The Cabo Girao skywalk in Madeira is one of the best viewpoints on the whole island but also one of the most terrifying if you’re afraid of heights. This epic viewpoint is located on the southern part of the island about 25 minutes west of Funchal.
A fun fact about the Cabo Girao skywalk in Madeira is that it’s actually the highest sea cliff in Europe with 580 meters! Once you’re up there walking on the glass platform you’ll believe it! The drop is absolutely insane and if you’re afraid of heights we’re going to warn you right now; it’s going to be a little scary. But it’s very safe and the views from Cabo Girao are totally worth it.
Cabo Girao is a must-visit when you’re in Madeira and arguably one of the most unique viewpoints on the island.
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Everything you need to know about visiting the Cabo Girao Skywalk
Cabo Girao is a must-see while you’re in Madeira. We’ll be honest and say there are plenty of other amazing viewpoints in Madeira that are more beautiful and natural but Cabo Giaro is the tallest sea cliff in Europe and it’s totally worth visiting.
You can easily drive up to the skywalk in Madeira on your own if you have a car or by taking a taxi / Bolt (like Uber). Alternatively, you can go on a guided tour of the west coast of Madeira where the Cabo Girao skywalk is one of the stops along the tour!
We went on a full-day west coast tour with Lido Tours. Throughout the day, we saw some of the highlights from the west side of the island. Starting in Funchal the trip went to Camera do Lobos, Cabo Girao, Ribeira Brava, and all the way to Porto Moniz! You can read more about the tour here.
⛵️ Book your west coast Madeira tour here
⏰ Time: Roughly 8 hours
💸 Cost: €34
⭐️ Reviews: 4.7 of 5 (+1000 reviews)
The last option for you to visit Cabo Girao viewpoint is by taking public transport. This is the cheapest way to visit the skywalk in Madeira but it also takes a while to get there by bus.
Take bus 7 or 142 from Funchal with the bus company ‘Rodoeste’. It should take you roughly 26 minutes and cost you €2-3. The bus runs every 1-2 hours. You can check out the bus schedule here.
How to get to the Cabo Girao Skywalk in Madeira
As we mentioned above, there are essentially 4 ways you can get to the Cabo Girao Skywalks in Madeira which is only a short drive from Funchal. If you rent a car, you can add this as a stop on your day trip around the west coast of Madeira. You’ll need max 30 minutes to an hour at the viewpoint.
If you plan to go by bus or taxi it may be worth combining the Skywalk in Madeira with the Levada do Norte hike that starts nearby so you don’t take the bus or taxi just to see the viewpoint and then return again.
Then there’s the option of going on the guided west coast Madeira tour where you’ll briefly stop by the famous viewpoint before continuing on the best of the west of Madeira! 😉
Bus from Funchal to Cabo Girao Skywalks: Rodoeste Bus website or on Rome2Rio
Car Rental from Funchal: You can find the different car rental deals in Funchal here
Taxi, Uber, and Bolt: These are three options but Bolt is by far the cheapest of the three
Madeira tour: Best of the West – full day tour (Cabo Girao, Ribeira Brava & Porto Moniz)
What exactly is the Cabo Girao Skywalk in Madeira
In simple terms, Cabo Girao is a viewpoint and tourist attraction. The reason this specific viewpoint is so famous is because it is the highest sea cliff in Europe and the second highest sea cliff in the world (right after Kalaupapa Cliffs in Hawaii). Also, the views from the Cabo Girao skywalk are incredible!
The Skywalk is close to Funchal, the capital city of Madeira, so it’s pretty easy to get to and most west coast tours from Funchal stop by this viewpoint.
It’s really just a platform with see-through glass where you can get an awesome view of Madeira’s south coast. The platform is fairly big and can fit a lot of people but it can be scary for some because of the see-through glass and the 580-meter drop below you.
In total, from the parking lot to the viewpoint and spending time there you’ll need around 30 minutes as it really is just a viewpoint. The only thing we can recommend is don’t come all the way from Funchal just for the Skywalk in Madeira. Continue out west and see more places like Ponta do Sol, Calheta Beach, and Jardim do Mar!
What to expect at the famous Skywalk in Madeira
Cabo Girao is famous which means it’s almost always busy with tourists. Especially since the parking lot is only a 2-3 minute walk from the viewpoint, almost anyone and their grandma can make it to the viewpoint so it does get really busy during the day.
You can also expect a crazy crazy drop-off which is essentially what people come to see. The distance from the viewpoint to the ocean is 580 meters and seeing that through a glass floor is pretty wild.
If you’re afraid of heights you’re most likely not going to enjoy the platform where you can stand. Luckily, you can still stand behind the platform and take in the awesome views from there as well.
Other than the incredible Madeiran coastline, you will also be able to see both the city of Funchal and the famous Camera do Lobos.
Besides that, it’s not that big of a place. There’s a little cafe, a souvenir shop, and toilets you can use. The viewpoint is free to access and walk around. The rest is just houses and residential areas next to Cabo Girao so you have to drive a bit further to see something else once you’re done at the viewpoint.
Price and opening hours for Cabo Girao
Usually, it’s free to visit the Skywalk in Madeira but in the past years, there’s sometimes been a €0.50 entrance fee during peak season. It’s best to have a few Euros on hand just in case you need to pay to see Cabo Girao.
As for the opening hours, they vary depending on the season. During the summer months, the viewing platform is open from 8:30 am to 8:00 pm every day. During the rest of the year, the viewpoint is open from 8:30 am to 7:00 pm.
Pro trip: Try going for sunset on a random day of the week. Usually, the evenings are way less crowded at the Cabo Girao Skywalks because most tours and people go earlier in the day. Sometimes sunsets can be absolutely stunning from up there. Not as good as from Pico Ruivo but a good second! 😉
Other related questions about Cabo Girao the Skywalk in Madeira
How do I get from Funchal to Cabo Girao by bus?
The easiest way to get from Funchal to Cabo Giaro is by bus 7 with Roedoeste. Bus 7 leaves from the Funchal bus terminal and stops at Cabo Girao before ending at Ribeira Brava. The bus ride takes roughly 30 minutes from Funchal to Cabo Girao so it’s not too long.
Is Cabo Girao Free?
Cabo Girao should be free to visit but recently people have mentioned that during peak season there’s a €0.50 to enter the viewpoint to see the famous Skywalk of Madeira. Otherwise, the skywalk is usually free!
According to the official Cabo Girao website, it should always be free.
Is Cabo Girao the highest sea cliff in Europe?
Yes, Cabo Girao is the highest sea cliff in Europe. The cliff is 580 meters high and you can see it first-hand from the see-through glass platform that will truly test your fear of heights.
What is the best tour to see Cabo Girao?
If you want to see Cabo Girao on a guided tour “The Best of the West” is a tour we’ve actually been on and can highly recommend. You’ll stop by Camada de Lobos, Porto Moniz, and of course Cabo Girao!
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Recap of the most famous viewpoint in Madeira: Cabo Girao
We hope this covered everything you needed to know about Cabo Girao. This viewpoint is awesome but definitely make it a stop on a longer day trip to make the most of your time. You can also go on a guided tour where you stop here but then continue to see more of the beautiful island.
There’s plenty to see between Camara do Lobos and Ribeira Brava with Cabo Girao right in the middle of the two. There are some nice beaches and hikes nearby that you can visit after spending some time at this awesome viewpoint as well!
If you have any questions about how to get to the Madeira Skywalk, recommendations on other things to see and do in Madeira, or what guided tours to go on then please feel free to reach out to us.
If you’re looking for more viewpoints to check out around the island one we can recommend is the Vereda dos Balcões Viewpoint in Ribeiro Frio.
For anymore questions or whatever then leave a comment down below or DM us on Instagram @redwhiteadventures and we’ll help you out!
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