Balconies Viewpoint

The birds get to people before the view does. Chaffinches shadow the levada path and drop onto an outstretched hand within seconds. Then the trees open out. The deck stands on the edge of the slope, the valley falling away in front of it and a wall of steep green ridges opposite, and the outlook is far wider than the walk in suggests. An information board on birdwatching in the laurel forest stands at the viewpoint itself. The levada is worth attention too — the water channel runs alongside the path the whole way in, and for many people it is the better half of the trip.

• Ticket: bought online in advance. Cash is not taken on site, so sort the booking out before the drive up.
• Parking: spaces fill early and parking is policed — arrive before the tour coaches or you will be circling.
• Birds: signs at the deck ask that they are not fed. They will land on an open hand regardless.
• Toilets: the nearest are about 330 m from the viewpoint, and they charge a fee.

Ribeiro Frio is where the driving ends. Cars are left in the village, in the car parks or in the roadside spaces along the road, and the last stretch is done on foot: an easy levada path, 15–20 minutes to the deck. It is out and back the same way — the viewpoint is the end of the line, and children walk it without trouble.

Better: early morning, before the tour coaches get up to Ribeiro Frio.

Avoid: the hours when the coaches are in — the deck is crowded and parking turns hard.

The viewpoint is small, and a single coach party fills it. Get there ahead of them and the levada, the deck and the birds are quiet enough to take in.