Sunset at Pico do Arieiro with Optional Stairway to Heaven Hike
Description
Watch the sunset from Pico do Arieiro, Madeira’s third-highest peak, on a shared experience designed to help you enjoy this iconic mountain location in a calm and convenient way. Hotel pickup is included within the listed pickup areas. Guests may also choose to independently explore nearby viewpoints such as Ninho da Manta and the Stairway to Heaven on an optional self-guided walk of roughly 2.4 km round trip. After pickup, travel up to 1,818 meters to admire the changing colours of the sky above the clouds in one of Madeira’s most striking mountain landscapes. Whether you relax near the main viewpoint or do the optional walk, this experience offers a memorable way to enjoy Pico do Arieiro at sunset. If summit weather or visibility is too poor, an alternative viewpoint in the Palheiro area or another suitable location may be used. Clear views cannot be guaranteed. Warm clothing is recommended, as mountain temperatures can drop quickly after sunset.
Tour Options
Itinerary
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.
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.
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.
Return transfer to Funchal after the activity. The return transfer departs 30 minutes after sunset.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Please bring warm clothing, as temperatures at Pico do Arieiro can be much lower than in lower areas. Suitable footwear is recommended, especially if you plan to do the optional self-guided hike. Pickup is available only within our defined service areas: Funchal, Caniço, and Câmara de Lobos centre. If your accommodation is outside these areas, you will need to meet us at an available pickup point within our service area. The driver will confirm your name and tour at pickup. The exact pickup time is usually sent the day before the activity.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only within the listed pickup areas. Pickup outside the defined service area is not included.
- Please bring warm clothing and suitable footwear. Mountain temperatures can be much lower than in Funchal.
- 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 rules, trail conditions, weather, visibility and availability on the day. Any required trail/access fees are not included.
- This walk is not guaranteed and is not required in order to enjoy the sunset visit. Inability to do 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.
Reviews(86)
Amazing guide and views at the top 😊 very organised and excellent evening out can't be missed on a trip
Our driver and guide was João and he couldn’t have been more friendly or helpful. He was incredibly knowledgable, took us to and showed us the best places to see the sunset and gave us a couple extra stops. He even dropped us off and an amazing place to get some amazing burgers at 23:00! Couldn’t recommend this experience more, well worth the time and money for an unforgettable adventure. Thank you João!
This was a wild ride to see one of the most beautiful places on the planet. I would highly recommend doing this tour as it helps you avoid the annoyance of registering for the PR1 and allows you to avoid the crowds that are supposedly there are sunrise. Jorge picked us up in Funchal and weaved through the crazy narrow roads straight up through the hills and above the clouds. We arrived at about 7:45 and had plenty of time to hike to the Stairway to Heaven and even past it before sunset hit at about 9:15. We were then given a half hour to get back to the van, which allowed us to watch the colors of the sky change before it got dark. Get ready for lots of stairs, btw. Overall, it was a majestic experience to that pictures can't really capture.
The views were breathtaking!! Gil was a great guide. We had a lovely time. Highly recommend this experience!
Good communication, well organized. Nice driver. Great atmosphere - and with luck, a full experience! Down in Caniço, it was completely cloudy, and at Pico, there was a lot of sun above the clouds. But I think, even with clouds, it is a great place in the evening...
Mind you this is just a drive to Pico de Aiero. Nothing more. Once you get there you will be left on your own and picked up at 9:30PM. I read many reviews an none of them mentioned this aspect. We paid $147 dollars for 2 persons just to travel in a poor van that made me wonder if it's going to fail during the "race" to the mountain back and forth. I could have booked a taxi for the trip and fel much safer... In any case br aware that this is nothing but an overpriced trip to Pico. Look for other tours that are cheaper and perhaps offer same...
Thank you for your review. This activity is a sunset transfer to Pico do Arieiro, with free time at the viewpoint before the scheduled return pickup. The service was provided as described in the booking option. This remains one of the most affordable and practical ways to visit Pico do Arieiro at sunset without renting a car. A private taxi for the same route, waiting time, and return journey would normally be more expensive and may not provide the same scheduled return arrangement. Our vehicles are licensed for tourism transport and maintained regularly. Safety is always a priority, and we do not compromise on passenger safety.
Very nice driver and very smooth drive. He often gives you time to admire the scenery! Absolutely recommend
One of the best experiences and views in the world. Got to be above the clouds and witness one of the most beautiful sunsets one could imagine. Definitely recommend this if you are traveling to Madeira!
Weather a big factor. No sunset and walk would have been dangerous as clouds were over the path. Driver Gil was very friendly.
Thank you for your feedback. Weather is always an important factor at Pico do Arieiro, especially for the optional walk, as cloud, fog, rain and wind can make mountain paths unsafe. On this day, our driver made the correct decision not to proceed with the walk because the conditions on the path were not suitable. Safety always comes first, even when this means adjusting the experience on the day. We are glad to hear that Gil was friendly, and we appreciate you recognising that.
Practically it’s only the transfer to the spot. If the weather is not fine (fog and rain) it is not an activity worth doing. Check the weather and make sure it will be sunny and warm.
Thank you for your feedback. This experience is designed as a sunset visit to Pico do Arieiro with transport included and the possibility of doing the optional Stairway to Heaven walk when weather and safety conditions allow it. Pico do Arieiro is a high mountain location, so fog, cloud, rain, wind and temperature can change very quickly. For this reason, clear sunset views and warm weather can never be guaranteed. When access is open and conditions are safe, the tour operates as scheduled. The optional walk may be adjusted or not recommended if the weather makes it unsuitable. Mountain weather is outside the control of any operator, but we always aim to provide a safe and well-organised visit.
