Top 10 Madeira (Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guides)

naturally sandy beach. (Calheta, on
the south coast, now also has a
sandy beach – created with sand
imported from Morocco.) d Map L4
* Garajau and Caniço
A path from the statue of
Christ the Redeemer at Garajau
winds down to a beach popular
for snorkelling and diving. It
marks the start of a marine
reserve with underwater caves
leading to Caniço de Baixo,
which can also be reached from
the Lido at the Hotel Galomar
(see p49). d Map J6
( Praia dos Reis Magos
Continuing eastward from
Caniço de Baixo, a new seafront
promenade leads to Praia dos
Reis Magos, a rocky beach with
a scatter of fishermen’s huts and
a couple of simple cafés selling
freshly grilled fish – idyllic for
crowd-shy romantics. d Map J6
) Porto Santo
If a holiday is incomplete for
you without basking on a sandy
beach, then take a ferry or a
flight (see p103) to Porto Santo,
40 km (25 miles) north-east of
Madeira, where you can enjoy a
10-km (6-mile) stretch of unspoilt
golden sand (see p95). d Map L2
Long sandy beach, Porto Santo
Top 10 Swimming
Pools
! Savoy Resort
The biggest and best of all
the hotel pools (see p112).
@ Reid’s
Close competitor to the
Savoy, shaded by palms in a
garden setting (see p112).
# Quinta Magnólia
Once exclusive to the British
Country Club, now open
to all (see p44).
$ Lido
The island’s biggest leisure
pool complex, with access to
the sea. d Rua do Gorgulho •
Map G6 • 8:30am–8pm daily
% Clube Naval
Upmarket version of the
Lido, 1 km (half a mile) further
west around the promenade.
d Map G6 • 10am–6pm daily
Ponta Gorda ^ In the next bay west of
the Clube Naval, perfect for
toddlers and sea access. d
Map G6 • 10am–6pm daily
Complexo Balnear de
& Barreirinha
Just east of the Fortaleza de
São Tiago; a small pool but
good diving platform and sea
access. d Rua de Santa Maria •
Map Q6 • 10am–6pm daily
* Santa Cruz Lido
A mini-Miami; small Art
Deco lido with swimming and
paddling pools, sea access,
and views of landing aircraft.
d Map K5 • 10am–6pm daily
( Porto da Cruz
Natural rock pools with
concrete extensions; enjoy
luxuriating in sun-warmed sea
water dashed by sea spray.
d Map J3
) Caniçal
A spanking new lido with
café on the western side of
the harbour. d Map L4
Madeira’s Top 10 47