Cabo Girão Skywalk: Tips, Views & Entrance Fee

Cabo Girão Skywalk wasn’t something we were especially excited about at first. We honestly thought it might feel too touristy and more like a quick photo stop than a real experience. A glass platform over the ocean sounded cool in theory, but we weren’t sure it would be worth the detour.

We visited while driving along Madeira’s south coast and, despite the crowds, it turned out to be a really pleasant short stop. The platform itself is small, but the views down to the terraced fields and the Atlantic are impressive.

If you’re planning your route around the island, this is an easy place to combine with other south-coast highlights — we also included it in our guide to the best things to do in Madeira, together with spots we genuinely enjoyed ourselves.

In this guide, we’ll share what visiting Cabo Girão Skywalk was really like for us, what to expect when you arrive, and practical tips from our own experience.

At a Glance

Cabo Girão Skywalk sits on a high sea cliff above terraced farmland and the Atlantic, with wide views along Madeira’s south coast. When we visited, we only planned to stop for a few minutes but ended up staying longer just watching the waves far below and taking in how steep the cliffs really are.

The platform itself is quite small, so it feels more like a viewpoint than a place to explore, but stepping onto the glass still gives you a real sense of the height. It’s a good short stop if you’re already driving this part of the island, though we wouldn’t plan a whole day around it if you’re looking for somewhere quiet or walkable.

Is it worth it?

For us, Cabo Girão Skywalk was worth the stop — but only because we treated it as a short viewpoint break, not a main attraction. We were there for maybe 15–20 minutes, and that felt just right.

Standing on the glass and looking straight down to the ocean and the terraced fields below really does give you a proper “wow” moment.

Compared to nearby places like Câmara de Lobos or other coastal viewpoints, this one stood out for us because of the glass platform and the feeling of height. You don’t get that straight-down perspective elsewhere in the same way.

Where is Cabo Girão Skywalk

Cabo Girão Skywalk is located on Madeira’s south coast, above the village of Câmara de Lobos, between Funchal and Ribeira Brava. It sits high on the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic, with views stretching along the coastline on clear days.

From nearby spots, it’s:

• about 15 minutes from Funchal,
• around 10 minutes from Câmara de Lobos,
• and roughly 20 minutes from Ribeira Brava.

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How to get there

By rental car

This is how we visited, and it was by far the easiest option. We usually book our cars through DiscoverCars, which we use everywhere, mainly because it lets us compare prices from many companies in one place and choose rentals with clear conditions.

We also always add their full coverage insurance, so we don’t have to stress about scratches or small damage on narrow roads.

The drive itself is straightforward and fully paved, with clear signs all the way up to the viewpoint.

There’s a large parking area right next to the entrance, which is great, but because Cabo Girão is so popular, it can feel surprisingly busy late in the morning and around midday, especially in high season.

By public bus

You can reach Cabo Girão from Funchal using bus line 7 toward Câmara de Lobos / Cabo Girão. The journey takes roughly 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic. The bus drops you close to the viewpoint, followed by a short walk uphill to the entrance.

Buses aren’t very frequent, so it’s best to check the schedule in advance.

Join a tour

If you don’t want to worry about driving, parking, or bus schedules, this west Madeira tour is honestly one of the easiest ways to see a lot in one day. You get the viewpoint as part of a well-planned route that also includes places like Fanal Forest, Porto Moniz pools, and more.

What we like about this tour is that it removes all the logistics from the day. You’re picked up, driven along some of Madeira’s most scenic roads, and taken to viewpoints at the right pace.

Guides are one of the biggest highlights — people often mention how much local insight they get along the way, which turns what could be “just another viewpoint” into a more meaningful stop with context and stories.

It’s especially good if you don’t plan to rent a car or if you only have a few days on the island and want to see a lot without rushing.

Entrance and parking fees

We bought our tickets at the machines by the entrance, where we could pay by card or cash. After that, we went straight to the turnstile, scanned the code on our ticket, and walked in — the whole process took less than a minute.

There may be queues during busy hours.

One thing we noticed is that the ticket is valid for one entry only. Once we left the platform area, we couldn’t go back in, so we made sure to take our time and enjoy the views before exiting.

We parked right next to the entrance in the main parking area. Parking is free, but it can fill up quickly.

What to expect

There isn’t that much to see or do once you’re inside, which is why we’d treat Cabo Girão as a short stop rather than a big attraction. After passing through the turnstiles, we walked along a short paved path with a few benches.

At the end of the path is the glass skywalk terrace, sitting right on the edge of the cliff. From here, you look straight down onto the terraced fields and the Atlantic far below, and along the coast in both directions.

The view feels especially vertical, which is what makes this spot different from most other viewpoints on the island.

We visited in the late afternoon, which worked well for us because the crowds had started to thin out. The day we came was cloudy, with fog rolling in and out over the cliffs, and it actually made the place feel more dramatic, with the ocean appearing and disappearing below us.

Facilities

Near the entrance, we found toilets, souvenir shop and a small kiosk where you can buy drinks or a quick snack. Inside the viewpoint area itself, there’s nothing extra.

Best time to visit

Late afternoon worked best for us, when the number of visitors started to drop and the platform felt less rushed. The middle of the day is usually the busiest, especially with tour groups, and can feel crowded for such a small space.

Clear weather gives the widest views, but we actually liked seeing clouds and fog move across the cliffs — it made the landscape feel more dramatic.

If you have flexibility, avoid peak midday hours and plan your visit for earlier or later in the day for a calmer experience.

Where to stay

After exploring Madeira, we put together a where to stay in Madeira guide to help you choose an area and hotel that actually fit how you want to travel.

We’ve handpicked the best hotels in Madeira, focusing on places we’d genuinely book again ourselves, based on location, comfort, and how practical they are as a base for exploring.

During busy periods like summer and popular spring months, prices rise quickly and availability drops. Booking early makes a big difference, both in price and in having real choice.

Once you find a place that works for your itinerary, we recommend sticking with it. Waiting or changing plans later often means fewer options or ending up in a location that makes exploring Madeira more time-consuming than it needs to be.

Here are our top picks:

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hotel Porto Mare – PortoBay (our top pick) – We stayed here and it felt like a really lovely place to come back to after long days out. The gardens and pools gave it a calm feel, and we liked having the ocean nearby without being stuck in the busy centre. Breakfast was one of those things we actually looked forward to, and the rooms were quiet.
⭐️ Best for: Couples or families who want a relaxed, high-comfort stay with resort-style facilities.
👉 Check current deals →

⭐️⭐️ Aqua Natura Bay – We stayed here too, mainly because of the location, and that turned out to be the best part. Waking up to the Atlantic right outside the window and having the natural pools next door felt special, especially early in the morning before anyone else showed up. We also loved spending time at the rooftop infintiy pool. But the highlight of the stay was the À la carte dinner.
⭐️ Best for: Ocean views, swimming in natural pools, and exploring western Madeira.
👉 Compare prices →

⭐️ Quinta das Vinhas – A charming countryside stay set among vineyards above Calheta, offering a completely different side of Madeira. The atmosphere is peaceful and authentic, with beautiful views over the hills and plenty of space to slow down.
⭐️ Best for: Travelers looking for quiet surroundings, nature, and a slower pace away from busy areas.
👉 See latest prices →

FAQ

Final Thoughts

Cabo Girão Skywalk isn’t a place you spend hours at, but we still think it’s worth stopping if you’re already exploring this part of Madeira.

It’s one of those spots where the experience is really about the feeling of standing on the glass and looking straight down at the ocean.

For us, it worked best as a short break on a driving day — a quick wow moment, a few photos, and then back on the road. It’s touristy, yes, but still impressive in its own way.