Best Sunset Viewpoints in Madeira

Glass-floor viewing platform on one of Europe's highest sea cliffs, 580 m above the Atlantic.

Madeira's third-highest peak, reachable by car — the easiest place to be above the clouds at sunrise.

Easy 30-minute levada walk to a panoramic balcony over the central mountain massif.

Viewpoint over the dramatic valley of Curral das Freiras.

Roadside viewpoint on the old north road overlooking the 'Bridal Veil' waterfall.

UNESCO laurisilva plateau famous for its ancient til trees, otherworldly when fog rolls in.

Madeira's highest peak at 1862 m. Above the trade-wind cloud layer most mornings.

Lookout over the entire São Lourenço peninsula and Porto Santo on a clear day.

Cliff-edge lookout over the 'Nuns' Valley', a deep volcanic crater village.

Pass viewpoint at 1007 m linking the north and south coasts — on clear days you can see both seas at once.

'Buzzard's Nest' — vertiginous cliff balcony just below Pico do Areeiro, often above the clouds.

Suspended platform over the north coast near Faial — sea views from a glass walkway hanging off the cliff.

Wild west-coast viewpoint over a 300 m waterfall that drops straight into the ocean.

High-altitude trailhead and viewpoint at 1592 m — gateway to Pico Ruivo and home to the 'Homem em Pé' rock formation.

Easy roadside viewpoint above Funchal at 355 m, with a 360° panorama of the bay and amphitheatre.

Statue of Christ the King on the Garajau headland east of Funchal, with a cable car descending to the beach.

Viewpoint above Machico bay, overlooking the airport runway extending into the sea.

Lighthouse on the western tip of Madeira, perched on a 312 m cliff with classic sunset views.

Cliff-edge platform looking back at Santana's traditional houses and the green Faial coastline.

Mountain pass with views over Porto da Cruz, Penha de Águia and the north-east coastline.

Sub-alpine plateau at 1620 m on the Paul da Serra, often used as an alternative to Pico do Areeiro for sunrise above clouds.

Conical hill in central Porto Santo with island-wide views from a forested summit.

Volcanic peak on Porto Santo with the unique 'Piano' basalt columns and views over the long sandy beach.

Roadside lookout above Câmara de Lobos with a clean view down to the fishing harbour Churchill painted in 1950.

Cliff-top lookout above Ribeira Brava with a sweeping view of the south coast all the way to Cabo Girão.

Trailhead at 1235 m above Jardim da Serra, with a direct view across to Pico Grande and the start of the Caminho Real.

Forest park and lookout at 850 m above Santana — popular family picnic spot with views down to the coast.

'Peace viewpoint' on the road to Camacha, looking down on the eastern airport coastline.

High lookout on the road from Encumeada to Paul da Serra, with views over both north and south slopes.

Cliff-edge lookout above Madalena do Mar with a banana-terrace foreground and ocean views.