Full Day Private 4x4 Tour in West Madeira with Local Guide

Serra de Água's name is derived from the historical construction of a watermill used for sawmilling, that was named serra de água, and later became applied to the entire parish. Wood was the first of livelihood and income for the early settlers to Madeira, and due to the abundance of vegetation in Serra de Água the sawmills, commercial exportation of wood was very profitable.

A new road traverses the 1004 m high Encumeada pass. Starting in Ribeira Brava at the south coast, the road winds up to Serra d’Água (which was the island’s first water power station) and arrives at the top of the valley giving incredible views of both the south and the north coast.

Most of the rustic manor houses go back to the XVIII century, a time of economic relief and comfort, due to the good fortunes of viticulture. These gigantic houses were very ostentatious and consisted of two levels: on the first floor the winepress, the agricultural implements and the products of the harvests were kept; the second floor was the noble part of the house and the access was made through an outdoor staircase.

Its highest point is the peak pico do Paul at 1,640 metres (5,380 ft) from where you can admire the length of the entire plateau. On days with good visibility, both the south and north coasts are visible.

Almost all the walk is done side by side with the levada, that most of the times is littered with water. Make some breaks along the way and enjoy nature and the entire surrounding this tour offers.

Occasionally you can find a few cows along the way that, despite being familiar with human presence, you should pay attention and be cautious when passing near them.

There are parts where the path is open, offering hikers the opportunity to appreciate the grandeur and magnificence of the landscape. Other parts of the trail are closed and covered up by the magnificent and lush vegetation of Laurissilva’s forest, delighting visitors with its freshness and abundance.

Along the way there are several viewpoints that reveal a set of beautiful landscapes, highlighting the view over the valley of Ribeira da Janela and Chão da Ribeira.

The formation of three high rocks with a characteristic shape protrudes from the sea near the mouth of the longest river on the island. You can watch it from the beach.

The natural pools at Porto Moniz have been created by nature. A natural pool basin formed of volcanic rocks is filled with crystalline oceanic salt water. Bathing here is pleasant because the water is warmer than in the open Atlantic Ocean. At the same time, the water condition is very good thanks to the natural circulation. Sometimes you can meet there with big waves.
price nearly €3.00

visit the fortress, natural pools and the aquarim
The extensive promenade stretches from Madeira Aquarium to natural seafront pools. Adjacent to the promenade is a children's playground, a garden with ocean views and several restaurants.

With a breathtaking landscape — the green cliffs and mountains of the island's north coast — this unsupervised beach offers its visitors access to the toilet facilities, showers and the bar of Clube Naval do Seixal Pools, right next to it, which is a free access facility with a natural pool and sun loungers.

These caves were discovered by the local population in 1885. Fascinated, they disclosed their finding, which deserved the attention of James Yates Johnson, an Englishman who worked out a project to make good use of them.

A truly amazing walk through the entrails of the earth during which you will be able to admire volcanic stalactites, lava accumulations, known as ‘lava cakes’, and the ‘erratic block’ (a stone carried by the lava that got stuck in one of the lava channels because of its dimensions). An experience not to be missed!
price €8.00

Another great free access option for a swim are the crystal-clear waters of the volcanic natural pools called ‘Poças das Lesmas’, a quiet and sheltered place that has a bar, as well as toilet and shower facilities.

This is precisely the stunning scenery of one of the most popular beaches in this parish, Porto do Seixal Beach, a natural black sand beach located right next to Seixal harbour.

The archipelago includes the islands of Madeira, Porto Santo, and the Desertas, administered together with the separate archipelago of the Savage Islands. The region has political and administrative autonomy through the Administrative Political Statute of the Autonomous Region of Madeira provided for in the Portuguese Constitution. The autonomous region is an integral part of the European Union as an outermost region. Madeira generally has a very mild and moderated subtropical climate with mediterranean summer droughts and winter rain. There are many microclimates courtesy of the elevation changes.

Ponta do Pargo is a diamond-shape territory on the western edge of the island Madeira. From its high-altitude cliffs it extends into the interior along escarpments cut by several river valleys to the Serra do Paul.

Admire the western side of Madeira.
Located at Ponta Vigia, a rocky cliff escarpment (290 metres above sea level), the lighthouse was inaugurated in 1922, its silhouette has dominated the skyline of this escarpment. Its light is 312 metres above sea level, sometimes becoming enveloped by fog but an important signal for seafaring ships.

with a few animal shelter, used many years ago by the locals

Its name originates in the transition between steep slopes without vegetation and a wonderful green seaside resort that was once covered with a mantle of wild flowers.

Surrounded by the sea and cloaked by the mountains, this parish preserves the tranquillity of the old days, of which the old narrow streets and low-level houses with different shapes of chimneys still bear witness.

Until the late 1960s you could only access this fishing village by boat and for the next thirty years the only way to go down there was very slowly and carefully on a dangerous road.

Located next to Ponta do Sol, the sea village of Madalena do Mar was once an important centre of sugarcane production. Currently, the primary sector continues to be the basis of its economy, as it has one of the largest banana plantations on the whole island, thanks to its fertile land and favourable climate.

Historically, the main sources of income in this region has been agriculture, fishing and trade.
a region where you will find more sun throughout the year than in any other part of the island.

The Ponta do Sol Pier was built by the Ponta do Sol City Council in the years 1848 to 1850, having been designed by the engineer Tibério August Blanc. Architecturally, it is very unique, with a wide and well-designed arch built on a basalt stone device.

The Cascata dos Anjos (Angels Waterfall) is a waterfall located in the civil parish of Anjos, municipality of Ponta do Sol, on the Portuguese island of Madeira.
The waterfall cascades over the rockface onto the old E.R.101 regional roadway, and spills into the sea below.