Coal pier

The sea does most of the work here. Waves push at the stonework, anglers stand with rods over the edge, and the sound of water against stone carries along the whole structure. Coal pier is what its name says: the wharf where coal was landed for Funchal, restored and fitted with boards that explain how the place worked. That counts for something on this stretch of coast, where hotel after hotel has taken over almost everything older, and this remains one of the few pieces of Madeira's working past still standing where it was built. In spring and summer the pier doubles as an open-air stage for concerts.

• Little to do beyond the panels. Reading the boards, watching the sea and looking at the anglers is the whole of it.
• Below the road. The pier sits under the road line: the walk in goes downhill, and the way back out is that climb in reverse.
• Easy to miss. It is off the main tourist run through Funchal and can be passed without noticing.
• Facilities are off-site. Free public toilets are 187 m away and the nearest drinking water 71 m; there is nothing on the pier itself.
• Information point close by. A tourist information stand sits 73 m from the pier.

Most people arrive by car: the nearest car park is 122 metres from the pier and the closest bus stop 141 metres. From either, the last stretch is on foot. The pier lies below the road, so the approach goes down to the water and the return is a climb back up. It is easy to miss from the road, so set the map app before you get close.