1. Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto
One of the most remarkable viewpoints on Madeira is Miradoura da Ponta do Rosto, situated on the island’s eastern side. Because of its location, it’s one of the best sunrise spots on the island! Perched on dramatic cliffs, you’ll look down the peninsula of the ‘Dragon’s Tail’ and across its orange volcanic cliffs.
From the viewpoint, you can also begin the famous PR8 Hike Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço (5 minutes drive onwards to the start of the trail). The photos above are a combination of both viewpoints. This trail takes you along the clifftops you’ve just looked over, ending at Dragon’s Tail, where there’s a lovely cafe with another unique view! (reserve your table online)
Read more about the best things to do in Madeira
Viewpoint Details
- Parking: Yes, next to the viewpoint
- From Funchal: 30 minutes by car. You can also take bus 113, which will drop you close to the start of the PR8 trail. Here is the schedule
- Entrance: Free, although you’ll need 1 EUR for the hiking trail
- Amenities: Cafe at the end of the hiking trail
- Best time: Sunrise
2. Miradouro do Véu da Noiva
Translating as ‘Bride’s Veil’ because of the silky-looking waterfall that cascades down the cliffs, Miradouro do Véu da Noiva is one of the best viewpoints in Madeira! If you look to the right of the clifftop viewpoint, you’ll see the peninsula where the waterfalls are crashing down. On the left, you’ll also have a view of Seixal town.
In the past, you used to be able to walk from here to the fall. However, due to landslides, this is no longer possible. Don’t worry, though; we think the view from up here is even better!
Miradouro de Véu da Noiva first thing in the morning for sunrise. Afterward, you can head to the nearby Seixal Beach and Pools.
Viewpoint Details
- Parking: Yes, next to the viewpoint
- From Funchal: 45 minutes by car. Bus Rodoeste also goes from Funchal to Seixal (where you could take a taxi to the viewpoint). However, it takes about 2.5 – 3 hours. See timetable
- Entrance: Free
- Amenities: Small coffee shop next to the parking lot
- Best time: Sunrise
3. Seixal Beach Sunrise
In the northwest, discover Seixal, one of the most beautiful beaches in Madeira (if not the most beautiful!). The black sand beach is unique, as most beaches on the island are volcanic and rocky. Wandering across the soft sand, surrounded by dramatic verdant cliffs, with the dusky light of sunrise, is really something magical.
After watching this natural spectacle, head for breakfast with another incredible view from nearby Snack Bar Avista Navios. Try the pancakes (Hannah still can’t stop thinking about them!) and look across the town’s orange rooftops and contrasting green cliffs. We can see why Madeira is nicknamed the Hawaii of Europe!
Note: Unfortunately, you won’t be able to catch the sunrise at both Miradouro do Véu da Noiva and Seixal Beach, so you’ll have to choose where you’d like to be. The light does get a bit brighter after this, making the viewpoints less spectacular for photos. Because of this, we recommend you allocate two mornings for both!
Best Viewpoints in Madeira: Details
- Parking: Yes, 2 minutes from Seixal Beach
- From Funchal: 45 minutes by car. Bus Rodoeste also goes from Funchal to Seixal, taking 2.5 – 3 hours. See timetable
- Entrance: Free
- Best time: Sunrise
4. Miradouro Ilheus da Ribeira da Janela
One of the best viewpoints in Madeira, the Miradouro Ilheus da Ribeira da Janela, makes a quick — and fun — stop on your route to Seixal and Porto Moniz. From this viewpoint, you can really see the volcanic nature of Madeira as you observe one of the most majestic rock formations on the island.
What’s interesting about this rock is that from different angles, it changes shape completely; face-on, it looks thin and tall, but from the side, you can see its dramatic depth.
The route to reach the viewpoint is equally as enjoyable. First, follow a small staircase from the street before walking into a pedestrian tunnel that goes through the cliffs and brings you onto a viewing balcony. You can also see the rock directly from the round-stone beach; bring. a picnic blanket, and listen to the waves crashing around you. Bliss!
Tip: We didn’t get a chance to take a boat trip on our Madeira itinerary, but we recommend doing so if you have the time! It’s a great way to see some of Madeira’s viewpoints from a different perspective.
5. Miradouro do Guindaste + Faial beach
For something exceptional, head for the Miradouro do Guindaste (also known as Crane Viewpoint), located next to the stunning Faial Beach. These two glass walkways, suspended over the ocean at 85 feet (26 meters), showcase incredible views across the coastline and the mesmerizing Atlantic. At sunrise, when the sky is lit up in shades of pink, it’s particularly breathtaking and the perfect start to a day at Faial — one of the prettiest beaches on the island!
Discover the ultimate Madeira itinerary!
Tip: Nearby, there’s a fantastic restaurant named ‘Restaurante A Chave’, where you’ll also find beautiful ocean views. What’s more, it has a pretty garden with colorful flowers and a pond with many frogs.
We recommend to rent a car in Madeira through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
Viewpoint Details
- Parking: Yes, 1-minute walk from the viewpoint
- From Funchal: 40 minutes by car. Otherwise, take bus number 53 to Faial in approximately 1.5 hours (see the full schedule)
- Entrance: Free
- Best time: Sunrise
6. Rocha do Navio (Our Favorite Viewpoint in Madeira!)
Allocate at least one morning or evening for one of the most incredible viewpoints in Madeira: Rocha do Navio. This coastal viewpoint, reachable by a steep path among the rocks, looks out across some of the highest cliffs on the island, their luscious green contrasting with the azure blue ocean.
However, most notable of all is that below this viewpoint is a Faja, an area of land located at the bottom of the cliffs that was often used for farming. Cable cars were created to transport the farmers and crops up the cliff face, and there’s still one today!
Note: Unfortunately, the cable car is not open for tourists, although it is set to be refurbed for future use.
Hike to the Faja
Another option, if you have the energy, is to hike down the Faja. This walk is roughly 2.5 hours in total and 4.5 km, following a small and very steep gravel path down the cliffs. Although it’s a little bit sketchy at times, it’s well worth it for the fantastic views!
At the bottom, you’ll find a beautiful reserve with cute houses, a waterfall, and a small beach. Make sure to bring enough water, especially in the heat of summer.
Top Tip: If you’re only keen to visit the viewpoint, sunset is the perfect time. In fact, this was our favorite sunset viewpoint on the island!
Viewpoint Details
- Parking: Yes, it’s a 2 minutes walk from the viewpoint
- From Funchal: 45 minutes by car. Otherwise, take bus 103 to Santana and walk 15 minutes from there
- Entrance: Although the viewpoint is free, the cable car costs 5 EUR for a return ticket (Note: temporarily closed/check for updates online)
- Best Time: Sunrise or sunset
7. Cabo Girão Skywalk – Highest cliff viewpoint in Madeira
No Madeira itinerary is complete without a visit to the knee-shaking Cabo Girão Skywalk, one of the world’s highest cliff viewpoints! The glass walkway is suspended from the cliffs at an elevation of 580 meters. In fact, it’s said that this is the second-highest sea cliff in the world, after Hawaii!
If you dare (those who fear heights might want to skip this one), you can wander along the platform and look down through the glass onto the sheer cliff face and the wild Atlantic Ocean below—spectacular!
Tip: Hannah is quite scared of heights, but because this platform is secure, it wasn’t too bad for her. Still, though, we wouldn’t recommend it for those with vertigo.
Viewpoint Details
- Parking: Yes, it’s a 2-minute walk from the viewpoint. However, be aware that it can be very busy
- From Funchal: 25 minutes by car. Bus number 7 or 142 is also a good option (see the full schedule)
- Entrance: 2 EUR entrance
- Opening Hours: 8.30 AM – 8 PM (until 7 PM off-season)
- Best Time: Sunset when the light is softest
Note: Although Cabo Girão is beautiful, it’s one of the busiest viewpoints in Madeira, so we wouldn’t say it’s a must-see (it’s just nice if you have time!).
No car, no problem! Book your hop-on hop-off bus tickets here (30 different stops on the south coast)
8. Cristo Rei
One of the most convenient viewpoints to visit in Madeira is the Cristo Rei, located just outside Funchal on the south coast. Not only is it super easy to get there, but it’s incredibly impressive! The massive statue of Christ, standing at 15 meters (49 feet) tall, was resurrected some years before Brazil’s famous Christ the Redeemer, so some say it might even have inspired it!
The impressive structure is situated on top of a cliff, providing panoramic views over Funchal, the Atlantic Ocean, and the beautiful Madeiran coastline. It’s a lovely atmosphere, with couples, families, and groups all gathered here in the early evenings to enjoy the view and socialize.
If you continue past the statue, you’ll see some interesting-looking stairs that head down the cliff toward the ocean, surrounded by cactuses and other plants. This will bring you to the headland’s tip for another impressive view of the ocean or Cristo Rei behind you.
Discover all the best things to do in Funchal!
Garajau Beach
From Cristo Rei, you can also take a cable car to the beautiful Garajau Beach below. This beach has some of the island’s most transparent and calm waters—popular for swimming and scuba diving! The cable costs 4 EUR for a round trip or 3 EUR one way and offers spectacular views.
Tip: Cristo Rei is located on your route to the airport, so if you have a hire car, we recommend stopping here as a lovely end to your Madeira itinerary!
We recommend to rent a car in Madeira through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
Viewpoint Details
9. Vereda dos Balcões
Getting to the stunning viewpoint of Vereda dos Balcões involves walking on the easy PR11 hike — one of the best things to do in Madeira!
The beautiful 1.5-hour walk (3 KM return) through a luscious forest, and at the end, you’re rewarded with one of the best viewpoints in Madeira. Here, you’ll find a wide-open balcony overlooking the ocean on your right and across the mountains on your left; you can also see Pico do Arieiro on a clear day.
At the balcony, look out for the Madeira Firecrest Birds with their bold-colored feathers. We took some old bread and crushed almonds, but they only took the nuts (maybe they’re bored of bird food and bread!).
Read everything about the Vereda dos Balcōes PR11 Hike in Madeira.
Viewpoint Details
- Time to viewpoint: 30-45 minutes hike
- Parking: Yes
- From Funchal: 40-minute drive. Otherwise, take bus 56 or 103
- Entrance: Free
- Amenities: Cafe with toilets
- Best Time: Anytime in the morning (sunrise is a little bit too dark)
10. Sao Vicente Chapel: One of the Best Viewpoints in Madeira!
Sao Vicente Chapel is one of the most underrated viewpoints in Madeira. Discover this hidden gem on the northern coast, nestled behind the village of Sao Vicente. The pretty white chapel sits on top of a hill that protrudes from the valley floor, with a panoramic view that overlooks the verdant green coastline.
As it’s on top of a hill, you’ll need to climb 200 steps to get there, but it’s totally worth it—and it doesn’t take long! Although the chapel isn’t open to the public, you can wander around the edges, taking in the magnificent valley views.
Viewpoint Details
- Time to viewpoint: 5 minutes walk
- Parking: Yes
- From Funchal: 40-minute drive or take the Rodoeste bus 139 (see the full schedule)
- Entrance: Free
- Best Time: Anytime in the morning (sunrise is a little bit too dark) or 1 hour before sunset.
11. Pico do Arieiro + Miradouro do Ninho da Manta
Discover the beauty of Pico do Arieiro: the island’s highest point! At 1818 meters, there’s no doubt that this is one of the best viewpoints in Madeira, and it’s also the beginning of the famous PR1 mountain trail. Just after the parking lot, you’ll also find a stunning observation deck overlooking rugged mountains, scenic coastlines, and fluffy clouds.
For something even more unique, hike a bit further to Miradouro do Ninho da Manta, also known as Buzzard’s Nest (Hannah’s favorite viewpoint in Madeira!). The trail takes you down mountain steps, leading to a beautiful balcony overlooking the verdant landscapes and deep blue ocean. It takes about 40 minutes; however, it’s well worth it because of the small crowds and extraordinary views.
Tip: We started at Pico do Arieiro to embark on the incredible PR1 trail (an absolute top thing to do in Madeira!). We highly recommend hiking in the late afternoon/sunset when you’ll find fewer crowds on the trail. Sunrise was too busy for us! You should leave enough time, as the route takes around 3-4 hours.
Find out everything you need to know about the Pico do Areiro hike
Viewpoint Details
- Time to viewpoint: The observation deck (Miradourou Juncal) is a 2-minute walk away. Afterward, walk 40 minutes to Miradouro do Ninho da Manta.
- Parking: Yes
- From Funchal: 30-minute drive. Otherwise, join an organized tour or book a taxi/transfer.
- Entrance: Free
- Amenities: Cafe with toilets
- Best Time: Sunrise or sunset
Where to Stay in Madeira
We recommend staying in a hotel in Funchal for easy accessibility to most of the best viewpoints in Madeira (Funchal is also where most buses depart). However, if you’d like a change of environment, choose a hotel in Porto Moniz, a northern village.
Wherever you choose, Madeira has a range of accommodations, whether charming boutique hotels, luxurious beach resorts, or lively hostels. Here are some other great accommodations on the island:
Best Time to Visit the Viewpoints in Madeira
Known as the island of eternal spring, Madeira’s subtropical climate means consistently good weather. In fact, temperatures rarely drop below 15 degrees °C. We visited in late March/early April, and the days were warm and clear—perfect for visiting the best viewpoints in Madeira!
Although the south coast is generally sunny, Madeira is unique because you can have all types of weather in one day! For example, if you’re heading to Pico do Arieiro viewpoint in the mountains, the weather can change from sun to showers quickly. (check the weather on the live webcams)
Tip: Because of the weather, always be prepared with extra layers and a raincoat. You should also consider the colder temperatures you may experience at the viewpoints during sunrise.
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