Free walking tours in Calheta and what to see

Must-sees

Calheta is on Madeira's south-west coast. Next to the marina it has a golden-sand beach protected by breakwaters, very easy for swimming. In the centre, the highlight is the Church of Espírito Santo, which mixes Manueline and Mannerist elements and holds a remarkable collection of religious art. Very close by, the Calheta sugar mill, an old sugar-cane mill, still makes rum and cane honey.

High on the slope, MUDAS, the Madeira Contemporary Art Museum, occupies a modern building set into the cliff. Inland, Rabaçal, on the Paul da Serra plateau, is the starting point for levadas through the laurel forest, such as the 25 Fontes. On the coast, the villages of Jardim do Mar and Paul do Mar are known for their surf waves, and at Ponta do Pargo a lighthouse watches over the island's western tip.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free walking tours in Calheta. The activity you can book leaves from the marina: a boat trip to see whales and dolphins, which are plentiful in these waters. To walk the Rabaçal levadas, many travellers book hiking trips with transport from Funchal, as the routes are not circular and parking is limited.

How long to spend

One day is enough for the beach, the church, the sugar mill and the museum. If you want to walk a levada from Rabaçal, add another full day, and a third lets you tour Jardim do Mar, Paul do Mar and Ponta do Pargo with their viewpoints. Calheta is also a good base for exploring the whole west of the island at leisure.

Where to stay

By the beach and the marina are the most convenient hotels and apartments, with swimming and restaurants on foot. On the slopes of Estreito da Calheta and Prazeres there are quintas and rural houses with sea views, quieter but with steep roads. Jardim do Mar and Paul do Mar offer small places to stay for those seeking surf or calm. Funchal is about forty minutes away by car.