Lido to Praia Formosa Coastal Walk

This is not a Levada walk. However, if you want a nice easy walk along a purpose built coastal path, then this is the walk for you.

Of course, for the more adventurous, there are levada walks and more strenuous hikes along the coast elsewhere.

This walk is more like an English coastal promenade - only warmer and with more sunshine.

What better way to enjoy a leisurely afternoon than to stroll along a lovely coastline, with some spectacular views. Going at an easy pace, you should complete the walk in about 2 hours.

The walk starts from the hotel district of Funchal. So, before go, if you are in need of some lunch or refreshments there is plenty of choice.

The walk is ideal for a hot, sunny day as it winds close to the cooling sea along its entire length.

It is also perfectly safe to undertake in the evening or later when it is dark. This is because, the route is safe, with railings and walls protecting you from the cliff edge.

You are also likely to encounter quite a few locals on the route as this promenade is popular with dog walkers and keep-fit power walkers.

Start of the Walk:-

Start the walk from the Complexo Balnear do Lido. This is located on the coast in the hotel district of Funchal.

From the Estrada Monumental find the Rua do Gorgulho situated adjacent to the bus stop used by the Funchal sightseeing tour buses. It is opposite the Monumental Lido hotel.

Make your way down the hill, passed the Pingo supermarket and shopping centre on your right. You will reach a public park, the Passeio Público do Lido. The Complexo Balnear do Lido is opposite the park and the promenade pathway runs between the two.

Walk Westward Alongside the Park:-

You can now set out on the walk proper. You walk westward, alongside the park and the sports facilities of the Complexo Balnear do Lido

The park is a delight itself. Often there are family groups gathered here to play ball. There are also quite a few keep fit people who use the grass as an exercise area. Others just enjoy themselves watching the world drift by.

Shortly, at the end of the park, you come to a round paved area and a black stone viewing platform looking out across the Atlantic. The viewing platform was once part of the old industrial coal wharf that use to be sited here.

Pass the Estação de Biologia Marinha do Funchal:-

As you continue you pass above the Estação de Biologia Marinha, or Marine Biology Station. This is a research centre owned by the Municipality of Funchal.

Here, on the side of the path is a a nice restaurant. Below, you are likely to see a few people fishing from the coal wharf ruins.

A little further on, where the pathway splits, take the lower fork. After a short distance, you come to a flight of steps. In this area, there lives a number of free-range cats. Some are quite friendly and, if the sun isn't too hot, will come to you with some encouragement.

Pass the Club Naval:-

You now go up a slight incline. If you look out to sea in the direction you are going, you will see the Club Naval do Funchal. This is an up-market version of the Lido that we passed at the start.

You come to a small roundabout in the road with car parking facilities. Here, there is a tiled mural displaying a sea view. If you look up above the wall, you will sea a small tiered public garden. This garden is rather bland, with an excess of concrete and it is best to give it a miss.

Follow the path around to the left and down passed the Club Naval. This short length of roadway is rather uninspiring, but it doesn't last for long.

Ponta Gorda:-

Soon after passing Club Naval, on your left, you will come to a steep pathway leading down toward the sea. It has silver metal railings dividing the path into steps on one side and a slope on the other. Turn down here. We find that going down via the steps easier on the knees.

At the bottom, follow the path round to the right. You pass by yet another Lido area, this one is the Complexo Balnear da Ponta Gorda.

If you happen to be carrying a notebook in your backpack, this area is a WiFi hotspot provided by NetMadeira. As of September 2009, no username or password was required and the service was free to use.

Dighton Rock Replica:-

After you have passed the Complexo Balnear da Ponta Gorda, you follow the walk up a steep incline toward Ponta da Cruz.

Here, you will find yourself following patterns in the paving that depict different regions of Madeira.

Look out for the replica of the Dighton Rock. Significant because the signatories of the American Declaration of Independence toasted their act with a glass of Madeira wine.

At the end of the patterned walk-way, you will find a supermarket opposite a roundabout. If needed, you can top up with bottled water and get refreshments here.

Ponta da Cruz:-

Along this stretch, there are plenty of seats if you need to take a break. It is a particularly good point to look out across the Atlantic.

Indeed, to illustrate that point, a statue of Gonçalves Zarco, discoverer of Madeira, stands here with flowing cape. He stands, with documents in hand, gazing wistfully out across the ocean. The statue commemorates the founding of Funchal 500 years ago.

Just before reaching Zarco's statue, look out for a break in the fencing on your left. Here, there is a dirt track with steps leading downward - this could be a good picnic spot if you don’t mind heights!

Natural Volcanic Rock Pools, Poças do Gomes:-

Just past the statue of Zarco look out for steps signposted “Poças do Gomes – Doca do Cavacas” on your left. Take this path.

As you make your way down the steps, look over the wall. You get a birds-eye view of the natural, volcanic rock pools of Poças do Gomes. These are also sometimes known as the Poças do Governador, or the Governor's Pool.

If you have your swimming costume, you can take a dip here. The entrance fee is minimal.

Just before the volcanic rock pools, there is a restaurant (closed on Mondays) with outside tables that look out over the sea. The prices here are very reasonable.

The path bears right through a tunnel which is open from 8am to 11pm. The tunnel can be quite damp underfoot.

From here on down, your views of Funchal will become restricted. But, there are still plenty of interesting sights. Take the opportunity to view some of the ubiquitous Madeira styled houses. And, keep an eye out for well stocked gardens that many of the locals take pride in maintaining.

Praia Formosa:-

You now pass through a short tunnel that can be somewhat damp and wet underfoot. Take the time to read the information plaque and discover its wartime history.

As you emerge out into the sunlight, you are now at Praia Formosa. The beach, as such, is entirely large pebbles. Walk along the path passed the hotel grounds.

At the end of the beach you will find a wooden Yacht Club café. They offer reasonable snacks of sandwiches, salads, omelettes, chips, drinks and ice creams. It is open all year but can sometimes be crowded. They have a television here showing English Premier League football on a Saturday afternoon. The toilet facilities are very clean.

Start the walk from the public park alongside the Lido in Funchal

Views out to sea from the promenade near Marine Biology Centre

Coastline between Ponta Gorda and Ponta da Cruz

Coastline at Ponta da Cruz leading toward Poças do Gomes

Keeping fit & the tunnel leading to Praia Formosa at the end of the walk

By Car from Funchal:-

If you want to drive to Praia Formosa from Funchal city centre, head westward. Join the Avenida do Infante that heads out of town alongside the Santa Catarina Park. Keep going straight on and the road changes to the Estrada Monumental.

You will pass through the hotel district of Funchal. The Madeira CS, Monumental Lido, Raga, Eden Mar, amongst others are all here.

Keep going on the Estrada Monumental. You will pass the Madeira Regency Palace hotel on your left. Not far after this hotel the road passes across a small, stone bridge. Across the bridge you will see that the road climbs up, hugging the hillside.

Immediately before the bridge is an exit road on your right. Turn into this road. The small lane doubles back on itself and passes under the stone bridge. Follow the road to the seafront where there are ample parking spaces.

Bus Back from Praia Formosa to Funchal:-

If you don't want to retrace your steps back the way you came, you can catch a bus back to hotel district or Funchal city centre.

From the Yacht Bar, follow the road inland. The road winds round to the left and then back to the right. Keep walking, you pass a residential housing block on your right.

The road passes under a small stone bridge and then doubles back on itself to join the Estrada Monumental.

Walk along this main road toward Funchal. You will soon come to a bus stop. The yellow town buses numbers 1 and 2 will take you to the city centre via the hotel district. Both lines run regularly 7 days a week.