Are you trying to get from Funchal to Porto Moniz?
Porto Moniz is a small town at the northernmost tip of Madeira. It’s a quiet area, but it’s well known for the famous natural volcanic rock pools at the edge of town!
We weren’t sure what to expect at Porto Moniz Natural Pools, but we actually loved it!
They definitely aren’t ‘natural,’ but the pool is fed by ocean water. The designers did a great job of building the pools into the natural landscape of the coast. Plus, the facilities made it a comfortable place to hang out for the afternoon.
There’s even a high dive where you can jump straight into the ocean!
However, Porto Moniz is on the opposite side of the island from Funchal, meaning it’s not very convenient for most people staying in Madeira.
But it’s still worth the effort to get here!
So, we decided to create a reliable resource for the best ways to get here from Funchal. Whether you plan to drive, take public transportation, or book a guided tour, here’s everything you could need to know for a smooth and enjoyable journey.
How to Get to Porto Moniz
Porto Moniz is at the northern tip of Madeira, about as far as you can get from Funchal.
But you actually have a few options. They all take less than 2 hours as well, making it a reasonable day trip from Funchal.
Rent a Car (+ Driving Directions)
Renting a car is the most convenient way to reach Porto Moniz. In Madeira, it’s actually really cheap to book a rental car, and driving through the island is easier than you’d expect.
Having your own transportation also allows you to make additional stops. On the way to Porto Moniz, there are quite a few places worth seeing (e.g., Seixal, Sao Vicente, Miradouro da Terra Grande, Vรฉu da Noiva).
However, we’d encourage you to stop at these locations on the way back because the natural pools get extremely busy in the afternoon.
Note: Parking in Porto Moniz is generally easier than in Funchal, with lots of free and paid street parking near the natural pools and surrounding restaurants.
Route #1
The main route to Porto Moniz follows ER101 (West) and connects to the VE4 Expressway in Ribeira Brava to reach Sao Vicente.
This route takes about an hour (unless you get a flat tire like we did) and is incredibly scenic. The valley between Ribeira Brava and Sao Vicente feels like something out of a science fiction movie, and then driving along the coast between Sao Vicente and Porto Moniz is equally unreal.
Route #2
The alternative route follows ER101 (east) out of Funchal and travels around the east coast, passing through cities like Machico, Porto da Cruz, and Santana before connecting to Sao Vicente.
This route takes nearly two hours but allows you to add other iconic destinations to your day’s itinerary.
You could even start the day with a sunrise hike at Sฤo Lourenรงo and a visit to the Santana Houses, then continue on Porto Moniz for the afternoon!
Hire a Taxi
If you don’t know how to drive a stick shift (most rental cars in Madeira have a manual transmission) or just feel uncomfortable driving on mountainous terrain, then a public taxi or private transfer is your next best option.
Unfortunately, a one-way taxi ride from Funchal to Porto Moniz typically costs around โฌ70โ90,
That seems a bit steep to us, which is why we rent a car. However, if you don’t have another option, you can sometimes find fellow travelers willing to split the cost!
This Facebook Group is a great place to connect with other travelers!
Note: If you only plan on staying for a couple of hours, some taxi drivers are open to negotiating a price to wait for you in Porto Moniz and ensure you have a ride home.
Pre-arranging a Private Transfer
While you CAN hail a taxi from Funchal to Porto Moniz at a moment’s notice, arranging one ahead of time is much less stressful.
This way, you know you have a ride in the morning that will arrive exactly when you want it to. In short, it’s far more reliable.
These services also include door-to-door pickup and drop-off, and it’s what we do when we don’t have our own car and are getting sick of navigating public transportation.
Book a West Madeira Tour
Another way to get to Porto Moniz is with a guided tour!
We’ve found tours that take you straight to Porto Moniz and back, but if you’re going to make the long trip from Funchal, you should really get the most out of your time.
So, if you opt for a guided tour, try to find a full-day tour of Western Madeira. These tours will offer hotel pickup & drop off and multiple stops at places like Cabo Girรฃo, Cรขmara de Lobos Seixal, Achadas Da Cruz, and/or the Fanal Forest.
With a tour, you don’t have to do any of the heavy lifting. You just show up, and everything is taken care of for you. Itโs also a great way to meet other travelers!
Best of Madeira’s West tour
This full-day adventure is your best chance to experience all the highlights of Madeiraโs western coast. If you have less than three days in Madeira, this is the tour to choose.
Starting in the charming fishing village of Cรขmara de Lobos, your guide will share interesting insights. At the same time, you travel to the volcanic pools of Porto Moniz and stop at a handful of other iconic locations like the Cabo Girรฃo Skywalk, the Paul da Serra plateau, and Sรฃo Vicente village.
West Madeira + Fanal Forest
If youโre drawn to Madeiraโs hiking trails and want to experience the Fanal Forest, this tour is perfect for you!
It’s very similar to the first tour, as the day begins with a visit to Cรขmara de Lobo and Cabo Girรฃo Skywalk.
But then they will also make stops in Ribeira Brava, Ponta do Sol, and take time to explore the Fanal Forest and eventually end up at Porto Moniz, where youโll have a couple of hours to relax by the natural volcanic pools.
West Madeira Waterfalls + Fanal Forest
This is another similar tour (yep, most of them follow the same route).
But this tour‘s unique selling point is that on the way back from Porto Moniz, it stops at the Vรฉu da Noiva Viewpoint and Sรฃo Vicente to round out the day!
You can still see Cรขmara de Lobos, Cabo Girรฃo Cliff, Ribeira Brava, Ponta do Sol, and the UNESCO-protected Fanal Forest.
Take a Public bus
The most affordable option is to take the public bus from Funchal to Porto Moniz, with tickets costing โฌ5โ7 per trip.
One daily bus (Rodoeste Bus #80) runs between Funchal and Porto Moniz, taking about 2 hours and 45 minutes. The drive takes so long because there are about 20 stops along the way.
But it’s an extremely scenic journey, so hopefully you won’t get too bored!
The bus leaves Funchal (Av. Do Mar) at 10:00 AM each day for Porto Moniz, and the return bus from Porto Moniz back to Funchal departs at 4:00 PM.
Porto Moniz Natural Pools
Porto Monizโs natural pools were one of our favorite things to do in Madeira. If you have the time, it’s absolutely worth spending a few hours here!
Here are some of the main logistics to know and a few tips of our top tips for visiting.
Opening hours & Entrance Fee
The Porto Moniz Natural Pools are open every day, but the hours change by season.
- Summer hours: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Winter hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
In either season, adult tickets are priced at โฌ2/person (kids are free).
Facilities at the pools include lifeguards, changing rooms, lockers, and an on-site cafรฉ where you can grab a snack or drink after your swim.
What to Know Before You Go
When visiting Porto Moniz, here are some tips to make the most of your visit.
Arrive Early: Porto Moniz gets really busy (especially during summer). You should try to get to the natural pools as early as possible to secure a spot close to the water. We arrived at 9:00 AM, and by 10:00 AM, hardly any prime spots were available.
Weather Considerations: The northern side of Madeira, including Porto Moniz, is much cooler and wetter than Funchal. So, even if the weather is perfect when you leave in the morning, you should bring a waterproof jacket just in case the conditions change.
You should also check the tides and try to come during low tide. If the sea is choppy, waves will begin crashing into the rocks at high tide, spraying water onto the sunbathing area.
Bring a Beach Towel: There are a couple of loungers to rent for โฌ6 per person (not bad if you ask us), but if you want to be near the water, you should bring a beach towel to lay out and ‘reserve a spot.’
Where to Stay Nearby – Aqua Natura Madeira Hotel
The Aqua Natura Madeira Hotel in Porto Moniz is a four-star hotel with excellent reviews. It’s located just outside the iconic natural pools.
The best part about this hotel is that guests can enjoy a few of the natural pools, unwind in their indoor spa tub, and explore the nearby beaches. Most rooms also have a view of the ocean, complimentary minibar items, and deep-soak tubs.
They also have a lot of family-friendly layouts that can accommodate families traveling with 1-2 children!
Closing Thoughts
Getting from Funchal to Porto Moniz may require some planning, but it’s one of our favorite places in Madeira and well worth the long trip to swim in the pools first-hand.
Whether you drive yourself with a rental car, take the bus, or book a guided tour of Western Madiera, including a stop at Porto Moniz.
If youโre planning more excursions in Madeira, check out our guides on visiting Pico do Areeiro, the Seixal Natural Pools, an adventure canyoneering inland, or finding and hiking along the best levadas on the island!
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