Best Viewpoints in Madeira: Ultimate Guide to the Island’s Miradouros

Looking for the best viewpoints in Maderia? Well, this island has some of the most stunning panoramas you'll ever see in your life.

From dramatic cliffs and azure waters to breathtaking peaks and walking above the clouds, there is no shortage of incredible views to add to your Madeira bucket list. It's an island that seriously wowed us at every turn, and we know you are going to fall in love with the island just like we did.

In this guide we're going to share the absolute must-see viewpoints in Madeira, from the popular hot spots to some of the beautiful hidden gems we came across.

The Best Viewpoints in Madeira: a Brief Intro

We know you’re here to find the best viewpoints in Madeira, but before we get to all the spots you won’t want to miss, here’s some helpful info for getting around and things to keep in mind while visiting.

 Do You Need a Car to See the Best Viewpoints in Madeira?

The easiest way to explore Madeira is by car. Some viewpoints can be reached by bus or on a tour, but honestly, the most ideal and efficient way to see all of the best viewpoints in Madeira is to have your own wheels. A car gives you the freedom to stop wherever the view catches your eye, and to find some other hidden gems!

Weather in Madeira

People say Madeira’s weather can be unpredictable, but the truth is it may just be the craziest weather you'll ever experience. You might drive through blue skies one moment and then hit clouds and mist five minutes later to leave you without any visibility at all.

Many of the top viewpoints are high up in the hills and may be partly or fully hidden in clouds, so it helps to keep an eye on conditions. The good news is that there are plenty of coastal miradouros that you can enjoy in almost any weather though!

If you're looking for the iconic cloud inversions, we recommend to use a live tracking app for the weather in Madeira, and to check the sky cams. They show live updates of what the viewpoints look like, so you don't have to waste time going all the way to a viewpoint and getting a view like the one below. (Our mistake on day 1 was showing up and not looking at it).

 How Many Days Do You Need in Madeira?

When we first arrived on Madeira, we thought we could see the island in a few days. The island isn't too big, so appears that you can hit the highlights relatively quickly. In reality, the weather and the island’s terrain mean it’s better to give yourself closer to a week (at least!).

Spending several days lets you explore at a relaxed pace, explore off the beaten path, and leave room for the occasional cloudy morning or misty afternoons without feeling rushed.

If we were to do it again, we'd probably do 10-14 days, and explore some of the other islands in the archipelago as well! 

The Best Viewpoints in Madeira

So, are you ready to explore the best viewpoints in Madeira? The island is full of gorgeous views of lush greenery, deep blue waters, and breathtaking mountain peaks. While there are plenty of great viewpoints in Madeira to discover, here are the top 16 you should prioritize.

1. Ribeira da Janela

Ribeira da Janela is a beach along the northern coast of Madeira, known for its striking black rock formations. You can walk along the beach, but there is also a great viewpoint right next to the parking lot that gives you a view situated slightly higher, and straight on for a perfect shot that highlights the rocks unique shape.

 Photo Tip: This is an excellent sunrise spot! Even with a wedding happening below we were able to capture a shot at the viewpoint without them (it's a shame the weather wasn't in our favor though).

2. Miradouro da Eira da Achada

Just minutes away from Ribeira da Janela viewpoint, you can enjoy another stunning place to enjoy scenic views at sunrise (or at any time for that matter!).

You can park right next to the viewpoint, and enjoy the stairs to the left, or the fun swing on the right. With fantastic panoramas and little effort, this is definitely one of the best viewpoints in Madeira.

3. Miradouro do Véu da Noiva

Named after the “Bridal Veil” waterfall nearby, this viewpoint offers a close-up look at one of the island’s most iconic waterfalls plunging directly into the sea. The contrast between the white water and the dark volcanic cliffs is striking, making it one of the coolest photo spots in Madeira.

The surrounding lush vegetation and crashing waves add to the scene’s dramatic view. It’s best visited when the waterfall has a strong flow, usually after some rain.

 Photo Tip: Grab a lens with a good zoom to really capture the beauty a bit closer.

4. Rocha do Navio

This is one of the most stunning viewpoints on the island, and is also one of the easiest ones to reach since it's just a short walk from where you can park with no hiking involved.

Rocha do Navio has a scenic cable car ride passing by waterfalls and leading down to a remote coastal village, and at the top you can also enjoy one of our favorite views in Madeira, free of charge.

The cable car does close early, so you'll have to make the decision of enjoying this viewpoint when it's sunny, or to visit at sunset when the lighting is best but have to come back another time to do the cable car.

5. Cabo Girão Skywalk

We're going to be honest - with all of the stunning views in Madeira, this was probably one of our least favorite to photograph - simply because of the sheer amount of people.

The glass platform sits high overlooking grass terraces, cute villages, and panoramas of the Atlantic, making it simply breathtaking.

We went there an hour after they opened and found it nearly impossible to get a shot. However, if you are the first one there, you'll have the opportunity for some awesome shots! (especially if you bring a drone).

6. Miradouro do Guindaste Glass Platforms

Miradouro do Guindaste is another unique viewpoint featuring glass platforms, but is SO much better in our opinion! It's honestly one of our favorite areas on the island for fantastic views, and you can experience two different platforms with gorgeous views right next to the parking lot.

Pro Tip: We'd recommend getting here SUPER early, as having an empty platform makes a massive difference for cool pictures here.

7. Miradouro do Guindaste Eastern Viewpoint

Right next to the platforms of Miradouro do Guindaste you'll see a small set of stairs up to a hill. Go up and you'll see a completely different view, and one of our absolute favorite viewpoints on Madeira island!

8. Miradouro da Vigia

Miradouro da Vigia is one of those viewpoints that we originally had some troubles photographing. The views are stunning, but if you like to be included in your photography, it might be a bit more challenging.

There is a secret path behind it though that is full of colorful flowers, and we really had fun photographing this particular area! For the shots we had, we'd recommend flying your drone.

9. Miradouro Pisco da Murta

Head inland down the E105 near Lombo do Moleiro and you'll experience some of the absolute best viewpoints in Madeira! There are a ton of places to pull off and enjoy the stunning panoramas of the small villages below, the gorgeous mountains, and the heaps of clouds draping right over them.

We chose Miradouro Pisco da Murta, but we also recommend simply driving the entire road and exploring the many different options for stopping off in the area.

10. Miradouro do Ponta do Rosto

Many travelers head up to Canical viewpoint, and iconic location for viewing the Sao Lourenco peninsula. There is a parking lot there and a small food truck. But head just left of the viewpoint, and in a few minutes you can see an even more impressive miradouro of Madeira's beloved location called Ponta do Rosto.

Do keep in mind that it can be significantly windier here, but the views are unmatched! Instagram has a variety of pictures here, many of which seem to be misleading (for example rocks jutting out from the viewing area). It seems areas no longer exist, are blocked off, or have been fabricated.

Be careful on these cliffs, as you never know what could happen! All of our shots are within comfort limits, and certainly safer than they look.

 Photo Tip: Come here for sunrise if you can! But also make sure to monitor the live cam, as oftentimes the weather can be really bad.

11. Sao Lourenco Peninsula

While Miradouro do Ponta do Rosto is stunning, we were seeking a bit more on our photography journey in Madeira. We saw a ton of stunning photos from this area, so decided to venture off further down the peninsula.

There are a variety of viewpoints to enjoy, and you could easily spend several hours hiking the area and stopping for epic views. We went to Miradouro do Sao Lourenco, and then did the short walk up to the structure at the top. It was one of the highest points, and had 360 views of blue waters and colorful rocks formations.

If you bring some snacks and have time, we'd recommend continuing hiking, as it's a true treat for the eyes and your camera.

 Photography Tip: Visit here early in the morning for beautiful sunrise views and soft lighting on the rock formations.

12. Achadas da Cruz

Achadas da Cruz is famous for its dramatic cliffs and terraced landscapes that drop sharply into the Atlantic Ocean. The viewpoint here offers an incredible perspective on the rugged coastline and the unique cable car that goes down to a small pebble beach below.

It's also one of the best places to watch the sunset in Madeira, as it's perfectly located along the west coast. We got pretty unlucky here, as the clouds completely covered the view right before sunset time, but will certainly be back to see its iconic views of Madeira's western beauty!

Don't have time to read the whole article and want to save it for later? Just pin it!

13. Cristo Rei

The Cristo Rei statue overlooking Garajau Bay is a striking landmark with views that stretch along the coastline. The statue itself makes a great subject, while the viewpoints around it offer excellent vistas of the bay and the Atlantic beyond.

This spot is especially beautiful at sunrise, when the soft light illuminates both the statue and the water, and it's one of the best photo spots in Madeira if you're looking for something close and easy to Funchal.

14. Levada dos Balcões

Tucked away in central Madeira, you can enjoy stunning mountain views with just a short walk from the parking area. Levada dos Balcoes has clouds going in and out, so sometimes patience is key, and trying to visit on a clearer day will certainly help!

We were only able to catch this side view, as the front was completely covered in clouds, but the views all around are gorgeous!

They also have a little cafe along the walk, and an amazing restaurant nearby called Arraial do Ribeiro Frio that we recommend.

15. Miradouro Fortim do Pico

Out of all of the viewpoint in Madeira, this one has to be the biggest hidden gem. We came to the area simply looking for a bite to eat, when we saw a small fortress at the top of a hill. We walked up, and were greeted with gorgeous 360 degree views of the town, fort, and the mountains jutting out from the beautiful waters.

16. Pico do Arieiro

This is absolutely the most iconic view in all of Madeira! While most people mention a lengthy hike, the truth is that Pico do Arieiro can easily be reached by car, and the famous hike is actually from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo. 

The hike betweeen the two takes a few hours, but is also currently closed (summer 2026 - but we will update when we hear any news otherwise!). You can still enjoy the amazing views of Pico do Arieiro without hiking, or you can walk. for 10-15 minutes for some other incredible vistas.

Pro Tip: The best part of Pico do Arieiro is the incredible opportunity to witness cloud inversions, particularly during sunrise or sunset. Make sure to heck the live cams to get the best conditions!

The Best Viewpoints in Madeira: Final Thoughts & Tips

Now you know pretty much everything you need to know for exploring the best viewpoints in Madeira! But before you go, here are some tips for enjoying the panoramas.

What's Next?

Now that you know the best viewpoints in Madeira, you'll probably want to know all of the other great things to see and do on the island! Right now we have an article about the best waterfalls on the island, but we also have a ton of other Madeira guides coming up! So make sure to stay tuned for our weekly articles each Wednesday.

So are you ready to enjoy the best viewpoints in Madeira? The island is full of gorgeous panoramas, and we're sure you're going to love chasing views all across it.

Want to learn more about visiting Madeira and the other islands of Portugal? We have a ton of other Madeira travel guides coming up, so make sure to subscribe to our newsletter- you'll get all of our weekly article updates, as well as exclusive discounts on our shop!

Ready to start planning an incredible trip to Madeira? Well, we're here to help! Scratch Your Mapa offers custom travel planning services, creating you specially-curated itineraries for your trip. Want to learn more? Simply send us an email for your free consultation!

Here are some other articles you'll love: