Madeira’s beaches are a great place to relax and recharge your batteries. There are about 25 of them on the island, most of them covered with large pebbles, but there are also unique areas covered with volcanic black or familiar golden sand.
It is worth noting right away that a beach holiday in Madeira differs from other corners of the earth. Local beaches often do not have sun loungers with umbrellas, but only here you can enjoy the natural warmth of solidified lava or large stones surrounded by water. Whether to travel 1000 km from the capital of Portugal for such beaches or not is up to you.
There is no concept of a swimming season in Madeira, because the weather on the island pleases travelers all year round. However, most tourists prefer to visit the archipelago in the summer, when the air temperature rises to +26°C, or during the New Year holidays, when the island warms up to +20°C. The average temperature of the Atlantic Ocean in the Madeira region is +22°C, the minimum is +16°C in February, the maximum is +25°C in August.
Where are the sandy beaches in Madeira? Where can you go with children, and where are the most beautiful views? Find out from this article.
The best beaches in Madeira
Prainha
A small natural beach with all the necessary amenities is located in the eastern part of Madeira. There is a parking lot and a bar nearby, where, in addition to refreshing drinks and a few dishes, you can rent a sun lounger or an umbrella. The beach also has an outdoor shower, changing room and toilet.
Prainha is considered one of the best because it is the sandy beach of Maidera. There is a gradual entry into the sea, clean water and no stones at all, which cannot but please families with children.
Please note: Swimming at Prainha in windy weather can be dangerous due to strong waves.
Port of Seixal
Another of the best beaches in Madeira, covered with sand. The Black Coast attracts tourists with its beauty and exoticism, since it has few other advantages. There is absolutely no infrastructure here, no shower, no toilet, no sun loungers. The island is located on the northern coast of Madeira, the Atlantic Ocean here is crystal clear and calm most of the time. The beach is surrounded by high cliffs covered with green plants – this view is mesmerizing.
Porto do Seixal is the perfect place for those who want to take a beautiful photo on the beach of Madeira or for romantics who can spend hours observing the natural beauty of nature. For tourists accustomed to relaxing in comfort, this place is not suitable.
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Machico
Machico is the best beach in Maidera, created by human hands. Covered with golden sand, wide, surrounded by majestic cliffs, it cannot fail to attract the attention of tourists. The infrastructure is well developed here: in addition to the standard cafes and restaurants, there is a shopping and sports center where you can attend entertainment events or devote time to active recreation.
This sandy beach has a comfortable gradual entry into the water. Unfortunately, there is no separate area for children, but many tourists with little travelers still come here.
Calheta
One of the calmest sandy beaches is on the west coast of Madeira. Big waves are rare here, and the golden sand is always warm and clean.
There are no problems with comfort on Calheta: for a small fee you can rent a sunbed and umbrella, enjoy a chiromassage session, eat in a cafe or restaurant. The downside is the lack of showers and toilets (only paid ones in nearby establishments). You can relax with children.
Ponto da Cruz
All travelers who have visited this beach in Madeira once, advise others to come here. There is absolutely no infrastructure here. It is quite difficult to get here, as there are only rocks and thickets around, and the roads are exclusively dirt. But all these shortcomings fade against the backdrop of unique landscapes – what is one view of black sand against the backdrop of overgrown rocks worth.
You should only come to this beach well prepared. Be sure to take food, water and sunscreen with you, as the nearest store is not within walking distance. Ponto da Cruz is not very suitable for families with children, but there is a convenient entrance to the ocean and there are practically no rocks.
Important! This beach is suitable for surfing.
Formosa
Formosa is located in the small town of Funchal . It is not only awarded the title of one of the best beaches in Madeira, but is also the largest on the entire island, the length of the coast in this area is almost a kilometer.
The beach has a variety of surfaces. Near the water it is black and sandy, a little further away it is pebbly, and near the road the coast is completely covered with stones. Concrete footpaths are equipped for comfortable walking. Formosa has some amenities: parking, drinking water pumps, and a cafe. There are no sun loungers, showers, or changing rooms on the beach, as well as a toilet, but nearby food establishments come to the rescue. A large hypermarket is a 10-minute drive away.
Be careful! Some areas of Formosa are officially recognized as wild (marked with signs), swimming is prohibited there, as there may be sharp rocks on the bottom.
The beaches of Madeira are an unusual but very beautiful place to relax. Have a nice trip to this exotic corner of Portugal!
