Caniçal is a tourist destination in Madeira, situated on a promontory surrounded by a beautiful coast with a coastline full of coves and headlands. It is known for its sandy Prainha beach and picturesque walking routes.
The history of Caniçal begins at the end of the 15th century with a fishing village and a small port. With time, the inhabitants specialized in catching whales, which was their source of income until the 20th century. Today, the whaling traditions of the village are remembered by the Whale Museum, where you can see, among others, a model of cetaceans of life size.
The main advantage and attraction of Caniçal is the jagged coast, full of cliffs, coves and headlands. Popular walking routes lead through them. Picturesque excursion destinations are Ponta de Sao Lourenco and Ponta do Rosto. On the cape there is also a small educational and research center Casa do Sardinha, where you can see exhibitions on local nature.
For those looking for a summer destination, Caniçal will find the only natural sandy beach in Madeira. Prainha Beach is located at the foot of a cliff and has sun loungers and a small bar. Above it there is a Prainha viewpoint with benches and picnic tables.
The town itself has low buildings, partly from colonial times. Social life is mostly centered on the seafront at Quinta do Lorde Marina.
