Porto da Cruz

Porto da Cruz is a charming village nestled on the northeast coast of the island of Madeira, overlooking the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean. It is conveniently located about a 30-minute drive from Funchal, the capital of Madeira. This small locality is home to a population of approximately 3,000 residents and is part of the parish of Machico.

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What to Do in Porto da Cruz?

Beaches for Water Activities On the oceanic coast, you'll find two distinct beaches in Porto da Cruz: the small Alagoa beach and the Maiata beach, a long stretch of pebbles that primarily attracts surfers. Porto da Cruz offers a variety of water activities, including boat excursions and a surf school. The small black sand Alagoa beach, on the other hand, is more suitable for swimming.

If you're looking for ideal places for swimming, you'll be more inclined to turn to the 'natural' pools of Porto da Cruz, located outdoors by the sea in a paradise-like setting. Although composed of seawater, they have been artificially designed to provide a comfortable structure. This complex includes two pools, one for adults and one for children, and offers amenities such as showers and sun loungers for a pleasant swimming experience.

Porto da Cruz is intimately connected to rum production. You can explore the Porto da Cruz distillery, also known as Destilaria Engenhos do Norte. Here, you have the opportunity to take a tour, taste different rums, and purchase related products. Additionally, the area is home to the Engenho Velho museum, where you can deepen your knowledge of the history of rum and sugarcane cultivation. Sugarcane is one of Madeira's primary crops, introduced to the island as early as 1452, originating from Sicily.

For Hiking, here are the ones closest:PR9 Levada do Caldeirao Verde (about 9.03 km away) PR11 - vereda dos Balcoes (about 6.35 km away) - PR10 Levada do Furado (about 6.35 km away)