Check out the Seaside village of Seixal in Madeira
Seixal, Madeira, Portugal (ISO 200, 4.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/60 s)
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Seixal is located on the northwestern coast of Madeira, between the towns of São Vicente and Porto Moniz. Established in the 16th century, it is situated on a small peninsula, jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean. Wine making is the main economic driver of the area which is evident due to the amount of vineyards located on the cliff side.
Over the years, Seixal has gained in popularity due to its picturesque facade as well as its black sand beach. Next to the beach is a natural pool, fed by the waters of the Atlantic, but encased in an inlet lined by volcanic rock. Our stop here was incredible and if we return, we hope to spend at least once night in this wonderful little village.
Check out my drone video of Seixal, Madeira below!
How to get to Seixal
In order to get to Seixal, you have to get to Madeira. You can book a flight to Madeira Airport (FNC), which will land on the eastern part of the island.
You also have the option of taking a ferry to reach Madeira. Specifically, there are trips that originate in Lisbon, on the Portuguese mainland. These ferries depart typically on saturdays, take about 24 hours, and cost approximately 180 Euro per person. You can find more information and can book transport to Madeira via Bookmundi via this link.
Once you have arrived in Madeira, you can use these methods of transport to get to Seixal:
Taxi - takes 50 mins and costs at least 50 Euros.
Bus - You can take a bus to Seixal from the capital city of Funchal. Getting to Funchal is easy from the airport (Take AeroBus from the airport to Funchal for 5 Euros). Then take a bus with Rodeste to Seixal, which typically requires a bus change as well. Here are the bus times for departures to Seixal.
Rental Car - this was by far the most convenient way to get there. We stayed in Madeira for a week, so renting a car was crucial for us.
If you like some of my photos that you have come across, just know that I have many prints showcasing a variety of landscapes available for purchase below! (Sold as Posters, Canvas, or in Metal-Frames and Wooden-Frames).
If you have quite a bit of time in Madeira and want to know what other places are worth seeing, you can see all my Madeira related blog posts below:
Seixal, Madeira, Portugal (ISO 200, 4.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/30 s)
Véu da Noiva Viewpoint
So before even arriving to Seixal, you can get a great view of the small town from afar at Véu da Noiva viewpoint. This viewpoint is just off the main road leading to Seixal with a small area for parking and a platform for seaside views. There used to be a road that went all the way down to the nearby waterfall but is now blocked by earth debris. Nonetheless, this is a great spot to check out the gorgeous coastline and to snap a picture of all of Seixal in one frame.
Cascata do Córrego da Furna
This is the waterfall that can be seen from the Véu da Noiva viewpoint. As I mentioned before, it used to be accessed by a road but due to erosion, you can only get as close as this viewpoint. I’m not quite sure how tall it is, but I love its juxtaposition on the cliffside and the turquoise blue waters below.
Seixal, Madeira, Portugal (ISO 200, 4.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/60 s)
Hiking around Seixal
The nature in and around Seixal is incredible. As such, there are plenty of hiking trails you can take to fully explore the area:
Chão da Ribeira - this narrow valley is what connects Seixal to the middle of Madeira. You will pass farms and an ancient laurel forest, designated a World Heritage Site.
Poço do Candeeiro - this is a small pond and waterfall feature that you will also encounter while hiking up the nearby valley.
Caminho das voltas a Terra Chã - this trail takes you to the area of Fanal in central Madeira, known for its foggy and mysterious forests.
Seixal Natural Pools
Natural pools are abundant in Madeira in general. These are essentially pools, filled with sea water, whose perimeters are natural rocks (sometimes artificial) that serve as a walled barrier between the pool and the ocean. The crashing sea waves introduce fresh saltwater into these pools, but the rocky walls diminish the intensity of such waves, making it safe to swim in. The great thing about these pools at Seixal is that they are free to access, though there are no lifeguards so stay frosty.
Specifically, the natural pool at Seixal has parking available, along with toilets and a bar/restaurant for visitors. From there you can access the pools of Poça das Lesmas and Poça do Mata Sete.
Praia do Porto do Seixal (Seixal Beach)
Seixal Beach is juxtaposed to the natural pools in Seixal. The way the black sand stands out against the green vegetation and blue ocean waves makes for such a dramatic scene. You can get some pretty sizable waves at this beach however you are more or less protected by the long seawall that prevents waves from coming into the beach directly. I wish we could have stayed longer and that the sun had come out when we were there. There is always next time.
Seixal, Madeira, Portugal (ISO 400, 24 mm, f/9, 1/125 s)
Praia da Laje
Another beach on the other end of Seixal is the Praia da Laje. It is more of a hidden cave than a beach but is also a great place for swimming. The views are incredible and rival those seen at Seixal Beach as well. Since Seixal is quite a small town, it is also worth the time to check out this area. There is even a bar you can chill at after swimming.
Seixal, Madeira, Portugal (ISO 200, 4.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/50 s)
