Central mountains
Pico do Arieiro
Best time
Sunrise
From Funchal
40 min (drive to summit)
Access
Drive to top, short walk
At 1,818 meters, Madeira's third-highest peak. On most mornings, it sits above the clouds. When the conditions are right, the cloud layer spreads below you like a flat white sea, with volcanic ridges breaking the surface.
Sunrise sessions here are cold and early. Pink on the peaks, purple in the valleys. The light at first light is unlike anything lower on the island.
Pick your session type and scope on the next page.