Looking for the perfect beach to sit back and relax on after a long hike in Madeira? Then imagine sinking your feet into the soft, jet-black sand on Seixal Beach surrounded by stunning cliffs covered in lush green forest, and the gentle sound of waves rolling in the background.
Is Seixal Beach Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! The black sand beach in Seixal is actually a bit of a rare find in Madeira.
Unlike most beaches in Madeira, which are either pebble-strewn or artificially created, Seixal Beach has soft, naturally formed black volcanic sand. It has a peaceful vibe, calm waters and stunning views, so it’s no surprise it’s considered one of Europe’s most beautiful beaches.
Whether you’re looking to cool down after hiking one of Madeira’s beautiful Levada hikes, or simply looking for a chill spot to enjoy the island’s beauty, this place won’t disappoint. And if you’re into travel photography, this place is unreal. The jet-black sand, the soft waves and the towering cliffs in the background create a picture-perfect scene, especially at sunrise and sunset!
Where is Seixal Beach?
Seixal Beach, which is officially called the Praia do Porto do Seixal, is a small black sand beach tucked away on Madeira’s northern coast, in the charming little town of Seixal. There are a couple of other beaches nearby called the Praia da Laje and Praia das Lages, but they’re both quite rocky. So, naturally, the Praia do Porto do Seixal is the main one that everyone refers to as the Seixal Black Sand Beach. It’s about a 50-minute drive from Funchal, the island’s capital, and just 20 minutes from Porto Moniz.
How to Get to Seixal Beach
There’s no doubt that the easiest way to get around Madeira is by driving. Assuming you have a car, hop on the VE4 motorway from Funchal heading north. It’s about a 50-minute drive with epic coastal views along the way and there’s free public parking available near the beach when you get there.
Alternatively, there are buses from Funchal to Seixal, but they aren’t super frequent. If you’re relying on public transport, check the schedules in advance.
Best Time to Visit Seixal Beach
Madeira is a year-round destination, but if you want to experience Seixal Beach at its very best, I’d recommend visiting in March to May or later in the year between September and November. When I visited in February, it was slightly on the colder side so while it was still great for photography, it was a bit chilly for swimming or relaxing on the beach.
As for the best time of day, the beach looks pretty incredible no matter when you visit, but there’s something special about the lighting in the early morning hours. Sunrise is incredible, just keep in mind that it’s a relatively late sunrise as it will take a few hours for the sun to rise above the cliffs. Sunset isn’t quite as impressive as the sun tends to drop below the cliffs in the late afternoon, but you’ll still get some beautiful skies at the right time of year.
My Experience of Seixal Beach
I first arrived at Seixal Beach on a cloudy afternoon after hiking the nearby Levada do Seixal. Normally, Seixal Beach would be the perfect place for a swim to cool down after a long hike. In February, however, the weather in Madeira is slightly on the cooler side so swimming wasn’t really an option.
So I spent a couple of hours exploring the beach and scouting a location for a photo in case we got a nice sunset or sunrise. In the early afternoon, the beach can be fairly busy so, naturally, there were a few people near the so called “Seixal Beach Waterfall”. It’s a small stream that pours over the cliff and onto the beach, though even in February the stream was quite small. It’s a nice spot for some interesting photos, though it wasn’t quite the photo spot I wasn’t looking for.
However, not far from the waterfall I found the Seixal Beach Cave tucked away on the far end of the beach. It’s quite a small cave and it really isn’t obvious until you’re in it, but it’s an epic photo spot! From the right angle, you can use the cave to frame the picture, with the beach and surrounding cliffs in the centre of the photo. The lighting wasn’t quite right, but the composition was perfect. I knew right away I had to return for sunrise the next morning.
At 8:30 am the next morning, I headed down to the beach, which was deserted and still in the shade. I made my way over to the cave and waited for the sun to work its way over the cliffs. Eventually, at about 9:00 am, the sun revealed itself and cast a beautiful warm light onto the beach, creating the perfect landscape photo. The only thing missing was a person. And much to my luck, a couple happened to walk into the picture while I was shooting.
Food & Restaurants near Seixal Beach
If you’re looking for places to eat near Seixal beach, be sure to check out…
- Clube Náutico do Seixal: a conveniently located bar/restaurant in the harbour, just a couple of minutes walk from the beach. It does great pizzas and seafood and is a great option if you want to grab some food while at the beach.
- Bar Avista Navios: a lovely little snack bar with an open terrace and incredible views onto the cliffs. It’s about a 10 minute walk from the beach, but it’s the perfect spot for lunch or an afternoon snack if you want to grab a bite to eat but simply can’t take your eyes off the scenery.
- Snack Bar Arco Iris: another snack bar with great local food and reasonable prices. It’s busy with locals and the food is fantastic, but it closes in the evenings so be sure to get there early!
There’s also a small supermarket called Mercearia Amanhecer a few minutes walk from the beach if you want to grab stuff for a picnic.
Where to Stay near Seixal
If you decide to stay in or near Seixal overnight, I can highly recommend Casa Das Videiras. It’s a cosy little apartment in a house full of character. The hosts are very welcoming and best of all, it’s just a two-minute walk from the beach. We spent two nights here and loved it!
Other Must-See Spots Near Seixal Beach
While you’re in the area, be sure to check out a few of these must-see spots near Seixal:
- Seixal Natural Rock Pools – If you get the chance it’s also worth checking out the Seixal Natural Pools near the Clube Nautico do Seixal restaurant, just a couple of minutes walk from the beach.
- Miradouro Veu Da Noiva – It wouldn’t be a very good day in Madeira if you didn’t see a waterfall, right? Fortunately, the Miradouro Veu da Noiva, which is just a few minutes drive from the beach, offers a fantastic view of the Veu da Noiva (translates as Bridal Veil) waterfall rushing over the cliff and plummeting straight into the sea.
- Ribeira Da Janela & Porto Moniz – A little further west you’ll find Ribeira da Janela, known for its impressive rock formations sticking out of the sea, and Porto Moniz, another charming little town known for its lava-formed natural rock pools.
- Fanal Forest – And if you’re visiting Seixal as part of an island road trip, be sure to budget some time to explore the enchanted Fanal Forest which is about a half hour drive from Seixal. It usually looks best in misty conditions just before sunset, so it’s a great option on your way back to Funchal after spending the day at Seixal beach.
Seixal Black Sand Beach is one of Madeira’s most beautiful hidden gems – a rare soft-sand beach in a land of rocky shores. Whether you’re here for relaxation, photography, or swimming, this spot is a must-visit for anyone exploring the island.
If you’re planning a trip to Madeira, add Seixal Beach to your itinerary—you won’t regret it!
