Things to do in Seixal

Seixal sits on Madeira's north coast, about 45 minutes by car from Funchal via the VE1 and the tunnels through Sao Vicente, or nearer 1 hour 15 on the older coastal road. It is known for two things: a rare black-sand beach and a set of natural lava pools carved into the rocks below the village, plus the waterfalls that spill onto the approach road after rain.

This is one of the most photographed stretches of the north coast, but the pools are tidal and exposed to Atlantic swell, so bathing is not guaranteed on any given day — a rough sea can close them entirely.

Parking near the pools is limited and fills by mid-morning in summer, when temperatures on this coast typically sit around 20-23°C, several degrees cooler and wetter than Funchal.