• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to footer

ZigZagonEarth

Plan unforgettable road trips!

  • FRANCE
    • CORSICA
    • NORMANDY
    • PARIS
  • EUROPE
    • ANDALUCIA
    • CANARY ISLANDS
    • CRETE
    • ICELAND
    • ICELAND WINTER
    • MADEIRA
    • MALLORCA
    • MENORCA
    • PORTUGAL
    • SANTORINI
    • SCOTLAND
    • SLOVENIA
  • REST OF WORLD
    • NEW ZEALAND
    • OMAN
  • TIPS
  • EBOOKS
  • SHOP
  • ABOUT
  • English
    • Dutch
    • Italian
    • Danish
    • Portuguese (Portugal)
    • Swedish

Ponta do Sol (Madeira) – Visit tips + photos

Last updated on November 1, 2023 by Claire Robinson - this article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I get a small commission (more)

Ponta do Sol is one of the most charming places in Madeira.
Below is my guide to plan your visit with map, photo, tips and the best things to do in the town and around.
It includes the Ponta do Sol beach, village and its famous bridge.

Before my tips + photos, here are my favorites for Madeira:

My favorite platform to rent a car in Madeira: DiscoverCars

The unmissable boat tour: Catamaran tour to go whale watching

My favorite excursion from Funchal:  4×4 tour of East Madeira

MMy favorite places to stay in Funchal: Les Suites at the Cliff Bay (Luxury) – Sé Boutique Hotel (4 stars) – Market Place by Storytellers (apartments)

My favorite places to stay outside Funchal: Saccharum Resort near a beach (Luxury) – Estalagem da Ponta do Sol (4 stars) – Engho Velho Hotel (mid-range)

Ponta do Sol Madeira Pin
Content
Why visit Ponta do Sol on Madeira + best things to do
Planning Tips & Map – Ponta do Sol, Madeira
Ponta do Sol Beach
Ponta do Sol history
Ponta do Sol town and church
Ponta do Sol bridge
Things to do around Ponta do Sol

Why visit Ponta do Sol on Madeira + best things to do

Ponta do Sol is famous in Madeira for being the sunniest place on the island.
It is one of the most photogenic villages thanks to its colorful buildings, narrowish valley and the perspective from the pier.

Things to do in Ponta do Sol include:

  • Strolling the old center, the orange roof and the church
  • Enjoying the colorful buildings on the seafront
  • Relaxing on the beach and swimming
  • Walking to the pier via the old bridge
  • Enjoying the sun
  • Admiring the many plantations
  • Exploring the area: levada walks, banana plantations, villages…
Ponta do Sol on Madeira
Ponta do Sol on Madeira

About the name

Ponta do sol means “sun point”. It refers to the fact that the area receives more sunshine throughout the year than other parts of Madeira.

More photos after the planning tips.

Planning Tips & Map – Ponta do Sol, Madeira

How to get to Ponta do Sol – Map

  • Located on South Coast, central part
  • West of Ribeira Brava and the road that crosses the island in the middle
  • Ribeira Brava to Ponta do Sol = 15min drive
  • Funchal to Ponta do Sol = 30min drive
  • Several bus lines stop in Ponta do Sol
  • Below is a map to locate Ponta do Sol in Madeira and get oriented:
Map Ponta do Sol Madeira - Location
Map Ponta do Sol Madeira – Location

This highlight (with GPS coordinates and practical tips) is included in my travel Guide eBook that helps you easily plan your Madeira trip:

Plan your dream trip in Madeira thanks to my guide
eBook Travel Guide Mallorca
  • 7 maps to easily plan your itinerary
  • 120+ pre-selected locations
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
  • Tips to make the most of your time
  • 260+ original photos to help you choose
Discover it!

Visit Tips 

  • Plan 1h to 2h to explore the seafront and the bridge
  • Longer if you want to enjoy the beach or one of the nice restaurants
  • Slight slope to explore the old center
  • Easy access to the promenade and the bridge
  • You can check the weather with the Ponta do Sol webcam here
  • Ponta do Sol is home to several festivals and events during the year: L concert, Micro Film Festival, Madeira Dig…
  • Ponta do Sol has also earned more notoriety as a hub for digital nomads

Parking in Ponta do Sol

  • It is always more difficult to park on the South coast than the North coast
  • There are parking paces on the seafront and inside the tunnels on each side
  • There is also a little carpark just above the seafront area
  • In all cases, this is paid parking areas. You need coins to operate the machines.
  • If you arrive in the afternoon in Summer, you may have difficulties finding a parking spot
Tunnel parking in Ponta do Sol
Tunnel parking in Ponta do Sol
Ponta do Sol carpark in town
Ponta do Sol carpark in town
Need to rent a car in Madeira?

My tips:

  • Compare prices on my favorite platform:  Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
  • Choose a car with enough power for the mountain roads
  • And choose a car not too big, to easily manoeuver
  • Consider their full coverage option – it for peace of mind! 
  • Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!

See all my tips

See available cars

Where to stay in Ponta do Sol – Hotels

Ponta do Sol is a good place to settle for a few days, especially if you enjoy the sun.
It is centrally located on the island, offering fast access to many of the attractions. It is just not ideal for the most Eastern ones.
Here are some accommodation suggestions:

  • LUXURY VILLAS – Escarpa – The Madeira Hideaway – Check out photos and availability
  • BOUTIQUE – Estalagem da Ponta do Sol – in a renovated farmhouse and perched on a cliff – check out photos and availability
  • APARTMENT – Apartment Villa Sol II – in Ponta do Sol with Panoramic views – check out photos and availability
  • RENTAL – Vila Mar Apartment, large with a nice view of the town – check out pictures and availability
  • UNIQUE – 1905 Zino’s Palace, Pink hotel overlooking Ponta do Sol – check out pictures and availability
  • or see best rated accommodations in Ponta do Sol

More tips on my article about where to stay in Madeira.

Hotel in Ponta do Sol

Ponta do Sol Beach

The touristic part of Ponta do Sol is centered around the beach, at the mouth of the valley.
It is a pebble beach that is 160m long between 2 high cliffs.
Thanks to those cliffs, the beach is somewhat protected from the wind.
A breakwater has been built, creating a safe area for swimming. Water temperature is around 19°C in Summer.

Ponta do Sol Beach
Ponta do Sol Beach

Facilities:

  • Changing rooms
  • Toilets
  • Restaurants & bars in the village, 2min walk from beach
  • Lifeguard in Summer
Ponta do Sol Beach 2

Ponta do Sol history

Ponta do Sol is one of the oldest places on the island of Madeira.
It was settled during the first years of colonization, around 1425.
And the village was created in 1501.

The town was an agricultural center with sugarcane production. It was prosperous thanks to this “white gold”.
Today, on the slope of the valley, you will mostly see banana plantations.

Ponta do Sol town and church

Just next to the beach is the old center of Ponta do Sol.
Below are the few things to enjoy.

Seafront Promenade

First, you have several colorful building on the seafront.
They have kept building in a traditional manner.

Ponta do Sol seafront

On the side of the seafront, don’t forget to look up, above the brown and yellow building.
Notice the “Cine” sign for the old Antigo Cinema and its Art Deco building. In Summer, the Micro Film Festival is held here.
It was built in 1933 by Antonio Marques Teixeira.

Ponta do Sol old building

Restaurant Street

From the seafront is a narrow street leading to the church. It is filled with small restaurants and their terraces.
A nice vibe to enjoy lunch or a drink.
Sorry, I forgot to take a picture. But you can see the top of the street in the picture below:

Ponta do sol old town

The Nossa Senhora da Luz Mother Church

The small church Nossa Senhora da Luz Mother dates back to the end of the 15th century. And its façade was redone in the 18th century.
It is dedicated to our Lady of the light.
It is home to beautiful ornaments and a surprising ceiling. On the tower, have a loop at the shape around the clock, it is quite different!

Nossa Senhora da Luz Mother Church
Nossa Senhora da Luz Mother Church

Parque Infante D. Henrique

And don’t miss the stairs behind the church.
They lead to a small area with pleasant views over the orange roofs of the town and the church.
This is a nice place to sit, relax and appreciate the calm and quiet of this village.
However, there is no shade, and it can be hot!

Parque Infante D. Henrique
Parque Infante D. Henrique

Cultural Centre John Dos Passos

This space features exhibition halls, a library and an auditorium, In honor of Portuguese-descent writer John Dos Passos,
Monday to Friday from 9h to 12h30 and 14 to 17h

Upper town

The rest of the town spreads across the valley.Another famous building is the Palace of Zinos.
A romantic building from the end of the 19th century.
It has also its own chapel.
Nowadays, it is a 4-star hotel – check out pictures and availability

I don’t drink coffee

But I also like other drinks and sweets!
Do you like the free content you find on my blog? All my tips and practical information, without intrusive advertising…

Claire, I pay you a coffee!

Ponta do Sol bridge

I think the main attraction in Ponta do Sol (at least for photographers) is the bridge leading to the pier.
It is a very photogenic spot, and it leads to the pier with great perspective towards Ponta to Sol.

Ponta do Sol bridge

This bridge connects the shore to the Ponta do Sol pier.

Since the island is very mountainous, a lot of the transportation used to be made by sea.
Therefore, in 1848 and 1849, Ponta do sol city Hall built a pier and a road connecting villages along the seaside.

A bridge connects the road to the pier. It is a small stone bridge with a round vault arch.

Ponta do Sol bridge view

At the pier entrance, an old prison is still visible.
It had been excavated in the interior of the rock with a guard booth as well.
Part of the path was on the Caminho Real 23, “The Royal Path 23” that surrounded the island.
It is now known as Caminho Velho, the Old Path, because it was abandoned once new roads were built.

Ponta do Sol bridge view 3

And once you are at the end of the pier, you can enjoy pleasant views of the Ponta do Sol beach and valley, as well as the cliffs on each side.

Ponta do Sol bridge view 2

Plan your trip to Mallorca:

  • My itineraries : 3 days – weekend, 4 days, 5 days, 1 week, 10 days
  • 36 tips to rent a car in Mallorca
  • Guide to driving in Mallorca
  • Where to stay in Mallorca
  • Where to stay in Palma de Mallorca
  • Best things to do in Mallorca

Things to do around Ponta do Sol

Ponta do Sol is a great location to explore most of the island.
I am not going to list everything – check out my 35 best things to do in Madeira.

Below is a selection of attractions quite close to Ponta do Sol:

Cascada dos Anjos

Cascada dos Anjos

The most famous is probably Cascada dos Anjos.
On the old road, there is a waterfall flowing right on the road. A natural carwash!
Note that rocks frequently fall on the road, and that you will have to make a U-turn to drive back, if visiting by car.

Located just 2 min drive West of Ponta do Sol

Madalena do Mar & Rota Banana

Madalena do Mar & Rota Banana

If you enjoy banana, why not head to the peaceful village of Madalena do Mar.
The whole area is covered with banana plantations. And, in this village, you can easily go walk around the plantation on what they call the Banana Route (Rota da Banana). It is a loop but you can enter and leave the plantations whenever you want.

Located just 6 min drive West of Ponta do Sol

Ribeira Brava

Ribeira Brava

The nearby town of Ribeira Brava can also be a destination for you.
It has a very different vibe than Ponta do Sol.
And its church is very photogenic.

Location – 15min drive East of Ponta do Sol

Walking and hiking – Levada do Moinho

There are also hiking opportunities around Ponta do Sol.

  • The most famous in Ponta do Sol itself is Levada do Moinho (PR7)  – a hike along a levada where you can see the ruins of mills that used the water. It also leads to a cool tunnel and a waterfall (Moderate difficulty / 8 to 10 km return trip / 4 to 5 hours)
  • Levada Nova
  • And further away, the many hiking opportunities at Rabaçal including the famous 25 Fontes Levada (learn more in my article about the best hikes in Madeira)

Want to see more of the best Madeira offers?

  • 42 Madeira travel tips to plan an unforgettable trip – read article
  • Where to stay in Madeira – best areas – read article
  • The best landscapes in Madeira in 40 pictures – read article
  • Tips to drive around Madeira – read article
  • 4 Madeira Natural Pools (and 6 coastal alternatives) – read article
  • 18 best beaches in Madeira – read article

Planning a trip to Madeira?

Check out my travel guide to help you plan:

Plan your dream trip in Madeira thanks to my guide
eBook Travel Guide Mallorca
  • 7 maps to easily plan your itinerary
  • 120+ pre-selected locations
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
  • Tips to make the most of your time
  • 260+ original photos to help you choose
Discover it!

And keep track of your own trip!

Madeira travel Journal

Want to see more of MADEIRA?

PREVIOUS: 

Ilheus da Ribeira da Janela

NEXT: 

Seixal Natural Beach, pools & things to do

Madeira Travel Guide

Inspired? Share it on your favorite platform!

Footer

  • English
  • Nederlands
  • Italiano
  • Dansk
  • Português
  • Svenska

Par Claire Robinson
Region Lovers SARL
76600 Le Havre
FRANCE
VAT FR21845103191

CONTACT ME

Search

Follow ZigZag on Facebook

Follow ZigZag on Pinterest

Website in French: ZigZagvoyages.fr

Website in German: ZigZagreisen.de

Website in Spanish: ZigZagviajes.com

And discover the French regions:

Normandielovers.fr
LoireLovers.fr
CorsicaLovers.fr
Provencelovers.fr

 

Privacy / Terms of Use / Disclosure Policies / Refund policy

Become an affiliate for the ZigZag road trip guides

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. ZigZagOnEarth.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Amazon.uk and Amazon.ca

Copyright © 2025 ZigZag On Earth · Log in

If you continue browsing this site you agree with the use of cookies in this website.OkRead more