Best Beaches in Madeira: Where to Stay and What to Do

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Beaches in Madeira are as varied as the rest of the island’s landscape. They range from long sandy strips in a cove where you can lay down and relax to rocky shorelines that are best for a quick walk. Check out this guide to learn what some of the different beaches are, where you should stay, and things to do near each beach.

Explore Beaches in Madeira

Don’t forget to check out car rentals from the FNC airport for your Madeira adventures as well! I promise you won’t want to miss exploring this beautiful island.

Also, don’t be afraid to search for beaches not in this list if you are doing a road trip or staying at a different small town in Madeira! There are many small beaches (both sand and rocks) just waiting to be explored. This island gives you plenty of opportunities to create your own piece of paradise on your vacation. 

Let me know if you’ve found another outstanding spot you think should be included on this list! As another resource, Visit Madeira has great information about beaches in Madeira and the island in general. Further, explore tours that bring you all over the island if you want to experience more activities, landscapes, and beaches Madeira has to offer.

Sand Beaches in Madeira

Seixal Beach

If you are looking for one of the best sand beaches in Madeira, look no further than Seixal Beach. This black sand beach is in the town of Seixal on the northern side of the island.

The little cove that hosts this beach is bordered by stunning green cliffs making you feel like you are in your own little paradise. The blue water is welcoming due to year-round moderate temperatures and the black sand provides that extra wow factor.

Where to Stay Near Seixal Beach

Of all the beaches in Madeira, this may be the one you want to stay near for a night or two if you are truly looking to relax at the beach. You will have stunning views and enjoy a quieter side of the island compared to the southern coast.

What to do near Seixal Beach

Since the beaches in Madeira aren’t the traditional large white sand beaches elsewhere, you may find yourself looking for other activities to do and fun experiences to add to your vacation. Check out the list below for some more activities right near the beach or a short drive from the town of Seixal.

Calheta Beach

The beach in Calheta sits in a cove with a sandy strip at either end. These small beaches face each other across the water. The man-made rock walls keep out the ocean waves and provide a calm area for swimming and wading.

Like many beaches in Madeira, Calheta Beach can fill up fast! There is limited space to set up chairs or towels in the sand. Everyone wants to come into town to enjoy the sunshine, watch boats leaving the marina, and cool off in the warm water.

Where to Stay near Calheta Beach

Calheta is a great jumping off point for other adventures. Of the beaches in Madeira, this is one I would love to return to. Calheta was a quiet town and staying up the hill away from the beach, while a bit of a winding drive, provided unmatched views. And it was easy enough to return to town for a nice seafood dinner at the end of the day!

What to do near Calheta Beach

Since Calheta Beach isn’t very large, many of the activities you can do right from town involve getting out on the water. Whether it’s taking a fishing charter or going whale watching, you’ll want to take a boat out of the marina to explore further! But staying on shore gives you plenty of opportunities to enjoy the sun as well as some great food and drink.

Machico Beach

At the east end of the island is Machico where you can find Machico Beach covered in imported yellow sand. A pier separates Machico Beach from São Roque rock beach that stretches further south. While you have some cliffs rising to the north, this beach doesn’t feel as sheltered and intimate as some others on the island.

Where to Stay near Machico Beach

As Machico Beach is a popular tourist spot, it can be difficult to find places to stay near the busy season. However, due to its still relatively large size compared to other towns in Madeira, there are plenty of options to explore. If you want to stay in the busier capital of Funchal and just explore Machico for the day, you can always take the bus between the cities as well.

What to do near Machico Beach

Machico has a very nice downtown area that you can walk through right off the beach. There are a variety of restaurants and small shops which give town a bit more lively atmosphere compared to some other coastal locations. You can easily spend a few days in and around Machico experiencing many different activities Madeira has to offer!

• Beach volleyball court
• Water sports – wind surfing, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba
• Whale and dolphin watching
• Sailboat tour
• Go over to Caniçal- explore hikes and viewpoints at the eastern point (such as PR8- Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço or Levada do Caniçal) or visit the whaling museum
• Baía Beach Club (beach bar)
• Downtown shopping

Ribeira Brava Beach

Ribeira Brava is on the southwestern coast of Madeira about halfway between Funchal and Calheta. The landscape is beautiful with the homes running up the terraced hillsides. Ribeira Brava Beach is unique in that it actually has facilities at the beach for visitors and even a swimming pool to enjoy. The beach is a mix of sand and rock but is protected by a breakwater so the water is often calm by the shore.

Where to Stay near Ribeira Brava Beach

If you are looking for a quieter area to stay on the southern coast, Ribeira Brava may be a great suggestion for you. And with easy access to VE4, the road reaching São Vicente on the northern coast, this is a great jumping off point for all sorts of activities.

What to do near Ribeira Brava Beach

Near Ribeira Brava Beach you can find a little bit of everything. For more well-known spots or tourist activities, it is easy to reach Funchal or Calheta just a short drive away. However, the town has its own charm and you can enjoy a day of relaxing by the beach followed by walking through the old streets and trying different restaurants with local foods.

Rock Beaches in Madeira

Ponta do Sol Beach

Praia da Ponta do Sol (Ponta do Sol Beach) is a rocky beach in the tiny bay of this little coastal town. As always, the lush green cliffs of Madeira rise on either side of you and there is a hotel right at the edge of the beach providing you with amazing sunset views. This town is great to visit if you are looking to slow down a bit and simply enjoy the sunshine but you don’t feel the need to be lying out on the sand.

Where to Stay near Ponta do Sol Beach

As a smaller town, there may be limited unique options in the center of town or right next to the beach. However, there are still a great range of options to fit your budget.  

What to do near Ponta do Sol Beach

While there aren’t too many activities to do in the heart of Ponta do Sol, there are still a handful of restaurants and bars to check out if you are looking to try a new spot. You can visit a nearby levada trail as well. My top recommendation in Ponta do Sol itself is to simply enjoy the sunshine on the rocky beach and relax.

Formosa Beach

Formosa Beach is west of Funchal and is a rock and sand combination. Visitors recommend wearing shoes at the beach for walking or swimming due to the rocks. The beach stretches a long distance compared to many others found on the island, making it popular for finding a quiet spot to relax and enjoy a sunset. 

Where to Stay near Formosa Beach

Formosa might not be the first beach you think to stay near since while it is near Funchal, it isn’t in the heart of downtown. The beach is pretty much right in between Funchal and Câmara de Lobos which means there are an endless number of activities to do nearby! If you are looking to get out of the city, but plan to go back into Funchal during your trip, a stay near Formosa Beach may be the best option for you.

What to do near Formosa Beach

There are some great all-inclusive hotel options (a couple I have listed above) for those looking to relax near the beach. While Formosa Beach (Praia Formosa) does have a handful of bars and restaurants nearby, the main activities are likely just a few minutes drive along the coast. For this reason, my list below shares only a couple things immediately near Formosa Beach and the rest are activities you can find in Funchal.

Nearly any tour you could want to do has an option leaving from Funchal, so if you want to string together lots of activities outside the city, I recommend browsing tours to find the right option for you!

Check out my post 20 Best Things to do in Madeira for a lot more information about activities around Funchal (and across Madeira for that matter)!

Câmara de Lobos Beach

Praia de Vigário, also known as Câmara de Lobos Beach, is a long rocky beach just west of the main town. This beach is perfect for relaxing under an umbrella, reading a book, and listening to the sounds of the waves. When you are ready, you can walk into town for some local seafood, a refreshing drink, or some shopping.

Where to Stay near Câmara de Lobos Beach

You will likely want to stay in the heart of town and walk to the beach if you are staying in Câmara de Lobos. However, there are plenty of options along the main road ER101 just north of town or further inland. Think about how important accessibility is to you as opposed to a quieter area or potential hillside views!

What to do near Câmara de Lobos Beach

Câmara de Lobos is a beautiful area on the southern coast of Madeira. You must check out one of the largest cliffs in the world and try some port wine while you are here! The streets are fun to walk around as many are decorated and it feels like there is so much color and life everywhere.

São Roque Beach

São Roque Beach, Praia de São Roque, is a rocky beach in Machico that is separated from the sandy Machico Beach by a little canal. 

Where to Stay near São Roche Beach

While the earlier section details some great places to stay near Machico Beach, Machico is such a great area that I can provide a few more below! All the stays listed in both sections are a comparable distance to both Machico Beach and São Roque Beach.

What to do near São Roche Beach

Feel free to leave a comment below this post or reach out on my Contact page. Don’t forget to check out the 20 Best Things to do in Madeira so you don’t miss anything on your trip! The activities on this fantastic island extend far beyond the beaches!