{"id":3661,"date":"2026-10-05T00:00:57","date_gmt":"2026-10-04T23:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/guiailhadamadeira.com\/how-many-viewpoints-are-there-in-madeira-a-practical-map-of-the-islands-miradouros\/"},"modified":"2026-10-05T00:00:57","modified_gmt":"2026-10-04T23:00:57","slug":"how-many-viewpoints-are-there-in-madeira-a-practical-map-of-the-islands-miradouros","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/guiailhadamadeira.com\/pt-br\/how-many-viewpoints-are-there-in-madeira-a-practical-map-of-the-islands-miradouros\/","title":{"rendered":"How Many Viewpoints Are There in Madeira? A Practical Map of the Island\u2019s Miradouros"},"content":{"rendered":"

Madeira has 85 officially listed viewpoints, or miradouros, in the current Visit Madeira directory.<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

What counts as a viewpoint in Madeira?<\/h2>\n

For this guide, \u201cviewpoint\u201d means a named entry in the official Visit Madeira viewpoint directory, rather than every scenic roadside stop. The directory currently contains 85 named miradouros<\/strong>: 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.<\/p>\n

This method deliberately includes very different places. Cabo Gir\u00e3o is a developed clifftop attraction; Pico dos Barcelos is an urban panorama; Balc\u00f5es 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.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Officially listed viewpoints<\/strong><\/td>\n85 named entries in the Visit Madeira directory<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Directory regions<\/strong><\/td>\nNorth Coast, South Coast\/Funchal, East Coast, West Coast and Central Mountain Range<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Best for simple drive-up stops<\/strong><\/td>\nFunchal, east-coast roads, Cabo Gir\u00e3o, Ponta do Pargo and much of the west coast<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Walking viewpoints<\/strong><\/td>\nBalc\u00f5es, Pico Ruivo and viewpoints reached from PR hiking routes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Known access warning<\/strong><\/td>\nGuindaste Viewpoint is shown as closed in the official directory<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Trail access<\/strong><\/td>\nCheck the official IFCN trail status and booking rules before hiking; classified trail access is managed separately from roadside viewpoints<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sunrise planning<\/strong><\/td>\nMost practical at Pico do Areeiro, Ponta do Rosto and eastern or northern headlands, subject to weather and road conditions<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

North Coast: 31 official viewpoints<\/h2>\n

The North Coast has the island\u2019s largest official concentration of viewpoints. It is the best region for steep green valleys, waterfalls, faj\u00e3s 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, V\u00e9u 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 Ant\u00f3nio, N\u00facleo de Casas T\u00edpicas, Quinta do Fur\u00e3o, Cabe\u00e7o do Resto, Eiras, Pico in S\u00e3o Jorge, Vigia, Ninho da Manta, Beira da Quinta, Boca das Voltas, Cabo A\u00e9reo, Balc\u00f5es and S\u00e3o Crist\u00f3v\u00e3o.<\/p>\n

For an easy driving day, combine V\u00e9u da Noiva, Porto de Abrigo, Achadas da Cruz and Porto Moniz. For northeast scenery, Portela, Ribeiro Frio, Balc\u00f5es, Faial and Santana work well together. Balc\u00f5es 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\u2019s official status before setting out.<\/p>\n

South Coast and Funchal: 29 official viewpoints<\/h2>\n

The official South Coast group includes Cabo Gir\u00e3o, Eira do Serrado, Boca dos Namorados, Boca da Corrida and Pared\u00e3o in the central valleys, plus a large collection of city panoramas in Funchal. The Funchal list is Castelo do Pico, Achada, Nazar\u00e9, Quinta Vigia, Vila Guida, Neves, S\u00e3o Roque, Curral dos Romeiros, S\u00e3o Jos\u00e9 Fort, Botanical Garden, Lido, Lombo da Quinta, Palheiro Ferreiro, Santa Catarina Park, Pico dos Barcelos, Pin\u00e1culo, Socorro, Terreiro da Luta, Marmeleiros, Largo Padre Pita Ferreira, Quinta das Cruzes, Babosas, Santa Luzia and Pico Alto.<\/p>\n

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 Pin\u00e1culo look across the bay; while Eira do Serrado gives the classic view into Curral das Freiras. Cabo Gir\u00e3o is a purpose-built attraction rather than an ordinary roadside stop, so allow extra time for arrival, parking and visitor flow.<\/p>\n

East, west and central mountains: 25 viewpoints to plan into a road trip<\/h2>\n

O East Coast<\/strong> 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, Cani\u00e7o and Ponta de S\u00e3o Louren\u00e7o 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.<\/p>\n

O West Coast<\/strong> has 17: S\u00e3o Sebasti\u00e3o, Espig\u00e3o, Pousada dos Vinh\u00e1ticos, Encumeada, the viewpoint over Ponta do Sol, Cascalho, Achada de Santo Ant\u00e3o, 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.<\/p>\n

O Central Mountain Range<\/strong> adds Pico do Areeiro and Bica da Cana. Pico do Areeiro is one of Madeira\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Drive-up panoramas versus hiking viewpoints: how to choose safely<\/h2>\n

For visitors with a hire car, choose two or three viewpoints per day rather than trying to \u201ccollect\u201d them. Madeira\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Drive-up viewpoints usually have a signed pull-in, small parking area or public roadside space. Arrive early at Pico do Areeiro, Cabo Gir\u00e3o, 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n