Top 10 Beaches in Madeira

Our favorite sandy beach is Seixal Beach, located on the north west part of Madeira. Seixal Beach offers you a beautiful sandy beach with a stunning view over green cliffs and mountains.

A shower, toilets, bars and restaurants are close to the beach.

You can reach Prainha beach on the way to the most eastern point of Madeira Ponta de São Lourenço. Steps are leading you to the small black sandy beach.

A shower, toilets and a bar is right behind the beach. Free parking available.

In Machico, located in the south east part of the island and close to the airport, you can find a golden sandy beach. Next to it there is also a partly pebbled partyl black sandy beach.

Changing rooms, toilets, showers, bars and restaurants are close to the beach.

Next to Machico beach there is another artifical beach in the south west of Madeira: Calheta Beach. Actually Calheta Beach consists of two beaches, which are located face to face.

Bathrooms, showers, bars, restaurants and a supermarket are close to the beach.

You can also rent chairs and umbrellas.

You are in Funchal and searching for a beach? Visit Praia Formorsa, located between Funchal and Camara de Lobos. The almost 2km long beach is partly covered with black sand but it is mainly a pebble beach.

Coming from the side of Funchal you will walk along the promenade of the Lido zone. After passing the bathing complex Doca do Cavacas you need to cross the tunnel and Praia Formorsa beach is waiting for you.

Fajã dos Padres Beach is located directly at the foot next to Cabo Girão and offers crystal clear water. You can either access the sea from the pier, where it is possible to rent sunbeds and umbrellas or from the pebble beach right next to it. Next to swimming and sunbathing you should also go for a walk and visit the organic farm down there with lots of bananas, avocados, mangos and other tropical fruits.

This beach is only accessible by boat or by cable car (10€ per person both ways, free entrance for children under 11 years, summer: everyday from 10:00h-19:00h, winter: everyday from 10:00-18:00h)

At the entrance there are showers, changing rooms, toilets and also a restaurant.

Next to the statue of Cristo Rei you will find Garajau beach. Accessible by foot, car or cable car (3€ per person both ways).

It is also ideal for diving or for a walk along the path next to the water and right behind a cliff formation.

Shower, bathroom, bar are close to the beach. Free parking, but limited.

Most beaches of Madeira are pebble beaches

The most famous Natural Lava Pools are definitly those located in Porto Moniz.

On the one side you can find the Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools, constructed with platform and stairs. Here you can find sanitary facilities, such as bathrooms, changing rooms and also a bar and a playground. If needed it is possible to rent sunbeds and umbrellas.

This pool is open all year around (summer: 09:00h-19:00h, winter: 09:00h-17:00h), entrace fee: 1,50€, children under 3 years for free.

On the other side, 5 minutes walking time away, there is the Cachalote Natural Swimming Pool. Right next to the Restaurant Cachalote you can access the free swimming pools.

You don’t need to drive to the other side of the island to find a natural swimming pool. It is also possible to find one in Funchal! Doca do Cavacos is located right in front of Praia Formorsa and is also a perfect spot for watching a sunset.

Right above there is a seafood restaurant and also a small bar, as well toilets and showers.

Lido Bathing Complex offers you a great way to access the sea directly in Funchal. Those who don’t want to swim in the sea there is also a pool.

Bathrooms, changing rooms, bars, restaurant are given. You can rent umbrellas and sunbeds.

A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil.

I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now. When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us.