A short drive from Funchal, this is one of the most popular viewpoints with its sky walk, But it does get very “busy”:https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g1190957-d1464866-Reviews-Cabo_Girao-Camara_De_Lobos_Madeira_Madeira_Islands.html#photos;aggregationId=101&albumid=101&filter=7&ff=354969924 especially in the mornings as all the tours of Western Maderira stop here first. If possible it is best to plan a visit for late afternoon, when not only is it a lot quieter, the sun is behind you for views across to Funchal.
There is a car park and it is a short walk to the viewpoint past a row of tourist shops and a cafe. Eucalyptus trees scent the air and there are also mimosa trees.
At just over 1900’, the cliffs at Cabo Dirao are among the highest in Europe and fall sheer down to a tiny patch of cultivated land. There are excellent views across to the holiday village of Cabo Girao and Funchal beyond, separated by a steep sided terraced valley.
The view point is built out over the edge of the cliffs. The highlight is the “glass platform”:https://images.app.goo.gl/c1NrqRk6EzZKM9hQ8 which was constructed in 2012 and gives views down to the tiny patch of cultivated land on a wave cut platform at their base. Vines are grown here and they were only accessible by boat until a “cable car”:https://fajadospadres.com/faja/index.php/en/acessos-en/elevador-en was built to reach them in 2003.
There is no charge to visit the viewpoint and it is always open. It can be reached by bus from Camara dos Lobos.
you can find all my pictures of Madeira “here.”:http://wasleys.org.uk/eleanor/otherholidays/madeira/index.html
