Where to Stay in Ponta do Sol: Is This The Right Base For You?
If you’ve reached the point where you’re considering where to stay in Ponta do Sol, you’ve probably realised it’s one of the sunniest places to stay in Madeira (the name, ‘sunny point’, is a dead giveaway).
This small, south-coast village is ideal for slow, laidback stays: mornings spent driving into the hills and mountains behind town, followed by an afternoon dip at the pebble beach and a dinner at one of the seafront restaurants.
Ponta do Sol may be small, but it’s well-connected to Funchal by bus. It works best as a second destination after you’ve already spent a few days in Funchal. In Ponta, you can focus on beach time and exploring the hikes in the southwest and north of Madeira.
It’s possible to stay here without a car, but in this rural part of Madeira, having one does make life (and exploring) easier.
Not sure it’s right for you? My complete guide to where to stay in Madeira compares the island’s best destinations in more detail.
Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. If you decide to click through and make a qualifying purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you – thanks for your support.
Is Ponta do Sol a Good Place to Stay in Madeira?
Ponta do Sol is a good place to stay if you prefer a small, quiet base over a lively city. The village has a small pebble beach, a nice handful of restaurants and bars and colourful seafront houses, plus a padel court.
The centre is very compact and walkable, with a bus stop for Funchal and small grocery shops. Its biggest plus, though, is the location; it’s a short drive from the mouth of the valley between Ribiera Brava and the north coast, which also has poncha bars and mountain hikes.
If you want to spend your days walking along levadas and mountain trails, before retreating back to the beach, Ponta do Sol’s a sensible place to stay.
Advantages of staying in Ponta do Sol:
- Quiet, laidback vibes suited to slow travel.
- Walkable village centre with restaurants, cafés and small supermarkets.
- Pebble beach, promenade and padel court.
- Well-positioned for hikes like Levada do Moinho, Pico Grande, PR17 and PR22, as well as the valley (VE4) towards the north coast.
- One of the sunniest spots on the island.
- Free co-working space for digital nomads and remote workers.
Disadvantages of staying in Ponta do Sol:
- The bus to Funchal can take up to an hour.
- Very few tours offer pick-up from Ponta do Sol.
- Without a car, you may feel ‘cut off’ here.
- Limited restaurants and small supermarkets with basic stock (especially specialist items).
- Limited parking in the village centre.
If it’s your first time in Madeira and you want as much flexibility as possible, Funchal is the more practical base.
Best Areas to Stay in and Around Ponta do Sol
1. Village Centre
If you’re considering Ponta do Sol without a car, staying in the village centre is essential. It’s the only flat part in the village, and even here, you’ll feel your quads working as you walk from the beach up to the petrol station and grocery shop.
The cobbled streets house a small but nice selection of restaurants and coffee shops. The most popular is Restaurante Sol Poente, which hangs dramatically over the beach.
The pebble beach has wooden platforms for sunbathing and a harbour wall that helps to protect it from large waves. Even so, I’ve seen the conditions too choppy for swimming more than once, so it helps to check the sea before you paddle in.
The main bus stop to Funchal is centrally located between the petrol station and Amanhecer supermarket, all within 500 metres of the beach.
The best-known hotel in Ponta is Estalagem da Ponta do Sol, known for its Purple Friday sunset parties.
Good places to stay in the village centre:
Enotel Sunset Bay (£££)
Estalagem Da Ponta Do Sol (£££)
2. The Hills Above the Town
If you have a car, staying in the hills above Ponta do Sol gives you spectacular views over the banana plantations and the south coast.
Without a car, this area is tricky. The roads are incredibly steep, and many don’t have pavements for pedestrians.
I stayed in the hills on the eastern side of town and had awesome views towards Ribeira Brava. The scenery was great, but I was happy to have a car. I wouldn’t have wanted to walk up and down daily.
The area around Levada do Moinho is also a nice, quiet base and great for hiking. If you’re driving, this would be my top choice. There’s often a temporary bar set up near the entrance to Levada do Moinho in summer.
Canhas, a hilly area above the left side of Ponta do Sol, is another scenic base. This area feels much more local and doesn’t have as much going on. There are a lot of luxury villas with swimming pools.
Just take note: parking down in Ponta do Sol village is limited. I’ve waited 15–20 minutes for a space on busy days.
Good places to stay above the town:
Sea View Villa Mar Lindo (£££) – I stayed here with my family!
Encanto do Sol (£££)
3. Nearby Villages: Lugar de Baixo and Madalena do Mar
Your third option, best if you’re renting a car, is to stay in the villages near Ponta do Sol.
Lugar de Baixo is a tiny fishing village a five-minute drive east of Ponta do Sol. It’s essentially one short, walkable strip alongside a pebble beach, backed by banana plantations. It’s home to the Banana Museum of Madeira.
Madalena do Mar is a five-minute drive west. It’s even smaller, with just a couple of snack bars and a small pebble beach. It feels very local and sleepy.
Without a car, I don’t recommend staying in the nearby villages because you’ll probably feel cut off.
Good places to stay in nearby villages:
1905 Zino’s Palace (£££) – Lugar de Baixo
Casa da Madalena do Mar (£££)
Can You Stay in Ponta do Sol Without a Car?
You can stay in Ponta do Sol without a car, but it isn’t always the wisest decision. There are buses to Funchal, but the journey takes up to an hour. The village centre is walkable, but eating at the same few restaurants can quickly get tiring.
If you’re happy to take your time at the beach and make the occasional trip to Funchal, it can work. However, most tours don’t include pick-up here, and buses to other parts of the island are limited, so exploring Madeira fully is very challenging without a car.
If you’re planning your trip without a vehicle, my guide to Madeira without a car breaks down which areas are easier and which are more challenging.
Who Ponta do Sol Is Best For (and Who It Isn’t)
Ponta do Sol is best for:
- A few days of relaxation after visiting Funchal.
- Hikers with a rental car who want quick access to the southwest of Madeira and mountain hikes.
- Digital nomads in Madeira who want to take advantage of the active digital nomad community and free co-working space.
It’s less suited to:
- People who are visiting Madeira for the first time without a car.
- Anyone who plans to rely heavily on tours and hiking transfers.
- Tourists who like lots of restaurant choices.
Alternatives to Ponta do Sol
- Funchal: Busier and larger, but much more straightforward for public transport and tours. My guide to where to stay in Funchal explains the best areas and who they suit.
- Calheta: Larger than Ponta do Sol, with a sandy beach and marina, but it’s still best with a car.
- Machico: Walkable, with a sandy beach and decent bus connections, but located on the east coast. My guide to where to stay in Machico has all the details on the best areas.
