Madeira is a mountainous volcanic island blessed with a wonderful year-round climate, a lush interior and plenty of Portuguese charm. However, it does lack one thing: an abundance of sandy beaches.

Unlike the Canary Islands, Madeira does not have a shoreline of golden sands. The few natural beaches found between the towering cliffs are lined with grey pebbles and black basalt stones, which, while dramatic to look at, are not ideal for sunbathing or building sandcastles. The exception is Seixal on the north coast, where a striking black volcanic sand beach has formed naturally.

To supplement this, artificial beaches have been constructed using sand imported from Morocco. These man-made stretches of golden sand are pleasant enough, but I should be upfront: Madeira will always be a destination better suited to outdoor activities, hiking and cultural experiences rather than a traditional beach holiday.

If a sandy beach is essential to your holiday, I would suggest considering a trip to Porto Santo. This pretty island lies two hours by ferry from Funchal and boasts 7km of natural golden sands. Porto Santo can be visited as either a day trip or as an extended stay. This guide will detail the best beaches in Madeira, including how to reach Porto Santo.
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All of Madeira's beaches are sheltered by sea walls, to stop then being washed away

The island of Porto Santo has the best beach but is a 2hour ferry away

Praia da Calheta was the first artificial beach constructed on Madeira and is widely considered the best sandy beach on the island. I would certainly agree with this assessment, having visited several times over the years.

The beach was cleverly designed with two sea walls that form a double-sided bay. This sheltered area holds sand imported primarily from Morocco, with a smaller quantity sourced from Portugal. The design serves a practical purpose: it prevents the golden sands from being washed away during storms while also maximising the available beach space.

As Calheta is the most popular beach on Madeira, it does get busy during the summer months. If you are visiting between June and September, I would recommend arriving early in the morning to secure a good spot. That said, even on busier days, the atmosphere remains relaxed and it is still the best place on the island for a proper day at the beach.

The Praia da Calheta beach

Calheta beach is particularly well suited to families. The waters hold Blue Flag status, meaning they are clean and regularly tested, and the sheltered bay means there are no strong currents to worry about. Good tourist facilities are located close to the beach, including cafés and restaurants where you can grab lunch without straying too far from your towel.

The town of Calheta itself is a pretty little place, surrounded by steep cliffs and positioned along a small river. It lies approximately 30km west of Funchal by road.

Getting to Calheta
Reaching Calheta by public transport is possible but requires some patience. The Siga bus company operates a limited service from Funchal on routes 80, 115 and 142. The journey is lengthy, so if you are planning a day trip, a rental car will give you far more flexibility. The latest timetables can be found on the Siga website.
siga.madeira.gov.pt/

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The second artificial sandy beach on Madeira is Praia de Machico, located on the shoreline in front of the island's second largest town. Machico has a long history as one of the first places to be settled on Madeira, and the beach adds a pleasant seaside element to what is already an interesting place to explore.

The beach is protected by a long rock breakwater on the seaward side, which creates a calm swimming area. It is smaller than Calheta, stretching for around 125 metres with a depth of approximately 70 metres. Like Calheta, the soft golden sands are not native to Madeira and were imported from Morocco.

The Paira do Machico beach to the northeast of Madeira

During the summer months, Machico beach does fill up with visitors and locals alike. However, the town itself offers plenty to see and do if you fancy a break from sunbathing, including the historic centre, the Igreja Matriz church and several good cafés along the waterfront.

I find Machico beach a solid alternative to Calheta, particularly if you are staying on the eastern side of the island or arriving at the airport and want to fit in some beach time before heading to your accommodation. The atmosphere here feels slightly more local than at Calheta, which some visitors may prefer.

Getting to Machico
Machico sits on the eastern side of Madeira, roughly 25km from Funchal and just 6km from Santa Cruz. Its position close to the airport makes it a convenient stop if you have time to spare before a flight.

Public transport connections between Funchal and Machico are better than those serving Calheta, with more frequent bus services running throughout the day. That said, if you are planning a day trip and want the freedom to explore the surrounding area, a rental car remains the most practical option.

Machico is on the edge of the town and close to the airport (runway is at the top of the image)

While Calheta and Machico offer golden sands imported from abroad, Praia do Porto do Seixal is something quite different: a natural beach of jet-black volcanic sand on Madeira's rugged north coast. I must admit, I only recently discovered this beach myself, and I was genuinely taken aback by how striking it is.

The sand here is fine and soft, formed over thousands of years through the erosion of volcanic rock. It is entirely native to the island, making Seixal the only beach in this guide that Madeira can truly call its own. The setting is dramatic, with the black sand contrasting sharply against the turquoise Atlantic and the lush, emerald-green cliffs that rise steeply behind the beach.

Seixal offers a completely different beach experience to Calheta or Machico. The atmosphere here feels wild and authentic rather than resort-like. There are no sun loungers or parasols for hire, so you will need to bring your own towel and supplies. What you get in return is a sense of place that the artificial beaches simply cannot match.

The water is remarkably clear and, despite being on the north coast, the beach is relatively sheltered by a harbour wall, making it safe for swimming on calmer days. Do keep an eye on conditions, however, as the north coast can be rougher than the south.

Getting to Seixal
Seixal is located on the north coast, approximately 45 minutes to an hour from Funchal depending on traffic and your chosen route. By car, the most straightforward route is via the VE4, which cuts through the centre of the island. The drive itself is scenic, with some impressive mountain views along the way. There is a small car park near the harbour, but it fills up quickly during the summer and at weekends. I would recommend arriving before 10am if you want to park without a lengthy walk.

Porto Santo is a small, arid island lying 75km to the northeast of Madeira. It is home to the finest beaches in the Madeira Archipelago, and I would argue some of the best in all of Portugal.

Unlike volcanic Madeira, Porto Santo has been blessed with natural sandy beaches. The island's rocky headlands have sheltered the coastline from strong oceanic currents over thousands of years, allowing a sandy shoreline to form along the entire southern side of the island. The result is a continuous stretch of soft golden sand and clear turquoise waters that feels a world away from Madeira's pebbled coves.

The main beach extends for approximately 7km, running from the harbour in the east to the pretty headland of Ponta da Calheta in the west. Along this stretch you will find the charming village of Vila Baleira, which serves as the island's main settlement. Vila Baleira has a pleasant small-town feel to it, with a relaxed atmosphere similar to Porto Moniz or Ribeira Brava on the main island. There is a good selection of hotels, restaurants and shops, making it easy to spend several days here without feeling you are missing out on anything.

Porto Santo has a 7km long sandy coastline

Porto Santo is a popular holiday destination among the Portuguese themselves, which I always take as a good sign. If you are planning an extended stay in Madeira and want to combine hiking and culture with some genuine beach time, I would highly recommend adding a few nights on Porto Santo to your itinerary. It works wonderfully as a contrast to the lush greenery of the main island.

For those with less time, Porto Santo also makes for an excellent day trip. You will have enough time to enjoy the beach, explore Vila Baleira and get a feel for the island's laid-back character before catching the evening ferry back to Funchal.

The ferry to Porto Santo

Getting to Porto Santo
Porto Santo is connected to Madeira by the Lobo Marinho ferry, operated by Porto Santo Line. The crossing takes approximately two hours on a modern, well-equipped vessel with comfortable seating, a café and outdoor deck areas.

The ferry schedule is designed with day trippers in mind, offering a morning departure from Funchal and an evening return. This gives you a full day on the island, which is enough to enjoy the beach and have a wander around town, though you will inevitably leave wanting more time.