Pico dos Barcelos: A Panoramic City View

Pico dos Barcelos is a top choice for a scenic hilltop walk in the city. This viewpoint sits 355 meters above sea level and offers beautiful 360-degree views of Madeira. You can see the entire Funchal bay and the distant Desertas Islands from this high spot.

The path is well-paved and features several resting spots with many comfortable wooden benches. You can see many local highlights from the top including these specific and beautiful spots:

• The historic Funchal harbor area is visible from the very top of the hill.
• The distant Desertas Islands nature reserve looks very clear on a sunny and bright day.
• The colorful houses on the hills create a perfect background for your travel photos.

Local vendors often sell fresh fruit and handmade crafts near the very busy summit area. This is one of the best viewpoints in Funchal walk for active families. The morning light makes the colorful houses of Funchal look very beautiful and very bright.

Monte Palace: High Altitude Garden Trails

Monte Palace offers a unique blend of nature and high-altitude scenery for all visitors. You can reach this hilltop by walking up the steep and narrow Caminho do Comboio path. The garden features exotic plants, koi ponds, and stunning tile art from the ancient past.

The walk to the garden entrance is challenging due to the very steep mountain incline. Many visitors choose to take the cable car up and walk down the steep hill. A ticket to the garden costs 15 Euros for adults during the busy 2026 season.

Wear comfortable shoes because the garden paths are quite long and also very winding. The garden is open daily from 9:00 AM until 6:00 PM every single day here. Allow at least three hours to explore the entire grounds and the large art museum.

Miradouro da Pinheira: A Hidden Hillside Gem

Miradouro da Pinheira is a hidden gem for those seeking quiet and scenic hilltop trails. This spot offers a dramatic perspective of the western coastline of the Madeira island. The walk involves narrow streets and traditional stone walls along the entire long way.

Finding the right path requires some navigation through the local and very quiet neighborhoods. It is helpful to learn how to reach Miradouro da Pinheira Funchal before you start. The trail is mostly quiet and perfect for a peaceful and relaxing early morning hike.

The viewpoint itself is a small platform overlooking the deep and very blue ocean. You can see the tall cliffs of Cabo Girao in the very far distance. The path is free to use and open to the general public always here.

Most Scenic Hilltop Walks in Funchal Madeira

Fortaleza do Pico stands as a historic landmark overlooking the entire city of Funchal. This 17th-century fortress offers some of the most scenic hilltop walks in Funchal Madeira. The climb from the marina takes about twenty minutes of steady and uphill walking now.

The fortress walls provide a perfect vantage point for watching the beautiful daily sunset. Access to the outer walls is free for all visitors to enjoy today here. Inside, you can explore small exhibits about the very long history of the island.

Check out these scenic city views from Funchal fortress walk for your trip. The walk up includes several stairs but the path is very safe and very clear. It is one of the best spots for a quick and very easy hike.

Levada dos Piornais: Cliffside Water Trails

Levada dos Piornais combines hilltop views with traditional and narrow irrigation channel paths here. This walk starts in the higher parts of the western Funchal city area today. It offers a flat walking surface despite being high above the deep blue sea.

The trail provides a unique look at how locals live on these steep hills. It is one of the best levada walks in Funchal for all active beginners. Most of the route is shaded by trees and tall stone garden walls here.

You can walk for several kilometers along this scenic and historic water channel path. The views of the ocean are constant throughout the entire walking journey today here. It is a great way to see the rural side of Funchal city today.