Where to Watch the Sunset in Madeira: 13 of the Best Locations You Can’t Miss
Madeira, known for its lush green mountains, dramatic cliffs, and crystal-clear waters, also happens to be one of the best places in the world to watch the sun go down. Whether you’re standing on the island’s highest peaks or relaxing by the coast with a cold drink in hand, Madeira’s sunsets are nothing short of spectacular.
In this guide, we’ll explore 12 of the best sunset locations across the island, each offering a unique vantage point to experience the end of the day in true Madeira style.
The best part? Most of these spots are easily accessible, many just a short walk (under 10 minutes) from your car.
At a glance
Pico Ruivo
Pico do Arieiro
Miradouro da Raposeira
Ponta do Pargo lighthouse
Calheta beach & harbour
Paul do Mar - Fish factory
Miradouro do Ponta da Ladeira
Cascata dos Anjos
Fly Lounge Bar - Saccharum Resort
Pico Grande
Sao Martinho / Praia Fomosa
Cabo Giro
Cristo Rei do Garajau
Pico do Arieiro
Location: Pico do Arieiro Viewpoint
Parking: Large car park beside the radar dome and café
Popularity: ★★★★ ★ (5/5)
Time Needed to Reach Viewpoint: 5–30 minutes
At 1,810 metres, Pico do Arieiro is one of Madeira’s highest peaks and one of the best places on the island to watch the sunset. Although most visitors flock here for sunrise, I’d argue that sunset is even better.
It’s quieter, warmer, and more impressive as the sun sets behind the PR1 trail that leads out toward Pico Ruivo, meaning you’ll have a dramatic backdrop of jagged peaks and rolling clouds glowing gold in the evening light.
Advantages of coming at sunset:
Quieter than sunrise
multiple vantage points to choose from.
Easier parking near the summit
No early wake-up call (and no freezing cold start)
Better flexibility — you can check the webcams beforehand to see if conditions are right for a cloud inversion
I have been up twice and the sunset has been incredible both times For the best views, skip the crowds around the main observatory and walk about 1 km along the PR1 trail toward the Stairway to Heaven viewpoint it only takes 15–30 minutes and the view is extra special
Pico Ruivo
Location: Pico Ruivo via Achada do Teixeira
Parking: Achada do Teixeira trailhead
Crowds: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
Time Needed to Reach Viewpoint: 40–75minutes (one way)
For me this is the best Mountainous sunset spot on the island
Pico Ruivo is the highest peak in Madeira, and the view from the summit is nothing short of spectacular. From the top, you’re treated to an unrivalled 360° panorama stretching across the island
Although it’s a bit more effort to reach than Pico do Arieiro, the payoff is absolute tranquility. The short hike from Achada do Teixeira keeps the crowds away, meaning you’ll often share the summit with only a handful of other hikers.
On the two occasions I visited I witnessed two of the most intense and breathtaking sunsets Even with a few others at the top, the summit’s multiple vantage points made it feel quiet and personal.
The shortest route to the summit starts from Achada do Teixeira, a 2.7 km (one-way) trail with around 270 m of elevation gain. Fit hikers can reach the top in under an hour, but it’s worth giving yourself extra time so you don’t rush.
Bring a extra layers as it can get cold, a torch for the descent, and a cheeky Coral to sip at the top.
Miradouro da Raposeira
Location: Miradouro da Raposeira Viewpoint
Parking: Small roadside area at the end of the road – limited space
Popularity: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Time Needed to Reach Viewpoint: 5 minutes
f you’re looking for a tranquil, off-the-beaten-path sunset experience, this is one of the best places on the island to just sit back and enjoy the show.
Tucked away on the western side of Madeira, Miradouro da Raposeira is a real hidden gem, a peaceful little viewpoint that often gets overlooked by visitors heading to the lighthouse at Ponta do Pargo.
Perched above rolling green hills with sweeping views over the Atlantic Ocean, this small man-made platform is the perfect spot for a quiet, crowd-free sunset. The colours here are incredible, especially when the sun dips low and the sky lights up in fiery shades of orange and pink.
Parking can be a bit of a squeeze as the viewpoint sits at the end of a dead-end road with space for only a handful of cars. I’d recommend arriving early to grab a spot, otherwise you’ll need to park further up the road and walk the last few minutes down.
Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse
Location and Parking: Farol da Ponta do Pargo
Popularity: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Time Needed to Reach Viewpoint: 2 minutes
Perched on the westernmost point of Madeira, the Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse is one of the island’s most iconic sunset spots as it offers sweeping views over both the south and west coasts.
The dramatic cliffs alongside being able to watch the sink straight into the ocean, makes it a great spot despite the crowds.
You can park right next to the viewpoint, so it’s incredibly easy to access, al though that also means it’s very popular, especially in good weather. Arrive early if you want to grab a parking space and a prime viewing spot along the cliff edge.
Calheta Beach & Harbour
Location: Calheta Beach
Parking: Free roadside parking above the marina – 5-minute walk to the beach
Popularity: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
Time Needed to Reach Viewpoint: 5 minutes
I spent 10 day staying at the Saccarum hotel and i found Calheta Beach and its adjoining harbour to be a laid-back and peaceful spot to watch the sunset.
As one of the island’s few sandy beaches. It’s ideal for families, couples, or anyone who prefers a more relaxed end to the day rather than a hike or climb.
There’s plenty of free roadside parking above the marina, and it’s just a short five-minute stroll down to the beach. Find a spot along the sand or grab a table at one of the waterfront cafés. Either way, you’ll have front-row seats to one of Madeira’s most peaceful sunsets.
Paul do Mar – Sabor aMar
Location: Sabor aMar Restaurant, Paul do Mar
Popularity: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Time Needed to Reach Viewpoint: 1 minute
If you’re after a quiet, local spot to end the day with great food, good wine, and the sound of waves hitting the rocks, Paul do Mar is hard to beat.
Tucked away on Madeira’s southwest coast, the little fishing village offers one of the island’s most underrated sunset experiences. The combination of rugged coastline, bobbing fishing boats, and pastel-coloured houses gives this place a real old-school Madeiran charm.
The best spot to watch the sunset here is from the Fish Factory (Sabor aMar), a relaxed restaurant right on the promenade. Their balcony overlooks the Atlantic, giving you front-row seats as the sun dips below the horizon. It’s peaceful, atmospheric, and honestly one of the best dinner views on the island.
The food is bsolutely unreal. They serve some of the freshest fish I’ve ever eaten, cooked simply but perfectly. it was so good we went twice, and nearly made it a third time.
Cascata dos Anjos
Location: Cascata dos Anjos Waterfall
Parking: Small roadside pull-in by the tunnel
Popularity: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Time Needed to Reach Viewpoint: < 5 minutes
Cascata dos Anjos isa waterfall that pours onto the coastal road just outside Ponta do Sol.
While the waterfall itself is impressive, the real magic happens at sunset, when the sun drops behind the ocean and the sky reflects off the cascading water.
Thanks to social media, this place is incredibly popular, so don’t expect to have it to yourself. You’ll almost certainly find a queue of people waiting for their turn to take “the shot.”
Despite what Google Maps might say, the old coastal road is still driveable, and you can actually drive your car beneath the waterfall for a free (and slightly dramatic) car wash. Bonus points if you take your time… it’ll definitely irritate the people waiting for photos.
When you’re done, I highly recommend heading to 90° Bar, Grill & Restaurant just five minutes away. The food’s great, and the terrace has a gorgeous ocean view .
Fly Lounge Bar – Saccharum Resort
Popularity: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
If you’re after a classier sunset spot, the Fly Lounge Bar at the Saccharum Resort in Calheta is hard to beat. Set above the ocean with panoramic views of the horizon, it’s the perfect place to unwind with a cocktail in hand as the sun melts into the Atlantic.
The bar combines modern design, chill lounge music, and a relaxed vibe, making it one of Madeira’s most stylish yet unpretentious spots to watch the day fade away. The rooftop infinity pool beside the bar reflects the colours perfectly and creates a sunset scene that looks straight out of a luxury travel magazine.
My partner and I stayed here for 10 days on our honeymoon, and it didn’t disappoint. If you’re not staying at the resort, you can still visit the bar for drinks. Howver if you can afford it, I’d highly recommend booking a stay. Watching the sunset here with a drink in hand feels like a little slice of paradise.
Pico Grande
Popularity: ☆☆☆☆☆ (0/5)
Time Needed to Reach Viewpoint: 1–2 hours (each way)
If you’re up for a bit of adventure, Pico Grande delivers one of the most rewarding sunsets on the island.
The trail starts from Boca da Corrida and climbs steadily through forests and ridges before reaching a dramatic summit that rises 1,654 metres above Madeira’s heartland.It’s a challenging hike, 5km one way with 700m of elevation. (there is avery steep and rocky 400m section near the top, but the payoff is enormous.
The bulbous peak grants 360° panoramic views across the island’s central peaks, valleys, and coastline. At sunset, the sky often explodes with colour, and if you’re lucky, you might catch a partial cloud inversion rolling through the valleys below.
I had the place to myself and it’s a sunset which will live long in my memory . Definitely choose this if you are up for an adventure or wanting to escape the busier mountains like Arieiro and Ruivo. Bring a head torch for the descent and an extra layer as it can get surprisingly chilly once the sun dips below the horizon.
São Martinho / Praia Formosa
Location: Praia Formosa, Funchal
Popularity: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Time Needed to Reach Viewpoint: 5 -10 minutes
If you’re based in Funchal, this is hands down the easiest and most accessible sunset spot on the island. The long coastal promenade linking São Martinho and Praia Formosa offers uninterrupted views over the Atlantic and is perfect for a chilled evening walk or a sunset drink at one of the beach cafés.
The sun sets directly over the ocean, and the reflections off the water are spectacular, especially on calm evenings when everything turns gold. There are multiple great vantage points along the promenade, from elevated terraces to beachfront benches, and even a tunnel that leads directly onto the beach.
We ate at Doca do Cavacas (above the sea pools) afterwards on their beautiful terrace. The fish platter was incredible and it was a delightful spot to see the post sunset glow.
Cabo Girão Skywalk
Location and Parking: Cabo Girão Skywalk
Popularity: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Time Needed to Reach Viewpoint: <5 minutes
Standing at 580 metres above sea level, Cabo Girão is one of Europe’s highest sea cliffs and an absolute showstopper for sunset. The glass skywalk platform gives you a vertigo-inducing view straight down to the ocean and the terraced farmland below.
The combination of sheer cliffs, sparkling water, and soft golden light makes this one of Madeira’s most iconic viewpoints. It does get very busy and because the skywalk is small it can feel cramped, so skip this if you don’t like crowds.
Cristo Rei do Garajau
Location: Cristo Rei do Garajau Viewpoint
Popularity: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Time Needed to Reach Viewpoint: 5–10 minutes
Perched high on a cliff just east of Funchal, Cristo Rei do Garajau is one of Madeira’s most peaceful and picturesque sunset spots. The striking Christ the Redeemer statue stands dramatically against the Atlantic backdrop, glowing beautifully as the sun sinks into the horizon.
From the viewpoint, you’ll enjoy wide-open views over Funchal Bay and the island’s south coast, where the ocean and cliffs light up in golden tones.
The short, paved path from the car park makes it easy and accessible, perfect for a relaxed evening stop without much effort. If you want you can also hike down the photogenic steps to a lower viewpoint
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re hiking up Madeira’s highest peaks, relaxing on its beaches, or standing at the edge of a dramatic cliff, the island offers some of the most spectacular sunset spots in the world. Each location on this list provides a unique experience, from high-altitude vistas to peaceful coastal views. So, the next time you visit Madeira, be sure to catch a sunset from one of these incredible locations for a moment of pure natural beauty.
I will also say that the islands unique location means that as long as you can find a good vantage point then the entire southern and western coastlines have an endless number of spots to watch the sunset.
If I was to pick a top three it would be Pico Ruivo for the views, Pico do Arieiro for ease of access, and then Miradouro da Raposeira as a coastal option.
What is the best way to get around Madeira?
The most effective way to get around Madeira is by car as it allows you freedom to visit the locations you want, whenever you want, in the shortest time possible. Meaning you can take advantage of the many incredible locations on the island to watch the sunrise and sunset.
If you do rent a car I would advise the following:
I would avoid renting a big car as many of the mountain roads and residential streets in Madeira are very narrow.
I would avoiding renting a car with a low powered engine, otherwise you will be spending most of your uphill journey changing between 1st and 2nd gear.
If you struggle with clutch control then I would definitely opt for an automatic car as some of the junctions are savagely steep.
I booked my car rental through discovercars.com, I have used them all over Europe and they search both international and local operators for the best deal.
Help support my website
I created and run this website in order to help inform, amaze, inspire people (for free) to get outside and explore the adventurous side of the UK.
Although I do run some google ads, I have limited them in order to make your experience on this website far more enjoyable.
If you’d like to support this website, you can use the affiliate links below to book your accommodation or transport. These come at no extra cost to you, but help keep this site running.
Book your vehicle using Discover Cars
Book your accommodation using Booking.com
If you are feeling generous you can also Buy me a Coffee to say thank you, and give me a follow on social media.
Thank you, and if you have any questions, leave them in the comments below or drop me an email!
For more Madeira travel inspiration check out the following blog posts:
