Porto da Cruz

Companhia dos Engenhos do Norte & Casa do Rum

Rum Factory & tasting house

Museum showing the workings of a now-defunct sugarcane and rum processing plant. Operating during the Industrial Revolution, all the machinery is steam-powered. The steam was produced by burning the chaff of the sugarcane. Quick, self-guided tour of the equipment in Portuguese, English, French, and German. Next door is a tasting room.

Mon–Sat 09:00–18:00·Free

Dino's Bar

The main bar in town and really the only place to join locals to watch a football match. Lively atmosphere and affordable drinks.

Tue-Sun 15:00-02:00

Engenho Velho Museum

A short self-guided walk through dark rooms of a motley collection of antique tools and machinery. There is a viewpoint, but it's not much different from the publicly-accessible view of the beach that you see just north of the museum.

Tue–Sat 10:00–13:00 & 14:00–18:00·€4, includes alcohol tasting

Fort Ruins

Fortim do Porto da Cruz

Walk up a small hill on the waterfront (behind the rum factory) to see the stone ruins of an 18th-century fort.

Free

Igreja de Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe

Igreja do Porto da Cruz

The church of Porto da Cruz, a simple building with white walls and sections of black tiles is a major landmark of the village.

Levada do Castelejo

Porto da Cruz to São Roque do Faial

This levada hike takes you into the mountains and lush pine and native laurel forest, past waterfalls, to the Ribiero Frio (Cold River)—one of the most important sources of water for the north of Madeira, including this levada's source. To find the trailhead, take any of the main roads from the center of Porto da Cruz, uphill (about 40 minutes hiking, or 10 minutes driving). At the blue bar, there's a sign pointing the way. When this road forks, take the right (dry levada) fork a few hundred metres until you see the well-marked trailhead and map. From here it's an easy and tranquil 8.6-km round-trip hike with virtually no elevation change. At the opposite terminus the trail ends at a huge boulder and the Ribeiro Frio.

Free

Madeira Surf Camp

Group surf or stand-up-paddleboard (SUP) lessons. Customized to any skill level, including beginner. Often held at the Porto da Cruz pocket beach, but if wave conditions require a different part of the island, they'll drive you to the best beach.

€35 for 2-hr lesson and equipment

Public swimming pools

Piscinas Municipais

There are public swimming pools below the fort ruins where you can swim with an ocean view.

€1.50 adult, 75¢ child

Snackbar Piscinas

There is a handful of restaurants along the waterfront, all virtually the same quality and price, although you'll get a somewhat wider view of the ocean at Snackbar Piscinas. Reviews are decidedly mixed.

Daily 10:00-21:00

Snackbar Praia da Alagoa

Bar, restaurant and events venue next to the Alagoa Beach. Good for poncha and beef sandwiches. Bad service.

Daily 10:00-23:00

Snackbar a Pipa

Always busy with locals, regarded as the best and most popular restaurant, as it serves extremely fresh fish caught that day.

Tue–Fri 12:00-00:00, Sat Sun 09:00-22:00·€30 covers mains for two including drinks

Vereda da Penha d'Aguia

Eagle Rock

This strenuous hike takes you to the 590-metre-high massif overlooking the sea and village. To find the trailhead, take any of the main roads from the centre of Porto da Cruz, uphill (about 40 minutes hiking, or 10 minutes driving). Just before the blue bar, a blue and white "Verada da Penha d'Aguia" sign will point to a levada threading between houses; follow this for 100 m until another sign (whose back is facing you) points to a left-turn away from the levada and up a steep, windy trail. After 40–60 minutes the trail forks: turn right to overlook Porto da Cruz, or turn left to overlook São Roque do Faial.

Vereda do Larano

This hike connects Machico and Porto da Cruz along the north coast. From Machico, it begins with the Levada do Caniçal and goes via the Boca do Risco viewpoint. Bus routes or your car can take you back, or some tour companies offer this. Be safe: have a map and a buddy. 12 km one-way.

Watch surfers or surf

Go to the beach around low tide to watch surfers catch some waves, or join them.

Free

Pastelaria Terezinha

Coffee and local pastries. Unfriendly service.

Closed · opens 7 am tomorrow

Supermercado

Small grocery store on the main square, facing the church.