Seixal

Seixal sits under high green cliffs on Madeira's north coast, and it collects several of the island's north-coast features in a small area. Praia do Seixal is black volcanic sand, unusual on an island with very little sand of any colour, backed by cliffs and with a pier and rock arch offshore. Below the village are the Poças das Lesmas, natural pools in the lava rock, less developed than those at Porto Moniz and free. Terraced vineyards climb the slopes behind, producing grapes for Madeira wine on ground that looks impossible to work. And the cliffs on the road either side carry waterfalls that fall directly onto or beside the old coastal road - the Véu da Noiva viewpoint is a short distance east. The old road sections are prone to rockfall and several have been closed and replaced by tunnels.

What you actually see

• The black sand - a volcanic beach under high green cliffs.
• The lava pools - the Poças das Lesmas below the village, undeveloped and free.
• The terraced vines - Madeira wine grapes grown on near-vertical slopes.
• The cliff waterfalls - falls dropping beside the old coastal road nearby.

When to go

May to October for swimming; the north coast is wetter than the south year-round. Half a day. Swell closes the pools and the beach regularly.

Honest expectations

The north coast gets much more rain and cloud than Funchal. Pools and beach close in swell. Old coastal road sections are rockfall-prone and some are permanently closed. Facilities in the village are limited.

Nearby

Porto Moniz is west; Véu da Noiva and São Vicente are east.