Best beaches in Madeira

Madeira's coastline offers a mix of volcanic lava pools, black-pebble coves and imported golden-sand beaches. Highlights include natural seawater pools carved into basalt at Porto Moniz, long therapeutic sand stretches on Porto Santo, and purpose-built sandy beaches at Calheta and Machico. Several sites have surf breaks, coastal cliffs and accessible promenades.

Madeira's Best Beaches — Map

Stephen Colebourne / CC BY 2.0

A

Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools

Natural seawater pools formed by volcanic rocks, featuring extensive swimming areas and panoramic coastal views. The pools include supporting infrastructure and are accessible year-round.

Bengt Nyman / CC BY 2.0

B

Calheta Beach

Praia da Calheta is a beach located near the town Calheta, on the island of Madeira, Portugal.

muffinn / CC BY 2.0

C

Machico Beach

One of the two sandy beaches on the island with sand imported from Western Sahara.

João Máximo / CC BY 2.0

D

Porto Santo Beach

Praia de Porto Santo is a beach located near the town Vila Baleira, on the island of Porto Santo, Portugal.

Sebastien / CC-BY-SA

E

Praia do Porto do Seixal

Black sand beach on the northern coast, set beneath basalt cliffs and rocky headlands.

F

Paúl do Mar Beach

Two adjacent pebble beaches with a magnificent scenery. Popular with surfers and ideal for sport fishing as well.

Miguel Angelo Da Silva Carneiro Leao / CC-BY-SA

G

Praia do Zimbralinho

Small coastal beach with direct sea access on the eastern shoreline.

Sygic Travel User / CC-BY-SA

H

Praia das Salemas

Coastal viewpoint above a small sandy bay, offering wide sea panoramas.

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