Cabo Girão

Many Funchal tours include a visit to the Cabo Girão lookout point, but independent travelers can also take a hop-on, hop-off bus tour with stops in Funchal, the fishing village of Câmara de Lobos, and Cabo Girão. You can also combine a Cabo Girão tour with a 4x4 off-road excursion along the coast or a tour of west Madeira that visits sights such as Ponta do Sol, Seixal, and São Vicente.

For a different perspective, opt for a catamaran cruise or dolphin- and whale-watching cruise along Madeira’s south coast; you’ll sail beneath the towering sea cliffs and have the chance to swim or snorkel in the Atlantic. Or, ride a cable car from Cabo Girão down to the Fajas de Cabo Girao, the terraced farmlands that lie in the otherwise inaccessible bay beneath the cliffs.

• There’s no entrance fee to visit the lookout point or skywalk.

• Facilities at the clifftop include a gift shop, café, restrooms, and free parking.

• Cabo Girão is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.

Cabo Girao is located about 9 miles (15 kilometers) west of Funchal; most visitors arrive by private transport or as part of a guided tour. Daily buses from Funchal or Câmara de Lobos, which are more frequent in summer, also run to and from the lookout.

The Cabo Girao skywalk is open 24/7 year round, but it can get busy; in peak season (July and August), it’s best to arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the crowds. The most stunning views are at sunrise and sunset.

In addition to conquering the highest cliff skywalk in Europe, hikers can also tackle the scenic Levada do Norte walk, a 3.7-mile (6-kilometer) hike that runs from Cabo Girão to Boa Morte in Ribeira Brava. More adventurous types will appreciate the windswept cliffs of Cabo Girão, which have become a hotspot for paragliding and BASE jumping.