At 589 metres above sea level, Cabo Girão is the highest cliff in Madeira and, according to many tables, the 2nd highest in Europe and the 12th highest in the world, although the criteria for determining what is still a cliff and what is already a mountain vary considerably, so these statistics must be taken with a grain of salt.
Either way, the Cabo Girão cliff is impressive. It drops almost perpendicularly down into the ocean, and incredible views can be had both from the top of the cliff and from sea level.
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The cliff is already visible from Funchal, but the best views from below are from the nearby village of Câmara de Lobos.
Skywalk - a glass viewing platform
A glass-bottomed lookout has been built on top of the cliff, which juts out over the edge of the cliff and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside, 9km away in Funchal and down to the small cultivated fields on the coast.
Nowhere else in Europe will you find a higher cliff lookout with a glass floor. Unforgettable are the views from here of the setting sun and later the play of lights of Funchal at night in the background.
At the entrance to the viewpoint, you can refresh yourself in the café and shop in the overpriced souvenir shop.
Entrance fees and opening hours
As of 2023, the viewpoint is subject to a fee and charges 2 eur for admission.
It is open from 9:00-20:00.
How to get there
It is very easy to get to the viewpoint with a rental car. It is close to the old coastal road ER229 winding around the edge of the island and the turn off is well signposted.
The viewpoint is located within the municipality of Quinta Grande between Ribeira Brava and Câmara de Lobos. There is free parking right next to the Skywalk.
The Cabo Girao Miradouro bus stop of the Rodoeste bus company is also located right next to the car park. This runs roughly every hour from Funchal, Câmara de Lobos and Ribeira Brava, with some services continuing further west. Timetables can be found at rodoeste.com.pt/horarios. Select "Cabo Girao" from the list of stops.
Tickets can only be bought from the driver with cash and cost:
- to Funchal 2,75 eur
- to Ribeira Brava 1,95 eur
- to Câmara de Lobos 1,95 eur
Cable cars
Two tourist cable cars literally drop down from both sides of the cliff. For a very short distance, they cover an elevation gain of around 400 metres, and breathtaking views can be enjoyed both during the ride and from the small pebble beaches bordered by perpendicular half-kilometre cliffs.
- Ranchocable car - on the east side of the cliff, return ticket costs 10 eur, but only runs between 8:00-9:00am and 6:00-8:00pm
- Fajã dos Padrescable car - on the west side of the cliff, return ticket costs 10 eur, runs daily between 10am and 7pm
What to see around
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