Pico do Arieiro (High Mountains)

Madeira’s third highest peak – sunrise, sunset, and the start of PR1

Pico do Arieiro is the mountain everyone visits – drive-up summit, 1,818 m high, with insane views of jagged ridges and rolling clouds. It’s where the legendary PR1 hike to Pico Ruivo begins, but even if you don’t hike, the views from the parking lot are mind-blowing.

I’ve seen it at every hour – sunrise with 200 photographers, midday packed with tour buses, and sunset when suddenly it’s quiet and pure magic. My tip: skip the sunrise madness and come for sunset – same colors, fewer people, café still open.

Insider tip

• Dress warm – even in summer it’s cold and windy.

• Arrive 1 hour before sunset for parking and best light.

• Combine with Ninho da Manta viewpoint (15 min walk) for extra photo angles.

For those who want more context
Pico do Arieiro connects to Ruivo via PR1, one of Europe’s most famous ridge hikes. The road up was built in 1962 and remains one of Madeira’s highest paved routes – making epic views incredibly accessible.