Cabo Girão
Cliff Sea cliff skywalk on Madeira with dramatic views
Cabo Girão on Madeira presents a steep sea cliff and a glass-sided viewing platform above the Atlantic; visitors come for cliff-top vistas, nearby levada walks and coastal photography.
Cabo Girão is a sea cliff on the south coast of Madeira, Portugal, notable for its dramatic vertical drop to the Atlantic of roughly 580 metres and for a prominent glass-floored viewing platform.
The cliff is a natural coastal feature formed by marine erosion and landslides over geological time. The addition of purpose-built viewing infrastructure in the 2010s enhanced its profile as a visitor attraction.
Located on Madeira’s south coast above the freguesia of Câmara de Lobos, the site lies west of Funchal and is easily reached by road from the island’s main towns.
- Height: The cliff drops about 580 metres to the sea and is one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe, offering panoramic ocean and island views.
- Visitor tip: A glass platform added in the 2010s provides a clear view straight down the face on calm days; bring windproof clothing as the site is exposed.
What to See #
- Glass skywalk: A glass-floored viewing platform suspended over the cliff edge that gives unobstructed views out to the Atlantic and down the vertical drop to the terraced farmland below.
- Cliff face: The cliff itself forms a near-vertical face falling to the sea with a drop of roughly 580 metres, visible from the roadway and the lower coastal paths.
How to Get to Cabo Girão #
From Funchal drive west on the VR1 then take the ER101 and regional roads toward Câmara de Lobos; signage leads to Cabo Girão. There is a small car park at the viewpoint and local buses from Câmara de Lobos and Funchal serve the area.
Tips for Visiting Cabo Girão #
- For the dramatic glass-floored viewpoint, arrive mid-morning when coastal haze is minimal and visibility is best.
- There is limited parking at the top; consider taking the cable car from Câmara de Lobos in high season.
- Bring wind protection - the cliff-top can be surprisingly gusty even on warm days.
Best Time to Visit Cabo Girão #
Best in spring and early summer for clear views and fewer crowds; late afternoon light is excellent for photography.
Weather & Climate near Cabo Girão #
Cabo Girão's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Mediterranean - Warm-Summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 12°C to 24°C. Moderate rainfall (643 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is the coolest month with highs of 17°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 14°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 21°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall.
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July
July is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 18°C. The driest month with just 4 mm and mostly sunny skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 24°C and lows of 18°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm).
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October
October is mild with highs of 22°C and lows of 17°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 15°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 13°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (109 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
