Cabo Girão Skywalk – Cabo Girão, Madeira

Cabo Girão is one of the great sea cliffs of Europe, a wall of rock that drops about 580 metres straight into the Atlantic on Madeira's south coast, west of Funchal, in the municipality of Câmara de Lobos. It is often described as one of the highest cliffs in Europe and the highest on the continent that can be reached by road, and its sheer face, banded in reds and browns, dominates the coastline. A viewing platform at the top, with a glass floor, lets visitors look straight down.

The platform is a steel-and-glass structure that projects over the edge of the cliff, opened in 2012 and replacing earlier railings. Standing on the transparent floor, you see the sea below, with waves breaking against the base of the cliff and small fishing boats that look like specks on the water. The sensation of height is intense, even for those who are comfortable on high places, and some visitors hesitate before stepping onto the glass, though the structure is built to bear heavy loads and is safe. The railings around the platform give a good view for those who prefer not to stand on the glass. On a clear day, the view runs along the coast to the east, with Funchal in the distance, and west toward the green hills of the Ribeira Brava valley.

Below the cliff lie some of the island's most remarkable farmland. At the foot of the wall, small flat areas called fajãs, formed by old landslides and reached only by sea or by a cable car and a lift, are planted with vegetables, fruit trees and vines, and the farmers who work them have long lived with the isolation. From the top, you can see the patchwork of tiny terraces far below, a reminder of how Madeira's people have found ways to farm even the most difficult land. The nearby town of Câmara de Lobos, a fishing village with colourful boats and a harbour that the British statesman Winston Churchill painted in 1950, is worth a visit on the way.

Practical points: the viewpoint is easy to reach by car or by bus from Funchal, and there is a car park beside it. A small entrance fee has been charged for the skywalk, with free entry for residents, and opening hours extend later in summer, so check locally. A visit lasts perhaps fifteen to thirty minutes. Clouds often gather over the cliff, so it is best to go in the morning, when the sky is clearer, or at sunset for the colours. Wind can be strong, so hold on to hats, and keep children close to the railings.

The skywalk can be combined with a trip to the nearby wine villages and a visit to Câmara de Lobos, where the local speciality, poncha, a drink of cane spirit, honey and lemon, is served. It suits sightseers and photographers.