Porto da Cruz

The village of the north-east coast, in the municipality of Machico, at the foot of Penha d'Águia, the rock of about 600 m that separates Machico from Santana. Seen from the Portela pass, its small orange-roofed houses scatter down the slopes to the lively sea; below, the black volcanic-sand beach of Alagoa — sometimes turned to pebbles by the currents — much loved by surfers, and the bathing complex of the Passeio Marítimo with its two pools. It is the northern end of PR 10 Levada do Furado via Portela and the starting point for views of Faial.