Martin & Tina
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17. 10. 2023 Vacation and early rising? They don’t go together? For the part of travellers who prefer to relax, probably not. But for the more active ones who want to get the most done in a day, yes. And just watching the sunrise in a given destination shouldn’t be missing from your “todo list”. This is no different in the case of Madeira, which is also sunrise-friendly thanks to its location on the map. In fact, the average time for sunrise is not until about half past 8 in the morning. Furthermore, if you visit Madeira outside of the high season – like we did towards the end of October – then there’s no need to get up early either. This is because at this time the sun doesn’t rise until after 8am.
TIP: Explore the whole of Madeira with the itinerary – detailed day-by-day itinerary, tips on food and accommodation. All in one place.
Week in Madeira – hikes, levadas and breathtaking views
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You can watch the sunrise from several places on the island and each is special in its own way and location. The first on our list is Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto which is a very accessible viewpoint, about 30 minutes drive from the capital Funchal. The sunrise from this spot is truly spectacular, as you can see the sun rising on the edge of the ocean and the rocks on the coast of this Portuguese island. In addition, you can reach several viewpoints within a few minutes from the car park, making this place a true must-see affair – for sunrise or any other time.
Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto
Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto is a viewpoint at the eastern end of the island. The viewpoint is easily accessible by car. Since the viewpoint is located in the east and provides an unobstructed view of the morning sky over the ocean, we recommend going here for sunrise. There are benches and tables on site, and you can even have breakfast here at sunrise.
The Ponta do Rosto viewpoint is a must-see, offering an unforgettable view of the coast. From here you can watch the waves crashing on the rocks below. It’s a great place to see the volcanic origins of the island and the impressive geological formations that shape the landscape.
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The second tip for watching the sunrise in Madeira is the third highest mountain on the island. Pico do Ariero and more specifically, the viewpoint named Miradouro do Juncal which is just a few minutes’ walk from the top of this mountain. The summit, at 1,818 metres above sea level, is easily reached by car, making it another very accessible destination for more than just watching the sunrise. If you’re lucky, this spot will also offer breathtaking views of the sunrise above the thick clouds over the surrounding valley.
Pico do Arieiro
Miradouro do Pico do Arieiro is a popular viewpoint located on the third highest peak of the island of Madeira at an altitude of 1818 metres. It offers breathtaking panoramic views of the island’s mountain ranges, valleys and coastline, making it a must-see for anyone visiting Madeira. You can get here by car or bus, and there are car parks on site, but the one right by the viewpoint is often full, so we recommend you get there as soon as possible. At the top, you can have a coffee or a meal at the café while enjoying the spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. The car park is often full, but just wait a little longer. We recommend a sunrise hike here!
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Just keep in mind that this place is famous for sunrise, and you may have trouble finding a parking space 30 minutes before sunrise. We therefore recommend starting a little earlier and watching the weather forecast or even the webcams on site.
The last recommendation, from where the beauty of watching the sunrise in Madeira is the easternmost point of the island – Ponta de São Lourenço. We recommend going here not only to watch the sunrise, but especially to take the beautiful PR8 trek, which is 8 kilometres long without any tens of metres. However, the eastern location of this place determines that it is from here that the sunrise is a great spectacle – just be prepared for a challenging hike, definitely more challenging than the first 2 tips above.
Ponta de São Lourenço
Ponta de São Lourenço is the easternmost area of Madeira, offering spectacular ocean views and colourful rock formations. If you think of Madeira as a green island with many species of plants, forget about Ponta de São Lourenço. This part of the island is more like a lunar landscape in terms of the colour of the soil and the vegetation, which is mainly due to the fact that it is a very dry part of Madeira, which is also exposed to strong winds from the ocean.
What we can definitely recommend in this area is the PR8 hiking trail, which runs basically through the entire peninsula and which you can make “more pleasant” by a steep hike to the top of Pico do Furado, from where you can probably get the best view of the easternmost point of Madeira. However, be prepared for a slightly more challenging 8-kilometre hike, and be sure to pack water and snacks, as you’ll be in a dry climate with an elevation gain of less than 400 metres. The reward, however, will be truly spectacular views and scenery.
If you visit this eastern region of Madeira, don’t forget to stop off at another beautiful and more accessible viewpoint, Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto.
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Are you interested in Madeira and would you like to come here not only for the sunrise? Check out one of our itineraries, such as the best sights in Madeira, which includes the places mentioned above.
