21 Best Beaches in Madeira

Author’s Note: Madeira’s wild and wonderful landscapes have wooed me on many visits, and though I live on Portugal’s mainland, I dream of one day living on this gorgeous Atlantic island, spending my afternoon splashing around in rock pools and sipping Poncha with local fishermen.

Isolated in the Atlantic Ocean, the Portuguese island of Madeira is a wonderland of jagged peaks, age-old traditions, and shaded levada walking trails that follow the contours of the hills. But when you’re living that island life, the beach is usually calling—and Madeira’s beaches certainly don’t disappoint.

While the archipelago’s longest stretch of golden sand is found on the neighboring isle of Porto Santo, the beaches of Madeira promise a little bit of everything, from dark black pebble bays framed by verdant cliffs and tumbling waterfalls to golden coves and rocky natural swimming pools.

Whether you want to sip a Poncha (the local sugarcane-based cocktail) and admire the sun sparkling on the Atlantic or top up your tan lounging on warm black sands, the perfect praia (beach) is never far away on Madeira.

Here are 21 Madeira beaches to explore.

Praia do Porto do Seixal

Praia do Porto do Seixal

Situated on the northern coast of Madeira, around a 40-minute drive from Funchal, this pocket-sized beach in Seixal is a dreamy bay of black volcanic sand.

Flanked by lush, fern-coated cliffs and cascading waterfalls, it’s perhaps the most visually spectacular of Madeira’s beaches on which to bathe, lounge on the warm sand, and spend a lazy afternoon unwinding to the sounds of the Atlantic waves.

Praia do Porto do Seixal

Once you’ve paddled in the clear, cerulean waters and marveled at the magnificent backdrop which encaptures the magic of the island’s north, relish the opportunity to swim in one of Madeira’s famed natural pools.

Just moments from Seixal beach, the calm bay in front of the nearby Naval Club lounge bar—perfect for enjoying a snack or refreshing drink—is a beautiful place to soothe your senses while swimming in the Atlantic.

On the other side of the pretty village, you’ll find a few more handkerchief-sized pockets of sand and the impressive rock-carved sea-water pools of Poça das Lesmas.

Porto Moniz Bathing Pools

Porto Moniz Bathing Pools

When pondering the perfect ocean bathing location, your mind might conjure up long sandy stretches of lapping waves. However, the most breathtaking places to swim on Madeira are often in salt-water-filled natural pools, either carved by untamed Atlantic waves over thousands of years or artificially crafted to make the most of the impressive natural setting.

The Porto Moniz natural swimming pools, slightly further west from Seixal, are the island’s most emblematic. When you first set eyes on the crystal-clear cyan pools, where crashing tides splash over the edge, and jagged rocks rise from the ocean backdrop, you’ll be captivated by this spectacular location’s charm and magnificence.

Porto Moniz

Visiting Porto Moniz is one of the best things to do in Madeira. It’s awash with oceanfront bars where you can sip cocktails and restaurants to enjoy lunch; the local octopus, simply cooked with olive oil, is a delicious treat. You’ll also find more raw and rugged swimming spots carved into the surrounding volcanic black rocks, making Porto Moniz a fantastic day trip from Funchal whether you’re a family seeking sheltered bathing with lots of facilities, or a wilder location.

Author’s Note: Porto Moniz might feel a little too popular these days, but for me, it’s still hard to beat—especially the natural lava pools near the fort, rather than the more polished version.  For an excellent meal with a view, skip the central spots and head up the zig-zag road to Pedra Mole Snack Bar to enjoy whatever’s on the grill and a pretty panorama. 

Ribeira Brava Beach

Ribeira Brava Beach

Set in the south of Madeira, just a 20-minute drive from Funchal, the municipality of Ribeira Brava is home to one of the best beaches in Madeira. The laid-back village is nestled at the end of a striking valley, where the island’s towering, verdant-clad mountains taper down towards the ocean.

Protected by a breakwater, the pebble and volcanic sand beach is particularly inviting for swimming. Those who prefer an enclosed option can instead dive into the municipal pool, sitting alongside the shoreline.

Church of São Bento

An upgrade of the local facilities, including a new promenade, has made Ribeira Brava Beach even more suited for all, including palapa-shaded lounging spots, wooden walkways, and showers.

A short stroll back from the beach in the laid-back village, the island’s Ethnographic Museum provides an overview of Madeira’s heritage—an informative place to take a pause from the midday sun. The white-washed Church of São Bento is another of the village’s treasures worth a visit.

Machico Beach

Machico Beach

A dazzling crescent-shaped bay, Machico Beach (also known as Praia da Banda d’Além) is among the few golden-sand spots on the island and one of the best beaches in Portugal. Just east of the airport, this easy-to-access beach is the perfect place to soak in some rays and swim in the calm and protected azure waters.

During the bathing seasons, lifeguards, shower facilities, and ample parking make Machico a great choice to enjoy an afternoon beachside. With plenty of delicious ice cream parlors and cafés along the promenade and within the historic city, you’ll have plenty of tasty treats to tempt you.

Miradouro do Pico do Facho

For the best sweeping vistas over the bay, head up to the Miradouro do Pico do Facho, a breathtaking viewpoint from which to marvel at Machico and spot planes coming into land on the airport runway, which stands above the ocean.

Machico is also the starting point for many whale watching tours, providing the perfect chance to combine a beach day with spotting some of the ocean’s most magnificent species.

Calheta Beach

Calheta Beach

The double-ended sandy inlets of Calheta create one of the most attractive of all Madeira beaches. Set inside a barrier-protected, oblong-shaped bay, the calm azure waters and imported golden sands invite you to unwind to gently lapping waves while basking in the southern coast’s glorious weather.

Calheta Beach

Connected by a palm-fringed boulevard, both of the beaches offer cafés or restaurants just back from the shorefront, ensuring a fresh seafood lunch or sandwich served on the delicious local Bolo do Caco bread won’t interrupt your oceanfront views.

Sunlounger and parasol rental, alongside the numerous facilities (including showers), make Calheta one of the most enjoyable beachfront bays on the whole island.

Ponta do Sol Beach

Ponta do Sol Beach

Set inside a sheltered cove flanked by sea cliffs, Ponta do Sol beach is about 30 minutes’ drive from Funchal.

This is the perfect place to admire the Atlantic while sipping a Poncha (made from sugar cane spirit, sugar and lemon juice) at the decked beachfront bar or dining on seafood at Restaurante Sol Pointe, where the yellow fronted terrace overhangs the ocean.

Ponta do Sol Beach

Although the beach itself is rocky, the sheltered bay and (usually) ample sunshine make it one of the best beaches in Madeira to swim at, either from the pebble shore or climbing down the ladders on the sea bridge, which provides spectacular views.

Be sure to set aside some time to wander the small white-washed streets and explore the charm of this quaint village.

Author’s Note: Some of my happiest Madeira afternoons have been spent in Ponta do Sol. There’s not much to do here and that’s very much the charm. You can’t go wrong with flitting between the popular beach shack bar, the waters—just be sure to bring water shoes for more comfort entering and exiting—and the little Baloo ice cream cart that serves some of the island’s best gelato. My tip? Order double maracujá flavour, made from Madeira’s abundant passion fruit.

Prainha Beach

Prainha Beach

An afternoon on Prainha Beach, also known as Prainha do Caniçal, is the perfect reward after spending a morning on the São Lourenço peninsula trail.

In distinct contrast to the lush green landscapes that usually backdrop Madeira’s beaches, Prainha is tucked away in a bay shrouded by the arid and rugged headland which leads to Ponta de São Lourenço, the island’s most eastern point, just 30 minutes from Funchal.

Prainha Beach

Allow around three hours for a leisurely stroll, which takes you through the nature reserves’ native flora and past impressive viewpoints of dramatic Atlantic waves. From the higher points, you can glimpse the other isles of the archipelago; the Desertas and Porto Santo.

Once back at the beach, settle into the volcanic copper sands, or hire a sun lounger, to enjoy the slight breeze of this shaded bay. When you’re ready to dine, you can sample the fresh catch of the day at the beachside restaurant just seconds away. There’s also a shower and bathroom available at the restaurant during opening hours.

Praia do Vigário

After exploring the street-art-filled alleys and traditional fishing port of Câmara de Lobos, Praia do Vigário, close to Funchal, provides a refreshing and dramatic spot to paddle in tumbling waves.

Cabo Girão

Although the beach is black shingle and rock and lacks facilities, this certainly doesn’t detract from its beauty. In fact, with the towering Cabo Girão sea cliff, the highest in Europe, rising some 1,900 feet in the background, it’s one of the most stunning places to cool down in the Atlantic waters.

The overhanging glass viewing platform at the top provides a spectacular panorama across Funchal and the surrounding bays for those without vertigo.

If you prefer to admire the views with a glass of Madeira wine or the local Coral beer in hand, the restaurant sharing the beach’s name is the perfect place to take it all in while sampling petiscos (small plates) of local delicacies.

Praia do Garajau

Praia do Garajau

Best accessed by one of Madeira’s seven scenic, and often very steep, cable cars, the dramatic arrival at Garajau beach, just outside Funchal, is all part of the experience.

At the cliff base, shimmering crystal-clear waters await you—perfect for scuba diving or snorkeling, which you can arrange at the beachside dive center.

Once underwater, try to spot the island’s marine life, such as octopus, barracuda, and schools of colorful fish—be sure to bring water shoes due to the rocky shore. On-site showers and a refreshing drink at O Mero Bar & Restaurant await your return to land.

Ponta do Garajau

At Ponta do Garajau, high above the beach, a short scenic walking trail will take you to one of the best coastal viewpoints on the island, with a giant statue of Christ watching over the Atlantic.

Praia Formosa

Praia Formosa

While Praia do Almirante Reis is the closest beach to Funchal’s historic old town, Praia Formosa, a 12-minute drive to the west, is the capital’s principal public beach.

Stretching out for just over a mile and actually comprising four different beaches, the Formosa shorefront is the largest of the beaches in the region. A mix of dark pebbles and volcanic sand, like many of Madeira’s beaches, it’s a popular swimming locale thanks to the seasonal lifeguards and ample facilities.

Praia Formosa

If you’re feeling active, one of the best things to do in Funchal is to walk to Praia Formosa, taking in the city’s port and resort area and oceanfront swimming pools. Alternatively, the coastal path from Formosa to the town of Cámara de Lobos is a leisurely one-hour stroll with some fantastic vantage points.

Alagoa Beach

Alagoa Beach

On the dramatic northeast coast, around 35 minutes from Funchal, Alagoa is one of the best beaches in Madeira for combining sandy days, surfing, and scenic viewpoints.

This rocky bay with black sand spots is a popular swimming destination, although the oceanfront lido on Praia da Maiata, just to the east, promises a calmer bathing experience.

Alagoa Beach

Separated by a small yet lofty headland from Alagoa Beach, Praia da Maiata is a haven for experienced surfers. Although the Atlantic’s tumbling waves are much more active on the island’s north coast, a handful of local surf schools also provide lessons for less experienced adventurers.

Aside from the beach, the surrounding parish of Porto da Cruz is a quaint location to spend a few hours exploring. Whether you opt to take in the dramatic views from the Miradouro (lookout point) or tour the North Mills Distillery to witness the island’s signature rum production, heading to the rugged northeast of Madeira will reward you with a more raw experience than the more built-up south.

Faial Beach

Faial Beach

A C-shaped pebble bay, Faial Beach and bathing complex are nestled between picturesque mountains and panoramic miradouros, providing some of the best vistas on the island’s north.

Alongside ocean swimming, you can enjoy a small pool on the deck of the bathing complex, complemented by a beach club, open to the public and serving up international and locally-inspired snacks and refreshments.

A surprising addition to the beachside complex is the go-kart track just back from the beach, allowing for a pre-tan adrenaline rush.

Santana

Santana, a charming historic village, is just a 10-minute drive away from Faial Beach. Here you can still admire and stroll through some of the traditional triangle thatched-roof houses (Casas Típicas de Santana) and visit the Parque Temático da Madeira, which shares the island’s culture through exhibitions and activities.

Reis Magos Beach

Reis Magos Beach

Like many other Madeira beaches, Reis Magos, to the east of Funchal, is Blue Flag-awarded for its water quality, making it an ideal bathing point close to the small coastal city of Caniço.

Couple this with seasonal lifeguards and a boulder-protected swimming zone, and this petite rocky beach is a great place to cool off—especially following a morning hike on one of the island’s infamous Levada trails, such as the nearby Levada do Caniço.

Despite its relatively small size, Reis Magos has a couple of beachside cafés and restaurants, and there are plentiful dining options and parking a short walk away in Caniço.

Anjos Beach

Anjos Beach Photo by Vitor Oliveira on Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

A short distance from Ponta do Sol, the village of Anjos shelters one of Madeira’s more hidden beaches, Calhau dos Anjos.

The remote and uncrowded pebble beach is delightfully unfussy, with just a singular, seasonal bar alongside a shower and a few permanent parasols available to use on a first-come basis.

Cascata dos Anjos waterfall

Yet Anjos’ main appeal is the journey. You can arrive via an old, weathered tunnel from Ponta do Sol. Just beyond, the open road is showered by the Cascata dos Anjos waterfall, now a popular photo spot due to its unique nature.

At the far end of Anjos Beach are another pair of waterfalls that tumble down the rock face, though they are inaccessible at high tide. Be cautious when choosing to swim here, as currents can be strong and the beach isn’t supervised.

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Fajã dos Padres

Fajã dos Padres

While only 12 miles west of Funchal, Fajã dos Padres Beach is quite the adventure to reach.

Set on a faja, a Portuguese term to describe coastal flats, usually formed by lava or collapses at the base of cliffs, the pebbly beach can only be accessed by cable car or by arranging a boat transfer.

Riding the steep cable car 1,150 feet down delivers dramatic ocean panoramas and almost vertical photo opportunities of the agricultural terraces below.

Fajã dos Padres Plantations

Once at the bottom, be sure to follow the trail through these plantations, where bananas, vegetables, and herbs have been cultivated for over a century. Many of these were planted by the priests who once lived here, which gives the faja its name—padres means priests in Portuguese.

Then, settle in for a blissfully secluded afternoon tucked away from life in the rest of the island. Still, you’re not totally isolated. There are around a dozen buildings in the settlement, including a restaurant, though you might prefer to pack a picnic along with your snorkeling gear.

Author’s note: I’ll admit my fear of heights put me off taking the cable car down to Fajã dos Padres on my first visit to the island. But I’m so pleased I braved it on a subsequent trip. Even if you aren’t confident with heights, the views from the ride and secluded experience are reasons enough to venture here, and the ride itself is over in a few minutes.

Doca do Cavacas Natural Pools

Doca do Cavacas Natural Pools

For a wild yet semi-sheltered swim near Funchal, you can’t beat the Doca do Cavacas Natural Pools near Praia Formosa Beach.

Similar to their more famous counterparts in Porto Moniz, these dark, volcanic-shaped lava pools—with flattened paths and stairs chiseled in—are regularly refreshed by the Atlantic waves, while providing a little more protection.

Alongside the pools is a deck with lounge chairs and parasols. Further amenities include changing rooms, showers, and lifeguards, making this a particularly suitable swimming spot for families.

Madalena do Mar Beach

Madalena do Mar Beach

In Madeira’s southwest, around 40 minutes from Funchal, the teeny village of Madalena do Mar stretches along a tranquil sweep of coast fronted by a pebble beach.

Backdropped by steep, vegetation-clad cliffs that are tiered with banana plantations, it’s a picturesque spot to swim, sunbathe, and see Madeira’s fruit flourishing on one of the short Rota da Banana trails that weave through the farms of this long, crucial agricultural area.

Dotted along the waterfront are a few low-key bars and restaurants—try the grilled limpets, a local speciality, at Tasquinha do Henrique—while a handful of fitted parasols on the beach provide welcome shade.

Palmeiras Beach

Palmeiras Beach

As the closest beach to Madeira’s renowned airport—famed for its stilted runway and tricky landings—Palmeiras Beach is a popular spot to sunbathe while plane spotting.

Fronting the town of Santa Cruz, the pebbly arc of beach has ample space and is backed by the Jardim da Alameda, a leafy garden with shaded benches and a children’s play area.

Thanks to Santa Cruz’s size, you’ll find everything needed to enjoy a full day at Palmeiras Beach, with various supermarkets, bathroom facilities, and bars and restaurants serving traditional Portuguese dishes.

Santa Cruz Promenade

After soaking up the sun, walking along the promenade lined with the palms that give the beach its name. At the small tunnel, you’ll pass under and see the ruins of the 18th-century Forte de São Fernando.

Here begins the Praia Santa Cruz Beach. At the far end is Piscinas de Ribeira da Boaventura, a lido complex, offering a more comfortable spot for sea-view swimming.

Paul do Mar Beach

Paul do Mar Beach

Paul do Mar, on the western side of Madeira, is far less visited than the beach towns nearer Funchal, making the 50-minute drive worthwhile for those seeking a more remote village experience.

Getting here is half of the adventure. The final part of the car journey is particularly scenic as the zig-zag road descends cliffs with far-reaching ocean views.

Paul do Mar

Once you’ve arrived and put your camera into overtime, you’ll mainly be sharing the rocky beach with locals and surfers who are drawn by the quiet location and better swell caused by the westerly location.

Typical beach facilities are minimal, though you’ll find a bathroom and a couple of colorful bars—with nods to the village’s nautical history—serving snacks on the coastal road just behind the beach.

São Roque Beach

São Roque Beach

The second of Machico’s pair of beaches—separated by the Ribeira de Machico—São Roque Beach is a pebbly, promenade-backed shoreline.

With a pier perfect for diving into the refreshing Atlantic, and stronger waves suitable for low-level surfing due to not having the seawall like the sandy beach opposite, it’s a less busy alternative for a dip after exploring Machico.

As the landing point of Portugal’s explorers and the settlement on the island, Machico is well worth an amble around.

Capela dos Milagres

Particularly notable landmarks include the 18th-century, mustard-hued Forte de Nossa Senhora do Amparo, located just behind the beach, and the reconstructed Capela dos Milagres, one of the first religious structures built on the island.

Author’s note: While it might seem silly to opt for pebbly São Roque when Machico’s sandy bay is just opposite, there’s something special about perching on the rocks here and enjoying the calmer atmosphere while watching the surfers. Better still, take in the scene from the terrace of MaréAlta Restaurant, where the seafood is excellent—try the scabbard fish with banana for a typical and local fruity fish dish.

Ribeira de Natal Beach

Just before arriving in Caniçal, the town that leads into the São Lourenço peninsula, detour to the postcard-worthy Ribeira de Natal Beach.

A calm bay of often still, turquoise waters, wrapped in low-slung, verdant cliffs, the pebbly beach is a soothing swimming spot and a popular starting point for scuba diving trips with local operators.

At the far end of the beach, accessible via Caniçal town, is the contemporary Museu da Baleia da Madeira.

Dedicated to Madeira’s former whaling industry, which ceased in 1981, the space showcases the species found in the waters around the island, alongside other local species, including the endangered and rare monk seal.

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