Most drivers on the old ER103 near Faial are heading for Santana and its thatched houses. Miradouro do Curtado sits on a bend just before the town, and plenty of people pass it without slowing down. Those who pull in find a plain concrete platform with a few benches.
The view from that platform is the reason to stop. It takes in Penha d’Águia, the bay below Faial, the long eastern tip of the island, and on good days the island of Porto Santo. There’s no café or ticket desk, and visitors often have the place to themselves. If you’re plotting a north coast drive on our Madeira map, it’s worth marking before you set off.
Where Is Miradouro do Curtado and How Do You Get There?
Miradouro do Curtado is on the ER103 in Faial parish, at the point where the road enters Santana parish. Both parishes belong to the municipality of Santana. You’ll also see it listed as Miradouro do Cortado, and both names refer to the same spot.
From Funchal, the quickest route follows the VR1 expressway east towards Machico, then the VE1 north through the tunnels to Faial. Allow around 45 minutes. From Faial, take the old road uphill towards Santana rather than staying on the expressway, and the viewpoint is on the way.
The mountain road via Poiso and Ribeiro Frio is slower but more scenic. It passes the start of the short walk to Miradouro dos Balcões, which makes a good first stop.
Parking is limited to two small bays on either side of the platform, each holding three or four cars. At busy times you may need to wait a few minutes.
What Can You See from Miradouro do Curtado?
Penha d’Águia fills most of the view. This huge rock rises close to 600 metres between Faial and Porto da Cruz, and from Curtado you see its full flank dropping to the sea.
Directly below is Fajã do Mar, a small stretch of coast with a pebble beach and the Cais do Faial. This small harbour was built in the early 20th century for coastal shipping. Today it’s used by leisure boats and swimmers after a quiet spot. A narrow dead-end road leads down, but it has been affected by rockfalls, so check conditions first.
Further out, the coastline runs east towards Ponta de São Lourenço, the island’s eastern tip and the start of the PR8 Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço walk. On clear days, Porto Santo appears on the horizon.
Closer in, the slopes above Faial are terraced and farmed, with houses scattered along the lanes. It’s a lived-in view, and a reminder that much of the north coast is still agricultural.
When Is the Best Time to Visit the Viewpoint?
The north coast tends to see more cloud than the south, so visibility is the main variable. Cloud often builds over the mountains as the day goes on, which makes mornings a sensible bet. Check the Madeira weather forecast before you go.
Light matters too. Penha d’Águia lies to the south-east of the viewpoint. In the morning the sun rises behind the rock, which suits silhouettes but leaves its face in shadow. By mid-afternoon the sun has moved behind you and lights the side facing Curtado.
Our guide to the best time to visit Madeira covers the island’s seasons in more detail.
Nearby Attractions in Santana
Curtado isn’t the only viewpoint on this stretch. Miradouro de Nossa Senhora dos Bons Caminhos is about 700 metres along the road, and Miradouro da Cova da Roda in Faial also looks across to Penha d’Águia. Down at sea level, Praia do Faial has lifeguards and a bar during the summer bathing season. Next to it, Miradouro do Guindaste has two glass walkways over the water. It reopened with a new café in spring 2026 after works, though further improvements are planned before the end of the year, so it’s worth checking it’s open before you go.
Santana is a few minutes’ drive uphill. Its triangular thatched houses stand beside the town hall, and some are open to visitors, with a few selling souvenirs and poncha. The Parque Temático da Madeira covers seven hectares on the edge of town. It focuses on Madeiran history, science, and tradition, with a small farm for younger visitors. It has typically closed on Mondays, so check current opening days.
Walkers have plenty of choice. Queimadas Forest Park is the start of the Levada do Caldeirão Verde, and the road to Achada do Teixeira leads to the easiest route up Pico Ruivo. Penha d’Águia has its own steep summit trail from Faial. Our guide to hikes in Madeira covers more routes on this side of the island.
Photography and Visiting Tips
A wide-angle lens helps fit the whole of Penha d’Águia into the frame. A polarising filter cuts glare off the sea on bright days.
The platform is basic, so keep an eye on children near the edge and take care on wet concrete. There are no toilets or refreshments, so plan those stops in Faial or Santana.
A hire car is by far the easiest way to get here. Buses do serve Faial and Santana, but a quick viewpoint stop is hard to fit around their timetables.
Planning a Trip to Madeira’s North Coast
Miradouro do Curtado is a short stop. It gives an uncluttered view of Penha d’Águia, one of the island’s best-known landmarks, without a hike or a car park full of coaches.
It works best as part of a loop. Head east via Machico and Faial, stop at Curtado and Santana, then return over the mountains via Ribeiro Frio. For a second angle on the same rock, Miradouro da Portela looks at it from the Porto da Cruz side.
You could stay in Santana if walking is your main priority. A base on the south coast gives you more choice of restaurants and generally sunnier weather, with the north coast less than an hour’s drive away.
Atlantic Holiday’s self-catering rentals in Madeira are a comfortable place to plan these day trips from, at whatever pace suits you.
