Have you ever imagined diving into crystal clear water surrounded by colourful fish and corals? That’s the experience that Praia do Garajau offers us. Learn about Funchal in Things To Do In Funchal. Read about the island of Madeira in What To Do In Madeira.
We love to travel and discover new and amazing places. That’s why we couldn’t miss exploring one of its most enchanting beaches.
- Coordinates: 32.638390, -16.852792
When to visit?
The best time to visit Praia do Garajau is between May and October. The weather is warmer and drier. You should bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a towel, and swimwear.
How to get there?
Nestled at the base of the Garajau cliff on the island’s east coast. The beach is part of the Garajau Partial Nature Reserve, which safeguards the marine life in the area.
It is situated just 10 km from the heart of Funchal, the capital of Madeira.
To reach the beach from Funchal, follow the regional road 101 towards Caniço and take the exit for Garajau. From there, follow the signs.
The journey takes approximately 20 minutes, and the beach can be accessed via road or cable car.
Map
Garajau cable car
We opted for the cable car, which provided us with a breathtaking view of the sea and surrounding cliffs. It was a magnificent sight to behold.
Nearby, the Cristo Rei do Garajau atop the cliff blesses the bay. The cable car is modern and comfortable. Takes us to the beach in less than 5 minutes.
Opening hours & Price
The teleférico operates daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. It costs €3 for a round trip.
Alternatively, one can descend the winding road that leads down the cliff to the beach.
For those who prefer to drive, we find a small, free parking lot adjacent to the beach.
Amenities and Features
The small pebble beach is peaceful, with inviting waters and refreshing sea air. That being said, walking barefoot on sharp stones can be quite a test of endurance!
For more comfort, we can rent sun loungers and umbrellas. There are also public toilets and showers. Here we can relax without worrying about noise or crowds.
The fresh, salty air invites us to leave all worries behind. The waters of Garajau are crystal clear, and the water quality is excellent, regularly monitored by the competent authorities.
The area’s marine biodiversity includes parrotfish, moonfish, groupers, moray eels, octopuses, lobsters, and crabs. In short, an immense ecological richness.
It is a natural aquarium full of life and colour. A dive centre on the beach offers courses, equipment to explore the seabed, or guided tours.
If hunger strikes, we have a bar restaurant that serves light or more substantial meals depending on our appetite. We savour the food on the terrace overlooking the sea.
We tried some local specialities like grilled limpets, all delicious and fresh, with fast service.
Where to stay?
If you’re looking to stay close to Praia do Garajau, there are many options: hotels to apartments catering to all tastes and budgets.
One of the most popular choices is Dom Pedro Garajau, a 3-star aparthotel. It offers modern rooms, a kitchenette, a balcony and two outdoor swimming pools.
Another option is Sunrise Garajau, an apartment with a seasonal pool, garden, and restaurant. It has a fantastic sea and mountain view. Everything you need for a comfortable stay, including a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom.
Things to do nearby
Garajau Beach is also a starting point for other nearby attractions. One of them, of course, is Garajau’s Cristo Rei, which is older than Brazil’s Cristo Rei. It was inaugurated in 1927.
To get there, we drove up the road to the top of the cliff. There, the viewpoint seduces us. We can see Garajau Beach, the sea, and the Desertas Islands in the distance.
If you want to dive into the Atlantic waters without the wild waves, the Lido Galomar Bathing Complex is the right place.
The Reis Magos Beach on the Santa Cruz coast is a small beach with sand and pebbles. We admired the stunning landscapes, with a good restaurant by the sea.
Finally, another must-see attraction is the Ponta de São Lourenço, at the eastern end of the Madeira island. We went for a walk and were dazzled by the steep cliffs.
