Paúl do Mar: the sunset I tell every friend not to miss
Paúl do Mar is a fishing village at the far end of Madeira’s west coast, and for me it has the best sunset on the island. Spend the day by the harbour and in the sea, then walk along the seafront to Maktub Pub for a caipirinha while the sun drops into the Atlantic.
My quick take
This is the place I am most protective of. It is still a working fishing village, it is quieter than anywhere on the south coast near Funchal, and it rewards anyone who gives it a whole afternoon instead of a quick stop.
- Best for
- Sunset, sea swims and a slow end to the day
- Not for
- Sand, or a big night out
- Sunset spot
- Maktub Pub, on the seafront
- Combine with
- Jardim do Mar, Prazeres and Calheta
Start at the harbour
Paúl do Mar grew up around fishing, and it still feels that way. The harbour is the heart of the village: small painted boats on their moorings, a waterfall running down the red cliff beside the boat ramp, a few bars and a pebble beach right next to it.
The official tourism board describes Praia do Porto, beside the harbour, as a pebble beach with very clear water. It is where I would spend the middle of the day. Bring water shoes for the stones and watch the sea before you swim: this coast is famous for surf for a reason.
Beach details: Visit Madeira: pebble beaches, checked 22 October 2026.
Where to swim
Paúl do Mar has two pebble beaches. The harbour beach sits right next to the boats, and Ribeira das Galinhas Beach has a bar, umbrellas, a sunbathing area and showers, and is popular with surfers.
Neither is a sheltered resort bay. On a calm summer day the water is clear and inviting; when a swell comes in, the surfers get their day and swimmers should stay on the stones.
The best sunset on Madeira, from Maktub Pub
This is the moment the whole trip west is for. From the harbour it is a 10 to 15 minute walk to Maktub Pub, always beside the sea, or about two minutes by car. Get there before the sun starts to drop, order a caipirinha, and stay for the music and the company once it has gone.
The village faces west over open Atlantic, so on a clear evening there is nothing between you and the horizon. After a day on the beach, I do not know a better way to finish a day in Madeira.
Maktub also serves dinner, and its own website suggests booking a table. Opening hours change with the season, so check before you drive out.
Find Maktub PubFor experienced surfers
Surf at Paúl do Mar
Paúl do Mar is one of the best-known surf spots in Madeira. The official tourism board describes reef breaks and hollow, tubular waves that suit advanced and expert surfers. It is not a place to learn.
If you do not surf, it is still worth watching from the seafront when a good swell is running.
Read about surfing hereCaminho Real do Paul do Mar
ModeratePrazeres → Paul do Mar
A stepped path that zig-zags from Prazeres down to the fishing village of Paul do Mar, past farm terraces.
- Distance
- 1.8 km
- Time
- 1 h 20
- Height
- 16–550 m
- Fee
- €4.50
Arrive on foot from Prazeres. Book the slot on SIMplifica first.
Two more reasons to stay on this coast
Paúl do Mar is the end of the road for most people, but the cliffs around it hide two of my favourite things on this side of the island.
Next door
Jardim do Mar
The next village along is one of my favourite beaches on the island, and a place many visitors never find. It sits low on a fajã below the cliffs, with pebble beaches that are also known for surf. If you are coming to Paúl do Mar, give Jardim do Mar a morning too.
Somewhere different to sleep
Soul Glamping, Prazeres
On the plateau above Paúl do Mar, Soul Glamping has a few domes looking out over the mountains and the sea, each with its own hot tub. It is a one-off experience, and a good base if the point of your trip is this coast and its sunsets.
See prices and reviews on Tripadvisor
Nearby
- Jardim do Mar One of my favourite beaches, in the next village east.
- Calheta The golden sand beach, imported, and boat trips from the marina.
- Ponta do Sol A pretty pebble beach and Madeira’s digital nomad village.
Paúl do Mar is the last stop of a west-coast day. Plan the rest so you arrive with time to swim before sunset.
Questions about Paúl do Mar
Is Paúl do Mar worth visiting?
Yes. It is a traditional fishing village at the end of the west coast, with a pretty harbour, pebble beaches and, in my opinion, the best sunset on Madeira. Go for the afternoon and stay until the sun has gone.
Where is the best sunset in Madeira?
For me it is Paúl do Mar, from the terrace at Maktub Pub on the seafront. The village faces west across open Atlantic, so on a clear evening nothing gets between you and the sun as it drops into the sea.
Can you swim in Paúl do Mar?
Yes, when the sea is calm. The harbour beach is pebbly, with clear water, and Ribeira das Galinhas Beach has a bar, umbrellas and showers. This is open Atlantic and a surf coast, so look at the sea before you get in.
Can beginners surf at Paúl do Mar?
Not really. The official tourism board describes the waves as reef breaks for advanced and expert surfers. If you are learning, watch from the seafront and book a lesson somewhere gentler.
How do I get to Paúl do Mar from Prazeres?
On foot, the PR19 Caminho Real do Paul do Mar zig-zags down the cliff from Prazeres: 1.8 km, around 1 h 20, and it needs a SIMplifica booking like every classified trail. By car, you reach it by road from Calheta and Jardim do Mar.
Plan a west-coast day that ends with this sunset
Tell us your dates, whether you will hire a car and what you want from Madeira. We plan your days by hand and end one of them with this sunset. A personal plan from our family is €149 for up to 5 days (€199 for 6 to 8), ready in 48 hours.