Cabo Girao: Madeira's Glass Skywalk

Cabo Girão is one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe, rising almost 600 metres above the Atlantic just west of Funchal. A glass-floored skywalk juts out from the top, so you can look straight down to the tiny terraced fields at the foot of the cliff.

Quick answer: Cabo Girão is about 20 minutes’ drive west of Funchal, past Câmara de Lobos. Walk onto the glass skywalk, take in the view along the coast, and ride the cable car down to the fields and beach at the bottom. Allow about an hour. It’s a stop on most west-island tours. See west Madeira tours.

Why go

The viewpoint stands about 580 metres above the sea, and Madeira’s tourist board calls Cabo Girão the highest cape in Europe. It’s one of the easiest big views on the island to reach: the road goes almost to the top, and the walk from the car park to the edge takes a couple of minutes. On a clear day you see the whole south coast, from the cliffs of the west to Funchal’s bay.

The name is said to come from the early navigators: in 1419 João Gonçalves Zarco’s ships turned back (“giro”) at this headland while exploring the coast.

Entry fee

Since 1 January 2026 there has been a fee of about €5 per person to enter the viewpoint and skywalk area. Children up to 12 and Madeira residents get in free. The fee has gone up each year recently (it was €3 in 2025), so check the current price on arrival. Tours usually say whether the fee is included.

What to see

• The skywalk: a glass platform over the edge, opened in 2012, with a dizzying view straight down to the sea and the fields below. Allow 15 to 30 minutes, more if there’s a queue for photos.
• The view: along the coast to Funchal and Câmara de Lobos, with the steep green slopes and banana terraces of the south coast in between.
• The cable car: descends to the Fajãs do Cabo Girão, small farmed terraces at sea level, once reachable only by boat or by paths cut into the rock. It leaves from Sítio do Rancho, a short drive from the viewpoint rather than from the skywalk itself, so check directions first. The cabins are small, with six seats each.
• The fajãs: a warm strip of land where farmers still grow vines, sweet potatoes, passion fruit, mangoes and other crops. There’s a small beach where you can swim when the sea is calm. Allow one to two hours if you go down.

The cable car in more detail

The ride down the cliff takes only a few minutes, but the drop is steep and the views back up the rock face are dramatic. Recent visitors report a return fare of about €10, paid at the top station. It is also used by the farmers who work the terraces, and the small cabins mean queues can build at busy times. There’s a small car park by the top station with few spaces. At the bottom, paths lead between the terraces to the pebble beach. Rockfalls can close parts of the area, so follow any signs.

Getting there

• By car: about 20 minutes west of Funchal on the main south-coast road, with a car park at the viewpoint. It fills up mid-morning when the tour coaches arrive.
• By bus: local buses from Funchal towards Câmara de Lobos and beyond pass nearby. Madeira’s buses are now part of the single SIGA network, and all routes were given new three-digit numbers in March 2026, so ignore old route numbers you see online. Check the current timetable and stop before you go, as services are limited. See getting around Madeira.
• By taxi or tour: a taxi from Funchal is a quick option. Most west-island and half-day tours stop here.

How long to spend

Allow about an hour for the viewpoint, the skywalk and a coffee. Add one to two hours if you ride the cable car down to the fajãs.

Suggested half day from Funchal

• Morning: drive to Cabo Girão early for clearer skies and fewer people.
• Late morning: take the cable car down to the fajãs for a walk among the terraces.
• Lunch: stop in Câmara de Lobos on the way back for fresh fish by the harbour.

To make a full day of it, carry on west after lunch along the south coast to Ribeira Brava and Ponta do Sol. See Ponta do Sol.

Nearby

• Câmara de Lobos: a colourful fishing village. See Câmara de Lobos.
• Curral das Freiras: the village in a deep valley inland, often called the Nuns’ Valley. See Curral das Freiras.
• The west coast: continue to Porto Moniz. See the Porto Moniz pools.

Food

• Espetada: beef skewers grilled over wood, a Madeiran classic.
• Black scabbard fish (espada): often served with banana, and a speciality of Câmara de Lobos.
• Poncha: the local drink of sugar cane rum, honey and lemon.
• Bolo do caco: round flatbread with garlic butter.

There’s a cafe and souvenir shop at the viewpoint for a drink or a snack. For a proper meal, Câmara de Lobos and the nearby village of Estreito de Câmara de Lobos, known for its vineyards and espetada houses, are a short drive away.

Tips

• Clouds: come on a clear day for the best view; mornings are often clearer. If it’s cloudy in Funchal, the cliff top may be in the mist.
• Vertigo: the glass floor isn’t for everyone, but the view from the railings is just as good.
• Crowds: tour coaches arrive mid-morning.
• Cable car times: it usually runs from morning to early evening with a lunch break. Check current times and prices before you go.
• Sun and wind: the top is exposed, so bring a layer and sun cream.
• Footwear: if you go down to the fajãs, wear shoes you can walk on stony paths and pebbles in.

FAQ

Do you have to pay to visit Cabo Girão?

Yes. Since January 2026 the entry fee for the viewpoint and skywalk has been about €5 per person, with free entry for children up to 12 and Madeira residents.

How long do you need at Cabo Girão?

About an hour for the skywalk and the view. Allow one to two hours more if you take the cable car down to the fajãs.

Can you get to Cabo Girão by bus?

Yes, local SIGA buses from Funchal pass nearby, but services are limited. Check the current route number and timetable before you go.

More: things to do in Funchal, the Madeira itinerary and the best Madeira tours.

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