In a nutshell
- Madeira’s beaches are seriously stunning — the panorama with those dramatic cliffs in the background is unlike anything else. We’ll walk you through the 8 best beaches on Madeira in this guide.
- Sandy beaches are rare on Madeira, but they do exist! Our top pick is Praia do Seixal with its striking black sand.
- There’s a much wider selection of rocky beaches. They’re not always ideal for swimming, but they look incredibly cool. We especially love Praia do Garajau in Caniço.
Are there beaches on Madeira?
Yes, there are beaches on Madeira. Madeira is one of the most beautiful islands in Europe, but it’s not a classic beach destination. You’ll find mostly beaches made up of large rocks and stones, with only the occasional sandy beach.
But that’s totally fine, because the views at the beaches are absolutely stunning and make for incredible photo opportunities. Plus, the beaches are rarely crowded.
If the waves are too rough for you, you can always cool off at one of the natural pools on Madeira — a completely different swimming experience.
That’s why a vacation on Madeira is best suited for people who prefer discovering secluded beaches in nature rather than spending all day lying on the sand.
The most beautiful Madeira beaches on a map
For a quick overview, we’ve marked our tips for eight beautiful beaches on a map.
Sandy beaches on Madeira
Among the few sandy Madeira beaches, you’ll find some real gems.
Praia do Seixal
- Black sand
- Swimming and surfing
- Restaurant, showers, and restrooms available
What you need to know: Praia do Seixal is a dark sandy beach in the village of the same name. The view of the lush green cliffs in the background is seriously fantastic. There’s even a waterfall at one end — a natural shower of sorts.
Is Praia do Seixal worth it? Absolutely — it’s our favorite beach on Madeira and a great day trip destination.
How to get to Praia do Seixal: By car is best. There’s parking at the beach, but spots are limited so head there in the morning. Alternatively, a few buses per day run from Rodoeste from Porto Moniz or São Vicente to Seixal.
Our hotel tip for Seixal: North Coast View House
Prainha
- Black sand
- Swimming
- Restaurant, showers, and restrooms available
What you need to know: Prainha is tucked into a bay between Caniçal and Ponta de São Lourenço, making it a great stop on a road trip around Madeira. The beach is made of black sand and has a breathtaking panorama. Aside from the beach bar, there are no buildings in sight for miles.
Is Prainha worth it? Definitely! It’s a great stop on your way back from the Ponta de São Lourenço hike.
How to get to Prainha: By car is the easiest option — there’s parking along the roadside above. Buses from SAM also run from Caniçal, or you can walk from town — it’s 2.5 kilometers. From the road, you’ll need to walk down a few steps to reach the beach.
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Praia de Machico
- Regular sand (artificially added)
- Swimming (you can surf at the rocky beach right next door)
- Restaurants, showers, and restrooms available
What you need to know: Machico has an artificial sandy beach that’s great for swimming, sitting in a sheltered bay. The rocky beach next door has stronger waves. By the way, Machico is also one of our favorite spots to stay on Madeira.
Is the beach in Machico worth it? It’s alright. We weren’t that impressed with its location right next to the harbor. But if you want to sunbathe and lounge in the sand, it does the job well.
How to get to the beach in Machico: By car, park at the Oásis Perdido parking lot right next to the beach. You can also walk from Machico’s town center. Plenty of buses from SAM run there as well.
Our hotel tip for Machico: Modern & Recycled Guest House
Praia da Calheta
- Sand (artificially added)
- Swimming
- Restaurants, showers, and restrooms available
What you need to know: Calheta is home to another artificial sandy beach on Madeira. As you can see in the photo, it’s split into two sections. There are also beach volleyball courts and a solid selection of restaurants here.
Is Praia da Calheta worth it? It’s alright. You get great facilities and calm water for swimming — but it doesn’t quite feel like a real beach experience.
How to get to Praia da Calheta: If you’re arriving by car, you can park in the paid parking lots at the beach (bring small change). Alternatively, a few buses on line 142 from Funchal also go to Calheta (operator: Rodoeste)
Our hotel tip for Calheta: Saccharum Resort and Spa – a great beachfront hotel on Madeira.
The most beautiful rocky beaches on Madeira
Most beaches on Madeira are rocky. Many of them look really cool, but swimming can be a bit tricky. It’s best to bring water shoes.
Praia do Garajau
- Rocky beach
- Swimming (water shoes recommended)
- Restaurant, showers, and restrooms available
What you need to know: Praia do Garajau sits right next to the Cristo Rei statue, and together they make up one of the most striking sights on Madeira in our opinion. At the beach you’ll find a bar with a large terrace where you can also rent loungers — so you don’t have to lie on the rocks.
Is Praia do Garajau worth it? Yes! The massive cliff with Cristo Rei on top looks seriously cool from below. Just keep in mind that the ocean current here is quite strong.
How to get to Praia do Garajau: You can take the cable car down, or drive partway and walk the rest.
Praia Formosa
- Rocky beach
- Swimming (water shoes recommended)
- Restaurant and restrooms available
What you need to know: Praia Formosa is the largest beach in Funchal and stretches for about two kilometers. A beachside promenade runs along it — great for a relaxed stroll.
Is Praia Formosa worth it? It’s alright. If you’re staying nearby or passing by in the car, sure. But we wouldn’t make a special trip just for this one.
How to get to Praia Formosa: There are several parking lots available. In summer, arrive early to secure a spot. Regular buses from Funchal also stop here — connections are shown on Google Maps.
Our hotel tip for Praia Formosa: Golden Residence Hotel
Read our tips for Funchal too:
Praia da Alagoa
- Rocky beach
- Surfing
- Restaurant, showers, and restrooms available
What you need to know: Praia da Alagoa is a real off-the-beaten-path find on Madeira. The beach is in the charming village of Porto da Cruz and the surrounding scenery is absolutely stunning. Since the waves are quite strong, it’s best suited for surfing rather than swimming.
Is Praia da Alagoa worth it? Yes — especially if you’re into surfing or just love watching surfers in action.
How to get to Praia da Alagoa: If you’re coming by car, you can almost always find parking in Porto da Cruz. A few buses (line 208) from SAM also run from Funchal and Machico.
Our hotel tip for Porto da Cruz: Jaca Hostel Porto da Cruz
Praia da Ponta do Sol
- Rocky beach
- Swimming (water shoes recommended)
- Restaurant, showers, and restrooms available
What you need to know: Ponta do Sol is a charming little town on Madeira in the southwest. You’ll find a beautiful, uncrowded rocky beach here with several bars right on the water.
Is Praia da Ponta do Sol worth it? Yes — there’s both a pier with a sheltered area for swimming and the open-sea beach itself.
How to get to Praia da Ponta do Sol: You can drive there — parking is limited, but you can almost always find a spot. A few buses on line 142 from Rodoeste run from Funchal to Ponta do Sol.
Our hotel tip for Ponta do Sol: Estalagem Da Ponta do Sol – a fantastic boutique hotel on Madeira.
Frequently asked questions about beach vacations on Madeira
When is the best time to visit Madeira for a beach vacation?
The warmest water temperatures fall between June and November.
You can technically enjoy the beach year-round — though in the winter months, be prepared for a chilly dip.
What is the water temperature in Madeira?
From August to October, the water is at its warmest at around 23°C, and from January to May it’s at its coldest at around 18°C. If you don’t mind a cooler dip, you can swim in Madeira year-round.
Are there beachfront hotels on Madeira?
Yes. Not many, but they exist.
Check out our picks for the best beach hotels in Madeira
There are also many luxury hotels in Madeira located right on the water.
Are the beaches on Madeira good for surfing?
Yes. Surfing is a popular activity on Madeira. Not every beach is suitable, but many are.
You’ll find great surf spots on Madeira at Fajã da Areia, Porto da Cruz, and Jardim do Mar.
Do you need water shoes for Madeira?
Yes — water shoes are really worth it if you want to get into the water at the rocky beaches. You can manage without them, but they make the whole experience so much more comfortable.
