Gretchen Stuppy Carlson
Madeira is an incredible island with gorgeous mountains and coastlines, but it’s not specifically known for it’s beaches. Most of the beaches on the island rock and some are a bit sharp. If you are looking for a beach on Madeira to relax at for part of your vacation, you can explore the optiond below (the last is our favorite)
Below I’ll share the best beach on Madeira (in our opinion) as well as a list of a few more worth exploring. I’ve also written up our itinerary for Madeira and you can find more in our favorite hikes in my weekly Substack newsletter.
Beaches to Explore on Madeira
Formosa Beach (Funchal) – The largest beach in Madeira, a mix of pebbles and black sand, perfect for locals and visitors looking for sea views just west of Funchal.
Santa Cruz Beach – A pebbly beach near the airport, great for watching dramatic plane landings and relaxing by the sea with views of the Ilhas Desertas islands.
Machico Beach – One of Madeira’s two golden-sand beaches, bustling with locals and tourists, offering easy access to cafés, shops, and beautiful city views.
Ponta do Sol Beach – A rocky beach in Madeira’s sunniest village, surrounded by cafés and great spots for watching the sunset.
Calheta Beach – Another golden-sand beach (sand imported from the Sahara) with calm waters, palm trees, and plenty of nearby restaurants.
Sao Jorge. Portal – A nice stone beach with an archway and beautiful cliffs.
Alagoa Beach (Porto da Cruz) – A scenic pebbly beach under the dramatic Penha d’Águia rock, perfect for watching surfers and soaking up small-town charm.
Prainha Beach – A hidden black-sand cove near São Lourenço with clear waters and peaceful surroundings — bring a picnic and enjoy the quiet.
Porto Moniz Lava Pools – Not a beach, but natural volcanic pools where you can swim or relax while watching waves crash against the rocks.
Seixal Beach – A stunning black-sand beach with cliffs, waterfalls, and lush scenery — best visited by car or tour due to limited bus access.
Our Favorite Beach on Madeira: Prainha do Caniçal
So which is the best?
Well – after visiting a lot of beaches, our favorite beach on Madiera is Prainha do Caniçal.
Located on the eastern edge of the island, this small beaches requires a short walk from the roadside parking lot (which does fill up on some days). The walk down is a bit steep, but there is a path that is easy to walk.
At the bottom of the path you will find a beautiful black sand beach with a restaurant and some facilities.
This beach gets some pretty waves and the black cliffs on either end of the beach makes this a very pretty spot.
We enjoyed lunch at the small restarant and we spent a few hour swimming and relaxing.
If you love lizards you will find many little lizards here.
There is limited shade so if you get a hot day, be prepared.
