Discover the best beaches in Madeira with us, you may be surprised at just how diverse they are! There is no doubt that Madeira Island is crawling with lush greenery since the fertile volcanic soil allows almost anything to grow. But did you know that the volcanic nature of the island is actually also the reason why most are pebble beaches and have black sand?
Now, if that’s all there was to it, then we would not be writing a full guide. But we’re here to tell you, dear backpacker, that there is a variety of beaches to check out on the island. It’s one island with beaches that are almost as varied as its flora!
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BEST BEACH IN FUNCHAL
Funchal is known for a good time. It’s the island’s capital city and is very vibrant with its colourful markets, world-renowned fortified wine, restaurants and nightlife. But it’s also known for its black sand beach at Praia Formosa with bright clear water located just 10 minutes outside of the city centre by car and 25 minutes by foot.
Praia Formosa
Praia Formosa is arguably Funchal’s most beautiful beach and one of the best beaches in Madeira. It is a big, black sand beach that stretches for over 1.5 km, making it the largest sand beach on the island. It is the perfect spot to admire a sunset at the end of a day of hiking.
There is a giant rock that imperviously divides the southern part and the northern part of the beach.
On the promenade of Praia Formosa, you will find plenty of bars and restaurants, which to our surprise weren’t particularly pricey. The promenade actually continues all the way to the fishing village of Câmara do Lobos. Check it out for a pleasant sea-view walk.
Due to its beauty and its proximity to Funchal, Praia Formosa is one of the most popular and busiest beaches in Madeira.
How to get to Praia Formosa
🚗 BY CAR: Getting to Praia Formosa by car is fairly easy. It is just 6km from the centre of Funchal, and it has a large parking lot which is free of charge.
🚍 BY BUS: The beach of Praia Formosa is connected to Funchal by the bus n°43. Check out its timetable here. Alternatively, you can also check out bus n°24 and bus n°01, both of which stop near Praia Formosa, on the main Estrada Monumental.
BEST SAND BEACHES IN MADEIRA
Would you expect a volcano to have sand nearby? While we view Madeira as a beautiful and exotic island, remember not all islands have natural sand beaches and this is one of them. Different to the neighbouring Canary Islands, the shoreline of Madeira beaches is covered in pebbles and large rocks. In an effort to boost tourism, that stunning gold-tone sand was imported.
Seixal Beach (Praia do Porto do Seixal)
If you’re looking for a great scenic black sand beach in Madeira, Seixal is probably the one you’re looking for. It spans about 160 meters, offering lots of space for those who want to swim or sunbathe.
Seixal beach is protected by the port of Seixal, making it overall a safe place to swim. Surf lessons for beginners are available here, and there are plenty of bars and restaurants nearby.
The impressive peaks of the northern coast make the background to one of the most popular beaches in Madeira.
NEARBY: The Dock House, located exactly at Seixal Beach, is one of the accommodations featured in our most unique Airbnbs in Madeira list.
If you visit Seixal make sure to check out its tidal pools and the beach of Praia da Laje.
How to get to Seixal Beach
🚗 BY CAR: Seixal beach is located on the northern side of the island, about 40km or 45 minutes by car.
🚍 BY BUS: You can get to Seixal by bus with Rodoeste. Here is a timetable of the options available. You can either take bus n°139 (which goes directly there) or bus n°6+bus n°150 (with a transfer in Sâo Vicente).
Praia da Calheta
Looking for a gold sand beach in Madeira? Then head to Praia da Calheta.
Calheta is a municipality on the southern coast of Madeira, where the sun always shines. The beach was artificially created and only finished in 2004, with sand imported from Morocco and Figueira da Foz (mainland Portugal).
There are two different beaches here, both of which are protected by sea walls. Along the promenade, you will find several bars and restaurants, creating the perfect environment to relax and enjoy the beach.
How to get to Praia da Calheta
🚗 BY CAR: Calheta is easily reachable by car. You can park your car right in front of Praia da Calheta for an hourly fee.
It isn’t the cheapest parking if you plan to spend a whole day at the beach, while it’s reasonable if you’re only going to spend a couple of hours here.
🚍 BY BUS: You can reach Praia da Calheta by using the bus n°142, operated by Rodoeste. Check out its timetable here.
Praia da Prainha (Prainha do Caniçal)
The Praia da Prainha beach is a small jewel with black sand located in Caniçal in the southeastern part of Madeira, in the municipality of Machico. This beach is tucked away between giant cliffs. In fact, unless you knew the beach was there, you probably won’t spot it from the main road. To reach the beach you need to walk for about 5-10 minutes down steep stone stairs.
There are services such as toilets, showers and there’s a small caffè on the beach but the prices are a bit high. Since it’s a free beach, we recommend heading there with some water and food.
In the summer this beach gets to be very crowded so we suggest heading there early morning to get your spot.
How to get to Praia da Prainha
🚗 BY CAR: Prainha do Caniçal is not far from the Ponta do São Lourenço hike starting point. Praia da Prainha is about 32km from Funchal, and there is convenient parking just above the beach.
🚍 BY BUS: You can visit Praia da Prainha by taking bus n°113 from Funchal. It’s the same bus that goes to Ponta do Sao Lourenço. The ride takes about an hour.
Praia de Machico
Located near the town of Machico, this artificial beach is a nice option if you’re craving a yellow sand beach with services, such as toilets and showers. With the mountain to your shoulders and bright water in front of you, this is one of the best sand beaches on the island of Madeira.
Since it’s close to Funchal, it’s a great day trip from the city to cool off.
How to get to Praia de Machico
🚗 BY CAR: Praia de Machico is about 24km from Funchal. You can easily park nearby as there are several parking lots
🚍 BY BUS: Machico is well connected with Funchal. Busses n°20, n°23, n°53, n°78, n°113, n°113RS, n°156, n°208 all stop in Machico. The ticket costs €3.35 EUR ($3.60 USD) as of 2022.
NATURAL TIDAL POOLS IN MADEIRA
Madeira is mountainous and volcanic in nature. A beautiful component of the island is that it has these artificially created “pools” that have been created by enclosed water spaces of large lava rocks. Since the tides are strong and very high around the island, these pools become reservoirs of water from the waves that fill them.
Tidal pools of Porto Moniz
While it isn’t technically a beach, the pools of Porto Moniz are a great option to swim and relax on the island of Madeira. They are naturally filled with ocean salt water, and the lava formations around them make the pools such a unique place to visit.
The pools are open every day and year-round, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm during winter and from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm during summer, and there is an entrance fee of €3 EUR ($3.20 USD). You can read more about it in our full guide to the pools of Porto Moniz.
How to get to Porto Moniz tidal pools
🚗 BY CAR: Located 49km from Funchal, reaching Porto Moniz will take you about 50 minutes. Leave your car at this free parking lot and enjoy the pools.
🚍 BY BUS: Take Carreira n° 80. There are about 4 buses a day, and you can check the timetable here.
Tidal pools of Seixal
The natural pools of Seixal make a perfect stop for a dip on the northern coast of the island of Madeira. Seixal’s pool is a set of saltwater ponds located at the end of a very steep road. The water is crystal clear and it’s a safe place to swim without worrying about ocean waves and sea currents.
The tidal pools of Seixal are less touristy than the ones of Porto Moniz, and it is free of charge. Find out more about this place with our detailed guide on these natural pools.
How to get to the pools of Seixal
🚗 BY CAR: Seixal beach is located on the northern side of the island, about 40km or 45 minutes by car.
🚍 BY BUS: You can get to Seixal by bus with Rodoeste. Check this timetable for the available options. You can take either bus n°139 (which goes direct) or bus n°6+bus n°150 (with a transfer at Sâo Vicente).
Poças do Gomes / Doca do Cavacas
Poças do Gomes is a small seaside resort with natural pools on the rocky coast of Funchal. These natural pools are some of the island’s best but can be very crowded in high season, main in summer. Due to its location, it is also quite sunny during the low season, making it a great option to visit year-round.
Near the pools is the Túnel das Poças do Gomes (a pedestrian tunnel) linking to Praia Formosa. It’s a short tunnel (approx. 100m) with a view of the ocean. There’s even a fish restaurant by the tunnel serving up the fresh catch of the day, caffès and services like toilets, so you don’t need to worry about bringing food and water.
Keep in mind that the tunnel is not open during stormy weather as it becomes unsafe due to the volume of water from the waves. It’s open every day from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. Bring good waterproof footwear, things can get slippery here!
How to get to Poças do Gomes / Doca do Cavacas
🚗 BY CAR: Located next to Praia Formosa, in Funchal, Piscinas Naturais da Doca do Cavacas is easily reachable from Funchal. It’s just 6km from Funchal’s old town, and you can park in the area.
🚍 BY BUS: As for the beach of Praia Formosa, Poças do Gomes is linked to Funchal by the bus n°43. You can check out its timetable here.
Alternatively, you can also check out bus n°24 and bus n°01, both of which stop near Praia Formosa, on the main Estrada Monumental.
BEST PEBBLE BEACHES IN MADEIRA
Most beaches in Madeira are pebble or rocky beaches due to the island’s mountainous and volcanic landscape. When in Madeira, you gotta embrace it – when you’re at these beaches you are enjoying the true natural beauty of the island.
Praia da Maiata (Porto da Cruz)
Praia da Maiata is topping the best pebble beaches in the Madeira section. It is a wide, beautiful pebble beach located in Porto da Cruz, our favourite town in Madeira. What’s truly special about this spot is the iconic 598 meters high Penha d’Águia (Eagle’s Rock) that’s the backdrop to this beautiful beach, adding its wild vibe.
It’s mostly a surfing beach, with people coming from all over Europe (and the world) to enjoy its waves. Depending on the day, it is suitable for beginner to intermediate surfers. It might look like a rocky beach, but after a few meters the bottom is sandy and you can stand normally. This also makes this Praia da Maiata less dangerous for beginners.
How to get to Praia da Maiata
🚗 BY CAR: from Porto da Cruz, Praia da Maiata is accessible by car by taking the Caminho da Maiata followed by the Caminho dos Muros. Porto da Cruz is 30km / a 35-minute drive from Funchal.
🚍 BY BUS: There is no public transport available to Praia da Maiata. You can get from Funchal to Porto da Cruz by bus with bus n°208 from the SAM company.
From here, you can either take a taxi, join a surf lesson, walk or share a car with other travellers.
Faja dos Padres
Faja dos Padres is a bit off the beaten path when it comes to beaches in Madeira as sort of a secluded refuge. It is quite nice with its very long shoreline and nearby huge cliff between Cabo Girão and Calhau da Lapa.
There’s even a cable car if you wanted to see the beach from up high. What’s also nice is that there are some tasty restaurants, showers and lounge chairs for sunbathing. Fun fact, this area is also known for organic farming tropical fruits and avocados and bananas.
How to get to Faja dos Padres
🚗 BY CAR: From Funchal, Faja dos Padres is only 15 minutes away.
🚍 BY BUS: There is no public transport available to Faja dos Padres. Since it’s a short ride, we recommend grabbing a taxi or sharing a car with other travellers.
Praia das Sardinhas
This small yet fascinating beach is nestled in an inlet along the Ponta do São Lourenço hike. The water here is crystal clear as it sits on an uncontaminated side of the island, far from towns, rivers, ports and other human settlements, making it one of the best beaches in Madeira.
The only boat that comes here is the one you can take to explore the peninsula of Ponta de São Lourenço from the sea. Its price depends on the type of trip, and it starts from €10 EUR ($11 USD)/per person.
How to get to Praia das Sardinhas
🚗 BY CAR: You can get to the beginning of the Ponta do São Lourenço by car, where you will find several parking places.
The starting point is about 34km from Funchal.
From here, the only option available is to walk until Praia das Sardinhas.
🚍 BY BUS: Take bus n°113 (operated by SAM) to reach the starting point of Ponta do São Lourenço hike. You can check the timetable here.
Note: take the ride that stops in Baìa d’Abra, not in Caniçal.
Praia do Ponta do Pargo
Praia do Ponta do Pargo is an untouched pebble beach, among Madeira’s least visited ones. It’s part of the Vereda do Pesqueiro hike, in Ponta do Pargo, the westernmost tip of the island of Madeira.
This beach is where the northern part of the ocean meets its southern counterpart, creating strong sea currents at times. Keep that in mind if you swim here.
How to get to Praia do Ponta do Pargo
🚗 BY CAR: The beach of Praia do Ponta do Pargo is only accessible on foot, through the Vereda do Pesqueiro hike.
You should leave your car in Ponta do Pargo, which is about an hour from Funchal.
🚍 BY BUS: You can take bus n°80 from Funchal to Porto Moniz, which also stops in Ponta do Pargo. The ride takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Calhau da Lapa
This beach is one of our favourites…it’s a hidden gem with a lot of history on the island. If you’re looking for crystal clear water, and a beach that’s a bit secluded, you’ll like this one. It has a steep stairway to head down, but when you’re there, you can admire the ancient caves and huge cliffs that engulf the beach.
Check out our full guide to Calhau da Lapa to plan your visit and know what to expect.
How to get to Calhau da Lapa
🚗 BY CAR: Calhau da Lapa is just 17km west of Funchal. You can leave your car at the beginning of the trail.
🚍 BY BUS: Take any bus leading to Ribeira Brava, like bus n°7 operated by Rodoeste. Your stop will be Campanario, and you can check out the schedule here.
Praia do Jardim do Mar
The Praia do Jardim do Mar is not a typical beach. In fact, it’s made up of large stones, and instead of a shoreline of sand or pebbles, it is made out of concrete. While it might not sound exciting, the water is super clean and beautiful if you’re looking for a quick dip during the day.
There isn’t infrastructure or services around but it is a hotspot for surfing. Many locals like it because it’s a bit isolated.
How to get to Jardim do Mar
🚗 BY CAR: Jardim do Mar is located on the southern coast of Madeira, on the west. It is just 35km or 40 minutes from the capital city of Funchal.
🚍 BY BUS: Jardim do Mar is connected to Funchal via the buses n°115 and n°107. The bus ticket costs €5.35 ($5.70 USD).
You can check the bus schedule here.
Praia do Paúl do Mar
This long beach with large stones is quite beautiful It’s in a nice town on the island with relaxing vibes, has a good bar and pub! We highly recommend checking our Maktub pub when you’re there! They have super friendly staff, great dishes and even many vegetarian options.
This beach is one of the more popular ones on the western side of Madeira. One famous attraction is the stunning Cascata do Paúl do Mar waterfall right by the beach.
How to get to Paul do Mar
🚗 BY CAR: Paul do Mar is the town located right next to Jardim do Mar. It is about 36km from Funchal, or about 40 minutes by car
🚍 BY BUS: Similarly to Jardim do Mar, Paul do Mar is connected to Funchal via the buses n°115 and n°107. The bus ticket costs €5.35 ($5.70 USD).
You can check the bus schedule here.
Praia da Madalena do Mar
The Praia da Madalena do Mar is super scenic. It’s a mix of black sand and pebble shoreline is a hotspot in summer. For this reason, there are a lot of services nearby including restaurants, bars, toilets, showers, a lifeguard and even changing rooms.
Fun historic fact, this part of the island was once a very important area for the production of sugarcane on the island. But today it’s more known for its banana plantation.
How to get to Praia da Madalena do Mar
🚗 BY CAR: Paul do Mar is the town located right next to Jardim do Mar. It is about 36km from Funchal, or about 40 minutes by car
🚍 BY BUS: Similarly to Jardim do Mar, Paul do Mar is connected to Funchal via the bus n°115 and n°107. The bus ticket costs €5.35 ($5.70 USD).
You can check the bus schedule here.
Ponta do Sol beach
As the name of the beach suggests, the Point of Sun beach is THE place for sun. Especially if you’re a digital nomad. That’s right! This spot is known to have a digital nomad village.
This pebble beach is also known for its good food and bars. Up the mountain, is also a hotspot for nightlife and partying.
How to get to Ponta do Sol beach
🚗 BY CAR: The sunny beach of Ponta do Sol beach is just 23km from Madeira’s capital city, Funchal. You can park your car at the parking lot of Ponta do Sol for a small fee.
🚍 BY BUS: Getting to Ponta do Sol beach by bus is very easy. Busses n°142, n°80, n°8, n°4, n°146, n°107 all go to Ponta do Sol, with the best one being bus n°4, as it goes through the “via Ràpida” and it’s faster.
In this timetable you can find all the busses going there, at the respective time.
Praia da Ribeira da Janela
Beautiful rock formations make this small pebble beach just breathtaking! It also has all the comforts like changing rooms and showers, restaurants and more. It’s also conveniently located near camping grounds and hiking trails so you can head to the beach after a day of trekking to cool off.
A plus to this beach is that it’s close to Porto Moniz. Check out our full guide on the natural pools of Porto Moniz.
How to get to Praia da Ribeira da Janela
🚗 BY CAR: Ribeira da Janela is one of the farthest places from Funchal. It’s the town just before Porto Moniz, and it’s about 47km from Madeira’s main city. There is a wide parking lot next to the beach, which is free of charge.
🚍 BY BUS: Getting to Praia da Ribeira da Janela by bus is quite an adventure. From Funchal, you can take bus n°6 + bus n°150, with a transfer at São Vicente. Alternatively, you can take bus n° 139, which is actually the fastest route.
