Cabo Girão — Europe's Second-Highest Sea Cliff at 580 Metres
Cabo Girão is a dramatic headland on Madeira's south coast, 9 km west of Funchal, rising 580 m sheer above the Atlantic Ocean. It is Europe's second-highest sea cliff and features a glass-floor skywalk extending over the void — one of Madeira's most thrilling and photographed viewpoints. Far below, tiny farms (fajas) cling to the rocky shoreline, accessible only by cable car.
Things to Do at Cabo Girão
- Stand on the glass-floor skywalk at 580 m for vertiginous views straight down to the Atlantic
- Take the cable car (teleférico) down to the faja farms clinging to the base of the cliff
- Walk the Levada do Norte trail from Campanário to Cabo Girão viewpoint (8 km)
- Visit Câmara de Lobos fishing village 5 km east — Churchill's favourite painting spot
- Taste poncha at the village bars and restaurants in Câmara de Lobos
- Combine with a day trip to Ribeira Brava market town on the south coast
Where to Stay near Cabo Girão
- Belmond Reid's Palace — Iconic 5-star Victorian clifftop hotel in Funchal, 20 min from Cabo Girão
- The Cliff Bay — Contemporary 5-star oceanfront resort in Funchal, 20 min from the viewpoint
- Quinta Bela São Tiago — Historic townhouse hotel in Funchal Old Town, 20 min from Cabo Girão
- Estalagem Eira do Serrado — Mountain hotel above the Curral das Freiras valley, 30 min from Cabo Girão
Practical Information
Cabo Girão is 9 km west of Funchal (20 minutes by car). Bus 154 connects Funchal directly to Cabo Girão. The viewpoint is free to visit and open daily. The cable car to the faja below costs approximately €5 return. Early morning (before 10 AM) gives the clearest views before coastal haze builds.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Cabo Girão glass skywalk safe?
- Yes. The glass-floor skywalk is completely safe — the panels are thick tempered glass set in a steel frame anchored into the cliff bedrock. Thousands of visitors walk on it every day. Many people experience natural vertigo due to the height (580 m) but there is no structural risk whatsoever.
- What is the best time to visit Cabo Girão?
- Early morning (8–10 AM) for the clearest views before coastal haze develops. Weekday mornings are less crowded than weekend afternoons when tour coaches arrive. The viewpoint is open all day.
- What is in the faja at the base of Cabo Girão?
- The faja is a small farming area at the foot of the cliff, accessible only by the cable car. Farmers grow bananas, grapes and vegetables on this unique ledge of land. Visitors can walk around the faja and take photos looking up at the enormous cliff face.