The Rough Guide to Madeira and the Azores by Rough Guides

Author:Rough Guides
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Travel, Portugal
Publisher: Apa Publications
Published: 2025-03-26T04:57:54+00:00

Piscinas Naturais do Porto Moniz and Piscinas Naturais do Aquário

Porto Moniz • Summer 9am–7pm, winter 9am–5pm • €3 or free • www.portomoniz.pt

There are two areas of saltwater swimming pools on the coast in Porto Moniz, a few hundred metres apart. Sculptural lava formations and clear water make them delightful places to swim. There’s a fee to enter the semi-natural main area, Piscinas Naturais do Porto Moniz, which have steps, changing rooms and lifeguards. In summer, the water’s surprisingly warm. The Piscinas Naturais do Aquário near Ilhéu Mole, a rocky islet, are free to enter, and have a wilder feel. Both areas are calm and inviting, even when the sea beyond is choppy; however, they’re closed in stormy weather.

Aquário da Madeira

Rua do Forte de São João Baptista 7, 9270-095 Porto Moniz • Daily 10am–6pm • €8 • www.portomoniz.pt

Tucked away in a replica of an eighteenth century fort, built to defend Porto Moniz against pirates, the Aquário da Madeira is the archipelago’s only aquarium. Rather small and dated but worth a brief visit, it has a dozen tanks displaying species native to the Madeira Islands, such as rays, moray eels and blue sharks.

ARRIVAL, DEPARTURE amd INFORMATION PORTO MONIZ

By bus From Funchal: SIGA route 80 or 139, or route 6 to São Vicente then route 150.

By car 50km northwest of Funchal via the VR1 to Ribeira Brava, the R104 and R105 to São Vicente, and the VE2.

Tourist information Rua dos Emigrantes 2, 9270-156 Porto Moniz (www.visitmadeira.com and www.portomoniz.pt).

ACCOMMODATION map

Aqua Natura Bay Rua do Forte de São João Baptista 7, 9270-095 Porto Moniz; www.aquanaturahotels.com. Stylish contemporary hotel, just steps away from Porto Moniz’s aquarium and the Cachalote natural swimming pools. All 47 fresh, bright rooms face the sea and the sunset. This is one of three Green Key eco-certified Aqua Natura properties in Porto Moniz; at all of them, prices are high in summer, but much reduced off-season. €€€€

Aqua Natura Madeira Rotunda da Piscina 3, 9270-156 Porto Moniz; www.aquanaturahotels.com. Revamped 25-room hotel that’s not quite as hip as Aqua Natura Bay. It’s more intimate, though, and it’s ideal for wild swimmers, due to its superb location, overlooking Porto Moniz’s largest natural pools. €€€€

Parque de Campismo do Porto Moniz Ribeira da Janela, 9270-105 Porto Moniz; www.portomoniz.pt. Mercifully flat and grassy, this small campsite is around 3km southwest of Porto Moniz. €

Studios by Aqua Natura Rua do Lugar 1, 9270-156 Porto Moniz; www.aquanaturahotels.com. Set further back from the sea than its nearby sister properties, Studios by Aqua Natura offers more space for a lower price. It’s a block of 20 airy, Scandi-style soundproofed mini-apartments sleeping up to six, either with a kitchenette or a kitchen and dining area. There’s a public lounge for remote workers; this place would suit families, too. €€€

EATING and DRINKING map

Art Café Sardinha Rua do Lugar 13, 9270-095 Porto Moniz; 924 785 172. Part boutique, part restaurant, selling attractive handmade bead jewellery and serving simple, rustic fare such as roast chicken or fish with vegetables and potatoes, cake and Coral beer. €

Ilhéu Mole Rua Alfarrobeiras 4, 9270-095 Porto Moniz; 291 853 321.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.