- Porto Moniz sits on the north-western tip of Madeira, about 1 h by car from Funchal (about 50 km via São Vicente).
- The lava pools cost €3 (children under 3 free, students and seniors 65+ €1.50). They are open all year: in winter 9:00–17:00, in summer until 19:00.
- Next door there are free pools by the aquarium, but with no changing rooms or toilets, just a shower.
- By bus you can get there on SIGA Rodoeste lines 340 and 380 (formerly 139 and 80). The ride takes 3–3.5 h, a ticket from the driver costs €2.65, and you get 3.5–5 h on the spot.
- When the waves are high the lifeguards ban swimming. Check the webcam and the forecast before you set off.
Porto Moniz is the small town with the best-known natural pools in Madeira. Ocean water flows into basins in solidified lava, while the waves crash a few metres away. All around you is the north coast: cliffs, waterfalls dropping straight into the sea and the Fanal forest on the plateau above the town.
In this guide I’ve gathered what you need to know before you go: how much the pools cost and when they’re open, how to get there by car and by bus, what to see nearby and how to plan a day in the north. I checked prices and timetables at the source in October 2026, because rates from well over a decade ago are still doing the rounds online.
I haven’t made it to Porto Moniz myself yet. The photos in this guide were taken by my parents, who came back thrilled. I’m catching up in December: I’m flying out to see Madeira at Christmas, and Porto Moniz is on my plan, together with the winter version of the pools and the Fanal forest. When I’m back, I’ll add what it’s like out of season.
A car from the airport: compare car hire prices at Madeira Airport (FNC) on DiscoverCars.
Is Porto Moniz worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you want to swim in the ocean without battling the waves. Madeira has few sandy beaches, and the pools in Porto Moniz offer safe swimming in seawater, with lifeguards. It’s also a good excuse to see the north of the island, which looks completely different from Funchal: greener, steeper and wilder.
You’re not the only one thinking about it. According to a Holidu study from October 2026, Porto Moniz was the most searched-for small town in Portugal, with about 90,500 searches a month (DNoticias, 1 October 2026). So in season, expect crowds.
There’s less point going on a rainy, windy day. The north gets more cloud and rain than the south, and when the waves are high you won’t be able to use the pools anyway.
Porto Moniz natural pools: prices and opening hours 2026
The paid pools (Piscinas Naturais do Porto Moniz) are run by the municipality. That’s about 3800 m² of water to swim in, about 2 m deep, and about 3200 m² of sunbathing terraces on the lava. The seawater is constantly renewed, and its average temperature over the year is 20–21 °C. In 2026 the pools received a Blue Flag for the 31st year in a row (DNoticias, 8 June 2026).
Geologically these are some of the youngest rocks on the island: basalt lava flows of the so-called upper volcanic complex, ranging from a few thousand to about 1.8 million years old. Around Porto Moniz you can see both lava columns and layered deposits (Sotiriou et al., Geoheritage, 2025).
Piscinas Naturais do Porto Moniz
The municipality doesn’t say exactly when the summer hours start, so if you’re coming in spring or autumn, assume they’ll close at 17:00. It doesn’t publish a current price list for sunloungers and parasols either, which is why I don’t give one here.
In winter 2025/2026 the sea damaged part of the pools, and in April 2026 the municipality announced repairs (DNoticias, 18 April 2026). In June the pools were operating normally. I couldn’t find out whether the work has been finished.
Free pools by the aquarium
A few minutes’ walk from the paid pools, by the former Cachalote restaurant, are the Piscinas Naturais do Aquário. Entry is free, but there are no changing rooms or toilets, just an outdoor shower. Even so, these are the pools that end up in photos more often: raw black lava without concrete edging is more striking than the tidy complex next door. Visit Madeira mentions lifeguards in season, but these pools aren’t listed separately in the official list of bathing areas for 2026. So assume you may be swimming unsupervised.
In January and March 2026, after storms, access to these pools was restricted (DNoticias: 3 January 2026, 19 March 2026). If the ocean is rough, don’t go into the water outside the supervised bathing area.
How to get to Porto Moniz from Funchal
How to get to Porto Moniz
By car
about 50 km and about 1 h from Funchal via São Vicente (map estimate). About 70% of the spaces in town are free; the paid zone costs €0.80 per hour.
By bus
SIGA 340 (9:00) and 380 (10:00) from Funchal, back on lines 341 and 381. The ride takes 3–3.5 h; a ticket from the driver costs €2.65.
From the airport
about 70 min by car. It’s easiest to pick up a car as soon as you land.
On a tour
day trips from Funchal combine the pools with Seixal and the Fanal forest, often with hotel pick-up.
Data checked 11–16 October 2026: SIGA timetables and fares, Porto Moniz municipality. Details and sources below.
By car
The quickest way is via the north: the VR1 west, then through the VE4 tunnels to São Vicente and along the coast on the VE2 via Seixal. That’s about 50 km and about an hour’s drive. The other option goes via the south, through Calheta and Ponta do Pargo: about 67 km and about 1 h 15 min. Both distances are map estimates; in practice, add time for stops at viewpoints. No car? You can compare car hire prices at Madeira airport on DiscoverCarsaffiliate link.
Watch out for older guides that recommend the mountain road over the Encumeada pass and the Paul da Serra plateau. The ER105 section from Encumeada up to Paul da Serra has been closed since January 2024, and according to the road list of 15 October 2026 it is still impassable (Direção Regional de Estradas). You can get onto Paul da Serra from the south, and drive down to Porto Moniz on the ER209 past the Fanal forest.
Parking isn’t bad. According to the municipality, about 70% of the spaces in town are free, and the 144 spaces in the blue zone cost €0.80 per hour, paid with coins at the meter. The municipality gives the paid hours as 9:00–19:00 and DNoticias as 10:00–18:00, so check the times on the meter. There’s free parking on Rua da Igreja, among other places (DNoticias, 17 June 2025). By the pools there’s also the new Central Pools Parking for 135 cars, opened in May 2025, but I couldn’t find its prices.
By SIGA Rodoeste bus
Since 9 March 2026 buses in Madeira have had three-digit numbers, so you may still come across the old numbers at stops. Two lines run direct from Funchal to Porto Moniz:
| Line | Route | Departs Funchal | Arrives Porto Moniz |
|---|---|---|---|
| 340 (formerly 139) | via Ribeira Brava, Encumeada, São Vicente and Seixal | 9:00 | 12:30 |
| 380 (formerly 80) | via Ribeira Brava, Calheta, Ponta do Pargo and Achadas da Cruz | 10:00 | 13:05 (weekends 12:45) |
| Line | Departs Porto Moniz | Arrives Funchal |
|---|---|---|
| 381 | 16:00 | 19:40 (weekends 18:40) |
| 341 | 17:00 Mon–Fri, 17:30 weekends and public holidays | 19:15–19:40 |
A ticket from the driver costs €2.65 (children 6–12 €1.30) and you can only pay in cash. It’s cheaper with a GIRO card for €0.50 with rides at €2 each, or a day ticket for €6.55 (SIGA fares).
A day trip by bus is doable, but tight. Taking the 340 at 9:00 and coming back on the 341, you get about 4.5–5 h in Porto Moniz. A loop is more interesting: there via the north (340), back via the south (381 at 16:00). You’ll see both coasts and still have about 3.5 h on the spot. If you miss the morning bus, you won’t be going that day.
On a tour
If you don’t want to drive the winding roads and the bus doesn’t give you enough time, there’s always a tour from Funchal. Most combine Porto Moniz with Seixal, the Fanal forest and the Cabo Girão viewpoint, by minibus or 4×4 jeep, usually with hotel pick-up. You can compare offers and reviews on GetYourGuideaffiliate link.
Porto Moniz without a car? Minibus and 4x4 jeep tours from Funchal combine the pools with Seixal, Fanal Forest and Cabo Girão, many with hotel pickup. Compare offers and reviews on GetYourGuide.
What to see in and around Porto Moniz
Madeira Aquarium
The Aquário da Madeira is housed in the reconstructed São João Baptista fort, right next to the pools. The original fort was built in 1730 in response to pirate attacks. The municipality bought the ruins in 1998, rebuilt the fort based on surviving pictures and on 4 September 2005 opened the aquarium inside it. More than 90 species from the archipelago’s waters live in 12 tanks. It’s a small place for 30–45 minutes, good for a cloudy hour or with children.
Aquário da Madeira
A few steps away is a science centre, which the municipality calls the Centro Ciência Viva, with a permanent exhibition on the laurel forest (laurissilva), which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The exhibition is interactive and a visit takes about 1.5 h. The centre is open daily 10:00–18:00, including public holidays, except 25 December. A ticket costs €3.50, €2.50 for children aged 5–14 and €3 for seniors, and children under 5 go in free. If you’re also going to the aquarium, get the combined ticket for €8 (Porto Moniz municipality, as of 16 October 2026).
Viewpoints and Ilhéu Mole
The most famous view of Porto Moniz is from the Miradouro da Santinha on the ER101, just as you come into town. From there you can see the pools, the rooftops and the Ilhéu Mole rock with its lighthouse. It’s what’s left of a volcanic cone from an underwater eruption, heavily eaten away by the ocean. Higher up, at 275 m, is the Miradouro da Vila (geosite PM02), with a view over the whole lava delta the town stands on.
The Achadas da Cruz cable car
About a 20-minute drive from Porto Moniz, in Achadas da Cruz, a cable car drops from the edge of an almost vertical cliff more than 400 metres high to Fajã da Quebrada Nova, a narrow strip of fields right above the ocean. Travel blogs often call it the steepest cable car in Europe. It wasn’t built for tourists, though, but for farmers: before it, the only way down to the fertile fajã was a breakneck path. On the way it’s worth stopping at the Miradouro da Santinha.
Teleférico das Achadas da Cruz
Opening hours are trickier. The latest official notice from the municipality that I could find was for winter 2023: 8:00–12:00 and 13:00–18:00, with a midday break and tickets sold until 16:30 (DNoticias, 7 November 2023). In 2025 the cable car was shut several times for breakdowns and inspections, including in July, September and November. Phone before you go: +351 291 852 951.
There’s no bar or shop at the bottom, so take water. Down there you’ll find Calhau das Achadas da Cruz: a pebbly cove, a new path along the foot of the cliff, little fields and a few traditional cottages. In the calmer spots you can get into the water. In November 1909 the yacht “Varuna” ran aground here, and at low tide you can still see part of its boiler. If you’d rather walk down or back up, the municipality maintains two paths, the Vereda do Calhau and the Vereda da Ladeira.
A nice detail for plant lovers: Madeira cranesbill (Geranium maderense), an endemic species known mainly from gardens, grows wild on the sea cliffs of Achadas da Cruz. It’s one of the few confirmed wild sites of this species on the island (Gouveia et al., Journal for Nature Conservation, 2025).
Seixal: black sand and pools
Seixal lies about 10 km east of Porto Moniz. A black-sand beach formed naturally by the harbour here, and in 2022 it was voted the third-best beach in Europe in the European Best Destinations ranking. In the season from 1 June to 30 September 2026 it has lifeguards. Next to it, by the sailing club, are free natural pools (Piscinas do Clube Naval), open 10:00–19:00.
The paid Poças das Lesmas pools by Laje beach were damaged in a storm in December 2025, and on 10 September 2026 the parish of Seixal signed an agreement to take over running them (DNoticias, 10 September 2026). Prices and opening hours may change, so check them on the spot.
Véu da Noiva waterfall
Between Seixal and São Vicente, on the old coast road, is the Miradouro do Véu da Noiva viewpoint. The “bridal veil” waterfall drops from a hanging valley straight into the ocean. It’s only a few steps from the road to the railing, so it makes a perfect short stop on the way.
Ribeira da Janela
East of Porto Moniz, at the mouth of the Ribeira da Janela, rock stacks rise out of the ocean (Ilhéus da Ribeira da Janela). The ocean has carved a window-like hole through one of them – hence the name (janela means window). At the river mouth there’s a pebbly bathing area with a small freshwater lagoon, a sunbathing terrace and toilets and showers open 9:00–19:00, and you’ll see more and more surfers here. In August 2026 the municipal campsite reopened after renovation (DNoticias, 13 August 2026; tel. +351 291 853 856 according to the municipality).
Another curiosity is the old ER101 coast road, cut into the cliffs. For years it was considered one of the most spectacular and most dangerous roads in the world. Today the traffic between São Vicente and Porto Moniz uses the VE2 expressway through tunnels, and only fragments of the old road remain. The section between Porto Moniz and the mouth of the Ribeira da Janela is now a seaside walking route with views of the rock stacks and cliffs.
Fanal forest
From Porto Moniz the ER209 takes you up onto the plateau to the Fanal forest (about 1100–1200 m above sea level), where ancient til trees (Ocotea foetens) grow, part of the laurel forest on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In the mist it looks like something out of a fairy tale. I’ve covered everything about getting there and walking in my guide to the Fanal forest.
The PR13 Vereda do Fanal trail runs through Fanal (10.8 km from Assobiadores on Paul da Serra, officially 4 h). From Fanal you can carry on down the valley: PR14 Levada dos Cedros (7.2 km to Curral Falso, 3 h, one of the oldest levadas in Madeira) and PR15 Vereda da Ribeira da Janela (2.7 km to the village of Ribeira da Janela, 1.5 h, mostly downhill). All three were open on 16 October 2026 (Visit Madeira / IFCN). For PR trails you need a €4.50 ticket per person aged over 12: I explain how to buy it in my guide to hiking trail tickets, and you can check the current status in my trail status overview.
The Fanal area is famous for its mist, and it’s easy to lose your bearings here. Stay on the trail and take a warm layer, even if it’s scorching on the coast.
Trails around Porto Moniz
PR7 Levada do Moinho (10.5 km, about 3.5 h) runs along the slopes above Porto Moniz beside a levada lined with the ruins of old watermills. This trail and PR28 Levada da Rocha Vermelha (10.8 km, from Fanal) were closed on 16 October 2026 (Visit Madeira / IFCN). The municipality also maintains its own, unclassified paths, which you don’t pay for on SIMplifica, including the Vereda do Galhano along the Levada da Ribeira da Janela, and the Levada do Brasileiro. You’ll find descriptions on the municipality’s website.
Read nextFanal forest. 🌳 A fairy-tale forest on Paul da Serra (Madeira)Ancient til trees in the mist on the Paul da Serra plateau: getting there, walks and the best time to go.
Porto Moniz and the north in one day
This is how I’d plan a day by car if you want to see the pools, the waterfalls and Fanal without rushing. Adjust the times to the weather: the north is often cloudy in the morning, and in Fanal the mist likes to roll in in the afternoon.
Morning: Funchal → São Vicente
Through the tunnels on the VR1 and VE4. Leave early so you can find a parking space in Porto Moniz before midday.
Véu da Noiva and Seixal
A short stop at the waterfall, then a walk on the black beach in Seixal.
Late morning: the pools in Porto Moniz
A swim in the paid pools or the free ones by the aquarium. For lunch, fish or rice with lapas (limpets).
The aquarium and Miradouro da Santinha
An hour in the aquarium, then the view of the pools and Ilhéu Mole from above.
Afternoon: Fanal forest
Up the ER209 onto the plateau for a walk among the old til trees.
Back via the south
From Paul da Serra drive down to the south coast and take the VR1 back to Funchal. You can’t go via Encumeada – that section is closed.
Read nextCar hire in Madeira. 🚗 Steep roads without the stressPrices, airport pick-up, deposit, roads and parking: what to know before you book a car in Madeira.
Weather and the ocean in northern Madeira
The north coast is on the windward side, so it gets more cloud and rain than the south of the island. It isn’t always colder here, though: in November 2025 Porto Moniz had the highest average temperature in the whole of Madeira, 21.0 °C. The safest time for swimming is the lifeguard season, from mid-April to mid-October. You’ll find average temperatures on my Madeira weather page, and you can see the ocean live on the Porto Moniz and Seixal webcams.
What to eat in Porto Moniz
The food on this coast is more seafood-focused than on the rest of the island. The town has a fish auction where the fresh catch comes in every day, so fish is the obvious choice here. Try grilled lapas (limpets) or rice with lapas, and if you prefer the classics, you’ll also find espetada, black scabbardfish with banana (espada com banana) and bolo do caco on the menu.
In Madeira there’s a closed season for lapas from 1 November to 31 May (Portaria 187/2026). So you can eat fresh Madeiran lapas from June to October.
A little history: from Ponta do Tristão to Porto Moniz
When the island was discovered, the area around Porto Moniz was called Ponta do Tristão. Today’s name commemorates Francisco Moniz, a nobleman from the Algarve and one of the first settlers, who married a granddaughter of João Gonçalves Zarco, the discoverer of Madeira. The parish was founded in 1574 and the municipality in 1835 (after several changes, definitively in 1898). People here used to live from livestock, grain, wine and potatoes; today it’s mainly tourism (municipal history).
Where to stay in Porto Moniz
Half a day is enough for a relaxed look round Porto Moniz itself with a swim. Add the cable car, Fanal and Seixal and it becomes a full day – a good argument for staying the night: in the morning you’ll have the pools almost to yourself, before the tours arrive from Funchal. You can compare hotels, guesthouses and apartments in Porto Moniz on Booking.comaffiliate link.
Where to stay in Porto Moniz: compare hotels, guesthouses and apartments near the pools in a search box with current Booking.com prices.
See places to stay in Porto Moniz on Booking.comaffiliate link
Good news for your budget: Porto Moniz is currently the only municipality in Madeira without a tourist tax, while in the others you pay €2 per person per night. The municipality plans to introduce it from January 2027 (DNoticias, 12 October 2026). I compare other areas to stay in my guide Where to stay in Madeira.
Practical tips
- Bring coins and cash: the parking meters only take coins, and on the bus you can only pay in cash.
- Arrive before midday: in season the parking spaces by the pools fill up fast.
- Water shoes: the lava around the pools is rough and can be slippery; in ordinary flip-flops it’s easy to graze yourself.
- Check the waves: webcam, forecast and the flag at the entrance. Red means no swimming.
- Take a layer for Fanal: it’s noticeably cooler on the plateau than by the ocean, and the mist can roll in within minutes.
FAQ: Porto Moniz
How much do the Porto Moniz pools cost?
€3 per person aged over 3 (2026). Students and seniors 65+ pay €1.50, and children under 3 go in free.
Are the Porto Moniz pools open in winter?
Yes, they’re open all year: in winter 9:00–17:00, in summer 9:00–19:00. When the waves are high, the lifeguards may ban swimming.
Are there free pools in Porto Moniz?
Yes, by the aquarium there are the free Piscinas Naturais do Aquário. There are no changing rooms or toilets there, just a shower.
How long does it take to get from Funchal to Porto Moniz?
About an hour by car (about 50 km via São Vicente), about 3–3.5 h by SIGA bus.
How do I get to Porto Moniz by bus?
On SIGA lines 340 (9:00, via São Vicente) and 380 (10:00, via Calheta), returning on the 381 at 16:00 or the 341 at 17:00 or 17:30. A ticket from the driver costs €2.65.
What is there to see around Porto Moniz?
The aquarium, Miradouro da Santinha, the Achadas da Cruz cable car, Seixal, the Véu da Noiva waterfall and the Fanal forest. You can fit it all into one day by car.
Is there a tourist tax in Porto Moniz?
Not yet; the municipality plans to introduce one from 2027. In Madeira’s other municipalities you pay €2 per person per night.
Have you been to Porto Moniz recently? Let me know in the comments what the pools looked like after the winter repairs. After my December trip I’ll add here what turned out to be true and what looked different from the timetables.
This guide contains affiliate links. If you book accommodation, a car or a tour through them, I get a small commission and you don’t pay any more.
Sources I used (27)
- Porto Moniz municipality (portomoniz.pt)
- DNoticias
- Porto Moniz municipality (portomoniz.pt)
- Porto Moniz municipality (portomoniz.pt)
- DREM (estatistica.madeira.gov.pt)
- DNoticias
- DNoticias
- Porto Moniz municipality (prices and opening hours) (portomoniz.pt)
- Portaria n.º 206/2026, JORAM (bathing season)
- DNoticias
- 3 January 2026 (dnoticias.pt)
- 19 March 2026 (dnoticias.pt)
- DNoticias
- line 380/381 (siga.madeira.gov.pt)
- SIGA fares
- Porto Moniz municipality (portomoniz.pt)
- geosite PM02 (geodiversidade.madeira.gov.pt)
- Porto Moniz municipality (portomoniz.pt)
- DNoticias
- European Best Destinations (europeanbestdestinations.com)
- DNoticias
- DNoticias
- municipality (portomoniz.pt)
- municipality website (portomoniz.pt)
- Portaria 187/2026 (joram.madeira.gov.pt)
- municipal history (portomoniz.pt)
- DNoticias
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