Praia Formosa Beach Madeira
Praia Formosa Beach Madeira
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Best nearby
Restaurants
895 within 3 miles
Attractions
254 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
385 reviews
Excellent
106
Very good
151
Average
97
Poor
24
Terrible
7
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Roel G
4 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
Great pebble beach, enjoy the music the Atlantic makes when it takes the pebbles back after each wave hittk g the Bach. Not sure if it is ideal for swimming. Looks that there will be two new beach bars for summer 22.
Written April 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
886tinal
Seattle, WA252 contributions
May 2023
We did the walk from Formosa Beach to Camaro de Lobos. The path is paved with one longer uphill stretch to get over the point the Camaro de Lobos. Take water and wear sunscreen! It was a very enjoyable walk - could see the back sand and stone beaches, get a cold drink at the little harbor at Camaro de Lobos, then have a nice walk back. Parking at Formosa beach is free, where if you round trip from Camara de Lobos, you have to pay for parking. There are several restaurants snack bars near Formosa Beach, the then again in Camaro de Lobos.
Written May 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paulina
19 contributions
Jun 2021
I didn't expect it to be a sandy beach as I knew, it will not. Madeira is not famous for sandy beaches anyway. I was trying to have some fun but pebbles beat me ;-).
It is a good place for a nice walk and lunch- quite a few restaurants along a pavement. You can just sit down and relax. Or listen to a sea waves. Views are very nice too.
It is a good place for a nice walk and lunch- quite a few restaurants along a pavement. You can just sit down and relax. Or listen to a sea waves. Views are very nice too.
Written June 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
933ceciliac
Holybourne, UK40 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
We arrived at the Balnear at Monte Gordo. We then got told we have to buy a ticket for the morning stay and then we have to leave for an hour while they supposedly disinfect the spot due to Covid. We would then have to come back in and pay again ! The young girl proceeded to invite me to buy a 10 pass card to come in and out. She didn't hear that all I wanted was to spend the day with my children. The best part was after all that confusion of understanding the entrance fees she then requests to pay in money rather than a card.
An awful experience before the day had even started.
The restaurant was good
Won't be going back to the balnear.
An awful experience before the day had even started.
The restaurant was good
Won't be going back to the balnear.
Written August 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura T
Middlesbrough, UK7,684 contributions
Apr 2022
Made from black sand and pebbles this is a picturesque beach.
We were disappointed in our visit however as we had read that there is a boardwalk extending for 1-2kms and that you can walk through the cave to the nearby famous lido complex for swimming.
"Doca do Cavacas is a natural rock pool where you can sunbathe and swim, with direct sea access. This secret Funchal spot is popular with locals and you can also walk through the tunnel from the nearby rocky Praia Formosa beach."
So we got a taxi to the beach with the expectation of being able to walk along the promenade, swim in the natural rockpool, then continue our walk along the seafront back towards central Funchal. However we got to the cliff to find out the route through is closed. There is no way to access the rock pools. The boardwalk no longer exists either, and the large pebbles/stones can be quite tricky to walk along the beach.
The beach has great views of Cabo Girao, one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe. This beach is a recommended location to watch the sunset.
We would only recommend a visit if you are nearby and not to make a special trip as we did. Although we enjoyed our visit, it was then a boring walk uphill along the main roads to get back on track for the rest of our day's exploration.
We were disappointed in our visit however as we had read that there is a boardwalk extending for 1-2kms and that you can walk through the cave to the nearby famous lido complex for swimming.
"Doca do Cavacas is a natural rock pool where you can sunbathe and swim, with direct sea access. This secret Funchal spot is popular with locals and you can also walk through the tunnel from the nearby rocky Praia Formosa beach."
So we got a taxi to the beach with the expectation of being able to walk along the promenade, swim in the natural rockpool, then continue our walk along the seafront back towards central Funchal. However we got to the cliff to find out the route through is closed. There is no way to access the rock pools. The boardwalk no longer exists either, and the large pebbles/stones can be quite tricky to walk along the beach.
The beach has great views of Cabo Girao, one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe. This beach is a recommended location to watch the sunset.
We would only recommend a visit if you are nearby and not to make a special trip as we did. Although we enjoyed our visit, it was then a boring walk uphill along the main roads to get back on track for the rest of our day's exploration.
Written March 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lgd23
Runcorn, UK427 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
If you like to sit, watch and listen to the sound of crashing waves visit Formosa Beach on a windy day. Choice of 4 promenade cafes. The beach is black sand.
Praia Formosa promenade also forms part of the Funchal to Camara Do Lobos walk although due to the tunnel closure at the Funchal end there is a detour along the top of the Lido before walking down to Formosa. Still a nice walk overall. On really rough days the path can be closed at the CDL end of Formosa Beach
Praia Formosa promenade also forms part of the Funchal to Camara Do Lobos walk although due to the tunnel closure at the Funchal end there is a detour along the top of the Lido before walking down to Formosa. Still a nice walk overall. On really rough days the path can be closed at the CDL end of Formosa Beach
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Isabell B
6 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
If you are looking for a bathing beach on Madeira, you will not find one at this beach. The surroundings are beautiful and you can walk along the promenade, but it is not suitable for swimming. On the one hand, the large stones make it difficult to lie down and relax, and on the other hand, when we visited (around 12:00), the waves were far too high and dangerous, and there were also small stones in them. In addition, even small waves had such a strong force (probably also due to the stones) that you could be "knocked over" even at knee height. You should be aware of this before visiting in search of a way to cool off. For swimming, the "Piscinas Naturais da Doca do Cavacas" is a separate natural pool area for which you have to pay.
Written September 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Musicians Mum
1,330 contributions
Jun 2022
Half way point on my walk from Old Funchal to Baia do Camara de Lobos.
Not neat and pristine,one can see where the Atlantic has pounded and moved debris and vegetation.
Interesting shanty buildings perched in the cliffs amongst banana trees on the access road.
Black Volcanic sand. Rocks.
Waves.Smell of sea salt in the air.
Public Conveniences basic but clean and maintained.
Cafes on shoreline.
Not neat and pristine,one can see where the Atlantic has pounded and moved debris and vegetation.
Interesting shanty buildings perched in the cliffs amongst banana trees on the access road.
Black Volcanic sand. Rocks.
Waves.Smell of sea salt in the air.
Public Conveniences basic but clean and maintained.
Cafes on shoreline.
Written June 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Małgorzata B
Warsaw, Poland2,397 contributions
Dec 2013 • Couples
The largest beach on Madeira island, with a few bars/restaurants, wc facilities, showers and parking space. From downtown take bus No. 1 to get there, you will need to walk a few minutes from the bus stop (on-board ticket 1.90 Euro). The beach is black sand/rock. On December 30 and 31, 2013 water in the ocean was pretty warm - around 20 degrees, so you could even take a swim. The air temperature was similar. The best swim of the year :-)
Written January 9, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jacw2000
Bristol, UK916 contributions
Jul 2014 • Couples
Take the stairs down past the Doca de Cavacas Restaurant and its associated swimming pool, and enter the dark, dank tunnel cut through the rocks of the cliff face. You may start worrying about Shelob the giant spider at this point. There's a window in the tunnel wall overlooking an inlet, which must be a bit exciting if the sea is rough. But carry on through and you get to a walkway above Praia Formosa.
I'm not sure if the Portuguese have an Advertising Standards Authority - probably not or Praia Formosa (Beautiful Beach) would be in trouble. It's a long, long beach, sure enough, and there is the occasional palm tree, but for me a beach needs sand rather than big round black stones to be beautiful. A few hardy souls have bought mats to lie on, but the jelly shoe does not seem to have been invented here so people cautiously pick their way over the stones barefoot and into the sea.
I've rated this poor, by comparison with other beaches in other places. Madeira isn't really a beach place - it's attractions are in the scenery, the restaurants and so on rather than the beaches. The island rises out of the Atlantic, and mostly the see meets the land in rocks and cliffs.
I'm not sure if the Portuguese have an Advertising Standards Authority - probably not or Praia Formosa (Beautiful Beach) would be in trouble. It's a long, long beach, sure enough, and there is the occasional palm tree, but for me a beach needs sand rather than big round black stones to be beautiful. A few hardy souls have bought mats to lie on, but the jelly shoe does not seem to have been invented here so people cautiously pick their way over the stones barefoot and into the sea.
I've rated this poor, by comparison with other beaches in other places. Madeira isn't really a beach place - it's attractions are in the scenery, the restaurants and so on rather than the beaches. The island rises out of the Atlantic, and mostly the see meets the land in rocks and cliffs.
Written July 28, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are there beach sunbeds or chairs and parasols for hire?
Written November 15, 2023
Visited in February 2020 and there was no sand. There are lots of large stones. The area is very run-down, if you've come from Funchal it is a disappointment and best avoided.
Written February 12, 2020
Praia Formosa Beach.
How far is it from the centre of Funchal? What is the walk like from Funchal? Is there a coastal path there or is it main road only?
Written August 10, 2016
Hi,
Very fine dercription from Ana Pedro.
It is about 3 km plenty of lovely things and landscapes.
Most probably, you will have the chance to see the old cars exhibition too.
Cheers,
Joao
Written August 11, 2016
Hi are any meals served at about 5 o clock for children
Written October 6, 2015
I totally agree with LadyMalfoy. There are many restaurants always open. Also, you can dispose of a large supermarket, maybe a little more in terms of walking (east), inside the shopping centre Forum Madeira, at Estrada Monumental, the main road near the sea side (just in case of...).
Written August 12, 2016
We are going to Madeira in September again , and wanted to know if the beach was finished in Funchal.
Written June 29, 2015
Hi, it is me again just to say that you can try Lido natural pool (for a small payment) and several places (we may call it beaches) along the coast line, to the port.
Written August 14, 2016
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