19 Incredible Viewpoints In Madeira You Have To See

Are you looking for the most beautiful viewpoints in Madeira? No need to look any further cause this list will have you completely covered for your upcoming holiday to Madeira!

Madeira is a marvelous little island that belongs to Portugal. With its rugged cliffs and lush jungle it’s also a photographer’s dream to take pictures here!

To help you plan your trip to Madeira even better I have also included a direct link to Google Maps for every single location. This way you can click on it and then save the location under your favorites!

The viewpoints in Madeira are called miradouros and there’s literally hundreds of them spread out over the island. So finding the most beautiful ones during your trip isn’t the easiest and things can get rather confusing at times.

In this article I will list the most beautiful viewpoints in Madeira and I will tell you exactly how to reach them, during which time of the day you should visit and if you need to do any hiking to reach them. Some viewpoints are located right next to the road, while others require a little more physical activity.

19 Incredible Viewpoints In Madeira

1. Miradouro do Guindaste 

The Miradouro do Guindaste, also known as the Crane viewpoint in Madeira, is a spectacular coastal viewpoint in Northern Madeira.

It’s located near the town of Santana and is very easy to reach. In fact, Miradouro do Guindaste is one of those viewpoints in Madeira where you can just park your car right next to it! So minimal effort is required.

Unfortunately, during our most recent visit to the island there was some construction going on. They had closed off the entrance to the pinnacle but if this is still the case when you’re visiting do not despair! We were still able to park our car alongside the road and right next to it there was a patch of grass to go out on from where you could still admire the rugged cliffs of Madeira.

The waves were crashing against the rocks, the clouds where turning orange and pink and even though the actual viewpoint wasn’t accessible it was still one of the most beautiful and tranquil spots on the island.

From here you also have a wonderful view over the town of Faial!

How to reach the Miradouro do Guindaste?

The Miradouro do Guindaste is 35 minutes driving from Funchal and located next to Praia do Faial. If the access to the viewpoint is open again you can simply park your car in the parking lot. Otherwise you will have to park alongside the road.

When to visit the Miradouro do Guindaste?

The best time to visit the Miradouro do Guindaste is during sunrise! From here you can see the magical golden sunlight hug the rugged cliffs in a golden glow. It’s best to arrive 20 to 30 minutes before sunrise cause during this time the sky will also be set on fire.

2. Miradouro do Cabo de Larano

The Miradouro do Cabo de Larano is one of my favorite viewpoints in all of Madeira and you can find it along the Vereda do Larano hike!

I highly recommend completing the entire hike but if you’re short on time and you only want to see the most beautiful vantage points then you should definitely start hiking from Porto da Cruz.

The Miradouro do Cabo de Larano offers a view over the rugged cliffs on the North Eastern side of the island and on a clear day you can even see all the way to Ponta de São Lourenço.

How to reach the Miradouro do Cabo de Larano

The Vereda do Larano hike starts at the Teleférico da Fajã do Larano which is about 37 minutes driving from Funchal. There’s a very small parking lot at the cable car station but you’ll most likely need to park alongside the road. You’ll reach the Miradouro do Cabo de Larano after only 30 minutes of hiking. Important to know is that the hiking trails on Madeira can become very muddy at times. It’s important to wear proper hiking shoes!

When to visit the Miradouro do Cabo de Larano?

This is another stunning place to visit during sunrise! But I also understand if you don’t want to spend your entire holiday waking up before dawn. We actually did this hike straight after we landed and started around noon.

3. Boca do Risco Viewpoint

The Boca do Risco viewpoint can also be found along the Vereda do Larano hike. But to reach it you’ll have to do a little more hiking!

The Boca do Risco viewpoint offers a stunning view over the coastal cliffs of Madeira. But to be completely honest, I thought that the Miradouro do Cabo de Larano was a lot more spectacular than this one.

Nevertheless, the hike is one of the best hikes in Madeira!

How to reach the Boca do Risco viewpoint

The Vereda do Larano hike starts at the Teleférico da Fajã do Larano which is about 37 minutes driving from Funchal. There’s a very small parking lot at the cable car station but you’ll most likely need to park alongside the road. You’ll reach the Boca do Risco viewpoint after 1.5 hour of hiking. Important to know is that the hiking trails on Madeira can become very muddy at times. It’s important to wear proper hiking shoes!

When to visit the Boca do Risco viewpoint

This is another stunning place to visit during sunrise! But I also understand if you don’t want to spend your entire holiday waking up before dawn. We actually did this hike straight after we landed and started around noon.

4. Ponta do Rosto Viewpoint

The Ponta do Rosto is another stunning coastal viewpoint in Madeira that can be found completely in the East of the island. Due to its location you’ll have a spectacular view over the Ponta de São Lourenço cliffs.

This viewpoint is also super easy to reach and located right next to the Ponta do Rosto parking lot. To get to the pinnacle you’ll have to hike down a little but it’s pretty easy and straight forward to reach.

But you do have to be very careful! Some days it can get very windy in this area and I don’t recommend going out on the pinnacle then! There’s no protection whatsoever and you really don’t want to fall down into the Atlantic Ocean.

How to reach the Ponta do Rosto Viewpoint

The Ponta do Rosto viewpoint is about 32 minutes driving from Funchal. You can drive all the way up to the viewpoint and park your car on the designated parking spot. Make sure to also walk up to the Miradouro da Luna which offers more stunning views over the rugged cliffs of Madeira.

When to visit the Ponta do Rosto viewpoint

The best time to visit the Ponta do Rosto viewpoint is for sunrise. I would advise you to arrive 20 minutes from before so you don’t miss anything! After catching the sunrise at Ponta do Rosto you should definitely hike the Vereda do Ponta de São Lourenço.

5. Miradouro Ponta do Furado

The Miradouro Ponta do Furado is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Madeira but it does require some hiking and a steep climb up at the very end.

This panoramic viewpoint in Madeira can be found at the end of the Vereda do Ponta de São Lourenço, one of the best hikes in Madeira! The trail itself isn’t all too difficult and offers magnificent views over the Ponta de São Lourenço cliffs. On a very windy day like with us it can be a little tiring but the views that you get in return more than make up for it.

You’ll walk along the rugged cliffs and the landscape itself is rather barren and completely different from the lush jungle that you see everywhere else on Madeira. The turquoise Atlantic Ocean is in beautiful contrast with the green and orange tones of the cliffs and the waves keep on crashing into them.

The last part up to the main viewpoint is pretty steep and the total incline of the hike is around 450 meters. But this is the only way that you can see the so called dragon’s tail of Madeira.

How to reach the Miradouro Ponta do Furado

You can only reach the Miradouro Ponta do Furado on foot. You’ll have to start by parking your car at the Ponta de São Lourenço Parking. It’s a rather large parking lot so you won’t have trouble finding a parking spot! This is also where the hiking trail starts and the total distance is about 7km.

When to visit the Miradouro Ponta do Furado viewpoint

I highly recommend visiting this beautiful place in madeira after seeing the sunrise at the Ponta do Rosto viewpoint. This way you won’t find many other people on the trail either. During the day it can get rather busy here since it’s one of the most popular hiking trails in Madeira.

6. Miradouro do Véu da Noiva

Another great viewpoint in Madeira is the Miradouro do Véu da Noiva in the Northern part of Madeira, close to Seixal.

The Miradouro do Véu da Noiva waterfall overlooks one of the most special waterfalls in all of Madeira. One that plunges straight from the cliffs into the Atlantic Ocean.

There’s a small hiking trail that used to lead to the waterfall but it is closed off and forbidden to enter. Due to a lot of landslides in Madeira it would be extremely dangerous to go towards the waterfall. Instead they’ve built a viewing platform from where you can admire the waterfall and take photos.

How to reach the Miradouro do Véu da Noiva

The Miradouro do Véu da Noiva is 40 minutes driving from Funchal and there’s a parking lot right after you drive through the tunnel. Make sure to lower your speed once you exit the tunnel cause otherwise you might miss the turn off.

When to visit the Miradouro do Véu da Noiva

It’s best to visit this place in the early morning since it’s a favorite stop on a lot of tours. If you visit in the middle of the day chances are high that there will be a lot of big tour busses as well.

7. Mirador Ilheus da Ribeira da Janela

The Ilheus da Ribeira da Janela is an impressive rock formation only a few meters from the Northern coast of Madeira.

Visitors can explore the small cave complex that leads to the rock beach and you can choose to either watch from the platform or make your way down some stairs to stand on the beach itself.

On a windy day you can see the waves crash into the rock formations but even on a calm day this place is truly mesmerizing.

How to reach the Mirador Ilheus da Ribeira da Janela

The Mirador Ilheus da Ribeira da Janela is about 45 minutes driving from Funchal and the drive will tke you through the centre of the island. There are certainly enough parking spaces and they are located right in front of the rock formations as well.

When to visit the Mirador Ilheus da Ribeira da Janela

This is the perfect place to watch the sunrise or even sunset but also during the day it’s the perfect place to stop for a couple of minutes to take in the views.

💡 TIP – After visiting you should have lunch at Las Caraíbas, a local restaurant overlooking the cliffs at Seixal. Definitely try their bacalhau verde and the consomê de camaraô.

8. Miradouro da Santinha

The Miradouro da Santinha offers a wonderful view over the town of Porto Moniz. And while it’s definitely not one of my favorite viewpoints in Madeira it is very easy to reach and it would be an absolute shame to miss it since you’re probably already visiting Porto Moniz anyway!

How to reach the Miradouro da Santinha

The Miradouro da Santinha is about 50 minutes driving from Funchal and located above the coastal town of Porto Moniz, on the North Western side of Madeira. The road leading up to the viewpoint is steep and winding but there are a lot of parking spaces on the side of the road.

When to visit the Miradouro da Santinha

This is a wonderful viewpoint in Madeira to visit for sunset or simply during the day. Why not visit this place after you’ve had lunch at Las Caraíbas.

9. Miradouro do Ponta da Ladeira

This is another beautiful viewpoint on the north west coast of Madeira and offers a stunning view over the rugged cliffs towering over the town of Achadas da Cruz.

Compared to other viewpoints in madeira this place is more of a hidden gem and not known by many people. So if you’re looking for a more off the beaten path sunset spot in Madeira then this is the one!

The Miradouro do Ponta da Ladeira is also the starting point for a beautiful coastal hike in Madeira called the Vereda da Ladeira.

How to reach the Miradouro do Ponta da Ladeira

The Miradouro do Ponta da Ladeira is about 1 hour driving away from Funchal. There are only a few parking spots but since this viewpoint is rather remote you don’t need to worry about this too much. When I was there there was a lot of tall grass blocking the views which was a shame but we simply followed the hiking trail for a short while and still found some beautiful places to take photos.

When to visit the Miradouro do Ponta da Ladeira

This is the perfect place in Madeira to take photos during sunset. The sun will throw a golden hue over the coastal cliffs and create a magical atmosphere.

10. Miradouro da Garganta Funda

The Miradouro da Garganta Funda offers a view over one of the tallest waterfalls in entire Madeira. Located in the south western part of the island this place is very remote and not many people come all the way here.

But it takes only a small effort to reach this viewpoint and afterwards you can have lunch at one of the most epic restaurants in all of Madeira, but more on that later!

How to reach the Miradouro da Garganta Funda waterfall

The Miradouro da Garganta Funda is located in the small town of Ribeira da Vaca and is about 50 minutes driving from Funchal. The roads in the town are very narrow and there’s not a lot of parking spaces but you can actually drive down the dirt road a bit and park along the side. This way you only have to walk 5 minutes until you reach the viewpoint.

When to visit the Miradouro da Garganta Funda

Due to the fact that the waterfall is a bit hidden in the cliffs it would be best to see it when the sun shines on it so it lightens up the area. Since the Miradouro da Garganta Funda is located in the south western side I recommend going in the late afternoon.

11. Miradouro do Precipício

The Miradouro do Precipício is another one of those hidden gems in Madeira! And while the view itself is absolutely spectacular, the best part here is the small local restaurant perched on the edge of the cliff.

At O Precipício you can indulge in simple local cuisine and admire the amazing views while sipping on your glass of wine.

How to reach the Miradouro do Precipício

The Miradouro do Precipício is about 50 minutes driving from Funchal and there are a couple of parking spaces available at the restaurant. We went during lunch time and were still able to snag one of the best tables overlooking the cliffs. There aren’t that many but there’s also a lot of tables inside.

When to visit the Miradouro do Precipício

We visited during lunch time and had an amzing time!

12. Pico Ruivo do Paul

Pico Ruivo do Paul is a spectacular viewpoint on the Paul da Serra plateau. Located at 1639 meters high this hidden gem in Madeira offers a stunning view over the valley of São Vicente and the highest peaks of Madeira.

Not to mention, the hiking trail leading up to this viewpoint is surrounded by the most beautiful yellow flowers.

The Pico Ruivo do Paul viewpoint is surrounded by one of those typical wooden fences and there are two of them located at the top. I prefered the first one that you encounter cause it has the best view over the valley.

How to reach the Pico Ruivo do Paul viewpoint

The Pico Ruivo do Paul viewpoint is located on the Paul da Serra plateau and about 50 minutes driving from Funchal. There is a small parking lot on the left side of the road (right before you start driving through the trees). From there it’s about 20 minutes of hiking to the top. It’s a short but steep hike but the views that you get in return are absolutely worth it.

When to visit the Pico Ruivo do Paul viewpoint

This is a wonderful spot to visit for sunrise or in the early hours of the day. If you want to see the sunrise here make sure to arrive 40 minutes before the actual sunrise.

13. Miradouro da Bica da Cana

The Miradouro da Bica da Cana is another hidden gem in the heart of Madeira and also one of the best sunrise viewpoints in Madeira!

Bica da Cana is also located on the Paul da Serra plateau and at a height of 1560 meters. From here you’ll have a spectacular view over the highest peaks in Madeira and if you’re visiting during sunrise you might get extra lucky and have a sea of clouds below you.

How to reach the Bica da Cana viewpoint

The Bica da Cana viewpoint is about 45 minutes driving from Funchal and you can park alongside the road. When you arrive at the parking lot you’ll see a small paved road leading up with a chain across it. You can imply walk over it and all you have to do is follow the pathway leading up. You’ll pass by a house on your right and still follow the trail until you’ll reach the official viewpoint where you’ll also find a picnic table.

💡 TIP – Why not bring a breakfast spread with you so that you can enjoy breakfast here while watching the rest of the sunrise.

When to visit the Bica da Cana viewpoint

The Bica da Cana viewpoint is one of the best sunrise spots on the entire island! And due to the fact that you can reach it so easily it’s sure worth the extra effort and the early wake up call.

14. Miradouro Lombo do Mouro

The Miradouro Lombo do Mouro is another stunning viewpoint located on the Paul da Serra plateau. You’ll find it alongside the ER110 and on a clear day you’ll have an amazing view over the Encumeada valley and if you’re really lucky you can also see the highest peak of Madeira.

Due to the ever changing weather in Madeira you can expect all sorts of conditions here. Sometimes the entire valley is covered in grey clouds, other times the mountain peaks won’t be visible. If this is the case, don’t despair cause chances are high that if you wait a couple of minutes the conditions can change once more.

This is also an ideal place to throw up your drone if you’ve brought one with you.

How to reach the Miradouro Lombo do Mouro

The Miradouro Lombo do Mouro is located above the Encumeada valley, at the start of the Paul da Serra plateau and is about 40 minutes driving from Funchal. There’s a small parking lot but at some spots it’s also possible to simply park your car alongside the road.

When to visit the Miradouro Lombo do Mouro

This is another ideal viewpoint to visit during sunrise!

💡 TIP – Since all of the last 3 viewpoints are located close to each other on the Paul da Serra plateau, I highly recommend visiting them in the same day. You won’t be able to catch the sunrise at all 3 of them but I promise you that they will still be spectacular!

15. Miradouro dos Balcões

The Miradouro dos Balcões can be found at the of the Vereda dos Balcões, one of the easiest hikes in Madeira. It will lead you to a viewing platform where you’ll have a stunning view over the island of Madeira. On a clear day you can also see the highest peaks from here!

How to reach the Miradouro dos Balcões

The Miradouro dos Balcões is about 30 minutes driving from Funchal and the hike itself is 3km in total. There’s a couple of parking spots but you’ll most likely have to park alongside the road.

When to visit the Miradouro dos Balcões

Due to the fact that this hike is so easy and that it’s so close to Funchal you can expect a lot of people visiting during the day. I recommend you to visit early in the day cause the viewing platform is also relatively small.

16. Miradouro do Ninho da Manta

One of the most epic viewpoints in Madeira is the Miradouro do Ninho da Manta, also known as the Eagle’s Nest, on the Pico do Areeiro.

From here you get a 360° view over the surrounding mountains and if you’re really lucky like we were there will be a sea of clouds below you.

What’s so amazing about Pico do Areeiro is that after parking down your car you only have to walk about 5 minutes to enjoy some of the best views on the entire island.

How to reach the Miradouro do Ninho da Manta

There’s a pretty big parking lot at Pico do Areeiro and after about 30 minutes driving from Funchal, you’ll find yourself above the clouds. The Eagle’s Nest is around 10 minutes walking from the starting point of the hike but on your way there the trail is almost always downwards.

When to visit the Miradouro do Ninho da Manta

Pico do Areeiro is probably the best place in madeira to watch the sunrise. Just like with other sunrise spots in Madeira I recommend you to arrive 30 minutes before the actual sunrise. This way you can also admire the pastel colored sky and find a spot.

17. Miradouro do Juncal

One of my favorite secret viewpoints on Madeira is the Miradouro do Juncal. And what’s even funnier is that this look out spot is right next to Pico do Areeiro but somehow nobody seems to care. Well I call it their loss cause the views that you can see from here are absolutely mindblowing!

How to reach the Miradouro do Juncal

There’s a pretty big parking lot at Pico do Areeiro and after about 30 minutes driving from Funchal, you’ll find yourself above the clouds. You simply have to walk to the right instead of up to the start of the hiking trail. The Miradouro do Juncal is only 5 minutes walking in total.

When to visit the Miradouro do Ninho da Manta

Pico do Areeiro is probably the best place in madeira to watch the sunrise. Just like with other sunrise spots in Madeira I recommend you to arrive 30 minutes before the actual sunrise. This way you can also admire the pastel colored sky and find a spot. I would visit this viewpoint after watching the sunrise at Pico do Areeiro, that is if you’re not planning on doing the actual hike. Otherwise you can simply walk over to the viewpoint after finishing up the hike.

18. Pico Ruivo

With its 1861 meters in height, Pico Ruivo is the tallest mountain on Madeiro. So you can imagine that the views from here will be very impressive.

How to reach Pico Ruivo

There are several ways to reach Pico Ruivo but all of them will require some hiking. The fastest way up there is from Achada do Teixeira. The hiking trail is relatively flat and only 2.5km until the top. Another way to reach Pico Ruivo is to start hiking from Pico do Areeiro. This hike is a lot longer and more difficult but also one of the most beautiful hikes in Madeira.

When to visit Pico Ruivo

On Pico Ruivo you are surrounded by mountain ranges and both sunrise or sunset are absolutely stunning from here. Make sure to bring a headlamp with you cause either way you’ll probably hike a small part in the dark.

19. Miradouro do Cabouco

The Miradouro do Cabouco is another hidden gem in Madeira that will leave you speechless. We accidentally stumbled upon this viewpoint while driving somewhere else but we immediately stopped the car and parked it alongside the road to admire the scenery.

Charlotte

Charlotte Lint is the founder of Charlies Wanderings.
Charlotte has traveled all over the world and is based in Belgium where she also owns her very own dental practice.
She is an expert on writing efficient travel guides and finding unique places to stay.
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