Portela | Viewpoint | Santo António da Serra
Briefly
Located between Porto da Cruz and Machico, the Portela Viewpoint offers a broad view of both the east and north sides of the island. It is most famous for its stunning perspective of the Penha d’Águia (Eagle Rock) and the lush green valleys of the north coast.
Basic Information
Location: Miradouro da Portela
Access: Fully accessible by car.
Time: 15–20 minutes
Difficulty: Very Easy
Parking: Public parking area at the viewpoint
Best season: All year round
How to Get There
Situated on the ER102 road at the mountain pass connecting Machico and Porto da Cruz.
Open on Google Maps
Important to Know
- Hiking Hub: This is a major junction for hikers, serving as the start or end for PR10 (Levada do Furado) and PR5 (Vereda das Funduras).
- Local Food: The nearby restaurants are well-known for traditional “Espetada” and local cider.
- View of the North: From here, you can see the village of Porto da Cruz and the “Eagle Rock” perfectly framed by the mountains.
Similar Viewpoints
- Curtado Viewpoint: For a closer view of the Eagle Rock from the Santana side.
- Balcões Viewpoint: For another grand panoramic view of the northern mountain range.
- Pico do Facho: For the eastern coastline view from the opposite side of Machico.
Visited Portela? Share your photos and your thoughts in the comments! 