We picked up our rental car and headed out for our first road adventure here in Madeira deciding to drive up the western side of the coastline to get some views. We couldn't believe how utterly gorgeous it was! Steep narrow local roads with hairpin blind turns provided incredible views and places to stop and gawk and it felt like we were endlessly climbing.
Taking The Local Roads
We must have said WOW a million times as we drove through tunnels, past terraced gardens, banana groves, grape vines, sugar cane farms and houses while going up up up! We stopped at Varandas do Pedregal and grabbed an outside upper table where we got coffee and gazed out over the edges of the cliffs. They also have inside seating in the restaurant.
A Glass Skywalk
At the top we visited the Cabo Girão viewpoint, which they say is situated on the highest promontory in Europe (1902 feet). There was a skywalk, a suspended glass platform, which is free to walk out on if you're brave enough! There were lots of people there enjoying the incredible panoramic views.
Beautiful Viewpoints
Then we wandered our way around to a few Miradouros (viewpoints) to enjoy different perspectives. Stopping at Miradouro de São Sebastião and Miradouro de Campanário. We ended up driving to Riberia Brava where we had some wonderful fresh Sea Bass at Restaurant & Grill Muralha Terrace. We were amazed at all we saw venturing out only a 30 minute drive from our place in the car!
Up until now we had only been on the roads in an Uber in between the airport and our apartment and then we've been walking with only a couple of short Uber rides to get a little further out in the city. This was so cool to be able to get out of Funchal and begin to experience a little more of the island. It's made us even more excited to be here!
November 2022
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