Madeira airport to Calheta
Madeira airport is in the east of the island, near Santa Cruz. Calheta is at the other end of the south coast: take the VR1 expressway west past Funchal and continue on the fast road to Calheta. Allow about 50 minutes without traffic. Taxis wait outside arrivals, and transfers can be booked in advance.
Driving on the west coast
A rental car is the easiest way to see Calheta: the villages, viewpoints and trailheads are spread over steep ground, and buses to the hill villages are infrequent. Cars can be hired at the airport and in Funchal, for example through madeira-cars.pt.
- Expect steep, narrow roadsVillage roads are steep and twisting, with tight hairpins down to Jardim do Mar and Paul do Mar. A car with a bit of power helps.
- Use the fast road for distanceThe ER101 fast road and its tunnels link Calheta with Ribeira Brava and Funchal quickly; the old roads are slower but more scenic.
- Park at the marinaIn Calheta town there is parking by the marina and the beach.
- Rabaçal: walk or shuttleThe road down to the Rabaçal forest house is closed to private cars. Park on the ER110 and walk down, or take the shuttle when it runs (the Rabaçal walks).
Rodoeste buses
Rodoeste runs the buses to the west of the island. They leave from their terminal on Avenida do Mar in Funchal for Calheta beach, Estreito da Calheta, Paul do Mar and Ponta do Pargo. Most buses follow the old roads through the villages, so the trip takes much longer than by car, and services are fewer at weekends. Check the current timetable before you plan around it.
Rough driving times from Calheta town
| To | By car |
|---|---|
| Jardim do Mar | about 15 min |
| Paul do Mar | about 20 min |
| Ponta do Pargo lighthouse | about 30 min |
| Rabaçal car park (ER110) | about 25 min |
| Funchal | about 30 min |
| Madeira airport | about 50 min |
Approximate times without traffic; mountain fog and roadworks can add more.
Without a car, stay in Calheta town, within walking distance of the beach, the marina and the bus. With a car, the hill villages and the west open up. Compare the areas in where to stay.