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.

The Curral das Freiras viewpoint, a 1,095 m belvedere on Madeira's central ridge, looking 600 m down into the erosion-carved valley of Curral das Freiras.

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

Clifftop belvedere above Boa Ventura on Madeira's north coast, sweeping views of green volcanic cliffs plunging into the Atlantic, with the Arco de São Jorge coastline to the east. Reached by a short walk from the village.

Clifftop lookout above Santana on Madeira's north coast, gazing down on the Rocha do Navio marine nature reserve and the 94 m Ilhéu da Viúva sea stack. The reserve, created in 1997, takes its name from a Dutch ship wrecked here in the 19th century. A steep rock path and a five-minute farmers' cable car drop from here to the fajãs below.

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.

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. The cable car down to the beach is €5 return and cash only, and there is a small seasonal cafe for food and drinks.

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.

High roadside viewpoint on the old ER103 at the entrance to Santana, looking across Faial, Penha de Águia and the bay of Fajã do Mar.

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

The 'Lovers' Pass' viewpoint above Jardim da Serra, looking straight down into the Curral das Freiras valley from the south rim. Quieter than Eira do Serrado, with the village church and terraced gardens in the foreground. A 25-minute drive up from Câmara de Lobos, and the natural pairing with the June cherry festival on the same hillside. Small car park; best light in the morning before clouds build over the central peaks.

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

The 437 m viewpoint on Pico do Castelo's forested summit, with island-wide Porto Santo views. This is the destination at the top, distinct from the hill loop and the PS3 levada route.

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.