Madeira: rent a property on the sunniest and hottest South-West Coast!

Paul Abbiati, who lives in Madeira and is a contact for 4 properties in Calheta region including ‘Sunny House’ in Paul do Mar writes about how much there is on offer on Madeira’s sunniest and hottest South-West Coast


History

Calheta, now with a population of 12,000 was one of the first areas in Madeira to be farmed. Its capital Calheta Town is about 31 kilometres from Funchal about 40-45 minutes drive time. As the Tourism website puts it “The municipality was once linked to the primary sector, and “industry” used to be important in the region.” There were once as many as eight sugar cane processing factories, though only one of them ‘Engenhos da Calheta’ is still operating today. With its museum with guided tours, shop and café its well worth a visit. Its about half-way up the hill from the Marina: http://www.engenhosdacalheta.com/

Calheta’s ocean front has been refurbished with the construction of a marina with white sand beaches, surrounded by spacious gardens.

The Parishes of Paul do Mar and Jardim do Mar: a surfer’s paradise & closer to nature!

Two of Calheta's parishes, Paul do Mar and Jardim do Mar, challenge surfers to ride their spectacular waves. These surfing spots are nicknamed ‘Europe’s Hawaii’ and are considered among some of the best surfspots in Europe. Both villages, surfing beaches were venues for the World Surfing Championships in 2001. There are several restaurants in both these fishing villages, which of course specialise in fish dishes.

Prazeres

Prazeres is a historic agriculture market village with a 17th century church perched on Calheta’s mountains Atlantic Ocean views. It’s a mountain and levada (water canal) walking paradise with its proximity to some of the most popular walks on the island such as Levada Nova and the Prazeres to Paul do Mar walk which starts from the award-winning eco-hotel Hotel Jardim Atlantico:



“The atmosphere in Prazeres is of one incomparable peace and charm, where time stands still and no-one is ever in a hurry.”

Paul da Serra & the famous Rabacal levada walk

From Calheta you can go up to Paul da Serra a 1,500-metre-high plateau, where there is a view of both Madeira’s coasts. You can get to Rabaçal from there. Here the untouched UNESCO Laurissilva forest covers the mountains with a green mantle.
You can start out from Rabaçal to walk along some of the most beautiful, impressive paths into the depths of the island, until you find yourself surrounded by the Laurissilva Forest.

The Miradouros -viewing points- of Fonte do Bispo and the Farol (lighthouse) da Ponta do Pargo

“This belvedere (viewing point) is on the Paul da Serra plateau and nature lovers will feel the sensation of being enveloped by the exuberant vegetation of the Laurissilva Forest.”

“This belvedere is at the island’s westernmost point and from here we can see the rugged landscape from the lighthouse to Sítio das Achadas da Cruz.”

World class art in Calheta: Casa das Mudas Art Centre & Prazeres Art Gallery

The award-winning ‘Casa das Mudas’ art centre on cliffs perched above Calheta's marina is divided into two parts, a mansion built in the 16th century that belonged to a granddaughter of João Gonçalves Zarco, the discoverer of Madeira, and a new, modern wing that blends in perfectly with the surrounding scenery.

This cultural centre built into the cliff with spectacular views of the countryside and the Ocean houses presents exhibitions, musical performances, plays, conferences and many other events. The Centre has run exhibitions displaying the works of artists such as Francis Bacon, David Salle, Eric Fischl, Picasso and Dali.

The new Prazeres Art Gallery part of ‘the Quinta Pedagogica’ complex which includes a small zoo and tea and cider houses run by the local priest is behind Prazeres Church. In early 2010 it displayed works of the world famous Poruguese artist ‘Paula Rego’.

A Tourist Guide to Calheta in English including recommended swimming areas such as Calheta’s white sandy beaches and the slipway (‘the rampa’ at Paul do Mar) is available on Calheta’s Town Hall website:

The source and inspiration for Paul’s article was this page on Calheta on the official Tourism website:


This article is written by Paul Abbiati, the contact for 4 properties in Calheta region including: ‘Sunny House’ in Paul do Mar, Madeira

‘Sunny House West’Paul do Mar, Madeira: