21 Pebble and Sandy Beaches to Visit in Madeira

Madeira is known for its beautiful coastline, great hiking, Levada walks, ponchas and waterfalls but did you know that you can find some beautiful rock pools and beaches in Madeira as well?

Although there aren’t many white sand beaches in Madeira there still are some really beautiful ones and actually, the beaches in Madeira are quite nice and diverse.

From black sand beaches to rock pools to golden sand beaches with sand imported from Sahara, Madeira has a beautiful selection of places to relax by the water and get your tan on.

Unless you visit Calheta or Machico, you can’t expect the golden soft sand beaches like you’d find elsewhere but Madeira does have a few incredible beaches with amazing coastline and clean cool water for swimming during the warmer months of the year.

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21 Unique Beaches in Madeira worth checking out

One thing we really love about the beaches in Madeira is how different they all are. You’ll find a pebble beach here, a black sand beach there, and maybe you’ll even stumble upon a hidden beach somewhere too. 

So even though everyone claims that there’s no good beaches in Madeira, it’s a total lie! They may just not be the kind of beaches that one expects and hopes for – but for being a volcanic island you tend to get more pebble and black sand beaches, and that is what Madeira has to offer too!

Let’s dive in!

Calheta Golden Sand Beach

Calheta Beach is in fact a golden sand beach and it is one of the only golden sand beaches on the island. A fun fact about the golden sand beaches in Madeira is that the sand is actually imported from the Sahara desert. So there aren’t any natural golden sand beaches in Madeira but there are two man-made ones – Calheta Beach being one of them!

Calheta Beach is great and super spacious. I guess there’s a reason why there are a few fancy resorts right next to the beach. If you’re looking to stay in Calheta for a night or two then look at the Savoy Signature Calheta Beach (All Inclusive). We stayed there for our anniversary and it was amazing!

Praia Calheta is a beautiful golden sand beach that usually isn’t too crowded and there’s plenty of room to relax and swim (although during peak season that might be a different story). Praia Calheta has a nice sea wall so you can swim without having any huge currents which is really nice and something you can’t find at many of the other beaches around Madeira. 

Going to Calheta Beach is also a great day trip from Funchal. You can either get there by bus or by car. It’s easy to get to and there are paid parking spots really close to the beach. There’s even a Pingo Doce grocery store next to it as well!

All in all, if you’re looking for a golden sand beach in Madeira this is one of the few options. It’s worth checking out and spending at least one full day hanging out at the beach and around Calheta.

Tip: If you want to spend a few days by Calheta Beach, consider staying at Savoy Signature Calheta Beach.

Funchal Beach 

Funchal Beach aka Praia Almirante Reis! You know what, even though it’s not a sandy or beautiful beach it’s still pretty awesome that you can walk a few minutes from downtown Funchal and be able to relax and go for a swim in the ocean at Almirante Reis. 

At the end of the day, this pebble beach is everything you need if you’re looking for a nice place to relax if you don’t want to leave Funchal. It’s quite common and you see a lot of people work out at the outdoor gym in Funchal (such as the Madeira Fitness Friends every Saturday) followed by a quick swim at Praia Almirante Reis.

There is a fair bit of room and it’s not the comfiest beach to spend the whole day at but if you’re looking for a place to go out and swim in the ocean and maybe heat up in the sun for a bit then Funchal Beach is great. 

If you’re staying in Funchal then the convenience of this beach is perfect. If you want to grab a coffee there’s Art Food Corner which is a short walk from the beach. There’s also Rei da Poncha nearby if you want to try the famous local Madeiran drink, Poncha!  

Câmara de Lobos Beach 

Camara de Lobos has a beautiful harbour where you can sometimes see people swimming but if you go on the other side of the city center then you can find Praia de Vigario. It’s a beautiful, clean, and usually a quite empty beach. 

Even though Praia de Vigario is a pebble beach it’s a great place near Funchal to go and relax at. Since the beach is protected from the high cliffs on the one side and the harbour on the other side, the water can actually be quite calm at the beach sometimes.

On a warm sunny day, you can enjoy a nice dip and then maybe a drink or two at one of the local bars. 

A fun fact about Camara do Lobos is that it’s actually quite a famous fishing town in Madeira. They’re also known for the Poncha and Nikita drinks which were both invented there.

After a day at Praia de Vigario, make your way to the old town and try out one of the restaurants near the harbour and ask for one of those drinks! 

Tip: If you want to learn more about Madeiran drinks such as Poncha and Nikita, you can book a guided Poncha and Nikita Rum tour! Click here to check out what’s included.

Ponta do Sol Beach

Ponta do Sol in recent times has become known for its digital nomad community. But did you know it’s actually the place on the island that gets the most sun? And of course, there’s also a beach there.

Ponta do Sol Beach is one of the best beaches on the island to go relax in the sun. 

Even though Ponta do Sol beach is a pebble beach it’s easily accessible from Ponta do Sol and also very clean. One thing we noticed about all the beaches in Madeira is how clean they are all the time. We love that about the island and it’s not only the beaches that are super clean – it’s the entire island.

Anyway, back to Ponta do Sol beach… It might be best to bring beach shoes to Madeira because most of the beaches on the island are like Ponta do Sol where it’s all pebble rocks.

Once you’ve had enough sun and beach time, you can go grab a snack at The Small House or The Old Pharmacy (recommended by a local guide friend) right next to the beach.

Machico Beach

Prai de Machico is a strong contender for the most beautiful beach in Madeira. It’s not just our opinion but the opinion of most tourists. Machico Beach is the only other golden sand beach on the island along with Calheta Beach. 

Out of all the beaches in Madeira, Praia de Machico really makes you feel like you’re somewhere tropical and on holiday. Even though the sand is brought in from the Sahara it still feels super exotic. You only find this on Machicho Beach or Calheta Beach – or alternatively on Porto Santo Island.

This sandy beach has a nice crescent moon shape and even though it does get busy at times it’s one of the most beautiful beaches on the island.

If you’re spending some time in Machico and like hiking, check out the Vereda do Larano trail that starts up in the mountains above Machico. It’s one of our favourite hikes in Madeira and if you do it early in the morning you can go lay by the beach in the afternoon!

Seixal Beach

On the north side of Madeira is where you can find Praia de Seixal which is a beautiful black sand beach. Oftentimes you’ll even see beginner surfers out in the water as it’s quite a good spot to learn how to surf. 

The north tends to be a bit colder and rougher but Seixal Beach is protected by sea walls so the area to swim is quite calm and the small waves are great for beginner surfers.

As you’re relaxing on this black sand beach you’ll have a stunning waterfall out in the distance to admire.

One thing you’ll find out soon enough is that Madeira is a waterfall haven and there are tons of waterfalls all over the island in the forests and along the Levada hikes. 

Before or after you go to Praia de Seixal make sure to stop at the Miradouro do Véu da Noiva. It’s the big waterfall you can see from the beach and you can get up close to it while you’re on the main highway. It’s incredible!

Canical Beach 

Prainha do Caniçal is another black sand beach located near the city of Canical located on the very eastern part of the island. You can make a full-day trip to Canical Beach and we highly recommend you do so! 

As you walk down the stairs to the bay, you’ll find a plateau where you’ll find a restaurant and changing rooms. You can either lay out your beach towel up on the plateau or go down further to the black sand beach below. 

It’s a great spot to swim if you don’t mind a few waves. And if you’re not into swimming you can always grab a refreshment from the restaurant.

Praia do Canical is one of our favourite black sand beaches in Madeira and even though it may not be as visually appealing to some people as the golden sand ones, the sand is just as soft! (But it does get insanely warm in the summer).

Sardinhas Beach

Praia das Sardinhas is actually the first beach we ever visited in Madeira. While hiking the Ponta de São Lourenco trail we stumbled upon this tiny little cove where this little beach was located. 

After talking to a local hiking guide she actually said the eastern part of the island is where you can find some of the warmest water! To be fair even in February it wasn’t that cold to swim in so she’s probably right! 

There’s a good chance you may have Praia das Sardinhas to yourself because the only way you can get there is by hiking the São Lourenco trail! There’s a little platform to suntan on and the rest is pebbles! Make sure to bring your swim gear though because you’re definitely going to swim after getting all sweaty on the hike! 😉

São Lourenço Beach

Just like Sardinhas beach you have to walk/hike to this one. It’s not as far along the Ponta de São Lourenço trail as Sardinhas Beach but it’s still a bit of a hike to get there. 

This beach also isn’t as hidden as Praia das Sardinhas and you can easily see this beach from the hiking trail. There’s a fairly long staircase from the main trail that will take you down to Praia São Lourenço. 

It’s not the best place to walk in the ocean as there are quite a few stones but if you like snorkelling and swimming you may get lucky and see some fish. 

Otherwise, if you’re just relaxing and want to enjoy the sun and some water you can find a spot on the pebble beach and enjoy the beautiful views of the coast! 

Formosa Beach

Praia Formosa is located in one of the most touristy parts of the island in the Lido area of Funchal. Even though it’s located in such a busy area you can always find a spot on this pebble beach. 

The nice thing about Praia Formosa is its proximity to Funchal and all the restaurants along the coast. You’re close to everything but still have the beach and ocean right there. 

If you’re in the area we’d recommend visiting the natural swimming pool that’s a short walk from Praia Formosa, Doca do Cavacas. It’s this really cool natural pool close to the beach where you can swim and hang out with awesome views of the coast and Praia Formosa. Doca do Cavacas is also one of the best places to watch the sunset in all of Funchal.

Doca do Cavacas Natural Pool

Even though it’s not a beach it has everything you’d need to feel like you’re at the beach. This natural pool is right by Funchal in the Lido area. It overlooks Praia Formosa and is one of the coolest natural pools on the island. 

A fun fact about Madeira is that there are actually quite a few of these natural pools and we could add a bunch to the list but this one is one of our favorites. You can spend the whole afternoon at the Doca do Cavacas natural pool. There’s a restaurant connected to it from where you can catch the most amazing sunset and then a few restaurants up the stairs from the pools.

Because of the way the waves crash against the pool there’s times where you’ll have fish swimming around with you. The water is crystal clear and there’s plenty of beach chairs to relax and soak up all the sun. The best part is if you’re in the Lido area or even in Funchal you can walk to this natural pool.

The entry fee is around 5 Euro for the day.

S Roque Beach (Praia São Roque)

This is Machico’s other beach! Obviously, since Machico Beach is the famous golden sand beach on the island São Roque gets forgotten about and hides in Machico’s shadow. 

We’ll be honest with you and tell you that Praia de S. Roque isn’t as nice as Machico Beach. However, one positive to S Roque is the fact that it’s way less crowded. There’s a small pier and it’s a cool place to relax and watch planes take off as you’re not too far from the Madeira Airport. 

The views are great and you’re also close to town so it’s easy to get from the beach to the city if you want to enjoy a drink or grab some food. What we recommend is going to Praia de Machico first and if it’s too busy and crowded for you you can make your way to S Roque just next to it!

Faial Beach 

Praia do Faial is a beach on the northern side of the island between Santana and Porto do Cruz. This man-made bay is the perfect place to hang out for a few hours. 

The water can be a little rough so it may not be the best place to go swimming but the surroundings and views around Faial Beach are absolutely stunning. You have the beautiful mountains to your back and the Miradouro do Guindaste nearby which is totally worth checking out!

Once you’ve taken in all the sun you need for the day you can stop by Restaurant Francesinhas do Faial. The price and the quality of the food is super good and it’s a nice little local place in town.

Canico Beach (Praia dos Reis Magos)

Praia dos Reis Magos is the beach in Canico and is quite close to Funchal by bus or car. The nice thing about Reis Magos is that there are two different places you can swim. The first one being the open ocean and the second one being a rectangular pool-like area that’s been created by sea walls.

The beach itself is a pebble beach and it’s not that big but there’s still plenty of room to find a spot to relax in the sun. With the outdoor gym and the green hills in Madeira behind you it makes for a great place near Funchal to spend an afternoon in the sun. 

If you have the chance you can make the walk from Praia dos Reis Magos to Ponta da Oliveira which is a beautiful viewpoint walking distance from the beach. It’s a picturesque sight where you’ll get a feel for the Madeiran coastline.

Garajau Beach

So there’s something really cool about Praia do Garajau and it’s that you can take a cable car (teleferico) to get there for only 3 Euro roundtrip. It’s definitely a unique way to get down to a beach. Madeira is known for its cable cars as there are quite a few of them around the island but this one, in particular, takes you to a beautiful beach.

Praia do Garajau is tucked away and without the cable car, you probably wouldn’t see it. The best part is that the water is so clear and clean down there that it is amazing for snorkeling. You can rent snorkelling gear and swim with all the fish in the area down by the beach.

Once you’re hungry there’s even a restaurant right next to the beach. So if you want your little slice of paradise in Madeira don’t miss out on this beach.

Ribeira de Natal Beach

This is the second beach in Canical that we mention but this one is actually closer to the city. Everything’s close in Madeira but Praia de Ribeira de Natal is just a short walk from the center of town. 

The beach itself is a standard pebble beach and there’s a big concrete slab where you can set up your towel and relax. It might not sound like anything special but it’s the water at Praia de Ribeira de Natal that’s worth checking out. 

The ocean is so clear here and just like Garajau Beach you can snorkel or scuba dive here and see plenty of fish. It’s a great place to relax with amazing views!

Porto da Cruz Beach (Praia da Maiata)

Praia da Maiata is one of two beaches in Porto da Cruz and actually, the first time we saw this beach was from above while hiking the Vereda do Larano that finishes down at the beach here in Porto da Cruz.

You can find pebble sections along with black sand at Praia da Maiata with a beautiful view of the Eagle’s Rock which is the big rock formation you’ll see at the end of Porto da Cruz.

A fun thing about the Porto da Cruz beach is that it’s quite a popular place to surf and there’s even a local surf school in town. However, some days the waves are crazy and you should not be swimming or surfing there – so check if it’s safe before you go.

The views around Porto da Cruz are some of our favourites. Relaxing by the beach where you can easily walk to town when you want for a quick drink or bite to eat. Snack Bar A Pipa is a great restaurant right on the seafront where you can get some delicious food (it’s slightly pricier than other similar restaurants around the island though because of its amazing location)!

Porto Santo Beaches

Yes, Porto Santo is the island next to Madeira but it’s so close and common to do day or weekend trips out there that the beaches in Porto Santo can’t go unnoticed. Especially since the beaches in Porto Santo are the famous golden sand beaches that you may be looking for. 

Praia do Penedo and Praia da Fontinha are two beaches next to each other right downtown that are fantastic. This sand is actually from Porto Santo and not imported from Sahara like the golden sand beaches on Madeira. 

If you love beaches you’ll love Porto Santo. The beaches cover most of the coastline on this tiny island. The golden sand beaches go for miles and miles. Thankfully it’s not too hard to get from Funchal to Porto Santo.

You can find more information about the Porto Santo ferry here to help plan your trip.

Calhau da Lapa Beach

Calhau da Lapa Beach may be the most secluded beach in Madeira. Just to prepare you there isn’t really anywhere to swim here but it’s a great place to visit because of how hidden it is. 

There’s a “short” staircase of about 700-800 stairs you have to walk down to get to Calhau da Lapa. The good news though is that there most likely won’t be anyone else really there unless there are some other adventure seekers out there with you.

If you’re lucky and it’s rained a lot lately you may even get to experience the waterfall that drops down right next to the staircase. It really is a unique place and even though you won’t get much swimming in here because of all the rocks it’s still worth checking out because of how unique it is.

Madalena do Mar Beach

This is another pebble beach that is worth visiting. By now you’ve probably learned that most beaches are pebble and rock beaches on Madeira. Every beach has something unique and special that makes it worth visiting. 

Praia da Madalena do Mar has a beautiful pier where you can take some incredible photos of the coast and during sunset. Right next to the beach you can also find A Taberna Madalena do Mar which is a cute cafe restaurant where you can get some delicious food. 

The beach itself is alright but it’s more the pier, restaurant, and views of the banana plantations and the coast that make it worth visiting Praia Madalena.

Velhas Natural Pool in Porto Moniz

Last but certainly not least is one more natural pool on the northwest coast of Madeira in the city of Porto Moniz. Porto Moniz is basically known for its natural pools where you can swim, relax, and suntan. 

There are a few pools but Piscinas Naturais Velhas is hands down our favourite. The way the pools are formed around all the lava rock is just awesome and there’s plenty of room to swim and put your towel down to take in the sun. 

Plus there’s a restaurant connected to the pool so you can easily grab an ice cream or coffee if you need and it’s a short 5-minute walk to the center of Porto Moniz. The Velhas natural pool really is one of the gems on Madeira and the best part is that it is free to access!

Other questions related to beaches in Madeira

Are there nice beaches in Madeira?

Madeira isn’t known for its beaches and even though they’re not all pristine golden sand beaches like you get on other islands, the beaches in Madeira are still great. There are plenty of different beaches in Madeira and the variety is what we really like.

If you’re looking for a small isolated beach, black sand beach, and even a golden sand beach you can find them all in Madeira. So yes the beaches in Madeira are nice!

Is there any beaches in Madeira?

You got 21 of them right here. Madeira is known as an island with amazing hiking trails, mountains, and delicious food. Even though all that overshadows everything else there still are beaches in Madeira. More then 21 that’s for sure!

There’s definitely a few other hidden and smaller beaches we didn’t mention in this post. So yes there are plenty of beaches in Madeira!

What are the best beaches in Madeira?

This is a hard question to answer because it’s so subjective. If you love golden sand beaches then of course I’d say Machico or Calheta because they’re the two golden sand beaches in Madeira.

If you’re looking for something different like a black sand beach then maybe Seixal beach. So it’s totally up to what you like because we enjoyed a lot of the beaches on the island and there wasn’t one that really stood out as the BEST beach in Madeira.

Are there any sandy beaches in Funchal?

Sadly, no there aren’t any sandy beaches in Funchal. There are two golden sand beaches on the island and they are both around a 30-40 minute drive from Funchal. There is a beach in Funchal but it’s full of rocks and pebbles.

Can you swim in the sea in Madeira?

Of course! You do have to be careful and especially up north it can get quite dangerous with heavy currents but you can absolutely swim in the sea in Madeira. Often times you’ll see people swimming right at Funchal Beach.

Also along the Vereda PR 8 Ponta de São Lourenço hike, you’ll have Sardinhas beach and São Lourenço beach which are both great for swimming. Plus a bunch of other areas around the island and even ocean pools that are great for swimming. So yes you can swim in the sea in Madeira!

Where is Porto Santo beach?

Porto Santo beach isn’t actually on the island of Madeira. It’s on the small island of Porto Santo which is a 2 hour ferry ride from Madeira. If you’re looking for long coastal golden sand beaches Porto Santo is where you can find them. The island has amazing golden sand beaches and is great for a relaxing few days by the beach.

Is it safe to drive around Madeira?

Yes with all the tunnels and new highways Madeira is a very safe place to drive. You can find everything you need to know about driving in Madeira here. There are some roads with crazy inclines but safety wise the island of Madeira is a safe and fun place to drive.

You may also like…

• Everything You Need to Know About The Ferry From Funchal to Porto Santo
• The Best Sunrise Spot in Madeira: Pico Ruivo
• 26 Best Things to Do in Funchal
• The Most Famous Hike in Madeira: Pico do Arieiro (PR1)
• Hiking the Stunning Coastal Trail in Madeira – Vereda do Larano

Recap of all the beaches around Madeira

Now each beach in Madeira has a brief summary! Not every single beach is perfect but they all have their own charm. The black sand beaches are great, some might be full of rocks and pebbles but then the water is remarkably clean. 

Then there’s the golden sand beaches in Porto Santo and the few natural pools that we had to add because you can’t miss them while exploring Madeira. 

For an island like Madeira where people say there aren’t many beaches we got 21 and we’re still missing a few of the hidden ones. If you end up visiting all 21 rock pools and beaches in Madeira just remember there may be a few more you can find by talking to some locals or digging a bit further on Google Maps! 

Have the best time exploring, hiking, relaxing, and swimming by the beaches in Madeira! The island is incredible and we love sharing all these places with you. 

Have fun!

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