At 580 meters (1,902 feet) above the Atlantic, Cabo Girão is one of Europe's highest sea cliffs (ranked 5th in Europe by Wikipedia's list; the tallest sea cliffs in Europe sit in Norway and the Faroe Islands). The glass-floor skywalk platform offers vertigo-inducing views straight down to the farmland terraces and ocean below.
Getting there and back
Which route
Where to board
Boarding reference: Funchal. Select a journey that names Cabo Girão; check the route page for the correct direction and any branch notes. The town name alone does not identify a boarding bay.
From the stop
Use the named Cabo Girão stop or timing point for Cabo Girão. Plan the pedestrian leg from that point to your exact destination; the bus sheet does not give a walking distance or confirm entrance access.
The way back
Choose the last usable return on the route page before leaving. Use its dated timetable where available, otherwise its linked SIGA sheet. Match the day, direction and stop; a departure from the terminus is not a departure from your stop.
Good to know
- The route data lists a Cabo Girão stop, but no dated timetable block is available for 253. Establish the actual boarding stop and a return journey from the route page’s SIGA source before travelling.
- The bus sources name stops, but do not establish a step-free walking route or the entrance location. Check the final approach and the return boarding point before leaving the bus.
Suggested day trip itinerary
Choose an outbound and return journey from the current SIGA timetable before setting out, and use the stop map to plan the final approach. Allow time to enjoy the viewpoint, take photos, and visit the café. On another part of your west-coast trip, consider visiting Câmara de Lobos.
What to see at Cabo Girão
The main attraction is the glass skywalk platform (Miradouro do Cabo Girão). Entry costs €5 per person (2026 price) — free for children up to 12 and Madeira residents. On clear days, the views stretch along the entire south coast from Funchal to Ponta do Sol. Look straight down to see the fajãs (coastal plateaus) 580 meters below, where local farmers still cultivate grapes and vegetables accessed only by cable car.
A small chapel and café are located next to the viewpoint. The surrounding area offers walking paths along the clifftop with additional viewpoints. A wine production center nearby occasionally offers tastings of the local Madeira wine produced from grapes grown on the fajãs below.
Practical tips
Best time to visit
Early morning for the clearest views and fewest visitors. Late afternoon provides beautiful golden light for photographs. Avoid midday when cruise ship tour groups arrive. The skywalk is spectacular year-round, though clouds can sometimes obscure the view in winter.
