Seixal Beach, located on the Portuguese island of Madeira, has been named the 49th best beach in the world in a new ranking by Big 7 Travel, beating Manly Beach in Australia. The beach is just a four-hour flight from the UK, and its striking landscape has earned comparisons to Hawaii.
What Makes Seixal Beach Special
Madeira is often nicknamed 'Europe's answer to Hawaii', and Seixal Beach features eye-catching volcanic black sands, lush green mountains, and turquoise waters. The Big 7 Travel team behind the rankings explained: "Found on the Portuguese island of Madeira, Seixal Beach provides one of Europe's most striking coastal landscapes. The black volcanic sand contrasts beautifully with the crystal clear waters of the North Atlantic, while the mountainous backdrop shelters beachgoers from strong winds."
The beach is already popular with locals, offering swim-friendly waters, facilities including a bar and showers, and watersports. There is also a car park, although it can fill up quickly during peak seasons.
Location and Accessibility
Seixal Beach sits on the northern side of the island, opposite Funchal, the main hub where the island's biggest airport is located with direct flights from the UK. Despite its growing popularity, the beach still feels peaceful compared to many of Portugal's mainland beaches.
However, during the peak summer months it can get quite busy, so a shoulder season break such as October is recommended for exploring without the crowds. The weather in Madeira stays warm and mild into October, with daytime temperatures averaging 23C.
Travel and Accommodation Options
Jet2holidays, TUI, and British Airways are among the travel firms offering flight and hotel packages to Madeira from the UK. One-way flights can be found from £56 in October according to Skyscanner, while December is currently the cheapest month to fly with fares from £51 each way. For budget-friendly stays, Kayak compares hotels in Madeira from £41 a night, and TripAdvisor has a guide to the island's top 10 best cheap hotels based on visitor reviews.
