Known for its magnificent natural pools surrounded by lava, the town of Porto Moniz is well worth a visit even if you don’t go swimming.
Here’s our guide to the must-see sights in Madeira’s Porto Moniz and some useful tips for planning your visit.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
1. Swimming in Porto Moniz’s natural pools (free)
Porto Moniz boasts two series of natural pools. But let’s start with our favorite, the one next to the fort and aquarium: the Piscinas Naturais Valhas (but there’s no official name for it).
Even if the water is cool, we strongly recommend you go for a swim, as it’s an exceptional experience. The basins are surrounded by lava rocks sculpted by the sea.
There are deep pools and plenty of space for swimming.
As you float along, you can admire the sea, the islet of Mole or the cliffs behind the town. It’s a unique bathing experience!
And even if you’re not swimming, take the time to admire them. They are very photogenic.
These are Madeira’s most beautiful natural pools.
- Opening hours: Free access
- Price: free of charge
- Tarmac paths for strolling around the various pools
- Beware: these pools are wilder, and the edges are not smoothed like at other pools. Lava rock can be sharp.
- No monitoring
- Restaurant and café
- Learn more in our article.
Discover great offers on our preferred car rental platform: DiscoverCars
2. Relax in our natural swimming pools
If you prefer safer swimming conditions, there’s another series of natural pools. However, they have been fitted out more carefully to avoid cutting yourself on the rocks, and they are supervised.
They are less pretty, but also offer beautiful views of the sea and mountains behind the town.
- Supervised swimming pools
- Open from 9am to 7pm in summer (until 5pm in winter)
- Price: 3 euros
- Showers, toilets
- Restaurant
3. Walk around and admire Ilheu Mole
Porto Moniz’s seafront promenade is superb. The views are fascinating.
Of course, you have a view of the lava pools (as we’ve just seen). But you can also admire the islet near the seafront.
Ilheu Mole is a slightly more orange-colored lava dome. Erosion is gradually making it disappear, but for now it’s still there.
At the top, note the lighthouse. Farol do Porto Moniz is a small white tower, just 3 meters high, but it’s 62m above sea level, so it projects light well.
Continue the walk towards the port, behind the fort.
They’ve landscaped around the rocks, making the experience more unique than on other waterfronts.
There’s also an artificial waterfall at the back of the château. Unfortunately, we didn’t see any explanatory panels.
OUR GUIDE TO PLANNING A Dream trip
- 7 maps that make planning easier
- + 120 pre-selected locations
- Practical advice
- + 260 photos to help you choose
4. Stopping pirates from Fort João Baptista
Right next to the natural pools, you can’t miss the fort.
A fort was built in 1730 to protect Porto Moniz from pirate attacks. But it ended up in ruins.
This replica was rebuilt in the early 2000s using local basalt stones.
Inside, you’ll find the aquarium (next section), but you can also take a tour outside and climb onto the terrace to imagine yourself watching for pirates!
Free access.
5. Visit the aquarium
Whether you’re visiting with children or not, the fort is home to a small aquarium dedicated to the biodiversity of the waters of the Madeira archipelago.
It’s not very big, but you’ll discover 12 pools with over 90 native species. Some also live around the Canary Islands, the Azores and Cape Verde.
- Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Price: 8 euros
- Tour duration: approx. 30 minutes
- See the latest news on the official page here
- You can also book a diving baptism in the largest of the basins.
- Read more in our article
OUR FAVORITE ACTIVITY IN Madeira
Catamaran tour to see dolphins and Madeira’s giant cliffs.
6. Staying in Porto Moniz
Most of Madeira’s hotels are located in the Funchal area to the southeast.
But if you want a completely different experience and to be closer to the attractions of the north-west, you might consider spending 2 or 3 nights in Porto Moniz.
This will give you the chance to go swimming in the natural pools at times when there’s hardly anyone around.
For example:
- Aqua Natura Madeira, just above the natural pools – See prices, photos and availability
- Aqua Natural Bay, on the harbour with beautiful views of Madeira’s north coast – See prices, photos and availability
- Hotel Euro Moniz, 3 stars in the city center – See prices, photos and availability
- Where to see all apartment rentals
7. Enjoy the views from the port
Take the time to visit the little port.
You can admire the cliffs of Madeira’s north coast.
And at the front, you can see the rocks of Ribeira da Janela. They look very different in shape from this sideways perspective!
We didn’t have the best time, but it was still pretty.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
- Get away from it all with Region Lovers’ beautiful destinations!
- Once a month
- Advertising-free
8. Climb to Miradouro da Santinha for views over Porto Moniz
Like all corners of Madeira, you can find several viewpoints around Moniz. The most beautiful, in our opinion, is the Miradouro da Santinha.
You climb the mountains behind the town. And all the while, you have a breathtaking view of the whole of Porto Moniz, including the natural pools and the lava islet.
- Steep but easy road
- Several parking spaces
There are less popular alternatives for admiring Porto Moniz, but we like them less. You have:
- Miradouro Pico to the west
- Miradouro do Redondo, high above the city
9. See Porto Moniz “beach” at Miradouro do Cabo Calhau
Yes, Porto Moniz does have a beach, but you won’t be able to enjoy it too much… it’s small with fairly large pebbles.
However, you can go to the Miradouro do Cabo Calhau to admire the view of the cliffs and the terraced crops in the foreground.
It lies to the south-west of the city.
10. Hiking around Porto Moniz
And of course, Madeira is a dream island for half-day or full-day hikes.
The most popular hikes around Porto Moniz are..:
- Levada Ribeira de Janela starting at Miradouro do Parque de Merendas: moderate round trip (4h).
- Levada do Moinho PR7: 10, 5 km for 3h30 (one way) with mill ruins along the way – moderate difficulty
- The famous Levada dos 25 Fontes starts a 40-minute drive from Porto Moniz. So you can hike in the morning and at lunchtime, then finish the day relaxing in the natural pools!
- Verada do Ladeira: round trip of moderate difficulty, 4km 3h.
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR AT Madeira
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Take a car with a good engine for hilly roads, but not too big for manoeuvring.
- There’s plenty of demand and few cars, so book early.
Other attractions in and around Porto Moniz
Praia Iheus da Ribeira Janela
Ribeira da Janela is an unmissable stop between Seixal and Porto Moniz.
This beach is not for those who want to lie back and sunbathe. Here, the pebbles are more like rocks, and it would be very uncomfortable to sit on them.
But in terms of scenery, it’s one of Madeira’s most beautiful beaches, with its rock formations and marine pillars very close to the seashore.
What’s more, you can climb a staircase in a notch in the cliff to admire them from another angle.
Seixal with its natural pools and black sand beach
If you want to try out even more natural pools, the ones in Seixal are also a must.
Paths lead you to several basins amid lava rocks.
The area is smaller, but also seems more secretive because it’s at the foot of the cliffs instead of in the village.
Its most impressive (and most photographed) feature is the lava arch. The entrance to one of the pools is underneath, and it’s a unique experience to be able to swim under lava!
Read our article on Seixal’s swimming pools.
Miradouro do Ponta da Ladeira
If you like viewpoints, here’s another to add to your collection before heading for the Achadas da Cruz cable car.
This miradouro is perched on a steep cliff. The Verada da Ladeira hike passes through this viewpoint.
Here again, Madeira’s nature is clearly visible: sheer cliffs, tiny areas of flat land near the sea, terraced plantations.
Achadas da Cruz cable car
This cable car is one of the most impressive on the island. But it’s not for people who suffer from vertigo.
It is 451m high and 600m long. In the start area, they point out that the start has a gradient of 98%, making it the steepest in Europe.
The descent only takes 5 minutes, but you won’t forget it! Once you’re down there, allow 30min to 1h to stroll around the little stretch of land, see the farmlands and enjoy the calm of the sea.
If you don’t want to take it, you can just enjoy the view and leave.
Or you can descend via the Calhau das Achadas da Cruz hike, as the early farmers did: 4.5km and takes 2h.
This is one of the best cable cars to ride in Madeira.
Fanal Forest
For another change of scenery, we now take you to the Paul da Serra plateau, in the heart of Madeira’s western half.
Here lies a Lauriferous forest. Around 90% of it is primary forest.
If you like imagining shapes in the clouds, you’ll love taking a walk here too. The trees are twisted, and inspiring.
Don’t hesitate to go if it’s foggy or misty. This makes the place even more magical and inspiring.
How to get to Porto Moniz + parking
Where is Porto Moniz
- On Madeira’s northwest coast
- From Funchal = 1h drive
- From Machico = 1h15 drive
- Here’s a map to help you find your way:
How to get there
3 options for discovering Porto Moniz
- By car: Porto Moniz is very easy to get to, with wide, easy roads.
- By bus: You can also take the 139 bus route from Funchal or the 150 bus route from Sao Vicente.
- By excursion: There are also many organized tours that take you to discover the natural pools of Porto Moniz on a tour of the west coast – see options
Parking in Porto Moniz
Porto Moniz is one of Madeira’s least parking-challenged towns. There’s plenty of parking close to the waterfront. They fill up well during the day, but there’s still plenty of room.
Useful tips and frequently asked questions
Is Porto Moniz worth a visit?
Yes, Porto Moniz is well worth a visit.
In fact, it’s one of Madeira’s must-see places. The town isn’t the most charming, but the waterfront is magnificent, with lava rocks and swimming pools. We strongly advise you to allow time for swimming.
How long and when?
We advise you to allow at least half a day.
Avoid the hours between 11am and 3pm when most tourists and buses arrive in Porto Moniz.
Swimming in pools is particularly enjoyable in the early morning or late afternoon.
Porto Moniz with children
It’s a great place to be with children: supervised natural pools, aquarium, pirate fort, children’s games on the seafront promenade…
Porto Moniz in winter
Porto Moniz is a pleasant destination to visit, even during the winter months.
- The weather in Porto Moniz is mild in winter, with average highs around 19°C (66°F) and lows of 14°C (57°F).
- It’s one of the hottest places in Europe at this time of year.
- Porto Moniz’s famous natural seawater pools are open all year round, but the water is a little cooler in winter.
PLAN YOUR STAY IN Madeira
Best of
Things to do in Madeira
Most beautiful viewpoints
Madeira’s most beautiful beaches
Most beautiful gardens
Natural pools
Most beautiful hikes
Most beautiful roads
Secret places
Practical advice
Getting around Madeira
Rent a car in Madeira
Driving in Madeira
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 6 days – 7 days – 10 days
