Ponta São Lourenço is one of Madeira’s most popular and spectacular walks. Most visitors to the island will make a stop there during their trip to admire the breathtaking scenery found nowhere else on Madeira.
While the walk is accessible to most visitors, it is still vital to be prepared to know what to expect and bring the essential equipment. This guide will detail everything that you need to know for hiking Ponta São Lourenço comfortably and make the most of your visit!
If you’re thinking of going hiking in Madeira, I also have handy guides to the Levada Das 25 Fontes and the Vereda do Pico Ruivo.
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Main things to know
Key summary
Full name: PR 8 – Vereda da Ponta São Lourenço
Distance: 6 km (3.7 miles) in total
Duration: about 2 hours of hiking
Difficulty: moderate
Length and duration
The official path is known as PR 8 Vereda da Ponta São Lourenço. It starts from the car park and officially ends at the site of the Casa do Sardinha Sea Spot Cafe. There are paths that continue on further into the peninsula, but they are not part of the official path and some of them are technically closed.
The walk from the car park to the cafe is about 3 km (1.8 miles), and should take between 45 minutes to one hour. However, the car park fills up quickly, especially in the busiest months, so you may end up parking on the road instead. You should take this into account as it will add some time to your hike. Also, most people will want to take breaks during the walk to keep hydrated and take pictures, so it may take well over one hour in the end.
You will take the same route to get back to the car park, so the walk in total will be aout 6 km (3.6 miles).
Difficulty level
The walk is generally classified as moderate difficulty. The length is not excessive and there are limited uphill stretches. The official path is also well maintained and features steps and ropes to aid walkers. The hike itself, therefore, isn’t too challenging.
However, the weather conditions make it harder: temperatures will be very hot in the summer, and the lack of shade means that you’ll be exposed to the scorching sun for almost the whole walk. The only area of the path that has some shade is the cafe in the end.
Therefore, it’s vital to know what to bring along for the hike. You can find tips on what to pack when visiting Ponta São Lourenço further down in this post.
Paying the fee
There is now a small conservation fee at Ponta São Lourenço. It’s €1 for each adult. Children up to 12 years of age are exempt, as are residents of the island.
You’ll see a few signs scattered along the path with information on the conservation fee. They have a QR code that you can scan on your phone to access the payment page.
How to get there
By car
Most people will drive to the car park to start their walk at Ponta São Lourenço. The roads in the area are wide and in excellent conditions, so it will be an easy and enjoyable drive.
If you’re looking to rent a car for your visit to Madeira, check out DiscoverCars to find the best deals! Check out this article for the best tips to save money and have a smooth car rental experience.
From Funchal, the drive is about 35 km (22 miles) and should take 35-40 minutes.
You can also conveniently drive to Ponta São Lourenço if you’re staying in another town on the eastern side of Madeira. The closest town is Caniçal, which is only 5 km (3 miles) from the start of the walk. The drive from Caniçal only takes about 10 minutes.
Machico is only 12 km (7.5 miles) from Ponta São Lourenço, for a 20-minute drive. The town of Santana, known for its traditional houses, is also a convenient 30-minute drive from Ponta São Lourenço, with a distance of 27 km (17 miles).
If you’re staying on the western side of the island, driving to Ponta São Lourenço will take longer. Therefore, you may need to leave early in the morning to get there at a convenient time.
By public transport
You can get to Ponta São Lourenço by bus, using the 113 line from the company SAM. The line starts from Funchal and drives along the coast, stopping at the airport as well. Therefore, it stops at the other towns along the way, including Santa Cruz, Machico and Caniçal. The final stop, Baía D’Abra , is at the car park at Ponta São Lourenço.
The timetable of the 113 line is more frequent on weekdays than weekends, and it varies across the times of the day. Generally, it has more services in the morning, afternoon and evening, with reduced or no services at lunchtime. Click this link to view the updated timetable.
The only other alternative to the 113 bus is taking a taxi. You can order a taxi from any town in Madeira, although they will be easier to find in larger towns. However, the cost of taking a taxi will be significantly higher than the bus.
Visiting with organised tours
If you don’t have a rental car and would rather have a guide for your hike, there are several options available.
This tour has excellent reviews on Viator, and a very reasonable cost. They can pick you up from your accommodation in Funchal or Caniço and a guide will be with you throughout the day.
For a higher price, you can also have a private tour of Ponta São Lourenço. You will have your own private guide for the duration of the tour, and they offer a pickup service from anywhere in Madeira.
If you’d prefer a tour that offers a pickup service, as well as a boat tour, check out this link. They can pick you up from anywhere on the island for a private tour of Ponta São Lourenço. However, instead of walking the route back to the car park, the return trip will be by boat. This experience is ideal if you’d like to admire the spectacular scenery from the water as well as the land, all in one go.
Best time to visit
Late morning
Most visitors will get to Ponta São Lourenço between 10 and 11am. You would probably end the walk having lunch at the cafe and head back to the car park in the early afternoon. This is definitely the busiest time of the day, so it may be best avoided if you don’t like crowds. Moreover, it’s also the hottest time of the day, so if you are uncomfortable hiking in the heat you may wish to avoid this time.
Evening
In the summer months, a great alternative is to arrive at the car park in the late afternoon. This way, you’ll avoid most of the crowds and the worst heat. Summer days are long, with 13 to 14 daylight hours, so you will have plenty of time to complete your walk before darkness. However, bringing a torch is still a good idea if visiting in the evening, as there is no lighting during the walk.
Early morning
Some visitors also choose to arrive at the car park early in the morning. This way, you can avoid the crowds and the heat on the outbound walk at least. However, by arriving early in the morning you will find a crowded path, as well as higher temperatures, on the way back. Therefore, doing the hike in the afternoon and evening seems to be the best option overall.
What to bring
Sunscreen
As previously mentioned, there is virtually no shade during the hike until you reach the cafe at the end. Therefore, it’s vital to wear high-protection sunscreen throughout the walk. It’s also important to bring enough sunscreen with you to reapply regularly during the day.
If you don’t wear sunscreen with sufficient protection, you will likely get sunburnt at Ponta São Lourenço.
A sunhat
I wish I had taken a sunhat with me when I visited Ponta São Lourenço. Most other walkers were wearing one and I could definitely see why. The absence of shade means that you will walk for hours while being constantly exposed to the sun. Wearing a sunhat will be helpful in preventing heat stroke or excessive dehydration. Moreover, it will also help prevent a sunburn on your head, which would be uncomfortable for a few days.
Plenty of water
The high summer temperatures and absence of shade also make water a necessity throughout the walk. There are food stands at the car park where you can purchase bottled water. After starting the walk though, the only other food outlet is the cafe at the end of the path, 3 km away. Therefore, make sure that you get plenty of water before the walk and before heading back from the cafe.
However, all beverages will be quite overpriced at both locations at Ponta São Lourenço, and there could be long queues. For these reasons, I would actually recommend buying water in advance at a supermarket. It’s also better to keep your water in a metal water bottle rather than a plastic bottle, because it will keep it cooler for longer.
Packed lunch
While there are food outlets at the beginning and end of the walk at Ponta São Lourenço, the food is expensive, the choice limited and the queues long. Therefore, I would highly recommend bringing your own packed lunch before heading to the hike.
A swimsuit
There are two beaches on Ponta São Lourenço, and a dip in the cool water will be a very welcome activity after hours of walking in the scorching sun.
The first one, Praia São Lourenço, is more remote and slightly off the main path. It tends to be quiet though, even in the high season, as most tourists will skip it altogether.
The more popular beach, Praia do Sardinha, is located near the end of the hike. It’s much smaller and busier than Praia São Lourenço, mainly because it lies straight on the main path. It has a decked area for additional space, and a few benches and tables nearby to rest or have your lunch.
Praia do Sardinha also offers some activities. You can hire a kayak there to explore the spectacular coastline. You can also be picked up here for a sea wildlife tour, to see marine animals such as pilot whales and dolphins.
If you’d like more information on the beaches in Ponta São Lourenço and the rest of Madeira, check out my article on the best places to swim on the island.
