Cabo GirãoCabo Girão at a Glance
About Cabo Girão
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.
Nearby Attractions to Cabo Girão
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 12° - 17° | 15° | 93 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 5.0 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.1h |
| February | Good | 12° - 17° | 15° | 68 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 5.3 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 10.9h |
| March | Very Good | 12° - 18° | 15° | 62 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 5.4 m/s | 1.3 high | 11.9h |
| April | Very Good | 13° - 18° | 15° | 41 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 5.5 m/s | 1.7 very high | 12.9h |
| May | Excellent | 14° - 19° | 17° | 28 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 5.0 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 13.7h |
| June | Excellent | 16° - 21° | 18° | 11 mm | some cloud | 78% | 4.9 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 14.1h |
| July | Ideal | 18° - 23° | 20° | 4 mm | mostly sunny | 79% | 5.2 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 13.9h |
| August | Ideal | 19° - 24° | 21° | 7 mm | mostly sunny | 78% | 4.8 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 13.2h |
| September | Excellent | 18° - 24° | 21° | 51 mm | some cloud | 76% | 4.4 m/s | 1.7 very high | 12.2h |
| October | Excellent | 17° - 22° | 20° | 82 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 4.4 m/s | 1.1 high | 11.2h |
| November | Good | 15° - 20° | 18° | 87 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 4.7 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 10.4h |
| December | Good | 13° - 19° | 16° | 109 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 5.1 m/s | 0.5 low | 9.9h |
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.