Ponta Do Sol – Discover Beaches, Culture and Nature

Ponta Do Sol offers a diverse mix of coast, mountains and traditional villages. Those looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home can explore the character of the destination according to their own interests: by the sea, at viewpoints, through cultural discoveries or in nature. The changing scenery between black-sand and pebble beaches, historic religious buildings, unusual museums and landscapes with far-reaching views is particularly appealing.

Beaches with different access options

Praia da Ponta do Sol lies in a small bay in the village and is a small pebble beach with a total length of approximately 160 metres. Parking is available nearby for convenient day planning. There are also changing rooms and toilets adapted for people with reduced mobility. This makes the beach a practical destination for anyone who wants to take the facilities of a bathing area into account during their stay.

At Praia dos Anjos, basalt pebbles meet black sand. Access is via Caminho dos Anjos and a wooden staircase. Praia da Madalena do Mar also combines rounded pebbles with black sand. There, a promenade invites you to stroll by the sea; the beach can be reached via two ramps. Depending on the type of beach experience you want, you can take these different features into account when choosing your daily destinations and accommodation area.

Culture between literature, churches and banana cultivation

The Centro Cultural John Dos Passos is dedicated to the writer and features a permanent exhibition. The centre includes two museum areas, a storage room, the Dra. Carmo da Cunha Santos Library and an auditorium where various cultural activities take place. Every year, the centre also hosts a conference on John Dos Passos, emigration and culture. This makes a visit particularly interesting if you would like to combine literary history with regional culture.

The religious buildings also tell the long history of the area. Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Luz was built in the late 15th century and displays typical features of Manueline and Neo-Mannerist religious architecture. Its green ceramic tiles probably came from Seville in Spain; this design is considered unique in Portugal. Capela de São Sebastião, built in Ponta do Sol in 1597, is a small church dedicated to Saint Sebastian, with a simple longitudinal layout and Mannerist religious architecture.

At Palacete do Lugar de Baixo, you will encounter a Romantic style and a history dating back to the late 19th century. The marina and Lagoa do Lugar de Baixo can be seen from the building. Museu da Banana da Madeira – BAM tells the story of the banana and its importance to Madeira’s economic development. A visit also includes experimental cultivation areas, innovative transport systems for banana plants and greenhouses with modern technology. The bar offers banana beer and banana chips.

Lagoon, mountains and viewpoints

Lagoa do Lugar de Baixo is the only tidal lagoon in the Madeira Archipelago. It serves migratory birds as a resting and nesting place and is used for birdwatching. Those wishing to include nature observation in their holiday will find a clearly defined focus here, without this having to become a fixed daily programme.

Higher-altitude destinations complement the coastal landscape. Paul da Serra is the largest mountain plateau in the Madeira Archipelago. Native vegetation and endemic plant species of the island grow there; the plateau is also home to significant fauna, particularly bird species. From Bica da Cana, panoramic views extend over Madeira’s mountain peaks and the valley of São Vicente. Fire pits, tables, benches and toilets are available there. At Miradouro Sobranceiro à Ponta do Sol, benches are available for resting and taking in the surroundings; the view extends across the valley of Ponta do Sol. Miradouro do Cascalho can be reached via Estrada Regional 222.

Walks and suitable holiday planning

For a more active day, the Lombada da Ponta do Sol circular route is a good option. It begins and ends at the same place, Sítio da Lombada. Along the way, you will encounter two levadas: Levada do Moinho and Levada Nova. Those who prefer a circular route can take this fixed route format into account when planning. When searching for a holiday apartment, it is sensible to first determine the focus of your holiday: beach and promenade, culture and historic buildings, birdwatching or mountain landscapes.

For additional orientation, you can also visit Ponta Do Sol. Other destinations for your travel planning include Porto Santo, Jardim Do Mar, Arco De Sao Jorge, Curral Das Freiras, Vila Baleira, Madeira and Calheta.

To the higher-level travel overview: Madeira.