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🏝️ Bathing spot

Praia Formosa

  • 🏅 Blue Flag 2026

🏘️ Funchal · São Martinho · Funchal

The island's largest public beach, west of Funchal's centre in the parish of São Martinho, ten minutes by car: a set of four beaches — Formosa, Nova, Namorados and Areeiro — along more than 2 km of pebbles and black sand, very popular with Madeirans and visitors alike. Free access; in season a team of lifeguards keeps watch. Car park, changing rooms, first-aid post, playground, football pitch and beach bars for a beer or a poncha at sunset; the seafront promenade links it to Câmara de Lobos. Bathing season 2026: 1 June – 15 September, a supervised beach with lifeguards assured. Blue Flag 2026. In a swell follow the flags: red = no bathing.

  • Madeira's largest public beach
  • 2 km, 4 beaches
  • Pebbles and black sand
  • Lifeguards in season
  • Pavillon Bleu 2026
GPS
32.64207, -16.95554
🧭 Getting there
The place stands in the locality of Funchal, parish of São Martinho (Funchal). The regional geodiversity service rates it easy access.
🕒 When to come
Observation conditions are good, per the regional geodiversity service.
🗺️ See it on the map🧭 Go there
Good to know about Praia Formosa1

  • Sand — Black and natural at Seixal, Alagoa and Prainha; golden and imported from Morocco at Calheta (2004) and Machico

    Praia Formosa, the largest public beach, lines up more than 2 km of pebbles and black sand west of Funchal. Calheta was the island's first artificial beach.

Services within 1.5 km8

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