South Madeira Road Trip: Câmara de Lobos, Cabo Girão and Ribeira Brava
Madeira's south coast route is the simplest and most accessible on the island. It connects Funchal with Ribeira Brava over 30 km on the VR1 motorway, with stops at Câmara de Lobos and the Cabo Girão cliff. It's the perfect route for your first day in Madeira: easy roads, spectacular scenery and no mountain roads. The whole route can be driven with no prior experience of narrow roads. Book your car at Discover Cars.
South Madeira route itinerary
Starting point: Funchal
Stop 1 — Câmara de Lobos (15 min from Funchal)
Churchill's favourite fishing village, which he painted on several occasions. The harbour and the adjacent cliffs are among the most photogenic on the island. Free parking by the harbour. Time: 45-60 minutes.
Stop 2 — Cabo Girão (20 min from Funchal)
The world's second-highest cliff, with a 580-metre vertical drop to the sea. The viewpoint has a glass platform from which you can see the farming terraces 580 metres below. Free entry. Free parking. Time: 30 minutes.
Stop 3 — Quinta Grande
Small village between Cabo Girão and Ribeira Brava with vine terraces and sea views. Optional stop.
Stop 4 — Ribeira Brava (45 min from Funchal)
Coastal town with a black pebble beach, a 16th-century baroque church and a covered local market. A good place to eat at one of the fresh fish restaurants. Time: 1-2 hours.
Distances and times from Funchal
| Destination | Distance | Time via VR1 |
|---|---|---|
| Câmara de Lobos | 9 km | 15 min |
| Cabo Girão | 16 km | 20 min |
| Ribeira Brava | 30 km | 35 min |
| Ponta do Sol | 37 km | 45 min |
| Calheta | 50 km | 55 min |
Extending the route: Ponta do Sol and Calheta
If you have more time, the south coast continues west with two more destinations:
Ponta do Sol: the village with the most hours of sunshine in Madeira. Pebble beach with a beach bar. Peaceful atmosphere and very photogenic.
Calheta: has Madeira's only natural golden sand beach. Ideal for swimming. There's also a contemporary arts centre (Casa das Mudas) with good exhibitions.
Frequently asked questions about the south Madeira route
How much does it cost to enter the Cabo Girão viewpoint?
Entry to the viewpoint is free. You only pay for the cable car down to the terraces (€2 round trip), which is optional.
Is the south Madeira route suitable for drivers with no mountain experience?
Yes. The VR1 is a modern motorway and the access to Cabo Girão is via a conventional road with no difficulties. It's the easiest route on the whole island.
Are there beaches for swimming on the south coast?
Câmara de Lobos and Ribeira Brava have pebble beaches. Calheta has golden sand. The water on the south coast is calmer than the north coast.
Can I combine the south route with an afternoon in Funchal?
Perfectly. You can do the whole south route in the morning and be back in Funchal by 2pm to eat at Mercado dos Lavradores.