The areas, from the beach to the western tip
Calheta town
Walk to the sand beach, the marina, restaurants and the MUDAS museum. Whale and dolphin trips leave from here. The easiest choice without a car. About the town.
Estreito da Calheta
Higher up the hill above the town, among vineyards and banana terraces, with wide views over the sea and the sunset. About Estreito.
Prazeres
Quiet and rural, on the road west, with traditional restaurants serving bolo de caco and bacalhau. About Prazeres.
Jardim do Mar and Paul do Mar
Small villages on narrow shelves below the cliffs. Strong Atlantic swell for experienced surfers, and quiet evenings by the sea. Surfing.
Ponta do Pargo
Madeira’s westernmost point, with the lighthouse and the sunset over open ocean. The furthest from the beach, and the calmest. Sunset spots.
Arco da Calheta
On the way towards Ponta do Sol, a few minutes’ drive from the beach, with local cafés and two hotels in old sugar mills. About Arco.
Getting around from your base
Calheta is about 30 minutes from Funchal on the ER101 fast road. A car makes life much easier in the hill villages and for the Rabaçal walks. Without a car, stay in Calheta town; Rodoeste buses link it with Funchal. Details in getting here.
Holiday homes on the sunny side
Holiday homes and villas along the west coast are listed on madeira-dreams.com. Hotels by the marina are on the usual booking sites.