Pico dos Barcelos Viewpoint (Miradouro Pico dos Barcelos)

The basics

Pico dos Barcelos Viewpoint (Miradouro Pico dos Barcelos) is featured on multiple Madeira sightseeing tours, which provide an overview of the island’s highlights and save you the stress of advance planning. As well as free time to soak up the views from Pico dos Barcelos, tours typically cover island highlights such as Nuns Valley (Curral da Freiras) and the Eira do Serrado lookout point. Some tours also visit Pico do Arieiro, the island’s third-highest peak, and transport you in an all-terrain 4x4 vehicle.

Things to know before you go

• At the lookout point, you’ll find a kiosk that sells snacks and cold drinks, a restroom, and a souvenir shop.
• If you plan to arrive by car, there’s a parking lot a 15-minute walk from the viewpoint.
• Sturdy shoes and warm clothing are a must if you’re walking the whole way—it can be windy and cold at the top.

How to get there

Pico dos Barcelos Viewpoint (Miradouro Pico dos Barcelos) is a stop on the route of most Funchal hop-on hop-off sightseeing buses. From the center of Funchal, the lookout point is a 10-minute walk or 45-minute walk via Caminho do Olival. Buses number 9 and 12 also stop here.

When to get there

Pico dos Barcelos Viewpoint (Miradouro Pico dos Barcelos) is open from early morning until late night, even in inclement weather. The best time to visit is at sunset, when the lighting is most atmospheric.

Madeira’s Best Viewpoints

Thanks to its mountainous interior, the island of Madeira is home to several spectacular lookout points. The most popular vantage points include Cabo Girao, where a glass-floored balcony known as the Skywalk offers sweeping views of Europe’s tallest cliffs, and Balcoes, from which you see some of the island’s highest peaks.