At 589 metres above sea level, Cabo Girão is the highest cliff on Madeira and, according to many sources, the second highest in Europe, or the 12th highest in the world, although the criteria for determining what constitutes a cliff and what is a mountain vary considerably, so these statistics should be taken with a pinch of salt.

Be that as it may, the Cabo Girão cliff is impressive. It drops almost vertically into the ocean, and there are incredible views from both the top of the cliff and the sea surface.

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The cliff is visible from Funchal, but the best views of it from below are from the nearby village of Câmara de Lobos.

Skywalk – a glass-bottomed viewing platform

At the top of the cliff, there is a viewing platform with a glass floor that juts out over the edge of the cliff, offering stunning views of the surrounding countryside, Funchal 9 km away, and down to the small cultivated fields along the coast.

Nowhere else in Europe will you find a cliff-top viewing platform with a glass floor at this height. The views of the setting sun from here, and later the play of lights over Funchal at night in the background, are unforgettable.

At the entrance to the viewpoint, you can enjoy refreshments in the café and browse the overpriced souvenir shop.

Admission and opening hours

From 2023, there is an admission charge for the viewpoint, payable 5 eur per entry.

It is open from 9.00 am to 8.00 pm.

How to get there

It’s very easy to reach the viewpoint by hire car. It’s situated near the old ER229 coastal road, which winds along the edge of the island, and the turn-off is clearly signposted.

The viewpoint is situated within the municipality of Quinta Grande, between the towns of Ribeira Brava and Câmara de Lobos. There is a free car park right next to the Skywalk footpath.

The Cabo Girao Miradouro bus stop is also located right next to the car park. Bus number 7, which runs from Funchal, Câmara de Lobos and Ribeira Brava, stops here only about 2–3 times a day.

The remaining services (approximately once an hour) stop at the Cabo Girao stop on the main road, about 400 metres from the viewpoint. You can find timetables on the websitesiga.madeira.gov.pt/horarios/7.

Tickets can be purchased from the driver in cash only and cost 2,60 eur to all destinations.

Cable cars

Two tourist gondola lifts literally plunge down from both sides of the cliff. Over a very short distance, they climb around 400 metres, and you’ll be treated to breathtaking views both during the ride and from the small pebble beaches bordered by sheer half-kilometre-high cliffs.

• Rancho– on the eastern side of the cliff; a return ticket costs 10 eur, but it only runs between 8.00–9.00 and 18.00–20.00
• Fajã dos Padres – on the western side of the cliff; a return ticket costs 10 eur; it runs daily between 10:00 and 19:00

What to see around

Discover all the places to see in Madeira.