Location: Porto Moniz
Top Things to do in Porto Moniz
Top 7 Things to do in Porto Moniz, Portugal
Porto Moniz (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈpoɾtu muˈniʃ]) is a municipality in the northwest corner of the island of Madeira. It is located west of Santana and Machico, and northwest of Funchal. The population in 2011 was 2,711, in an area of 82.93 km².
Restaurants in Porto Moniz
1. Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Nik R - Varna, Bulgaria
It is an interesting natural formation created when hot lava met the cold ocean and it is turned into a public swimming pool with amenities (showers, changing rooms, etc) therefore you have to pay 1.50 € to use it. If it is windy or the sea is rough, the waves crash into the natural barrier and jump inside the pools. A number of restaurants and a nice cafeteria are close-by, and a free parking lot is there on a large gravel area. You can find a similar formation about 200 meters away from the main one but no life-guards are there. We'd love to try it but we didn't have our swimming suits :).
2. Levada Ribeira de Janela
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 84 reviews
Reviewed By g m - Bristol, United Kingdom
If you're looking for lush Forests, impressive Waterfalls and dingy tunnels then this walk is for you!
Recommendations:
1. Wear walking shoes, the more waterproof the better
2. Bring a torch, ideally one torch per person and even more ideally a head torch to leave your hands free to help you balance...
3. Be prepared to do a bit of balancing on the levada wall in the tunnels to avoid getting wet feet (either in the levada or the puddles alongside)
4. Our sat nav (google maps) tried to take us up a dodgy road (the caminho da ladeira) in Porto Moniz to the start of the walk. Our hire car ceouldn't do it, even in first gear! I would strongly recommend staying on the ER101 as long as possible before taking the road across to Lamaceiros
5. There are toilets, parking and picnic benches at the start of the walk in Lamaceiros
6. There's a hut halfway along which is a good place to stop for sandwiches. We continued past this through a couple of further tunnels before getting to a part of the levada which was overflowing where we turned back.
7. There's no public transport to the start of the walk so a hire car or tour is the best bet (otherwise you have to walk up from Porto Moniz which would be quite a trek)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By 283stenb - Middelfart
The place is very exaiting and nice The temperature was just 17 in the pools so it was a very Quick visit in the cleaninghelp and salt seawater. The office and staff was nice and helpful. The garderobe and toilet was clean. ,
4. My Guide Madeira
Overall Ratings
5 based on 14 reviews
Private Tours/ Levada Walks/ Boat Trips and Bike Tours around Madeira Island. We only work with small groups so we can give you all the attention and the best service. Let nature inspire you...
Reviewed By gingercakesxxx - London, United Kingdom
Such a beautiful and breathtaking tour. My guide was so passionate and helpful, offering lots of information and insight. He drove me to lots of viewpoints and through scenic routes on our way to and from the tour. (Hotel pick up was much appreciated, as...MoreDear Mrs. Niahm Thank you very much for your reply. And for the kind words. All the best for you and your company too :) If you come to Madeira again or need something please don't hesitate. Best regards, Luís Gonçalves
5. Turtle Diving Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By Dazymay905 - Gloucester, United Kingdom
Our family had a great morning at the aquarium, our instructor was well organised, knowledgeable and patient; gently preparing my son for his first dive. We learnt a lot about the Atlantic marine life, through an aquarium tour and the behind the scenes tour. The diving experience took a gentle pace with plenty of time to view the inside of the aquarium. My husband is an experienced diver and he enjoyed the close up encounters with such a wide range of species. We cannot recommend this enough!
6. Aquario da Madeira
Overall Ratings
3 based on 323 reviews
Reviewed By bexyjh - Lincoln, United Kingdom
This is a very small aquarium considering the rich maritime and sea life history of the island. Having said that, it was worth the few euro’s entrance and was a nice visit.
7. Centro Ciencia Viva
Overall Ratings
2 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By ronaldsole - Loule, Portugal
The exhibition consists mainly of posters that have more to do with art and culture than with science. The majority come with information in Portuguese and English; a few are just in Portuguese. Apart from a few puzzles that may interest children, there's also an exhibition of pieces of unusually shaped wood.
A number of sequenced posters address Darwin and evolution as well as early reactions to his ideas. Apart from some info on fauna, flora and the benefits of recycling, that's about as much science as the centre offers.
The exhibition space is generous and the staff do their best with limited resources. Given the modest entry fee of two euros fifty, I didn't complain and passed a pleasant half hour on a wet morning. I speak English and Portuguese. The many German visitors to Porto Moniz might not feel as contented.
People using the loos should feel for the invisible light switches in the tiled wall just inside the door.
