Porto Moniz: natural swimming pools on Madeira

Visit rate: 5/5 / Rating: 4/5 

Just ten years ago, Porto Moniz was a relatively unknown village. Today, it's one of the most visited places on the entire island, thanks to its natural swimming pools. If you want to swim in the ocean on Madeira, this is definitely a spot you shouldn't miss. The village itself clearly adapted quickly to its popularity, there are now almost more parking spaces than actual residents.

We passed through on a windy day and didn't get a chance to swim. Looking back, we do slightly regret it, but there wasn't much we could do, Madeira's weather simply doesn't always cooperate, especially in the north and west. We still walked along the promenade, and the atmosphere of the place is worth it even without swimming. Even with lunch, it's roughly a one- to two-hour stop. In the centre of the village you'll also find Aquário da Madeira, the only aquarium on the island, which is worth a short visit.

On your way, don't forget to stop at the rock formations Ilhéu da Ribeira da Janela. This is where we experienced by far the strongest wind of the entire island—it literally almost blew us away. Still, it's a place worth stopping at. It may "just" be a rock in the ocean, but it has a completely unique long and narrow shape that you won't really see anywhere else. We kept wondering the whole time how something like this could even form. Nature really does whatever it wants sometimes.

Week on Madeira for 2 (7 nights)                                                                                                   Flights (Smartwings): 820,-                                                                                                               Car rental (Sixt): 370,-                                                                                                   Accommodation (Booking): 570,-                                                                                             Spending: 610,-                                                                                                                               Total: 2 370,- EUR