PORTO MONIZ, Madeira, Portugal

January 3, 2025

General Info

Country: The Autonomous Region of Madeira, Portugal | Language: Portuguese | Currency: EURO (EUR) | Flag: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flagge_Madeiras | When visited: December 2022 & 2024

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🚗 How to commute

There are 3 ways to move around the island as well as to reach this small town: to hire a car, to get a taxi or to go by public transport, i.e. by bus. The cheapest way is, of course, the public transport, but if you go to Porto Moniz from the airport, you'll have to go to Funchal firstly (use the Aerobus #9, in Dec. 2024 a one way ride was 6,20 EUR) and then change to the bus #80 or #139 (for example, on the station “Avenida Do Mar”). Buses are operated by Rodoeste and depart just a few times per day, so make sure to check the timetable in advance. You can do it here: https://www.portomoniz.pt/de/besuch/verkehr/oeffentliche-verkehrsmittel or directly on the Rodoeste website.

🏨 Where to stay

Last time we have been renting an apartment “Sea and Sun 4 You”. A well-equipped and comfortable flat with a nice terrace and some sea view just in a minute from the ocean and the natural pool “Piscinas Naturais do Porto Moniz” (in the same building as the hotel “Salgueiro”). This time we have been staying in one of the best hotels in this town – “Aqua Natura Bay”: it has great modern rooms, amazing facilities (outdoor and indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, 2 saunas, gym, rooftop terrace as well as further services), friendly stuff and generous and tasty breakfasts. The same hotel owns 2 more buildings in the town, and one can use all the facilities like, for example, a rooftop terrace with a jacuzzi, there too.

🍽️ What and where to eat

If you have an apartment and can cook there, you can go to one of 3 local supermarkets (the best prices are in the Meu Super though) and have an affordable though still high quality food. Otherwise, you'll have to go to one of the local cafés or restaurants for breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Prices are almost the same in various places, but quality may vary. Though you can eat a fresh and tasty food including fish of the day almost everywhere. We have been to almost all places and our favourites are listed below: -Cafe Atlantico – a place, where many locals eat, and you can find one of the best Fish of the day or Octopus lagareiro in the town. You need to ask, what they have in the menu today, as it totally depends on the local fishermen.

-Snack-bar Ilhèu Mole – a place, where many locals eat as well, and you can have some quick but tasty snacks such as empanadas or toasts and also enjoy both the Portuguese & Venezuelan cuisine and tasty coffee just for 1,5 EUR for Americano.

-Cachalote an atmospheric place with great interior, incredible view as it's surrounded by the ocean, and good food. There is also an amazing small historical exhibition about the whale fishing industry on the 1st floor, which is freely accessible for everyone.

-Vila Baleia just a good place with a good menu and affordable prices.

-Sea View Restaurante where you can eat tasty dishes with a remarkable view over the ocean and the natural swimming pool. Though, variety of food is not that big here and prices are one of the highest in the town.

👀 What to do and what to see

Swim in one of 2 natural swimming pools. There are 2 natural pools: — one – Piscinas Naturais do Porto Moniz – is paid and provides the full service and all the needed facilities. — another one – Piscinas Naturais do Aquário – is free and open for anyone to use anytime, though there is just an open-air shower and there is no changing rooms or toilet, though there is a really clean and cool toilet nearby under the Aquário da Madeira.
Visit Forte de São and Aquário da Madeira.
Walk around and visit multiple viewpoints nearby, our favourite is Miradouro do Cabo Calhau.
Go to one of the neighbour cities. You can go for a day tour by bus or taxi to Seixal, Sao Vicente or Achadas da Cruz. There is also small town “Ribeira da Janela”, which you can visit even by foot going through the picturesque route along the ocean.
Go to one of the day tours. There are multiple great and beautiful places to see around like Fanal Forest, multiple beautiful hiking routes (Levadas) and viewpoint in the mountain, boat trips to watch whales and dolphins and so on.

💡 Some highlights

You can literally breathe the ocean and enjoy its beauty and power here! Walk around and enjoy views and smells.
Try fresh seafood and fish – it's just so tasty here!
Try the local sweets from passion fruit, which also grows here: a soft drink “Brisa Maracuja” and a dessert “Passion Fruit Pudding”.