Cabo Girao
Madeira's highest sea cliff
GPS: N 32d39'36" W 17d00'18"
Western Madeira is a part of the island where you really start to see the sharp cliff edges and that rugged coastal terrain. After spending some time with the colorful boats in Camara de Lobos, we continued our travels west a few more miles to a famous viewpoint on the island, Cabo do Girao. Just 20-30 minutes from Funchal, this is an easy spot to access from the city, and a must-see for its amazing vantage point of the Madeira Coastline.
No Car? No Problem!
Book a tour HERE to see this part of the island,
along with other spots along the west coast of Madeira.
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| Sign for the viewpoint, Cabo Girao |
Cabo do Girao is a viewing platform located approximately 3 km (1.8 miles) west of Camara de Lobos, The panorama viewpoint sits on Madeiras highest sea cliffs at about 580m (1,900').
The platform isn't your typical viewpoint, but instead has a glass floor that extends over the edge of the cliff. This area is not for the faint of heart as you look down through the floor at the Atlantic Ocean nearly 2,000' below you. The area is open 24 hours, and believe it or not, there is no charge to visit the platform. Although there is free admission, the bathrooms are .50 euro.
The platform isn't your typical viewpoint, but instead has a glass floor that extends over the edge of the cliff. This area is not for the faint of heart as you look down through the floor at the Atlantic Ocean nearly 2,000' below you. The area is open 24 hours, and believe it or not, there is no charge to visit the platform. Although there is free admission, the bathrooms are .50 euro.
More Information from Madeira-Portugal-Guide.com:
"The cliffs were once part of an ancient volcano and the steep drop of the cliffs continue into the sea south of Cabo Girao. These waters are so deep that it sometimes is possible spot whales feeding in the nutrient rich sea
To extend a visit to the Cabo Girao Cliffs take the cable car down to the Fajas de Cabo Girao terraced fields. The return cable car ride is €5.00 and the route scales down the cliff face. The reason that this inaccessible land has been cultivated for vines is that the south facing cliffs shelter the terraces and radiate the summer heat for the almost perfect growing weather. Previous to the construction of the cable car farmers could only access the field by boat".
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| View of the Cabo Girao platform from a far |
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| Seacliffs of Western Madeira |
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| Engraved Cactus in Madeira |
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| Gift shop and Restrooms at Cabo Girao |
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| Walkway to the glass viewing platform |
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| Views from the platform |
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| Amazing views from the Cabo Girao platform |
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| View straight down from the platform. Source: Wikipedia |
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| Walking across the glass platform |
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| Glass floor on the platform with views of the Atlantic below |
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| Aunt and uncle posing on the platform |
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| Aunt and uncle posing on the platform |
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| Trolly service that visits vetween Cabo Girao and Camaro do Lobos. |
In case you missed last weeks Madeira Posts:
Camaro de Lobos - Fishing Village
Eira do Serrado and Curral das Freiras- Valley of the Nuns and Viewpoint
Pico do Arieiro- Madeira's 3rd highest peak
Jardim Botanicos da Madeira- East Funchal- Botanical Garden
East Funchal and Mercado dos Lavradores- East Funchal- Market
East Funchal- Cable Cars and Toboggan Rides East Funchal- Cable Cars and Toboggan Rides
Landing in Madeira Island, Portugal - Landing in Madeira
Wow, what great views! Alicia @ www.girlonahike.com
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