Madeira.Vacations

Praia Formosa

Funchal's own beach: pebbles, black sand and a long seafront promenade.

Pebble and dark sand coves along the Praia Formosa shoreline in Funchal
Photo: Dietmar Rabich · CC BY-SA 4.0

The largest beach within the city, a chain of pebble and dark-sand coves west of the centre, linked by a promenade that runs all the way back into town.

Realistic expectations

This is a working city beach: pebbles underfoot, some sand, lifeguards in season, showers, a couple of bars and easy bus access. It is not a postcard beach, but it is a real swim ten minutes from central Funchal.

Water quality is monitored and generally good; the swell is usually gentler than the north coast but stronger than Calheta.

Local tips

  • — Water shoes make the pebbles far more pleasant.
  • — Walk the promenade east into town at sunset.

Guided trips here

Bookable tours that include or focus on this spot.

  • Dolphins swimming beside a small boat in the Atlantic off Madeira
    2.5 hours Calheta Marina

    Whale & Dolphin Watching Tour

    A marine-biologist-led catamaran trip into the deep Atlantic, where pilot whales and three dolphin species are resident year round. Rated 4.9 from over 1,200 reviews.

    from €74

    Check availability
  • Funchal waterfront and old town at golden hour
    2 hours Funchal

    Funchal Old Town & Monte Toboggan Tour

    A private tuk-tuk through the painted doors of the Zona Velha, up to Monte and the famous wicker toboggan ride back down.

    from €80

    Check availability
  • Madeira Private Sunset Boat Tour from Funchal in Madeira
    2.5 hours Funchal 5.0(97)

    Madeira Private Sunset Boat Tour from Funchal

    Feel the wind in your hair and smell the salty air. Madeira has so much to offer and so do our boat trips. One thing you shouldn’t miss from your holiday is to see Madeira from the Atlantic Ocean.

    from €310

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  • Coasteering Adventure with Snorkeling from Funchal in Madeira
    4 hours Funchal 5.0(78)

    Coasteering Adventure with Snorkeling from Funchal

    This coasteering adventure is special because it mixes fun activities like boat ride, cliff jumping, slacklining, snorkeling, and exploring sea caves with the amazing coastline of Madeira.

    from €64

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  • Funchal Old Town & Christ the Redeemer Tour – East Coast Views in Madeira
    2 hours Funchal 5.0(27)

    Funchal Old Town & Christ the Redeemer Tour – East Coast Views

    Embarking from your hotel or cruise ship, our journey begins with a visit to Funchal's City Centre and enchanting Old Town.

    from €110

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  • Private Sunset Boat Trip Funchal, Madeira with Snacks & Beverages in Madeira
    2.5 hours Funchal 5.0(19)

    Private Sunset Boat Trip Funchal, Madeira with Snacks & Beverages

    Experience the beauty of a Madeira sunset on a private 2.5-hour boat trip with Luv Sailing for up to 8 people from Funchal. (sunrise trips also available).

    from €450

    Check availability

Stay nearby

Where to base yourself for this part of the island.

Nearby

Within a short drive, so they combine into one day.

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