 m
Madeira's highest peak, accessed only on foot from the Achada do Teixeira parking area (90 minutes one way) or from Pico do Arieiro (3 hours one way). The summit refuge offers shelter and basic refreshments. The 360-degree view covers the entire island, with the Desertas Islands visible to the southeast on clear days.
6. Miradouro do Véu da Noiva, Seixal, north coast
The "Bridal Veil" waterfall on the north coast of Madeira falls directly from cliff edge to the Atlantic. The roadside viewpoint near Seixal frames the waterfall against the basalt cliff and the open ocean. The road tunnel through this section was rebuilt in the 2010s; the viewpoint is now accessible from a layby on the old coast road.
7. Miradouro do Curral das Freiras, Eira do Serrado
The viewpoint at Eira do Serrado (1,094 m) looks down 800 metres into the bowl of Curral das Freiras (the "Nuns' Valley"), a settlement entirely enclosed by volcanic walls. The village floor was the refuge of nuns from Funchal during pirate raids in the 16th century. Cloud often fills the bowl in the afternoon, leaving the surrounding peaks above the cloud.
8. Miradouro do Cabo Girão — secondary platforms
In addition to the main skywalk, three less-visited viewing platforms exist along the levada walk west of the main car park. Each offers the same vertical cliff view but with significantly fewer visitors. Bring binoculars for the small beaches at the cliff foot (Fajãs do Rancho), which are accessible only by cable car or boat.
9. Monte — Funchal cable car upper station
The cable car from Funchal harbour rises 600 metres to the village of Monte. The view from the upper station and the Monte church terrace covers Funchal city, the bay and on clear days the Desertas Islands. The descent via the traditional wicker toboggans (carros de cesto) is a tourist tradition; the toboggans are pushed by drivers on foot.
10. Ponta de São Lourenço — eastern peninsula viewpoint
The volcanic peninsula at the eastern tip of Madeira is a dramatic basalt-and-tufa landscape descending into the Atlantic. The PR8 trail (8 km return) follows the spine of the peninsula with continuous ocean views on both sides. The terminal viewpoint at Pedra Furada gives the eastward open-Atlantic horizon with the small Ilhéu da Cevada in the distance.
Planning the Madeira route
A single trip to Madeira can comfortably cover all ten viewpoints in a week, given the island's small size (740 km²). A rental car is essential outside the immediate Funchal area. The interactive map shows the levada network alongside the miradouro inventory, useful for planning walking days.