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Canical Holidays

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Madeira holidays

A coastal hideaway in Madeira

The pretty fishing village of Canical, flanked by the Atlantic Ocean and verdant hills, offers a scenic escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. On the southeastern tip of Madeira, around 20 kilometres from the capital Funchal, Canical is famed for its sandy beaches and astonishing natural scenery.

Canical holidays are an adrenaline-lover’s dream – have a go water sports with everything from kayaking to snorkelling and scuba diving on offer. The beaches are some of the most celebrated on the island, and the seawater pools are perfect for the whole family to take a dip. Set in one of Madeira’s oldest parishes, Canical and its quaint fishing harbour, have strong maritime traditions.Visit some of Canical’s delicious fish restaurants to try specialties such as black scabbard fish and ‘caramujos’ – sea snails. Finding things to see and do on holidays to Canical is easy. The hard part? You won’t ever want to go home.

Your Canical questions, answered

Canical is in southeast Madeira, about 20 kilometres from Funchal. It belongs to the municipality of Machico, and forms part of a scenic Atlantic peninsula.
With warm summers and mild winters, Canical is great whatever the time of year. Given its easterly location, winds can pick up, so always pack an extra layer.
Incredibly ugly, but very tasty, the black scabbard is a fish caught off the Madeiran coast. It’s typically served fried with lemon juice and banana.

Best things to do in Canical

Head to the beach

Don’t miss Praia Da Prainha, a natural sandy beach and sheltered cove. It’s a great choice for families as there are toilets, changing rooms and restaurants here.

Visit the whale museum

With life-sized models and 3D videos, Canical’s whale museum offers a fascinating glimpse into Madeira’s whaling history, as well as the island’s marine conservation efforts today.

Go hiking

Madeira is well-known for its great hiking trails. Ponta de Sao Lourenco is a haven for nature lovers, and offers fantastic views over the Atlantic.