Go Southwest tour

Duration: 8 hours

The Go Southwest tour is a good option year-round. The weather is always warmer and sunnier in this area. On this trip, you'll travel to less touristy locations and discover many hidden treasures

The first stop of our trip is the town of Ponta do Sol. Its name “sunny spot” derives from the fact that it is one of the sunniest places on the Island. In the 15th century, Ponta do Sol's main agricultural product was sugar cane, which brought great prosperity and

Nowadays, banana plantations predominate in agriculture. The picturesque bay with pebble beach invites you to a relaxing seaside stroll. In the center of the village, you can also visit the 15th century church, whose interior is in a beautiful Baroque style

The next location isn't far away. Madalena do Mar is surrounded by rocky slopes, high cliffs and coastline. The typical pebble beach is a constant as we drive along the sea. Inside you will find the largest banana plantation in Madeira

Continuing along the coast we arrive at Calheta. This is the largest municipality in Madeira, the final 4 stops of this tour all belong to Calheta. In the village there are several interesting places to visit, one of which is the Old Sugarcane Mill. It was founded in 1901 and houses an important museum that recreates the history of the factory and the transformation of sugar cane into honey and moonshine (similar to cachaça). Here you can also try the delicious honey cake. In the same area, you can visit the local church. Next to the sea, you will find a promenade, the marina and the golden artificial sand beach. It's a wonderful place for a pleasant stroll.

The next stop is the small and quiet village of Prazeres. Here you can visit the pedagogical farm, which aims at educating, raising awareness and valuing the rural environment. The farm is managed by the church, which is right next door. At the entrance to the farm there is a tea house, which is made with natural herbs that grow on the farm. Another drink you can try is delicious natural cider. At the farm you will find a variety of animals, such as pigs, goats, turkeys, ducks, and donkeys. Around lunchtime we arrived at Ponta do Pargo, where the break will last about 90 minutes. You'll find some family-friendly restaurants in the area.

Ponta do Pargo is located at the southwestern end of Madeira. Here you will find the well-known lighthouse, built on a steep slope 290 meters above sea level. It was built in 1922 to help fishermen navigate the dangerous coast.

After lunch, we went to the traditional fishing village of Paúl do Mar. It is considered one of the warmest places in Madeira, and even in winter the temperature is quite mild. The small village is located under high cliffs. As you walk along the seaside, you will see a pebble beach. This is a popular spot for surfers and is considered by some to be one of the best surfing spots

Then we arrived at Jardim do Mar, a remote village that until 1960 was only accessible by boat. The city is surrounded by colorful wildflowers and steep cliffs. The Jardim do Mar preserves the tranquility of the past, which the old narrow streets still bear witness. The promenade built along the village offers a pleasant ride from one end to the other.

Tour stops

What to bring?

We recommend wearing comfortable shoes, sweater, jacket, cap and water bottle.