Calheta beach
Calheta is 2 sandy lines connected in one gorgeous resort. It was opened in 2004 on the southwestern shore of Madeira. Since then the visit of this place is considered to be the right touristic choice.
Photos
Beach description
Beautiful amber color artificial surface unites this beach with Machico. However, Calheta was the first beach to import sand from Sahara. Subsequently, its "gold reserves" were repeatedly replenished with domestic sand supplied from the continental coast of Portugal. It was done to protect artificial surface from erosions.
The beach is 30 km from Funchal and a 10-minute walk from the town of the same name Calheta, which means "Small Bay". The small resort has gained great popularity not only because of the golden sandy carpet. Its other peculiarities:
- gentle descent into the ocean is convenient for children and novice swimmers;
- water purity;
- the shallow depth of the bay allows walking to the very middle of it during low tide;
- perfect bottom near the shore;
- the predominance of cloudless weather, conducive to sunbathing;
- safety of water procedures under the supervision of rescuers.
Long breakwaters, consisting of powerful concrete blocks, form a quiet backwater area of 28.5 km². The beach (7.3km²) itself is divided into two stripes.
When is it better to go
The beach season in Portugal lasts from the beginning of June until September, when the air temperature reaches +30°C and the water temperature - +19°C. It should be remembered that the Atlantic Ocean does not warm up well and cools quickly, lovers of a more comfortable temperature can swim in natural stone pools, which are quite numerous on the coast.
Video: Beach Calheta
Infrastructure
The beach area is a property of a hotel. It explains its cleanliness and full set of facilities for great recreation:
- parking lot;
- hotels;
- umbrellas and loungers for rent;
- shower;
- changing rooms;
- rescue service;
- two bar-restaurants and several cafes;
- supermarket;
- volleyball court.
Sports equipment for water activities can be rented at the nearby pier with yacht parking.
Where to eat
In two steps from the beach there is a great seafood restaurant with tasty and cheap dishes. For example, good dinner for 5 people will cost quite economically (up to €60).
Local cafes alway happy to serve guests for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Here guests can count on seafood salad, fish soup, assorted fries, homemade cakes and excellent coffee.
What to do
The leisure programme includes various activities:
- wellness and rehabilitation procedures (spa, swimming pool, massage) in the hotel;
- hill landscapes trekking;
- climbing;
- walking in the protected area of Natural Park, which is protected by UNESCO.
- ping pong;
- everyday musical parties;
- photoshoots (especially tempting to take pictures from the observation deck of the Museum of Modern Art in Funchal, located just 30 km from the resort);
- water activities: canoeing, windsurfing, water skiing, fishing, organized observation of the inhabitants of the ocean (underwater turtles, whales, dolphins).
Excursions to the cities of Funchal and Calheta are very popular among tourists. In Calheta the most visiting places are:
- distillery, where they offer to taste the world's best white rum;
- sugar factory, where they treat such delicacies as honey pies and Madeira which is the world-famous brand of authentic Madeira wine, which has become one of the symbols of Portugal.
Weather in Calheta
Best hotels of Calheta
All hotels of CalhetaUseful information
- Shopping at a local supermarket for a maximum of €15 will provide free entry to the beach parking.
- The holiday season on Calheta lasts all year round, but the largest influx of tourists is observed from May to February. The big luck is to come here to 24 June, which is the birthday of Calheta, founded in 1430. The festival promises to be magnificent: with concerts, exhibitions, fairs.
- In souvenir shops it is worth looking at products with hand embroidery and weaving. There is a chance to buy masterpieces of applied art for reasonable price.