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Seixal natural beach + pools + town (Madeira) – 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)

The village of Seixal, Madeira, is one of the most impressive and photogenic places to visit on the island. It is home to:

  • lush mountains,
  • steep cliffs,
  • The Seixal nature pools with a lava arch,
  • The Seixal beach with natural black sand.

Below is my guide to help you plan your visit with tips, map and photos.

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)

Things to do in Seixal pools Madeira Pin
Content
Why visit Seixal in Madeira + things to do
Planning Tips & Map – Seixal, Madeira
Seixal natural sand beach – Praia do Porto do Seixal
Seixal public pool
Seixal natural pools – Poça das Lesmas
The town / village
Pebble beach – Praia da Jamaica
Things to do near Seixal

Why visit Seixal in Madeira + things to do

When it comes to natural pools, everybody rushes to Porto Moniz. And I get it, they are easy to access.
But if you are looking for the most scenic ones, I recommend Seixal!

In this little town on the North coast, you can enjoy:

  • several natural pools at the bottom of cliffs,
  • a giant lava arch, under which you can swim,
  • a beautiful black sand beach with a small waterfall,
  • lush mountains,
  •  and more…
Photogenic Seixal in Madeira
Photogenic Seixal in Madeira
Seixal natural sand beach and cliffs
Seixal natural sand beach and cliffs

The top things to do in Seixal are:

  • Enjoy the black sand beach
  • Visit the natural pools with the lava arch
  • Admire the views from the seafront promenade, at the top of the cliff.

More photos after the planning tips.

Planning Tips & Map – Seixal, Madeira

Where is Seixal located? Map 

  • North-West coast of Madeira
  • Funchal to Seixal = 45min drive
  • Porto Moniz to Seixal = 15min drive
  • Below is a map to locate it and get oriented:
Map Seixal in Madeira - location
Map Seixal in 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!

How to get to Seixal?

  • CAR – The easiest way to reach Seixal is by car. It is easy to drive to, just off the main road VE2
  • GUIDED TOUR – some guided tour may stop in Seixal on top of Porto Moniz – check out options
  • BUS – Public transportation reaches Porto da Cruz but is limited – check website
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

Visit Tips 

  • Free access to all
  • Easy access by car to the back sand beach and to the pebble beach
  • Very steep walk down to the pools (stairs and slopes)
  • Toilets at the beach and at the pools
  • Few restaurants in town
  • Clear parking areas, but not big ones
  • Visit early if you want to easily find spaces
  • The pools and sandy beach are great at sunrise
  • If you want to check the current conditions, have a look at the Seixal webcam
Town of Seixal

Where to stay in Seixal

  • Seixal is a nice quiet place to stay to explore the North coast and the West of the island – See best rated accommodations in Seixal
  • You will mostly find rentals such as the North Coast View House – check out pictures and availability
  • Otherwise, Porto Moniz is a great place to enjoy natural pools and the West Coast, and it has hotels – See best rated accommodations in Porto Moniz
  • More tips on my article about where to stay in Madeira

Seixal natural sand beach – Praia do Porto do Seixal

Let’s start with the beach.
This is one of the rare beaches in Madeira with natural sand (learn more about the Madeira beaches).
And it is black sand!

Seixal natural sand beach

In my opinion, this is clearly the most beautiful beach on the island.
Some people compare it to Hawaii because of the black sand and the lush green cliffs surrounding it.
A landscape typical of an old volcanic island.
Best visited at low tide and at sunrise.

Praia do Porto do Seixal

The sand is fine and soft.
No lifeguard.
And there is even a small waterfall on the beach!

Waterfall Seixal beach

The road goes all the way down to the beach and the port.
Here you can learn to surf with the Madeira Surf Center.

Seixal beach facilities
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!

Seixal public pool

At the same spot, if you look towards the West, you will find a seawater pool and facilities.
It is the public pool (not the natural ones), and a large one.

Seixal port public pool

I visited early morning and walked a little around the pool.
The lava rocks were full of large black crabs moving around on the sea side!

Crabs

Seixal natural pools – Poça das Lesmas

The other highlight of a visit to Seixal are the Natural pools, called Poça das Lesmas.
You have to park at the top of the cliffs, along the main road in the town.
Make sure you check the views from above!

Poça das Lesmas
Poça das Lesmas

Once you are parked (limited parking spaces), you have to go down those high cliffs.
It starts with a staircase and then there is a steep slope zigzagagging.
Along some portions of the slopes, there are small stairs. I found them more comfortable than the slope.
It is quite hard on the knees, but worth the effort!

  • Opening hours – continuous access
  • Entry price – free access
Parking seixal Natural pools
Access seixal Natural pools

You can walk between the lava rocks to admire the various pools. One is large, others are smaller.
The water here is clear.

Sunrise at the Seixal Natural pools
Clear water at the Seixal Natural pools

But the main feature of the pools is the impressive lava rock arch.
It is a thick block of volcanic rock with the water under it.
Waves can enter the pools and push water towards the staircase. So be careful, if you don’t want your camera to get wet!

Lava arch at Seixal Natural pools

It is probably one of the most photographed spots by amateur and pro photographers. This is because you can have reflections of the arch in the water.
You can see great pictures on the Internet with someone going into the water. I was all alone, and there was some wind, so my picture is not as dreamy… but it gives you an idea.

under the Lava arch at Seixal Natural pools

And from the pools, you have great views of the lush northern cliffs.
Looking west on the picture below, you can see the seastacks of Ribeira da Janela.

view from the Seixal Natural pools

There are facilities down by the pool:

  • Snack bar
  • Toilets, just a little bit higher
  • No lifeguard
restaurant at the Seixal Natural pools

The town / village

Seixal is a small and peaceful town.
It is part of the Porto Moniz municipality.
Its population is around 700 inhabitants.
Below is a view from the distance.

View of Seixal from the distance
View of Seixal from the distance

The town is on a small headland and niched at the bottom of very lush steep mountains.
The surroundings are so green!

Lush mountains

Where you are parked for the pools, I recommend going for a walk on the seafront promenade.
It offers splendid views of the North Coast.

Seixal seafront promenade

Pebble beach – Praia da Jamaica

At the West End of the Seixal, you can find another beach.
It is often referred to as Praia da Jamaica, because of the palm trees along the road.
However, I don’t think the palm trees are fans of the location…

Seixal palm trees

This beach is mostly black pebbles.
No lifeguard.

Seixal Pebble beach - Praia da Jamaica

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 near Seixal

Seixal is a great location to explore the North-West part of Madeira.
Below are a few suggestions on attractions nearby.
You can find all my favorite locations in my Travel guide eBook (learn more).

Miradouro Veu da Noiva (Bridal Veil falls)

Miradouro Veu da Noiva

This viewpoint is also a classic, one of the most famous on the island (see my list).
It is easy to stop on your way to Seixal and Porto Moniz.
You can enjoy views of the cliffs dropping into the sea, but here you have the surprise of seeing a waterfall dropping as well.

Sao Vicente & Caves

Sao Vicente

East of Seixal, you have the Sao Vicente valley with its volcanic caves, and historical mines.
It is also a very scenic area (but where is it not scenic in Madeira???).

Ribeira da Janela

Ribeira da Janela

Ribeira da Janela is a quick stop between Seixal and Porto Moniz. It is often overlooked by tourists, so it remains kind of a hidden gem.
This beach is not for sunbathing because of the very large pebble.
But it is home to several seastacks. Plus, there is a staircase leading to a cut in the cliffs and to a viewpoint over them!
Learn more.

Porto Moniz

Porto Moniz

West of Seixal, Porto Moniz is where the most famous natural pools are.
There are 2 sets. I prefer the free and more natural ones.
But Porto Moniz, it is also a fort, a small aquarium, vineyards…
Learn more.

Fanal Forest

Fanal Forest

And if you head inland, you can discover the magical Fanal Forest with its ancient laurel trees.
You can have fun exploring the area and re-imagining the shapes of the trees.
It is known to be even more fascinating when the clouds surround it. But don’t get lost!

Want to see more of the best Madeira offers?

  • 42 Madeira travel tips to plan an unforgettable trip – read article
  • 35 best things to do in Madeira – read article
  • The best landscapes in Madeira in 40 pictures – read article
  • The 7 cables cars in Madeira and their amazing views – read article
  • 10 best hikes & levada walks in Madeira – reach article
  • Tips to drive around Madeira – read article
  • 7 best Madeira boat tours & trips – read article
  • Best time to visit Madeira – read article
  • 18 best Madeira Tours – 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

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Ponta do Sol (Beach, town, bridge…)

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Levada de 25 Fontes Hike

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