Volcanic Swimming Pools of Madeira

In 1419, Portuguese explorers landed on the volcanic archipelago of Madeira, a series of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean. The island is teeming with diverse species of plants and flowers, with many gardens and floral bushes. The rocky islands are dotted with charming cities and villages, easily identified by their red-tiled roofs. As you walk through the villages, you'll be sure to notice the jagged peaks that line the island's skyline. Ultimately, you'll make your way to the volcanic swimming pools for which the coastal city of Porto Monis is known. From the pools, you'll have a spectacular, panoramic view of the crashing waves of the Atlantic. Madeira's beaches are almost entirely devoid of sand, instead, the coast is a vast expanse of volcanically formed, oceanically smoothed rocks and pebbles. Please Note: You will be able to swim the volcanic pools for about 1.5 hours