Calheta offers several distinct highlights for trip planning: long Levada trails, hikes with stated difficulty levels, cultural heritage and activities by the sea. When choosing a holiday apartment, it may help to first decide which experiences you would like to focus on. The different trail lengths and themes offer various options without requiring you to follow a set itinerary.

Getting There and Trails

To travel from Funchal, the municipal route follows the Via Rápida VR 1 towards Ribeira Brava and then the Via Expresso VE 3 towards Calheta. The drive to the centre of Calheta takes about 30 minutes along this route; traffic and road conditions may affect the journey time.

The Levada Nova da Calheta is about 40 kilometres long and runs at elevations between 600 and 700 metres, with only slight changes in elevation. It passes through humid areas with species of Madeira’s Laurissilva Forest and crosses numerous streams and their tributaries. If you are comparing shorter trails rated as moderately difficult, two routes of similar length may be a useful reference: the 1.8-kilometre PR 19 Caminho Real do Paul do Mar runs from Prazeres to Paul do Mar, while the 1.9-kilometre PR 20 Vereda do Jardim do Mar runs from Prazeres to Jardim do Mar. Both start in Prazeres; their endpoints are what distinguish them.

A different option is the easy, approximately 600-metre walking path to the Cascata da Garganta Funda viewpoint; this distance is one way. Before setting out on the trails mentioned above, check the current route status and trail conditions. The municipality of Calheta also offers good natural conditions for downhill and enduro cycling; specific routes and conditions should be confirmed locally.

Rabaçal and Viewpoints

The Centro de Receção do Rabaçal has permanent exhibitions on the history of Rabaçal, Madeira’s native Laurissilva Forest, the Levadas, the trail network in Rabaçal and Madeira’s network of recommended walking routes. The landscape, trails and their context are all in focus. The Miradouro do Rabaçal offers an unobstructed view of the island’s largest valley covered by Madeira’s Laurissilva Forest. Rabaçal is part of the Natura 2000 network and is included in the Parque Natural da Madeira; the area is classified there as a quiet zone.

The Miradouro da Achada de Santo Antão offers panoramic views of Vila Arco da Calheta. The viewpoints and trails therefore offer different highlights: the Levada focuses on the route and landscape, while the Miradouros offer views of the valley or town.

Culture and Places in Calheta

MUDAS – Museu de Arte Contemporânea da Madeira is a museum in Calheta dedicated to contemporary art. The municipality’s churches and chapels are also among its religious and architectural attractions. The Igreja do Espírito Santo features Manueline and Mannerist elements and holds three annual celebrations: the Feast of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday, the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament, and Nossa Senhora dos Bons Caminhos on the last Sunday in September. As the exact dates may be important for your travel plans, check them in advance.

The Capela de Nossa Senhora do Loreto in Arco da Calheta and the Capela dos Reis Magos in Estreito da Calheta date from the 16th century. Both are classified as Monuments of Public Interest. Engenho da Calheta also brings together several aspects of local history: it is one of the oldest sugar cane mills in Madeira, and Madeira rum is produced there through controlled fermentation and careful distillation.

Jardim do Mar is characterised by narrow lanes, low houses around the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário and the ruins of an old sugar cane mill. These features are considered symbols of its centuries-old past. In Paul do Mar, the chimney of a former factory remains visible as a reminder of the area’s former fishing activity; the village is an important fishing centre in Madeira. Several international surfing competitions have been held in Jardim do Mar in the past.

Coast and Water Sports

Praia de Areia da Calheta is 100 metres long and has a sunbathing area of about 7,300 square metres. Maintenance or coastal works may cause slight changes to these measurements. The beach is used for activities including canoeing and windsurfing; suitability depends on sea conditions, and local advice should be followed. The swell at Jardim do Mar is suitable for experienced surfers, while surfers value the waves at Paul do Mar. Here, too, surfing suitability depends on the prevailing sea conditions.

Praia do Calhau is a pebble beach near the centre of the municipality of Calheta. It has a large sunbathing area, changing rooms, toilets and a bar with a terrace. Check whether the facilities are currently available before visiting. This makes it possible to consider beach days, hikes and cultural attractions as separate highlights when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Caniço, Curral Das Freiras, Madeira, Porto Santo, Arco De Sao Jorge, Vila Baleira, Jardim Do Mar, Ponta Do Sol

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