Porto Moniz holidays

Holidays to Porto Moniz give you plenty of eye candy – think lava rock pools, crashing waves and forest-draped cliffs.

Beauty by the bucketload

Porto Moniz is pinned to a corner of Madeira’s northwest coast – a tiny hillside town with enough scenery to fill a photobook. The island’s been nicknamed the Hawaii of Europe, and when you arrive in this spot, you’ll know exactly what people are talking about – the coast is fringed with volcanic rock, and dramatic, tree-carpeted cliffs that jolt straight out of the emerald sea.

Pools with a view

This town’s main attraction are the Natural Pools of Porto Moniz. Forget taking a dip in your hotel’s swimming spot – these lava rock pools naturally fill up with clear-as-glass seawater every time the tide rolls in. There’s a kids’ pool in the mix, as well as a playground, and they’re surrounded by a solarium, too, so you can sunbathe between swims.

Cameras at the ready

You might think the sea views from the natural pools are impressive. But the higher you head, the better they get. And Porto Moniz is peppered with lofty viewpoints, where you can snap photos of the rolling hills and glittering sea below. Miradouro da Santinha is one of the top picks. If you don’t fancy making the 20-minute uphill walk here, you can drive it in a few minutes. Once you get there, you’ll be greeted with sweeping vistas over the entire town.

Out and about

Porto Moniz isn’t home to any big beaches – if you fancy a sea-and-sand session, you’ll need to make a dash for one of the stretches nearby. One of the best is Praia do Porto do Seixal, 15 minutes’ drive away. This spot’s known for its inky sand and steep, moss-green cliffs, and has featured in lists of the best beaches in Europe. If a city trip sounds more your cup of tea, it’s about an hour’s drive to Funchal – Madeira’s flower-filled capital.