The Rheinturm (built 1979 – 1982, architect H. Deilmann) is a striking landmark on the Düsseldorf’s Rhine skyline. It stands on the edge of the southern city centre, at the entrance to the MedienHafen, right beside the North Rhine-Westphalian parliament building (Landtag) and the building of the public broadcaster, Westdeutscher Rundfunk. It is 240.5 metres high, with a glass-fronted 180-seat restaurant at an altitude of 172.5 metres that rotates on its axis. A bar and lounge is located below the restaurant (168m) as is a viewing platform (164m) with a breathtaking view of the Rhine metropolis: the MedienHafen, the Altstadt, the Hofgarten, Königsallee and the Rhine with its family of bridges all lie at the feet of the tower. When the weather is good, one can see as far as Cologne Cathedral. Thanks to a level entrance in the basement of the tower, the building offers barrier-free access.

The dunes of Porto Santo might not be huge, but they’re a fascinating sight. Fine sand, traces of coral, and layered sediment form natural patterns and small ridges, while the backdrop shifts between low mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. This unique ecosystem is one of the few sandy dune systems in the Madeira Archipelago, and it’s just a short walk from the beach.

At just over 430 metres high, Pico do Castelo feels a little different from the island’s other viewpoints. It’s greener, quieter, and layered with history. The summit is dotted with conifers, a rare sight on an otherwise dry island. A cannon and the remains of a 16th-century fortress, built to protect the population from pirate attacks, mark its past as a defensive lookout. You can reach the top either as part of the PR2 hiking trail or by tackling the short, steep climb from Vereda do Pico do Facho, which takes about 15–20 minutes on foot. The payoff is a wide view over much of Porto Santo, and on clear days, even Madeira on the horizon.