Sea and sun seekers should make sure to carve out 2-3 days to explore Madeira’s west coast after ticking off Funchal and the eastern attractions. Considered the sunniest region of the island, you’ll find pretty beaches, great bathing complexes, and inviting water temperatures nearly all year round. And for non-water enthusiasts, there are picturesque towns and scenic walks aplenty.
Ponta do Sol
The beachside town of Ponta do Sol, less than 30 minutes drive west of Funchal, is known as the sunniest spot in Madeira as its name suggests. Once primarily an agricultural center thanks to the sunny climate, the charming red-roofed filled town is still today surrounded by lush banana plantations. Quaint cobbled alleys, cultural institutions, and a pebbly beach combined with a recent development of new restaurants and accommodations have turned this secluded village into an attractive base where one might linger for a while…
This place is in fact the reason I picked Madeira as a remote work destination when I heard about the first “digital nomad village” which turned out to be here, in Ponta do Sol. Yes, the sleepy 500-year-old fishing village was chosen to be repurposed as a home for digital nomads in search of sun and beautiful nature. An abandoned hotel on the beach was renovated and turned into a co-living and co-working hub from Outsite where I stayed for a few weeks. You get your own beach-facing room with a desk and views of gorgeous sunsets every day and a communal area downstairs to work and connect with likeminded remote workers from all over the world – genius.
There’s another free coworking space a few minutes walk away courtesy of the Digital Nomad Village initiative and a handful of local Portuguese cafes when you want to get out. Although with a professional hotel kitchen we’d often organize group dinners which were the ideal way to end the day.
Daily sunset walks on the beach are the norm and you’ll never get tired of the spectacle.
While small, the town center has a few beautiful murals along its curved streets, depicting local traditions and crafts.
Most arresting though is the Parede de Memórias on Rua da Marquesa, a wall sculpture made up of 250 face molds from locals. It showcases the expressions and feelings of a community, with bird silhouettes representing Madeira’s fauna.
Local restaurants and cafes like Steak & Sun and The Old Pharmacy on the pedestrian street are favorites and their terraces buzz with activity day and night. Their fresh, regional cuisine heavy on the bounty from the sea filled us up after the work day with a glass of local wine.
Stunning views and hikes near Ponta do Sol
There is so much to explore with a car in these parts and one of the best drive is a mere 10 minutes away from Ponta do Sol. The road heading north from Ribeira Brava cuts through some of the best scenery on the whole island – the Terra Grande valley.
There are numerous observation decks you can stop by with picnic tables and benches to admire the views of terraced plantations all the way to the sea.
Many also have little walks that lead through the terraces, passing by farmhouses, fruit trees, giving a taste of the local life.
25 Fontes hike
Take the steep inland road that climbs to the middle of the island and up to the Paúl da Serra plateau – a flat plain reminiscent of the moors of Scotland and often covered in mist. There is a large car park that serves Rabaçal, a beautiful valley and the start of one of the island’s most popular levada walks – PR6 Levada das 25 Fontes. While not as spectacular as the Pico to Pico hike, this moderate 4.5 miles hike provides plenty of natural splendor in a short amount of time, taking about 3hrs to complete.
From the car park, it’s a slightly boring walk down following a concrete road until you reach the start of the trail, but at least you’re treated to beautiful views over the Ribeira da Janela valley.
Enter the Laurissilva forest and follow the levada (water canal) through this enchanting world of water and verdant moss, dipping in and out of the cover of trees.
A walk down brings you to your destination, the namesake 25 Fontes.
The beautiful lagoon is fed by 25 crystal-clear springs coming down from the plateau, creating a magical setting you’ll want to enjoy for a while. Relax and gather your strength as the way back is up, up, up!
The return trip is along the same path though the landscape here is so unique it always feels like you’re looking at something new, a crazy twisted tree you hadn’t noticed before or a stream down below you’re now just hearing.
Then the stairmaster begins and your elevation gain of 1,525 ft., occasionally interrupted by valley views as a good excuse to take a break.
Treat yourself to a warm drink and snack at the end at the very nice Rabaçal Nature Spot Cafe before going back up to your car.
Jardim do Mar
Back on the coast and heading west past Ponta do Sol, you’ll spot a small and adorable seaside village – Jardim do Mar. Loved by surfers for its waves and a few digital nomads in the know for its quiet and laidback vibe, this tiny community is a must visit if only for a quick stop to soak up the unique atmosphere.
The peaceful, labyrinthine alleys are the only way to get around, twisting and turning around houses and gardens. Sometimes you’ll end up in someone’s backyard, other times in a cul-de-sac, but a few turns will inevitably lead you to this place’s true gem: the sea.
With three separate pebbled beaches and gorgeous cliff views, you’ll wonder why this little paradise isn’t more packed.
The seafront promenade is a thing of beauty, lined with gardens & benches, inviting you to simply sit and listen to the crashing waves. You won’t want to leave.
Make your way back up through any of the steep tiny alleys and settle for a bit in the main square, also eerily quiet. The perfect spot to absorb Jardim do Mar’s calming energy.
The only activity can be found at Joe’s Bar, a joyful bar and grill with an excellent terrace and tasty dishes.
The westernmost tip
End your day by driving the last 20 minutes from Jardim do Mar until the end of the south coastal road (where it veers off north) for some pretty spectacular scenery. Time it with sunset if you can but even at midday it’s splendid. The views are so epic that there are various observation decks where you can park your car and walk to the cliff edge in about 10 minutes. The Miradouro da Garganta Funda is a worthwhile stop.
After a few minutes walk, you’ll see to your left the “Garganta Funda” waterfall, impressive with a height around 140 meters.
To your right, beautifully lush and jagged cliffs showing off a thousand different shades of green with a few cows and houses for scale.
Up front – the infinite ocean and the most beautiful variations of blue, all a few hundred meters below.
