Ribeira da Janela, the stacks and the window
Basalt sea stacks off a pebble beach at the mouth of Madeira's longest river, a few minutes from Porto Moniz.
Ribeira da Janela at a glance
Sea stacks off a pebble beach at the mouth of Madeira's longest river; a hole in one islet gave the place its name.
- Where
- Porto Moniz, on the north coast
- From Funchal by car
- about 55 min
- Time to allow
- 15 minutes, or an hour on the beach
- From Porto Moniz
- 5.3 km
- The beach
- pebbles, with parking, toilets and showers
Go there with us
- West Madeira: Porto Moniz, Seixal and Fanal Private tour 8 h €2501–4
- Your own route, full day Your own route 8 h €2801–4
Prices are for the whole car, not per person. Each page has the price for 5 or 6.
What you see
The river here is the longest and most abundant on Madeira, and where it meets the sea a group of basalt stacks stands off the beach. The place takes its name from a small islet near the river mouth with a natural opening near its top that looks like a window (janela). The islet with the window is about 40 m high.
The beach is pebbles, with parking, toilets and showers. Its facilities are open 09:00 to 19:00, beach access at all times. The waves are often big here, and surfers come for them.
You can see the stacks from the old coast road above the beach or walk down to the stones at the river mouth.
Before you go
- Fifteen minutes is enough for the view. Allow an hour if you want to walk on the beach.
- The pebbles are big. Wear shoes you can walk on stones in.
- It is on the north coast, close to Porto Moniz and Seixal, and about an hour from Funchal. Put it in a day in the west, not in the same day as the east of the island.
Ribeira da Janela with us
The coast road of our west Madeira day passes the river mouth between Seixal and Porto Moniz: tell your driver and we stop for the view. To combine it with the Ponta do Pargo lighthouse or a longer walk on the beach, a day with a driver lets you set the stops.
Nearby, on the same day
All places-
Porto Moniz
A village at the north-west tip with seawater pools in the black lava rock: a paid complex and free pools nearby.
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Seixal
A north-coast village with a black-sand beach, sea pools in the lava rock and vines on terraces above the sea.
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Achadas da Cruz cable car
A small municipal cable car that drops down the north-west cliff to the fields and pebble shore of Fajã da Quebrada Nova.
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Fanal
Centuries-old til trees standing in open grass on the plateau above Seixal, often in fog.
Ribeira da Janela questions
Why is it called Ribeira da Janela?
Janela means window. The name comes from a small islet near the river mouth with a natural opening near its top that looks like a window (janela).
Can you do Ribeira da Janela and Ribeiro Frio on the same day?
Not well. Ribeira da Janela is at the north-west tip and Ribeiro Frio is in the mountains of the east, more than an hour apart by road. Pair Ribeira da Janela with Porto Moniz and Seixal, and Ribeiro Frio with Pico do Arieiro and Santana.
The north-west coast in one day
Ribeira da Janela, Porto Moniz and Seixal on the west day, or your own stops with a driver. Send us a date and we reply within 60 minutes, 07:00–22:00.
West Madeira: Porto Moniz, Seixal and Fanal €250 per car for 1 to 4 people, €290 for 5 or 6