17 best viewpoints in Madeira, Portugal

Viewpoints in Madeira are everywhere, and I mean everywhere. You can be driving along the coast, climbing a mountain road, walking through a forest, or stopping near a tiny village, and suddenly, there is another miradouro that makes you pull over.

Madeira is one of the best places I’ve visited for scenic viewpoints because the island is so dramatic. You get steep cliffs, deep valleys, volcanic peaks, green mountains, ocean views, waterfalls, and tiny villages squeezed between all of it.

Some viewpoints in Madeira are quick roadside stops, while others require a short walk or a proper hike. In this guide, I’m sharing my favorite Madeira viewpoints, with locations, access tips, and a few honest thoughts from visiting them myself.

1. Miradouro do Pico do Areeiro

Pico do Arieiro is one of the most famous viewpoints in Madeira, and for good reason.

You can drive almost all the way to the top, step out of the car, and suddenly you are surrounded by mountain peaks, deep valleys, and clouds doing whatever dramatic thing they decided to do that day. Epic, if you ask me!

At 1,818 meters, or 5,965 feet, Pico do Arieiro is the third-highest peak in Madeira. It is also the starting point of the famous PR1 hike to Pico Ruivo, but you do not need to do the full hike to enjoy the views – just step out of the car and enjoy!

This is one of the best places in Madeira for sunrise, but I think sunset deserves just as much attention. We actually went there twice for sunset, and both times were absolutely magical.

Watching sunrise or sunset on this mountain is one of the bucket list things to do in Madeira, so you should definitely plan this adventure in your itinerary!

The best part is when the clouds sit below the summit and the peaks rise above them. It makes the whole place feel unreal, like you and the mountains are floating in the air!

Just don’t trust the weather lower down in Madeira. It can be sunny in Funchal and completely covered in fog at Pico do Arieiro, or the other way around.

Before driving up, check the Pico do Arieiro webcam, because it can save you from driving all the way there just to stare at a white wall of clouds.

There is paid parking near the viewpoint, but it gets busy, especially around sunrise. Also, bring a jacket. Even if you are sweating by the coast, Pico do Arieiro can be windy, cold, and very much not interested in your cute summer outfit. 😅

Location: Miradouro do Pico do Areeiro

2. Miradouro dos Balcões

To be honest, the Balcões viewpoint, overlooking the Ribeira da Metade valley, is my absolute favorite viewpoint in Madeira, and, surprise, it does not even require a big hike to reach it!

The viewpoint is located near Ribeiro Frio, a small mountain area surrounded by forest, levadas, and that fresh, slightly damp Madeira air. It often feels chilly there in the morning before the sun gets high enough to reach the valley.

You can park along the road in Ribeiro Frio, close to the start of the trail. Just keep in mind that this is a popular stop, so parking can get busy during the day, especially when tour groups arrive.

From the main road, you have to follow the PR11 Vereda dos Balcões trail, which is one of the easiest official hikes you will find on Madeira Island.

The walk is around 1.5 kilometers, or 0.9 miles, one way, and the path is mostly flat, shaded, and very easy to follow. So if you want big mountain views in Madeira without a full hiking mission, this is one of the best spots.

At the end of the trail, you reach a natural “balcony” overlooking deep green valleys and Madeira’s central mountains. On a clear day, you can see Pico Ruivo, the highest mountain in Madeira, rising to 1,862 meters, or 6,109 feet.

I just loved the views – wherever you look, you are surrounded by the iconic rugged Madeira mountains. This place feels peaceful in a way that many roadside viewpoints don’t.

By the way, this is also the famous place where you can feed the little birds. You’ve probably seen videos of them on social media. And, yes, the birds are pretty brave and approach people, but you have to be patient with them if you want to feed them from your palm.

Location: Miradouro dos Balcões

3. Miradouro Ponta do Furado

Miradouro Ponta do Furado is one of the most iconic and dramatic viewpoints in Madeira, but you do have to walk for this one.

This viewpoint sits at the end of the famous Ponta de São Lourenço peninsula, where Madeira suddenly looks completely different. Instead of lush forests and green mountains, you get dry volcanic cliffs, rocky hills, and ocean views on both sides.

To reach the viewpoint, you need to hike the PR8 Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço trail. The full hike is around 6 kilometers, or 3.7 miles, round trip, and the views start showing off immediately – as soon as you park your car and step out.

The hike is not the hardest in Madeira, but there is barely any shade, and this part of the island can be windy, sunny, and dry. Bring water, sunscreen, snacks, and a hat, because this is not the place to realize you packed like you were going for a shady forest stroll.

There is a parking area at the start of the trail, but this is one of the most popular hikes in Madeira, so it can fill up quickly. Arriving early is a good idea, especially during busier months.

For me, walking to Miradouro Ponta do Furado felt like walking toward the end of the island. Which is true in a way. At the end, you get wide open views over the eastern tip of Madeira and the small islands beyond it.

No, you can’t reach the very tip of the peninsula, but the view from the clifftop viewpoint at the end of the trail is actually better because you see the rugged coastline all below you.

You currently need to pay an entry fee for PR8 Ponta de São Lourenço. Before going, check the latest trail status and pay through the official Visit Madeira page.

Location: Miradouro Ponta do Furado

4. Miradouro da Eira do Serrado

Eira do Serrado viewpoint is one of my favorite viewpoints in Madeira. No, not because you don’t have to hike there, but because of how special and unique the view is.

The viewpoint overlooks Curral das Freiras, also known as the Valley of the Nuns, a small village surrounded by steep mountains in the middle of Madeira.

From above, the village looks tiny, almost like someone dropped it into the bottom of a giant bowl. It is such a dramatic view, and I stood there for a while just trying to take it all in.

The story behind Curral das Freiras makes the view even more interesting. The name means “Valley of the Nuns,” because nuns from the Santa Clara Convent in Funchal once used this hidden valley as a refuge when pirates attacked the city in 1566.

And when you stand at Eira do Serrado and look down at the village, the story makes total sense. The valley is surrounded by steep mountains, hidden in the middle of Madeira, and not visible from the sea.

Honestly, if I had to hide from pirates, I’d probably choose this dramatic little bowl too. 😃

The best part is that Eira do Serrado is very easy to visit. You can drive almost all the way to the viewpoint, and there is a parking area next to the hotel, café, and souvenir shop. From the parking area, it is only a short uphill walk to the main viewpoint.

Location: Miradouro da Eira do Serrado

5. Miradouro do Cabo Girão

Cabo Girão is often described as one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe, and this viewpoint is one of the most well-known tourist attractions in Madeira. It does get busy!

The viewpoint sits around 580 meters, or 1,903 feet, above the Atlantic Ocean, which is very high when your brain suddenly realizes you are standing on glass. Your legs may have opinions. 😅

From the platform, you can look straight down at the cliffs, the ocean, and the tiny cultivated tropical fruit terraces below. These fields are called fajãs, which are small flat areas at the bottom of cliffs.

Cabo Girão is very easy to visit because you can park right by the entrance, and the viewpoint itself is just steps away. That also means it gets busy, especially when tour buses arrive.

I’d treat this as a quick stop rather than a long visit. The view is impressive, and the glass platform definitely tingles your nerves a little, but you probably don’t need a lot of time here.

When we visited, Cabo Girão was actually free to visit, but now there is an entrance fee. You can pay through the official portal before visiting.

Location: Miradouro do Cabo Girão

6. Miradouro de São Cristóvão

Miradouro de São Cristóvão is one of my personal favorite viewpoints in Madeira because you don’t just stop, take a photo, and leave. You can actually sit down for lunch and enjoy the view!

The viewpoint is located next to Restaurante São Cristóvão in Boaventura, on the north coast of Madeira. From the restaurant terrace, you get a beautiful view of the cliffs, the ocean, green mountains, and that wild north coast scenery Madeira does so well.

This is what made the place so memorable for me. Instead of rushing through another quick viewpoint stop, we sat down, ordered food (the famous Madeiran garlic bread!), and enjoyed the whole view slowly.

Sometimes that is exactly what you need between all the hikes and crazy mountain roads.

There is parking for restaurant guests, so this is an easy stop if you plan to eat there. I would not treat it like a random pull-over viewpoint where you just park, take one photo, and leave. It feels more like a lunch-with-a-view kind of place.

After lunch, we drove closer to the mountain and walked up the zigzag trail you can see in the photo, crawling up the mountain. It was a great little post-meal exercise, because apparently we like to earn our views twice in Madeira. 😄

If you are exploring Boaventura or the north coast of Madeira, Miradouro de São Cristóvão is absolutely worth adding to your route! I would go back there in a heartbeat if I could.

Location: Miradouro de São Cristóvão

7. Miradouro do Guindaste

Miradouro do Guindaste is a dramatic viewpoint on the north coast of Madeira. And it is easy to visit.

You can drive almost all the way there (there is parking next to the viewpoint), park close to the coast, and suddenly you are looking out over steep cliffs, green slopes, and the Atlantic Ocean stretching along the rugged north shore.

On a clear day, the views here are incredible. You can see a long stretch of the north coast of Madeira, with the cliffs dropping into the ocean and waves crashing below. The most perfect place for that Madeira photo!

They have also built glass platforms on one side of the cliff at Miradouro do Guindaste, so you can walk out and look down toward the rocks and ocean.

For me, Guindaste is one of those low-effort, high-reward viewpoints. You don’t need a hike, you don’t need a complicated plan, and you still get a big, dramatic Madeira view.

Location: Miradouro do Guindaste

8. Miradouro do Lombo do Mouro

Miradouro do Lombo do Mouro is one of those viewpoints in Madeira that feels more like a scenic road trip stop than a famous tourist attraction.

It is located along the mountain road between Encumeada and Bica da Cana, close to the Paul da Serra plateau. This whole area feels very different from the coast – higher, quieter, moodier, and much more open.

From the viewpoint, you get panoramic mountain views over deep valleys, green slopes, and rugged ridges. On a clear day, the views are incredible, but even with clouds moving through the mountains, the whole place has that dramatic Madeira feeling.

We stopped here while driving through the interior of Madeira, and it was one of those unplanned stops where the view made us pull over. Honestly, Madeira does that a lot. I highly recommend driving the ER105 road in Madeira!

We parked by the road near the viewpoint and stopped for a quick look. If you happen to be driving there on a clear day, be ready to stop at every road bend, because those views are worth it. And there were yellow flowers blooming everywhere!

Location: Miradouro do Lombo do Mouro

9. Miradouro do Véu da Noiva

Miradouro do Véu da Noiva is one of the most beautiful north coast viewpoints in Madeira because it gives you a beautiful view of the Bridal Veil waterfall, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Madeira, and the dramatic coastline.

The name Véu da Noiva means “Bride’s Veil” in Portuguese, and from the viewpoint, you can see the thin white waterfall dropping down the dark cliffside toward the Atlantic Ocean.

But this viewpoint is not just about the waterfall. You also get the old coastal road carved into the cliff, dramatic north coast scenery, steep rock walls, and the ocean below. It is one of those classic Madeira views – wild and dramatic!

The old road below the waterfall is no longer safe to access because of rockfalls and unstable cliffs, so the viewpoint is the best and safest place to see the whole scene.

This is also a very easy stop. You can park right next to the viewpoint, walk a few steps, and enjoy the view without doing a hike. They also have some souvenir shops there.

For me, this is one of the best quick viewpoints to add to a north coast road trip, especially if you are driving between São Vicente, Seixal, and Porto Moniz.

Location: Miradouro do Véu da Noiva

10. Miradouro do Cabo Aéreo

Miradouro do Cabo Aéreo was one of my favorite spots on the north coast of Madeira. Just look at those views!

This viewpoint gives you wide ocean views, green cliffs, and that dramatic north coast scenery that makes this side of Madeira feel so special.

What makes Miradouro do Cabo Aéreo extra nice is that Cabo Aéreo Café Restaurant, one of the best oceanside restaurants in Madeira, is right next to the viewpoint.

So instead of just stopping for a quick photo, you can sit down, order something, and actually enjoy the view for a while.

I always love viewpoints like this in Madeira because they give you a reason to slow down. After all the mountain roads, hikes, and “quick stops” that somehow turn into full adventures, a café with a view feels like a very good idea.

By the way, did you notice that this view is very similar to Miradouro de São Cristóvão? Yeah, I was so confused when we arrived here, because I thought we had already been here. Woops, haha.

Location: Miradouro do Cabo Aéreo

11. Miradouro da Raposeira

Okay, now, this is a bit of a hidden gem. Miradouro da Raposeira is a beautiful viewpoint on the southwest side of Madeira, close to Fajã da Ovelha and Paul do Mar.

This viewpoint looks out over green hills, coastal cliffs, and the Atlantic Ocean.

It is one of those places that feels easy to miss if you are only rushing between the famous stops. But if you are exploring the southwest coast, Miradouro da Raposeira is a beautiful place to stop by.

You can park your car a short distance from the viewpoint, but you will have to walk the last couple of hundred meters on foot. Worth it? Yeah. But the way back to your car will be a bit steep.

For me, this kind of viewpoint is exactly why I liked road-tripping around Madeira. Sometimes the best stops are not the loudest or most famous ones – they are just beautiful, quiet places where you pull over and think, “Yep, this island is crazy ridiculous again.”

And, guess what, we actually came here twice – during the day and then again at sunset hours. It was well worth the hassle. Those sunsets in Madeira are something else! And, yes, then driving back home in the dark in Madeira was part of the fun.

Location: Miradouro da Raposeira

12. Miradouro do Cristo Rei

Miradouro do Cristo Rei is an easy coastal viewpoint near Garajau, not far from Funchal, and it is a nice stop if you want ocean views without driving too far.

The viewpoint is known for the Cristo Rei statue, which stands above the coast with open views over the Atlantic Ocean. From here, you can see the Garajau coastline, the cliffs, and the sea below.

There is also a path and staircase leading down toward the lower viewpoint area, so you can make this stop as quick or as slightly more active as you want, haha.

And, yes, of course, we walked down to the viewpoint, so that we would have to hike back up the hill. 😄 What did you think?

There is parking right next to the statue, so it is very easy to access. It can get busier during the day, but it is definitely easier to visit than some of the popular mountain viewpoints.

For me, Miradouro do Cristo Rei is not the most dramatic viewpoint in Madeira, but it is a lovely and easy coastal stop, especially if you want something close to Funchal.

Location: Miradouro do Cristo Rei

13. Miradouro da Portela

Miradouro da Portela is one of the best easy viewpoints in Madeira if you want a classic north/east coast view without doing a hike. I love these kinds of viewpoints between all the hikes, mountain roads, and the “let’s just walk a little bit more” moments in Madeira. 😄

The viewpoint is located above Porto da Cruz and gives you a beautiful view of the village, the ocean, the green hills, and the dramatic rock formation called Penha d’Águia, or Eagle Rock, one of the island’s most recognizable rock formations.

This is one of those Madeira viewpoints that feels very easy to add to a road trip. You can stop here while driving between Santana, Machico, Porto da Cruz, or the north coast, and you don’t need much time. There are parking spots right by the viewpoint.

Location: Miradouro da Portela

14. Miradouro do Espigão

Miradouro do Espigão is one of those viewpoints in Madeira that feels very different from the famous coastal stops. Instead of cliffs dropping into the ocean, you get a dramatic inland view over mountains, valleys, and tiny villages.

The viewpoint is located near Ribeira Brava, and from here you can see deep valleys and steep green slopes stretching through the middle of Madeira.

What makes this viewpoint special is how layered the landscape looks. You have roads twisting around the hills, houses hanging on cliffsides, and those huge Madeira valleys that make you wonder how people ever decided to build villages there in the first place.

There is a parking space right below the viewpoint, but getting there is a bit of a crazy drive through narrow, winding mountain roads. But what else is new – this is Madeira.

Miradouro do Espigão is definitely more like a hidden gem, and not many travelers ever wander this far, but I loved these valley views below. Such a cool place!

Location: Miradouro do Espigão

15. Miradouro da Beira da Quinta

Miradouro da Beira da Quinta is another beautiful viewpoint on the north coast of Madeira, close to Faial and Porto da Cruz.

This viewpoint gives you views over green hills, steep slopes, small villages, and the Atlantic Ocean. It feels like one of those easy roadside stops that people can miss if they are only rushing to the most famous places.

You can park next to the viewpoint, so this is a very simple stop to add to a north coast drive.

For me, this is not necessarily the most dramatic viewpoint in Madeira, but it is definitely one of the most beautiful ones on the north coast. But you decide for yourself!

Location: Miradouro da Beira da Quinta

16. Miradouro do Fio

Miradouro do Fio is a beautiful viewpoint on the western side of Madeira, and it is a good one to combine with Ponta do Pargo, the westernmost point in Madeira (see the next one on this list).

The viewpoint sits near the edge of the cliffs and gives you wide ocean views and dramatic west coast scenery. This part of Madeira feels more open and remote than the busier south coast near Funchal.

There is a restaurant nearby, so Miradouro do Fio can also be a nice stop if you want to pair the view with food or a coffee. And honestly, Madeira viewpoints with food nearby always get bonus points from me.

You can park right next to the viewpoint, making it an easy stop. I would not necessarily cross the whole island only for this one viewpoint, but as part of a west coast road trip, it fits perfectly. It gives you that big, open Atlantic view without any effort.

Location: Miradouro do Fio

17. Miradouro Farol da Ponta do Pargo

Miradouro Farol da Ponta do Pargo is a dramatic viewpoint next to the Ponta do Pargo lighthouse, which sits high above the Atlantic Ocean on the western edge of the island.

From here, you get wide views over the ocean and the cliffs. I think west coast Madeira has a different feeling – less lush and dramatic in a jungle way, but very peaceful and spacious.

There is parking next to the lighthouse, so this is an easy stop if you are road-tripping around western Madeira. It also combines well with Miradouro do Fio and the Garganta Funda waterfall.

I would especially consider this spot for sunset on the west coast, since you are on the side of Madeira facing the open Atlantic. Just bring a jacket, because exposed viewpoints like this can get windy fast.

We did not have time for sunset here, but I can imagine it would be sooo beautiful.

Location: Miradouro Farol da Ponta do Pargo

FAQs about viewpoints in Madeira

Read more about traveling in Madeira

Madeira is one of those islands where the views feel endless.

You can be standing above the clouds in the mountains, looking down into deep valleys, stopping by a glass platform above the ocean, or pulling over somewhere random because the road suddenly gives you another ridiculous view.

For me, the best viewpoints in Madeira are not only the famous ones. Yes, Pico do Arieiro, Balcões, Cabo Girão, and Eira do Serrado are absolutely worth it, but some of the smaller roadside stops and quieter west coast viewpoints surprised me too.

If you are planning your trip, I recommend mixing a few easy roadside viewpoints with at least one short walk or hike. That way, you get the quick views, the big mountain moments, and a little bit of that classic Madeira adventure too.

For more Madeira travel inspiration, check out my other Madeira guides:

• 20 best things to do in Madeira, Portugal
• 17 iconic Instagram spots in Madeira, Portugal
• 10 must-see waterfalls in Madeira, Portugal
• 5 impressive must-do hiking trails in Madeira, Portugal

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