All our tips for visiting Miradouro Ponta do Rosto in Madeira: access, parking, views, practical information.
Is a stopover in Ponta do Rosto worth it?
Absolutely. We recommend you make the short detour to admire the view from Ponta do Rosto of the volcanic cliffs at the tail of Madeira. What a contrast to the rest of the island!
This is one of Madeira’s most beautiful viewpoints.
Where is the viewpoint? Map
- Northeastern tip of Madeira, on the Sao Louranço peninsula.
- Not far from the small town of Caniçal.
- From Funchal = 35 min drive
- From Machico = 15 min drive
- From Porto Moniz = 1h10 drive
- Access road a little narrower, but short, paved and easy
OUR GUIDE TO PLANNING A Dream trip
- 7 maps that make planning easier
- + 120 pre-selected locations
- Practical advice
- + 260 photos to help you choose
Parking
There’s plenty of parking, and most visitors don’t stay long, so you should be able to find somewhere to park.
But as always, if you come early or late in the day, it’s less crowded.
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR AT Madeira
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Take a car with a good engine for hilly roads, but not too big for manoeuvring.
- There’s plenty of demand and few cars, so book early.
Access
You’ll already have great views from the picnic area near the parking lot.
But you can also climb a dirt track, as in the photo above, to find an even more unobstructed view that allows you to admire panoramas in both directions: west and east.
Best moment
The viewpoint faces west to see the volcanic cliffs, and east to see the bay towards the rest of Madeira Island. So you can enjoy beautiful light all day long, including sunrise and sunset.
There are a few picnic tables. Ideal for lunch with a view!
View description
On one side, you can admire the “tail of Madeira” with its multicolored volcanic cliffs: yellow, orange, red, brown and black. This contrasts with the blue of the sea and the green of the rest of the island!
It’s easy to see how the sea has eroded the land in this rounded bay.
On a clear day, you can even see the nearby island of Porto Santo. But, as you can see from our photos, this was not the case when we visited.
Why are these landscapes so different from the rest of the island?
Because here, there are no high peaks to stop the clouds. The climate is semi-arid, with strong winds. There are no trees. But the flora and fauna are interesting all the same!
From the upper viewpoint, you can admire the panorama towards the rest of Madeira Island and the narrow passage that binds the peninsula together.
We loved the wave effect created by erosion and the transformation of the landscape as the mountains rise.
Geology buffs will be particularly fascinated by the site, where you can clearly see the different types of rock and their movements:
- black basalt needles
- dyke veins
- volcanic tuff
The whole complex dates from around 100,000 years ago (Upper Pleistocene).
On the other side of the peninsula, at the viewpoint, you can also see colorful buildings. This is the Quinta do Lorde marina. A modern yet photogenic venue.
OUR FAVORITE ACTIVITY IN Madeira
Catamaran tour to see dolphins and Madeira’s giant cliffs.
Nearest attractions
Plan your day by combining an attraction with this view. For example:
- The Ponta de Sao Louranço hike (or part of it)
6.4km round trip to Café Sardinha
Add 1.4km round trip if you climb to the last viewpoint towards the lighthouse (trail with closed sign). - The town of Caniçal with its whale museum (Museu da Baleia de Madeira)
- And after a morning hike, you can finish on the sandy beach of Machico.
PLAN YOUR STAY IN Madeira
Best of
Things to do in Madeira
Most beautiful viewpoints
Madeira’s most beautiful beaches
Most beautiful gardens
Natural pools
Most beautiful hikes
Most beautiful roads
Secret places
Practical advice
Getting around Madeira
Rent a car in Madeira
Driving in Madeira
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 6 days – 7 days – 10 days
