Cabo Girão
Cabo Girão is a glass-floored viewpoint above Madeira’s south coast, at 580 metres above sea level. I have visited several times and recommend the experience, but it is not essential: the glass floor and the height are what you come for.
My quick take
I would go if you want to stand on the glass and look down the cliff. If you just want a good view, Madeira has free viewpoints that do the same job. Keep Cabo Girão as a short stop alongside Câmara de Lobos.
- Admission
- €5 over 12; 12 and under free
- Open daily
- 08:00–20:00
- Height
- 580 m above sea level
- Allow
- Around 30–45 minutes, plus queues
Is Cabo Girão worth paying for?
Yes, if the glass floor appeals to you. I have been several times and still recommend it now that there is an admission charge. Looking down through the platform, with the cliff beneath you, feels different from looking out over a normal railing.
But I would not call it an essential stop. At heart, it is a viewpoint. If you have already seen plenty of coastal panoramas, or do not want to stand on glass, you can leave it out without feeling you have missed a whole part of Madeira.
The view reaches east towards Câmara de Lobos and Funchal. Below the cliff are the small cultivated coastal plots known as fajãs. Look out towards the coast as well as down through the floor.
Landscape: Visit Madeira: Cabo Girão, checked 31 October 2026. The recommendation comes from my own visits.
Tickets and opening hours
Use the official government portal for admission. You can visit independently without buying a tour.
| Visitor or detail | What applies |
|---|---|
| Visitors over 12 | €5 per person |
| Children aged 12 and under | Free entry |
| Madeira residents with a valid resident card | Free entry |
| People with reduced mobility and wheelchair users | Free entry |
| Opening hours | Every day, 08:00–20:00 |
Source: SIMplifica: Cabo Girão tickets. Check again before your visit.
Buying online
Open the SIMplifica service below and choose “Solicitar” to start. Tourists and non-residents can buy without registering. Follow the instructions for the admission ticket.
Buy official skywalk ticketsExemptions and tour visits
Residents need a valid resident card for free entry. SIMplifica explains how to obtain it. People with reduced mobility and wheelchair users are also exempt; contact the operator if you need to confirm the access arrangements for your visit.
If a day tour stops here, check whether admission is included before paying separately.
How to get to Cabo Girão
The viewpoint is above Câmara de Lobos, west of Funchal. Aim for the skywalk entrance on Estrada do Cabo Girão.
By car
Use the viewpoint pin below rather than a general search for the cape or the cable car. Leave the main road and follow the signs uphill to the miradouro. Use designated parking and check the signs for any current charges or restrictions.
Parking is separate from skywalk admission. Allow extra time to find a space when the viewpoint is busy.
Open the skywalk entrance in Google MapsBy public bus
SIGA route 267 serves Cabo Girão between Funchal and Ribeira Brava. The official PDF still uses the old number 7 and groups different routes together. Look for the journeys marked “c” in the timetable. The express services in that sheet miss the viewpoint.
Check both directions for your day of travel and confirm the stop with the driver. The departure times in the PDF are from the route’s endpoints, not the time at the viewpoint.
SIGA route 7 timetable and current route numbering, checked 31 October 2026. More help in our Madeira by bus guide.
By taxi or tour
For a taxi visit, agree on the return or waiting arrangement before setting off. On a day tour, check that Cabo Girão is named in the itinerary and whether the entrance fee is included. You do not need a jeep to visit the viewpoint.
Compare west-side tour routes
Free viewpoints if you skip the glass floor
If your priority is the view, you have other options. Pico da Torre looks over Câmara de Lobos and its harbour, with Cabo Girão visible along the coast. It gives you a reason to look back at the cliff rather than stand on top of it.
In Funchal, Pico dos Barcelos is another free option for looking over the city and bay. Neither reproduces the glass-floor experience; both make sense if you would rather keep the day free of paid attractions.
Pico da Torre’s setting: Visit Madeira. The choice between a free panorama and the skywalk is my recommendation.
Combine it with Câmara de Lobos
Make the skywalk a stop before or after a walk around Câmara de Lobos. You get the wide coastal view from above, then the fishing boats and streets at harbour level.
If you are continuing west, choose Ribeira Brava or Ponta do Sol for the next part of the day. Leave time for the place you like rather than collecting every viewpoint.
The Rancho cable car is a separate visit. The glass platform does not take you down to the fajãs, and its admission ticket does not include a cable-car ride.
See our Madeira itineraries
Nearby
- Câmara de Lobos The harbour, a village walk and a place to stop for food or a drink.
- Funchal City streets, gardens and the seafront east of the viewpoint.
- Ribeira Brava A coastal town for the next stop west.
- Ponta do Sol A pebble beach and time by the sea further along the south coast.
Questions about Cabo Girão
Is Cabo Girão worth visiting?
I have been several times and recommend it, even with the entry charge. The glass floor and the height make it different from other viewpoints. It is not essential, though: Madeira has free viewpoints if you mainly want a coastal panorama.
How much does the Cabo Girão skywalk cost?
Entry costs €5 for visitors over 12. Children aged 12 and under, Madeira residents with a valid resident card, and people with reduced mobility or using wheelchairs are exempt. Checked 31 October 2026 on SIMplifica.
What are the opening hours?
The official ticket portal lists daily opening from 08:00 to 20:00, checked 31 October 2026. Check the portal again before travelling, especially if you plan to arrive near closing time.
Do I need to book a tour to visit Cabo Girão?
No. You can visit independently and buy admission through the official SIMplifica portal. Tourists do not need to create an account. If you visit on a tour, check whether skywalk admission is included in its price.
How long should I allow at Cabo Girão?
As a planning allowance, leave around 30–45 minutes for the viewpoint and photographs, plus any queue. It is a short sightseeing stop; combine it with Câmara de Lobos rather than setting aside a whole day.
Can I get to Cabo Girão by bus?
Yes. SIGA route 267 (old route 7) serves Cabo Girão. The older timetable groups several routes together; use journeys marked “c” for Cabo Girão. Other journeys in that timetable take different roads. Check the current timetable and your return service before leaving.
Is the Cabo Girão cable car included in the skywalk ticket?
No. The skywalk is the glass viewing platform at the top of the cliff. The Rancho cable car is a separate attraction with a different boarding point. Do not treat a skywalk admission ticket as a cable-car ticket.
Fit the south coast into your trip
Our family can help you choose the stops worth your time, with room for a harbour walk or lunch instead of another rushed viewpoint. A personal plan from our family is €149 for up to 5 days (€199 for 6 to 8), ready in 48 hours.