We’ve added a new tour Exploring Southwest Madeira for 2019.
Your day begins with a drive to the most westerly point on the island – to the lighthouse at Ponta do Pargo and the miradouro overlooking the 140m high Cascata da Garganta Funda waterfall; one of the highest waterfalls on the island.
Next, you’ll head north to Achadas da Cruz, to take the cable car which connects the village of Achadas on the top of the sea cliffs with its farmlands 500m below on the rocky coast. It’s quite a steep ride compared to some of the other telefericos on the island – well worth it for the spectacular views but perhaps avoided if you suffer from vertigo.
Lunch is normally in small village of Paul do Mar, which serves some of the best fresh fish on the island. Before the road arrived in the 1960s, the village was only accessible by boat or via the steep cobbled path which zig-zags down the sea cliffs (and requires a good head for heights).
In the afternoon, you’ll visit the Galeria dos Prazeres – a space which promotes local artists and brings international artists’ work into the community in Prazeres – for example: Lisbon-based photographer Camilla Watson recently displayed her work at the gallery:
You’ll end the day with a visit to the harbour town of Calheta, to look around one of the island’s few surviving rum distilleries at Engenho da Calheta. Perhaps better known for its fortified wines, Madeira also produces white rum from the sugar cane which grows in abundance on the island. One of Madeira’s best loved cakes is made from a by-product of the distillery – molasses, which is the main ingredient in Bolo de Melo, (or ‘Honey Cake’ in English).
If you’re thinking of visiting Madeira and are interested in this tour, please feel free to call our Madeira specialist Paul on 017687 21040 for a chat.