Madeira has 85 officially listed viewpoints, or miradouros, in the current Visit Madeira directory. That is the most useful answer for travellers, although the real number of places with a good view is far higher: the island is full of unsigned lay-bys, village terraces and walking-trail lookouts. In this updated guide: how that total is calculated, where the official viewpoints are by region, which ones are easy drive-up stops, and what to know about sunrise, parking and cliff safety.
What counts as a viewpoint in Madeira?
For this guide, “viewpoint” means a named entry in the official Visit Madeira viewpoint directory, rather than every scenic roadside stop. The directory currently contains 85 named miradouros: 31 under the North Coast, 29 under the South Coast and Funchal, six on the East Coast, 17 on the West Coast and two in the Central Mountain Range. One of those entries, Guindaste Viewpoint in Faial, is currently marked closed, so treat the total as a catalogue count rather than a promise that all 85 are accessible on the day of your visit.
This method deliberately includes very different places. Cabo Girão is a developed clifftop attraction; Pico dos Barcelos is an urban panorama; Balcões is reached on foot; and Pico Ruivo is a mountain destination rather than a roadside lay-by. It does not include every hotel viewpoint, restaurant terrace, coastal promenade or informal pull-in.
| Officially listed viewpoints | 85 named entries in the Visit Madeira directory |
| Directory regions | North Coast, South Coast/Funchal, East Coast, West Coast and Central Mountain Range |
| Best for simple drive-up stops | Funchal, east-coast roads, Cabo Girão, Ponta do Pargo and much of the west coast |
| Walking viewpoints | Balcões, Pico Ruivo and viewpoints reached from PR hiking routes |
| Known access warning | Guindaste Viewpoint is shown as closed in the official directory |
| Trail access | Check the official IFCN trail status and booking rules before hiking; classified trail access is managed separately from roadside viewpoints |
| Sunrise planning | Most practical at Pico do Areeiro, Ponta do Rosto and eastern or northern headlands, subject to weather and road conditions |
North Coast: 31 official viewpoints
The North Coast has the island’s largest official concentration of viewpoints. It is the best region for steep green valleys, waterfalls, fajãs and headlands, but clouds and rain are more common than on the south coast. The directory list is: Ribeira da Janela, Rocha do Navio, Santinha, Parque de Merendas, Pico in Porto Moniz, Achadas da Cruz, Véu da Noiva, Porto de Abrigo, Ribeiro Frio, Cruzinhas, Lombo dos Palheiros, Pico Ruivo, Empenas, Picarouto, Cova da Roda, Guindaste, Nossa Senhora dos Bons Caminhos, Curtado, Santo António, Núcleo de Casas Típicas, Quinta do Furão, Cabeço do Resto, Eiras, Pico in São Jorge, Vigia, Ninho da Manta, Beira da Quinta, Boca das Voltas, Cabo Aéreo, Balcões and São Cristóvão.
For an easy driving day, combine Véu da Noiva, Porto de Abrigo, Achadas da Cruz and Porto Moniz. For northeast scenery, Portela, Ribeiro Frio, Balcões, Faial and Santana work well together. Balcões is the exception to the drive-up rule: it sits at the end of PR11 from Ribeiro Frio, so allow time for the walk and check the trail’s official status before setting out.
South Coast and Funchal: 29 official viewpoints
The official South Coast group includes Cabo Girão, Eira do Serrado, Boca dos Namorados, Boca da Corrida and Paredão in the central valleys, plus a large collection of city panoramas in Funchal. The Funchal list is Castelo do Pico, Achada, Nazaré, Quinta Vigia, Vila Guida, Neves, São Roque, Curral dos Romeiros, São José Fort, Botanical Garden, Lido, Lombo da Quinta, Palheiro Ferreiro, Santa Catarina Park, Pico dos Barcelos, Pináculo, Socorro, Terreiro da Luta, Marmeleiros, Largo Padre Pita Ferreira, Quinta das Cruzes, Babosas, Santa Luzia and Pico Alto.
These are the easiest viewpoints to add to a short stay without committing to mountain roads. Pico dos Barcelos and Terreiro da Luta are useful Funchal overviews; Neves and Pináculo look across the bay; while Eira do Serrado gives the classic view into Curral das Freiras. Cabo Girão is a purpose-built attraction rather than an ordinary roadside stop, so allow extra time for arrival, parking and visitor flow.
East, west and central mountains: 25 viewpoints to plan into a road trip
El East Coast has six official miradouros: Pico do Facho, Queimada, Contenda, Cristo Rei, Ponta do Rosto and Portela. They are especially useful on an arrival or departure day because Machico, Santa Cruz, Caniço and Ponta de São Lourenço are relatively close to the airport. Ponta do Rosto is a dramatic sunrise option, but it is exposed: do not expect shelter from wind or rain.
El West Coast has 17: São Sebastião, Espigão, Pousada dos Vinháticos, Encumeada, the viewpoint over Ponta do Sol, Cascalho, Achada de Santo Antão, Piarro, Jardim do Mar, Raposeira, Precipice, Massapez, Lombada dos Marinheiros, Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse, Fio, Boa Morte and Pico da Murta. This is the strongest area for a full-day scenic drive, with long sea views, agricultural terraces and high clifftops.
El Central Mountain Range adds Pico do Areeiro and Bica da Cana. Pico do Areeiro is one of Madeira’s principal sunrise locations and is listed at 1,818 metres, but clear skies are never guaranteed. If you intend to continue onto PR1 towards Pedra Rija or Pico Ruivo, this is no longer simply a viewpoint visit: check availability, booking requirements and trail notices first. The IFCN manages access to classified routes and can change conditions for safety, weather or maintenance.
Drive-up panoramas versus hiking viewpoints: how to choose safely
For visitors with a hire car, choose two or three viewpoints per day rather than trying to “collect” them. Madeira’s distances look short on a map, but steep roads, fog, one-lane sections and stopping for photographs all slow the day down. Funchal and the east are best for short outings; the west, north and central mountains deserve a full day each.
Drive-up viewpoints usually have a signed pull-in, small parking area or public roadside space. Arrive early at Pico do Areeiro, Cabo Girão, Portela and the most photographed coastal stops. Do not stop in a live traffic lane, block a narrow access road or assume that a bus-sized parking area has room for your car.
For hiking viewpoints, take proper footwear, water, a warm layer and an offline map. A viewpoint reached on a PR trail may require advance booking or an access fee even if the surrounding road viewpoint is free to visit. Never bypass a closure, climb over barriers or move beyond railings for a photograph: clifftops can be slippery, gusty and unstable after rain.
- Use the 85 total as a planning tool, not a checklist: five excellent viewpoints are more rewarding than rushing through fifteen.
- Start mountain sunrises early: arrive with time to park safely, walk to the viewing area and assess cloud cover before first light.
- Keep a low-altitude alternative: if Pico do Areeiro is in cloud, switch to Funchal, Ponta do Sol or a south-coast viewpoint.
- Check Guindaste before driving there: it is currently labelled closed in the official visitor directory.
- Separate a viewpoint stop from a PR hike: road access does not confirm that the onward walking route is open or bookable.
- Respect the edge: Madeira’s best sea views often come with sheer drops, strong wind and wet stone underfoot.
Preguntas frecuentes
How many viewpoints are there in Madeira?
Madeira has 85 named viewpoints in the official Visit Madeira directory. This is the clearest visitor-friendly count, but it excludes many informal scenic stops and private terraces.
Are all Madeira viewpoints free?
Most roadside miradouros are open public stops, but facilities and hiking routes can have separate access arrangements. Cabo Girão and classified PR walking trails should always be checked individually before visiting.
Which Madeira viewpoints can I reach without hiking?
Pico dos Barcelos, Cabo Girão, Eira do Serrado, Portela, Pico do Facho, Ponta do Rosto, Encumeada, Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse and many Funchal viewpoints are practical drive-up choices.
What is the best viewpoint for sunrise in Madeira?
Pico do Areeiro is the best-known sunrise location, while Ponta do Rosto, Portela and selected northeast viewpoints can be quieter alternatives. Choose according to the forecast, wind and cloud level, not the photograph you hope to take.
Facts and prices verified in October 2026. For more route planning, see our guides to Madeira’s highest viewpoints, el best sunrise and sunset viewpoints in Madeira, and Madeira forest fire season and trail restrictions.
