North-West Full Day Tour suggestion

Start with a longer drive via Paul da Serra flat mountaintop to the Fanal Forest. It’s an isolated group of ancient trees on a mountain hill that is usually covered with clouds or fog. The trees themselves are very old with twisted branches and shapes. It all therefore creates a unique picturesque atmosphere. You can wander around for about 1 hour or longer if you want to hike around the area and climb more panorama-views hills nearby.

Continue the road to Ribeira Janela. Stop at the viewpoint with a swing that is called Miradouro da Eira da Achada onto the coast. Then stop by the Ribeira Janela parking to walk towards the Ocean by a mountain onto a pebbled beach with a huge rock standing high (Ilheus da Ribeira da Janela). (Time allowed around 30 mins).

Then follow the signs to Porto Moniz and visit its Natural Rock pools. You can park for free at a public parking 5 mins walk away. You can swim at the rock pools just next to the Cachalote Restaurant. Have lunch there in its outside area - very good food at affordable prices. You can eat inside as well with a different a la carte menu. There’s also a swimming pool area by the rocks further down - it’s great if you’re going to spend more time there as you need to pay to get in.

There are 2 options of returning home from Porto Moniz:

Option 1/ via the central island road:
Go to Seixal. It’s a cute town with one of the best black sandy beaches below huge green mountains. You can pleasantly swim there and also walk up and down the town if you have time.
Continue and stop by the Miradouro do Véu da Noiva Waterwall. Quick stop for a nice view and one of the best souvenir shops with a huge selection and decent prices.

Drive further via Sao Vincente towards Ribeira Brava. On the way stop for a poncha at Serra d’Agua which is the iconic place for it. Drive carefully home 15 mins from there or get more of the poncha as a take-away. They also sell bottles prepared for the airplane if you put it into your hold luggage.

Option 2: via the west coastal road.
This option is longer to drive and less civilised. More curves and circles I’m between very green forests. But you can stop for some ocean/ sunset views at Miradouro do Ponta da Ladeira where you sit very high up on a cliff. You could also stop at Garganta Funda Viewpoint where a short 15-minute walk takes you to a view of one of the deepest waterfalls. On the other side of it, a few hundred meters more, there are some spectacular Ocean views from a steep cliff (for the brave only).

You cannot fit anything more into the trip. You are probably just about to have a poncha at the Bar Formiga in Fajã da Ovelha, or get is as take-away, and drive home carefully.

ENJOY!!!