Famed for its natural lava pools, Porto Moniz is a tiny town in the north-west corner of Madeira. It is believed to have been settled in the late 15th century by a nobleman from the Algarve and is now divided into four small parishes - Porto Moniz, Achadas da Cruz, Ribeira da Janela and Seixal.
Things to do in Porto Moniz
Porto Moniz’s most famous attraction is its natural swimming pools, which are nestled amidst volcanic rocks that are regularly refilled with saltwater. Throw down a towel on the concrete platform that surrounds the pools for a day of sunbathing and swimming, with the occasional wave breaking over the northern edge. At the eastern end of the complex is a diving board, from where you can jump into the deeper pools.
Be sure to enjoy a ride on the Teleférico das Achadas da Cruz, which descends from the tiny village of Achadas da Cruz to the Fajã da Quebrada Nova. Once only accessible by boat, this coastal strip of agricultural land is tended by a handful of farmers who use the cable car to access their plots. Also at the base of the cliffs is a blissfully remote pebble beach.
For elevated views across the region, head to the Miradouro da Santinha, which is located on the switchbacking road that connects Porto Moniz with Santa do Porto Moniz. From the lookout, you can see the red-tiled roofs of the town below and its natural swimming pools, as well as the offshore island of Ilheu Mole.
Getting around Porto Moniz
Porto Moniz is around an hour’s drive from Funchal and just over an hour from Madeira Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and North America. Regular buses connect from Funchal to Porto Moniz while renting a car gives you greater freedom to explore the area.