With an altitude of 1,818 metres, Pico Do Arieiro is one of the highest peaks in Madeira making it an incredible spot to watch the sun rise and set.
Witnessing the breathtaking sunrise at Pico Do Arieiro in Madeira is a must-do experience that will leave you with incredible views and unforgettable memories.
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1. Getting to Pico Do Arieiro
Before heading to Madeira, we researched extensively on whether renting a car was necessary on the island and concluded that it was. As we weren’t staying in the capital, getting to all our planned locations would have been a struggle without one, so it seemed like the sensible option. If you are staying in Funchal, you may find renting a car is not actually necessary as the public transport is reliable and economical.
From Ponto do Sol (where we were staying) to Pico Do Ariero took around 50 minutes whereas if you’re staying in Funchal, it will only take 30 minutes by car. Upon arrival, you will find there is ample parking.
If you don’t have a car, don’t despair! You can still see this beautiful sunrise by just booking a taxi, which will cost around 40-50 Euros one way from Funchal.
Another option is to book a sunrise tour, including time at the viewpoint, breakfast, and exploring a local forest. More information and booking can be found here.
2. What is sunrise at Pico Do Arieiro really like?
When looking for the best place to base ourselves at Pico Do Arieiro, we constantly came across the word ‘Miradouro‘ – the Portuguese word for ‘Viewpoint‘. We concluded the best viewpoint was Miradouro Juncal. This is the most popular option due to its proximity to the car park/information centre which is only a 5-minute walk away. The view here is unmatched, you will be looking out towards the ocean where the sun will rise directly in front of you.
We arrived at the viewpoint an hour before sunrise which is highly recommended. 23 Travels took this trip in November so we arrived at 6:45am for sunrise at 7:45am. There were a couple dozen onlookers dotted around which I can’t imagine would be the case if you were travelling during peak season.
If you would like a more private viewing experience, another viewpoint you could try is Miradouro do Ninho da Manta.
Miraduoro do Ninho da Manta has a balcony overlooking the valley which doesn’t give you a direct view of the sun but, you will still be able to witness the sunrise from a different angle. It’s not as popular as Miraduoro Juncal because you have to walk 1.2km from the car park to reach the balcony.
The first golden rays of daylight that peek over the horizon will have you unbelievably giddy with excitement. The photos don’t do the dramatic, jagged peaks any justice at all. When the sun breaks through the surface, it is the most magical and surreal moment. The warm glow over the surrounding peaks and valleys reveals the true majesty of Madeira’s volcanic terrain.
The vibrant hues of warm oranges, deep reds and pretty pinks create this mesmerising backdrop which needs to be seen with your own eyes. You don’t even realise that you are nearly 6000ft above the shimmering azure Atlantic Ocean. We have spoken to many travellers who are afraid of heights and they advise that they felt completely fine as you are nowhere near any cliff edges (if you don’t want to be) and, because you are quite literally above the clouds, you won’t be exposed to any dramatic drops.
All in all, it’s a truly memorable experience which shouldn’t be missed if visiting Madeira.
3. Would we visit Pico Do Arieiro again?
Absolutely!
Over and over and over again. I don’t think we would ever get tired of this view and it’s certainly worth waking up early for. We advise checking sunrise times at least the night before your journey, this will vary depending on what season you visit Madeira.
When we next visit, we’ll be doing the world-famous hiking route Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo commonly nicknamed as Pico to Pico.
Many visitors opt for the sunset option which we are sure is equally as beautiful but you’ll probably be sharing the gorgeous view with hundreds of many people during peak season.
For 23 Travels, heading to Pico do Arieiro during pre-dawn hours to witness this daily natural spectacle is an absolute must for any visitor to the island. It offers a chance to experience the profound beauty and serenity of this one-of-a-kind destination in a truly unforgettable way.
That’s All 23 Travellers! Thank you for reading. We hope you enjoyed reading through ‘The unrivalled sunrise at Pico Do Arieiro in Madeira’
23 Travels are Personal Travel Planners who have been creating bespoke travel itineraries for many years. If you would like us to plan your trip to Portugal, or any other worldwide destination for you, please visit 23 Travels Itinerary Services.
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