Sunset at Pico do Arieiro with Optional Stairway to Heaven Hike

Duration3h 30m

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesPortuguese, English, Spanish

Group sizeUp to 15 travelers

Overview

Watch the sunset from Pico do Arieiro, Madeira’s third-highest peak, at 1,818 metres above sea level. Enjoy the changing colours above the clouds and surrounding mountains in a shared small-group experience.
SUNSET STAIRWAY + MEETING POINT
Lower-cost option with pickup and drop-off from one of 5 fixed meeting points across Funchal and Garajau.
SUNSET STAIRWAY + HOTEL PICKUP
Includes pickup and drop-off from eligible accommodations in Funchal and Caniço. At checkout, select “I’ll decide later” and add your hotel name/address in Special Requirements.
Both options include the same sunset experience and the optional self-guided Stairway to Heaven walk of around 2.4 km round trip, subject to trail access and conditions.
Sunset views depend on weather and visibility and cannot be guaranteed. If Pico do Arieiro conditions are unsuitable, another appropriate viewpoint may be used. Warm clothing and suitable footwear are recommended.

Options

Sunset Stairway + Meet Point

Meeting Point Pickup: Shared sunset experience with pickup and drop-off from one of our 5 fixed meeting points. Hotel pickup is not included.
Duration: 4 hours: Duration may vary depending on the meeting point, traffic and sunset time. Includes meeting point pickup, sunset visit and re

Sunset Stairway + Hotel Pickup

Hotel Pickup & Drop-off: Shared sunset experience with hotel pickup and drop-off from eligible accommodations in Funchal and Caniço.
Duration: 4 hours: Duration may vary by route, traffic, sunset time and drop-offs. Includes pickup, sunset visit and return.
Hotel Pickup Instructions: For hotel pickup, select “I’ll decide later” at checkout and add your hotel name/address in Special Requirements.

What's included

Round-trip transportation
Optional self-guided Stairway to Heaven walk, subject to trail access and conditions
Pickup/drop-off according to the option selected
Driver / local host
Shared sunset experience at Pico do Arieiro

Official trail/access fees, if applicable-
Hotel pickup when the Sunset Stairway + Meeting Point option is selected
Pickup and drop-off outside Funchal and Caniço

What to expect

Pico do Arieiro
1h 30m

Pico do Arieiro is Madeira’s highest viewpoint reachable by car, at 1,818 metres above sea level. We spend around 1 hour 30 minutes here, giving guests time to enjoy the sunset and, if they wish, independently explore nearby viewpoints such as Ninho da Manta and Stairway to Heaven (Miradouro Pedra Rija).

The return transfer departs 30 minutes after sunset, so guests choosing the optional walk should manage their time carefully and return before departure. If summit weather conditions are too poor, an alternative sunset viewpoint in the Palheiro area may be considered.
20m

Optional viewpoint visit during free time at Pico do Arieiro. Ninho da Manta offers impressive mountain views and can be visited independently during the stop at the summit.
30m

Also known as Stairway to Heaven, this viewpoint can be visited independently as an optional self-guided walk from Pico do Arieiro. Guests planning to do this walk should head out promptly on arrival and allow enough time to return before departure.
Funchal
1h

Return transfer to Funchal after the activity. The return transfer departs 30 minutes after sunset.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Meet outside Garajau Madeira Hotel at the main roadside entrance on Estrada do Garajau. Please wait by the hotel entrance and remain visible to the driver.

Meeting point

Meet outside the CR7 Museum/Pestana CR7 complex, facing Avenida Sá Carneiro. Please wait near the main entrance area and remain visible to the driver.

Meeting point

Meet at the covered bus stop directly in front of Estrada Monumental 210. Please wait at the bus stop and remain visible to the driver. Use the map pin to confirm the exact location. Bus Stop is right next to the Les Suites CLiff Bay on the main road.

Meeting point

Meet outside Enotel Lido at the main roadside entrance on Estrada Monumental. Please wait on the pavement by the hotel entrance and remain visible to the driver.

Meeting point

Meet at the APS Caracas S (855) bus stop on Estrada Monumental 855. Please wait directly at the bus stop and remain visible to the driver. Use the map pin to confirm the exact location.

End point

Meet outside Garajau Madeira Hotel at the main roadside entrance on Estrada do Garajau. Please wait by the hotel entrance and remain visible to the driver.

End point

Meet outside the CR7 Museum/Pestana CR7 complex, facing Avenida Sá Carneiro. Please wait near the main entrance area and remain visible to the driver.

End point

Meet at the covered bus stop directly in front of Estrada Monumental 210. Please wait at the bus stop and remain visible to the driver. Use the map pin to confirm the exact location. Bus Stop is right next to the Les Suites CLiff Bay on the main road.

End point

Meet outside Enotel Lido at the main roadside entrance on Estrada Monumental. Please wait on the pavement by the hotel entrance and remain visible to the driver.

End point

Meet at the APS Caracas S (855) bus stop on Estrada Monumental 855. Please wait directly at the bus stop and remain visible to the driver. Use the map pin to confirm the exact location.

Additional information

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Sunset Stairway + Meeting Point: pickup and drop-off from one of 5 fixed meeting points across Funchal and Garajau.
Sunset Stairway + Hotel Pickup: pickup and drop-off from eligible accommodations in Funchal and Caniço. For hotel pickup, select “I’ll decide later” at checkout and enter your hotel name and address in Special Requirements.
Mountain weather can change quickly, and clear views, sunset colours or visibility cannot be guaranteed. The tour normally operates when access is open and conditions are safe. If conditions at Pico do Arieiro are not favourable, an alternative viewpoint such as Palheiro or another suitable location may be used.
Weather, limited visibility, or use of an alternative viewpoint do not automatically qualify for a refund if the main tour operates.
The optional Stairway to Heaven walk is self-guided and subject to official access, trail conditions, weather and availability on the day. Any required official trail/access fees are not included.
This walk is not guaranteed and is not required in order to enjoy the sunset visit. Inability to complete the optional walk does not automatically qualify for a refund if the main tour operates.
Return departure is normally around 30 minutes after sunset. If you choose the optional self-guided walk, the recommended turnaround point is the Stairway to Heaven / Miradouro da Pedra Rija viewpoint. Please do not continue further along the trail, as this may make it impossible to return to the vehicle on time.
If you realise you may be late, please contact the driver or our team immediately by phone or message. The vehicle cannot wait indefinitely for late guests, as this would affect other travellers. Guests who are not back at the agreed return time may need to arrange their own return.
Please bring warm clothing and suitable footwear. Mountain temperatures can be much lower than in Funchal.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.4 (96)