Standing on the soft black volcanic sand of Seixal Beach, with green cliffs towering all around and the Atlantic rolling in, we instantly knew this was one of Madeira’s most beautiful spots.
It’s right up there with Praia do Garajau on the other side of the island, though the two couldn’t feel more different.
We came here twice. The first time, we chased sunrise — it’s known as one of Madeira’s ultimate sunrise spots — but the weather had other plans: wind, clouds, and a bit of rain, so we didn’t enjoy it. The second time, partly cloudy midday skies, the beach felt like a completely different place.
In this guide, we’ll share why Seixal Beach is worth adding to your Madeira itinerary, the best time to visit, and a few tips to make the most of your time here.
Key Highlights
⭐ Best time to visit – Early morning for sunrise views and fewer people, or midday for sunbathing
🏖️ Beach type – Soft black volcanic sand with dramatic green cliffs as the backdrop.
💰 Entrance fee: free
🅿️ Parking – Free public parking just above the beach
🚿 Facilities – Showers, toilets, and a restaurant.
👍🏼 Good for – Sunrise photography, swimming, and relaxing on the sand.
👥 Crowd levels – medium
At a glance
Our first impression? The contrast of the deep black sand, emerald-green cliffs, and bright blue Atlantic was absolutely stunning. It’s a rare Madeira beach where you can walk barefoot on soft sand instead of slippery pebbles, which instantly made it feel more inviting.
We were also curious about the surfing, since Seixal is often mentioned as a beginner-friendly surf spot.
Unfortunately, during our visits, the waves were extremely small and breaking too close to shore — not ideal for a proper ride. Still, with different conditions, we can imagine it being fun for first-timers.
The water here is calm enough for swimming, and when the sun shines it’s also a great spot for sunbathing. Either way, it’s a fantastic spot for photography — especially at sunrise when the light hits the cliffs, or in the late afternoon when the colors deepen.
Why we think it’s worth visiting
So — is Seixal Beach worth your time? We’d say absolutely, especially if you want to experience a softer, more tropical-feeling side of Madeira’s coastline. The scenery here is hard to beat, and the soft volcanic sand makes it one of the most comfortable beaches to spend time on in Madeira.
What makes this spot stand out is the small waterfall right on the sand — something we’ve never seen at another beach. And if you have a drone, this place is a dream.
The Seixal village is one of the most photogenic in Madeira from above, looking as if it’s built on spilled lava and framed by dramatic cliffs on both sides.
It’s also perfectly located for a full day out: the Miradouro do Véu da Noiva viewpoint is just minutes away, and a natural public swimming pool sits right next to the beach.
Where is Seixal Beach
Seixal Beach is located on Madeira’s northwest coast, in the small village of Seixal. It’s part of the São Vicente municipality and is about a 45-minute drive from Funchal.
From other popular spots:
- Porto Moniz – 10 minutes by car
- Santana – 35 minutes by car
- Ponta do Sol – 50 minutes by car
How to get there
By Car
The easiest and most flexible way to reach Seixal. Having your own car lets you combine the beach with other nearby spots like Porto Moniz or Véu da Noiva. Parking is free, but spaces are limited, especially on sunny weekends.
Renting a car in Madeira
If you’re planning to rent a car in Madeira, we highly recommend using Discover Cars, a platform where you can compare prices and rent a car from both international and local providers.
The most significant advantages are that you always get free cancellation up to 48 hours before pickup, and their full coverage is cheaper than at most rental counters.
We’ve used discovercars.com for all our trips, including this one, and we’ve always been super satisfied with their service and pricing.
Book now with Discover Cars
Read our detailed guide about renting a car in Madeira.
By Scooter
Although not as common in Madeira as in Southeast Asia, you can still rent scooters in Funchal. While we love scooters for the flexibility they give us in places like Bali, here you’ll need to be confident on winding mountain roads and prepared for changing weather.
By Bus
There’s a bus from Funchal to Seixal operated by Rodoeste, but it’s slow (around 2.5 hours) and not very frequent. Not ideal for a day trip unless you’re staying nearby.
Entrance & Parking Fees
Entrance Fee: Free. Seixal Beach is a public beach with no admission fee.
Parking Fee: Also free, but spaces are very limited, especially on sunny days and weekends.
There are parking lots marked with an “M”, which are reserved for locals. When we arrived around midday, all the regular spots were taken, so we ended up parking in one of the local spaces.
Technically, you could get fined for doing this, so it’s not something we recommend — try to arrive early instead.
What to expect
Seixal Beach has a calm vibe, especially in the mornings. Even in summer, it didn’t feel overcrowded. The setting is truly stunning — soft black sand framed by dramatic green cliffs — and the small waterfall dropping right on the sand makes it feel extra unique.
The water is generally calm thanks to a built breakwater wall that blocks big waves. While it’s useful for safe swimming, we both agreed the beach would look even more beautiful without it.
Right next to the sand, there’s also a public natural swimming pool, which is perfect if you want still, clear water for a relaxed dip.
Snorkeling isn’t worth it here — there’s nothing much to see underwater.
Surfing is often mentioned in travel guides as beginner-friendly, but during our visit, that wasn’t the case. Even though we didn’t try it ourselves, we saw quite a few people taking lessons — and honestly, most couldn’t even stand up because the waves were breaking just 3 meters from the shore. It looked frustrating rather than fun, so we skipped it.
We came with a stroller and found it easy to get around the paved area. We parked it on the left side of the beach while facing the sea. Just know you can’t take a stroller directly onto the sand, but it’s fine for enjoying the view.
If you plan a visit, we’d recommend coming earlier in the day for a quieter atmosphere, easier parking, and better light for photos.
Facilities
Right next to the sand, you’ll find basic showers and public toilets are right above the beach. They’re simple but functional.
If you want a drink or food, Lounge Bar Clube Naval do Seixal is right in front of the natural swimming pool — only a 2-minute walk from the beach. We didn’t eat there because we wanted to try another spot we found — Restaurante Seixal Butcher.
It’s perched on a cliff right above another set of natural swimming pools, and the ocean views are incredible. They specialize in fresh grilled skewers (beef, chicken, pork) — we tried only the beef skewer, and it was juicy, tender, and perfectly cooked.
Umbrellas and loungers aren’t as common here as on Madeira’s pebble beaches, so if you need shade, bring your own beach umbrella or set up near the cliffs for natural cover.
Where to stay
We recommend staying in Porto Moniz, just a 10-minute drive from Seixal Beach. It’s a charming coastal town with far more accommodation options and a good variety of restaurants. Plus, you’ll be right next to the famous natural swimming pools.
Best hotels in Porto Moniz
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Other places to visit nearby
If you’re visiting Seixal Beach, there are a few spots nearby that are definitely worth adding to your itinerary:
- Miradouro do Véu da Noiva – A stunning viewpoint over a tall waterfall cascading down the cliffs into the ocean.
- Porto Moniz Natural Pools – Just 10 minutes away, these volcanic rock pools are perfect for swimming and are one of the island’s most famous attractions.
- Miradouro da Eira da Achada – A less-visited viewpoint offering sweeping ocean views and a peaceful atmosphere.
- Fanal Forest – If you’re exploring Madeira on a road trip, this magical laurel forest with ancient, twisted trees is a must. It’s especially atmospheric on misty days.
Final thoughts
Seixal Beach is easily one of the most beautiful spots in Madeira — a rare stretch of soft black sand framed by dramatic cliffs, with a small waterfall flowing right onto the shore. Between the beach, the nearby natural swimming pool, and the charming Seixal village, it’s the kind of place where you can easily spend half a day or more.
While we weren’t impressed by the surfing conditions during our visits, we still loved the scenery, the relaxed vibe, and the fact that you can combine it with other incredible stops nearby.
If you’re putting together a Madeira itinerary, make sure Seixal Beach makes the list — and don’t forget your camera, because from the ground or the drone, this place is pure magic.
