Cabo Girão – A Glassy View and Visual Spectacle!
Cabo Girão (Portuguese for „Cape of the Turnaround“) is a steep cliff on Madeira’s south coast, above Câmara de Lobos. With an altitude of 580 meters, it is one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe. It’s wall is plunging almost vertically into the ocean. The viewpoint, famous for its suspended glass platform – known as the Skywalk – is currently one of Madeira’s most visited and photographed tourist attractions. Access to the platform is now subject to an admission fee.
For more details, see: simplifica.madeira.gov.pt/services/78-79-256
According to legend, the island’s discoverers under João Gonçalves Zarco ended their coastal exploration here. They expected the imposing cliffs as unsuitable for landing. The name “Cape of the Turnaround” (from girar, meaning “to turn”) was born.
Access to Cabo Girão was only granted in 1937 after the completion of Estrada Nacional 23 (today’s Estrada João Gonçalves Zarco). As early as then, about 50 meters from the viewpoint, a large parking area for cars was planned. The tourist boom was immediate, and in 1938, the infrastructure for the viewpoint was installed with safety in mind.
In 2012, the viewpoint was renovated and a glass floor was installed. Now visitors can safely gaze into the depths and admire the steep slope. With a slight adrenaline kick, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the deep blue sea. Catch sight of Câmara de Lobos and Funchal, almost feeling as if you are floating.
In 2010—before the Skywalk was installed—the Portuguese skydiver and adventurer Mário Pardo jumped off Cabo Girão on a motorcycle. You can watch the spectacular footage here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gz2Ov4bCugk
Historical Significance
Cabo Girão played an important role in the island’s development. For centuries, rock quarried at its base was used to build key structures on the island, including Funchal Cathedral, Santa Clara Monastery, Fort São Tiago, Funchal Town Hall, Quinta das Cruzes, and the chapel in Santa Catarina Park. In the 1980s, the quarry was finally closed.
At sea level, there are three fajãs formed by repeated rockfalls from the cape. (Fajã do Cabo Girão, Fajã dos Asnos (Donkeys), and Fajã Beberas.) Fajã Beberas was created after a landslide in March 1930 that generated an approximately 30-meter-high tidal wave. This wave struck Praia do Vigário (in Câmara de Lobos) about 1.5 kilometers away, claiming 24 lives.
How did this happen? Between Fajã dos Asnos and Pedreiras, rock fragments detached over an area of roughly 200 meters in width at an altitude of about 400 meters. These rocks surged down, inundating the fajã and adjacent beach, and forming a sandbank over 100 meters deep in the sea. The powerful waves following this impact then invaded Câmara de Lobos’ bay. Some archive records suggest that 40 workers at the quarry recognized the danger. They left the site a few days before the tragedy.
Capela de Nossa Senhora de Fátima – Place of Pilgrimage
Near Cabo Girão stands one of the island’s most important pilgrimage sites: the Capela de Nossa Senhora de Fátima. Inaugurated in October 1931 in memory of the last apparition of Our Lady to the shepherd children of Fátima on October 13, 1913—and also to remember the victims of the 1930 landslide—the small chapel has been a focal point of Marian devotion on the island (except during its closure from 1934 until the late 1950s). Around 1974, due to the increasing number of pilgrims, construction of the present sanctuary began.
From Cabo Girão, it is a short drive to a large parking lot in front of the chapel. Here you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views and find a place of quiet ideal for relaxation and photography. The chapel features a simple architectural style. The mechanical clock in its tower can be heard across the area at the top of each hour.
Madeiran believers still make their pilgrimage every May to this chapel, praying, lighting candles, and presenting their petitions before the Mother of God.
Landscape Protection and Agriculture at Cabo Girão
The cliffs at Cabo Girão are part of a protected nature reserve.
Some protected seabird species, such as the Yellow-billed Murrelet and various terns, prefer nesting in the rocks.
Human cultural achievements are also preserved within the Cabo Girão Landscape Protection Area. The unique way farmers work the land here is remarkable. Traditional terraces and the stone walls that delineate them have shaped the slopes and secured the soil. This labor-intensive effort to cultivate agricultural land with walls, small bridges, and sophisticated irrigation systems is seen as an example of a harmonious interaction between man and nature. In 2017, the landscape was officially designated as protected.
At sea level, on the fajãs, farmers work small plots. In the past, they had to rappel down or take a boat to reach their fields. Since the cable car (Teleférico do Rancho) was inaugurated in 2003 in the Rancho area, the connection to the sea has become much more comfortable.
Cable Car Ride with the Teleférico do Rancho
The gondola descends almost vertically along the cliffs. Originally used by farmers to access their fields by the sea, the cable car has now become a tourist attraction in its own right. At the lower end, you can walk along the shoreline beneath Cabo Girão. Enjoy the sound of the waves and the pebble beach!
Additional Activities
- Hiking on Levada do Norte:
Above Cabo Girão, the Levada do Norte winds its way through the landscape. Direction west: toward Boa Morte (above Ribeira Brava) and east toward Estreito de Câmara de Lobos. - Visit Fajã dos Padres (via Quinta Grande):
Estrada Padre António Dinis Henriques 1 / Tel.: +351 291 944 538
www.fajadospadres.com - Hike from Cabo Girão to Câmara de Lobos:
If you arrived by bus and want to return on foot, there is a delightful and somewhat hidden trail descending into the valley that consists mostly of stairs. This path allows you to experience the local way of life along the way. The hike to Câmara de Lobos takes about 1.5 hours, and once there, you can refresh yourself with a cool drink and a light snack.
Conclusion
Cabo Girão is much more than just a sky-high viewpoint; it’s a place where nature, history, and human ingenuity converge to create an unforgettable experience. From its dramatic glass skywalk that offers a heart-stopping glimpse into the abyss to its rich historical legacy—ranging from legendary maritime tales to the vital role of its quarried stone in building Madeira’s landmarks—the cape reveals layers of secrets waiting to be explored. The blend of natural beauty with engineered marvels such as the cable car and meticulously maintained agricultural terraces demonstrates a unique synergy between man and nature. Moreover, nearby pilgrimage sites and traditional festivities add a spiritual and cultural dimension to your visit. In essence, Cabo Girão captivates visitors with its breathtaking vistas, thrilling experiences, and stories that echo through the ages.
Cabo Girão can be reached by bus from Funchal.
You get on the SIGA Rodoeste line 4, 7, 8, 27, 80 or 142 at Avenida do Mar and arrive nearby Cabo Girão after an interesting journey.
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