There are many restaurants and bars where you can eat and enjoy excellent food. They are often small and inconspicuous places that surprise you with special delicacies.
We like to visit the "Manifattura Di Gelato" in the harbour of Calheta. The people there are super friendly, the food is excellent and the desserts (especially the ice cream) are delicious.
In our town of Prazeres, we highly recommend a visit to "Restaurante Chico". Traditional Portuguese food in a pleasant and cosy atmosphere! Address: Caminho Lombo da Rocha 164, 9370-612 Prazeres. https://restaurantechico.wordp...
Also just a few minutes away from the villa you will find the restaurant "Calheta Green". Here you can enjoy not only local dishes, but also delicious vegetarian dishes.
In the village directly below our villa, in Jardim do Mar, "Joe's Bar" is definitely worth a visit. Here you can enjoy traditional and maritime food and drinks in the tranquil atmosphere of this charming place.
Also in Jardim do Mar, you'll find "Portinho", a popular little café and restaurant at the end of the promenade, right by the harbour. At sunset, enjoy the wide selection of culinary delights on offer.
If you are ever in Santana, on the other side of the island, for us the restaurant "Adega do Compadre" is very tasty.
At Restaurante "Mundo vegan" in Funchal, Edifício Costa do sol III, R. Velha da Ajuda n°2, you can find everything your vegan heart desires.
At "Blandys Wine Lodge" in Funchal, you can experience great wine tastings and tours. In addition, there are numerous opportunities to participate in wine tastings throughout the island. Get inspired by the guides at our villa and discover the diverse wine tasting experiences Madeira has to offer.
Poncha is a strong alcoholic drink that you should try when you are in Madeira. The traditional drink consists of a Madeiran spirit made from bee honey, local lemons and fresh sugar cane juice. At "Rei da Poncha Bar" in Funchal, the freshly made poncha tastes especially good to us.
Levada Walks:
"Levada" are the irrigation channels of Madeira. There are countless beautiful, easy walks along them, which have hardly any gradient. A guidebook in your accommodation will inform you about all the levada walks. It is also worth taking a look at our blog on "Levada Hikes".
Fairy Forest (Fanal):
A mystical centuries-old laurel forest awaits you here. The most important thing we learned is to check the weather and bring a jacket. You can combine this excursion with a hike. If the weather is good, it's also a great place to take a snack and have a picnic. If you look around, you will also find a beautiful view of the sea. Windy.com is a very good weather site, which we always use.
If paragliding is on your wish list of things to do in Madeira, come to Arco Calheta, found online at: https://www.madeira-paragliding.com/. Book by 11:00 am on the day you want to fly. It is not possible to book in advance. Weather permitting, the flight will take place the same afternoon.
The best time to see dolphins and whales is from June to October. In the port of Calheta there are several operators who go out to sea every day.
Praia da Calheta:
The golden sandy beaches in Calheta are popular with locals and tourists alike. The two man-made beaches with sand from Morocco make bathing here safe. In high season, it is possible to rent sunbeds and umbrellas.
Praia do Porto do Seixal:
This black sand beach with views of Madeira's green mountain scenery is a fascinating place to swim. If you don't want to jump into the waves right away, a café/bar invites you to gaze at the sea from a safe distance. The best way to get there is to drive all the way down to the harbour, where there are always parking spaces.
Porto Moniz Natural Pools:
The natural pools on the north coast are an absolute highlight. For 3 euros you can swim in safely constructed natural pools with lifeguards. All around, many bars and restaurants invite you to enjoy a meal after your swim. Special recommendation: "SeaView Rooftop Bar" with a view of the wild Atlantic Ocean.
There is an excellent local hairdresser in Prazeres, just a four-minute drive from the villa (road: Caminho Lombo da Rocha). Idalina and her team will pamper you with everything from top-notch haircuts to soothing manicures and massages. This place is highly recommended to pamper yourself from head to toe.
Absolute recommendation in Funchal: Hair and Beauty in Funchal, n Rua de Carreira 61, phone 291223868. The best place to park is in the shopping centre "La Vie" and walk. This is a great place to spend a day exploring Funchal!
You can use our yoga mat at any time and experience absolute relaxation during a yoga session in our villa "Céu e Mar" overlooking the endless Atlantic Ocean.
Madeira enchants with picturesque and delightful villages around every corner.
Jardim do Mar is located in the south of the island, directly on the sea. Here you can mostly watch surfers and drift through the narrow streets of the small town.
Porto Moniz in the north has a few souvenir shops, great bars and good food in addition to the natural pools.
In Achadas da Cruz in the west of the island, you can take a cable car down a steep slope (only for those with a head for heights) and after a great walk directly by the sea, you can take the cable car back to the car park. The round ticket costs 5 euro per person.
Funchal, the capital of Madeira, naturally has a lot to offer. From wine tastings, daily concerts, fruit markets, impressive architecture to a huge selection of restaurants and cafés, there is something for everyone. Enjoy this lively and fun-loving atmosphere with its colourful hustle and bustle!
Madeira is ideally suited for a family holiday. Many levada hikes are also ideal for children. You will find playgrounds in every village. Try out the large playground in Calheta. The island's beaches are protected from the high waves and are also suitable for children. And how about a boat trip to watch whales and dolphins?
The small aquarium "Aquário da Madeira" in Porto Moniz is worth a trip with children. Admission costs 7 euros for adults, free entry for children under 5 and the children's rate of 4 euros applies for children between 5 and 14. For little football fans, the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum in Funchal is certainly an unforgettable experience!