Ponta do Sol Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Ponta do Sol featuring general coastal views
Ponta do Sol showing rugged coastline and a coastal town
Ponta do Sol which includes a house
Ponta do Sol featuring rugged coastline
Ponta do Sol showing flowers and street scenes

Visit this pleasantly secluded village, known for its dramatic sea cliffs, stunning coastal views and sunny weather. 

Explore Ponta do Sol to discover a charming town filled with red-roofed houses, quaint cobbled alleys and historic architecture. Meaning “sun point,” Ponta do Sol is said to receive more sunshine throughout the year than any other part of Madeira. 

The town was once primarily an agricultural centre and has a long history of prosperous sugar cane production. Today, Ponta do Sol is filled with lush banana plantations. Banana cultivation may be the backbone of the area’s economy, but new restaurants, bars and hotels are appearing steadily as Ponta do Sol’s repute as a holiday destination grows. 

Take a look inside the town’s lovely 19th-century church, Nossa Senhora da Luz. Notice the biblical scenes painted on its wooden ceiling, the green ceramic baptismal font and gorgeous 17th-century tiles. 

Walk down Rua Principe Dom Luis I and look for the John do Passos Cultural Centre. This facility honours the esteemed 20th-century American writer whose grandparents lived in the Ponta do Sol. The town is proud of its connection to this great writer, known for his U.S.A. trilogy novels. Spend some time in the cultural centre learning about the writer read some of his work in the library, browse artifacts in the exhibition dedicated to do Passos and see if there are any events on in the auditorium. 

Go for a swim at the town’s main beach, Ponta do Sol Beach. Although this modest beach is covered with grey stones rather than sand, it’s an enjoyable place to take advantage of Ponta do Sol’s consistently mild weather. 

Head up the hillside of Lugar de Baixo to see Zinos Palace. Originally built in the 19th century, this Romanesque building is considered to be an important example of Madeira’s historic architecture. After being abandoned for decades, the palace was renovated in the early 21st century and now hosts meetings, parties and other events. 

Make Ponta do Sol your base for visiting Paúl da Serra, Madeira’s largest and highest plateau. At an altitude of 4,593 feet (1,500 metres), you can see stunning views over the surrounding valley and mountains. 

Ponta do Sol is located on the southwestern coast of Madeira. It can be reached in about 30 minutes by car from Madeira’s capital, Funchal.

Enotel Sunset Bay
Enotel Sunset Bay
4 out of 5
Avenida 1 de Maio, Ponta do Sol
The price is ₹14,237 per night from 25 Jul to 26 Jul
₹14,237
₹15,211 total
25 Jul - 26 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Ponta do Sol. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Beachside Square and Church ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (335 reviews)
"Really nice hotel. Walked to Cascade do angol. Nice rock beach and swimming if you have sunny day also great for sunset."

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

Enotel Sunset Bay
Savoy Palace - The Leading Hotels of the World - Savoy Signature
Savoy Palace - The Leading Hotels of the World - Savoy Signature
5 out of 5
Avenida do Infante, 25, Funchal
The price is ₹37,075 per night from 24 Jul to 25 Jul
₹37,075
₹38,962 total
24 Jul - 25 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Funchal. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (572 reviews)
"Wonderful neighborhood. Great pool!"

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

Savoy Palace - The Leading Hotels of the World - Savoy Signature
 Saccharum Resort
Saccharum Resort
5 out of 5
Rua Serra de Água, 1, Calheta
The price is ₹27,671 per night from 7 Jul to 8 Jul
₹27,671
₹29,182 total
7 Jul - 8 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Calheta. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (894 reviews)
"Good food and sea view room was nice. Lots of options for food and drinks. Wicked frozen Pina colada."

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

Saccharum Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Escarpa - the Madeira Hideaway
Escarpa - the Madeira Hideaway
3 out of 5
Caminho dos Anjos 16, Casa 4, Ponta do Sol, Madeira
Stay at this 3-star holiday home in Ponta do Sol. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Ponta Do Sol Beach and Church of Our ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (24 reviews)
Incredible Honeymoon Spot
"Experience was fantastic! Private pool with incredible views and setset from your room. Super helpful and professional staff, we disnt even know they were there! Breakfast and dinner were great - awesome honeymoon at Escarpa."

Reviewed on 28 Sep 2024

Escarpa - the Madeira Hideaway
Dom Pedro Garajau
Dom Pedro Garajau
3 out of 5
Estrada do Garajau, 131, Santa Cruz
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly aparthotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy 2 outdoor pools, a 24-hour front desk and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful ...
7.2/10 Good! (446 reviews)
"A very nice place to stay as a base whilst visiting around the beautiful island. Its not far from Funchal by BOLT taxi service and close to airport too, so not difficult to travel to the main centre."

Reviewed on 8 May 2025

Dom Pedro Garajau
Sea and Sun 4 You - Villa Oliveira
Sea and Sun 4 You - Villa Oliveira
3 out of 5
Caminho das Romeiras, Funchal, Madeira
Stay at this 3-star golf villa in Funchal. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and private pools. Popular attractions CR7 Museum and Barreiros Stadium are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (6 reviews)
"Amazing from the start, no issue no hassle! Highly recommend. Get the Mountain View."

Reviewed on 25 Jun 2025

Sea and Sun 4 You - Villa Oliveira
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Ponta do Sol

4.8
Top destination
5 - Excellent
5
5 - Excellent 83%
4 - Good
1
4 - Good 17%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful, peaceful village. Only 20 mins from Funchal. Perfect location for us.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Like most towns outside Funchal, Ponta do Sol is very small, with just enough bars and restaurants and a small supermarket for a short stay. Rather noisy in Sept 2019 with work to make the cliffs safer. The bay is swim safe. Town centre is charming.

Cities near Ponta do Sol