In Madeira the beaches are usually rocky so you either swim in pools or you go into the lovely sea by ladders.

1. Nearby swimming pool complexes and beaches

- Barreirinha is the closest public pool - it is situated 500 m east of the bus/cable car terminal. You can go there by car/bus  in about 15/20 min from Quinta da Fajã.  It is municipal & the least expensive pool/sea complex. There is a another photo to the east here

Western end of the famous Lido is now re-opend with access to the sea. Admission is free, with umbrellas and sunbeds for hire.

1Km west Ponta Gorda/"Poças do Governador" is a good alternative and there are others like Praia Formosa (15 min by car) that actually has some grey natural sand in parts of it.

2. Swimming pool complexes and beaches further away

Even further away Poça do Gomes/Doca do Cavacas, and also Clube de Turismo and Clube Naval do Funchal, which are private clubs but open to tourists on payment of a entrance fee.
As for beaches (rocky), you can enjoy the pleasures of the sea at Praia de São Tiago, Praia do Gorgulho, Praia Formosa, Praia dos Namorados and Praia Nova.
Most of these beaches are equipped with toilets, locker rooms, leisure facilities with areas for a variety of sports, restaurants and bars.

You can find this map more information on:
 Strawberry World's destination guide of Madeira

With Madeira Island's rocky coast, it's rare to find sandy beaches. There are three sand beaches on the south coast:
(2) Prainha (22) Praia de Machico and (9) La Calheta beach

read more about the beaches in Madeira.

Bus nº 7 goes from outside our front gate (100 m) almost every hour in early morning and late afternoon, see buses.htm