Calheta Car Tours: Top 5 Unforgettable Island Adventures

Dreaming of seeing Madeira, huh? Very cool! And hey, what a plan it would be to check it out in a car, you know? Gives you that freedom to roam, like, wherever strikes your fancy, right? Calheta is, too it’s almost like, a really amazing jump-off spot, and trust you, it’s almost got some genuinely knockout drives all around. So, let’s look at, basically, five tours that’ll really get you, at the end of the day, into the real soul of this really stunning island. These ain’t your usual trips, though; it’s about properly experiencing the heart of Madeira, feeling the air, tasting the flavors, that type of thing.

1. Coastal Charm: Calheta to Ponta do Sol & Back

First up: cruising from Calheta over to Ponta do Sol. Picture this: a nice, simple drive with the never-ending Atlantic Ocean keeping you company! Like, as you get rolling, watch for the roadside cliffs meeting, very really, the water—makes for photos you can’t believe actually happened, as a matter of fact. Stopping at Madalena do Mar, this place has some seriously big banana farms! Then you can head straight to Ponta do Sol. That location has sunshine nearly always, which, in short, feels awesome. You will just be ambling the cute village, have a super-good coffee or whatever, that’s your style.

2. Mountain Majesty: Exploring the Paul da Serra Plateau

Switch things a bit? Sure thing. Go climb high up, see Paul da Serra. As I was saying, what that climb does is take you away from beach mode quickly. Out of no where, you arrive onto wide open plains high in the air! By the way, look around the panoramic views. The clouds there? Arguably playing peek-a-boo with mountains is very unique! For lunch or a snack you, know, bring provisions; places up that way are less usual but a picnic with like the total best ever vista—absolutely winning stuff. While going up or going back to Calheta be vigilant and keep it at lower gear because it does gets narrow. I mean the roads could also be foggy so do pay close attention in this place, okay?

3. A Taste of Tradition: Calheta to Prazeres & Jardim do Mar

Wanting something more authentic-feeling now, huh? Anyway you might wanna shoot up to Prazeres next and then circle downwards into Jardim do Mar. Prazeres happens to be, just, that village where every corner tells you how old this island is—its quiet thing that is still lively, you know. Also, they got a mini zoo/farm too so its sort of a family stop. The actual star thing you have is that steep cliff face you drive to to reach Jardim do Mar. You have one beautiful small sea-town to enjoy!

4. Levada Adventure: Along the Levada Nova

Here’s a great plan. Follow parts of Levada Nova via wheels, you see? Start around near the location and seek trailheads where parking occurs relatively near – because many segments ask for walks you might like this, to be honest, or others find that kind of a slog. As you know, having this water path following parallel really offers vistas you’d really be able to take photos of pretty quickly and the greenery over this area—pure eye joy! Just be ready in sections so some stretches require you to get out so be somewhat active ready if Levadas become your thing!

5. Northern Exposure: A Drive to Porto Moniz (and back)

Fancy checking some distant north coast points? Yes definitely! Go for broke with a big Porto Moniz outing that takes much of your whole day because frankly you can circle around with tons happening at points on the route there. Basically what everyone makes noises for, here? Obviously that famed set of water features – basically sea filled swimming zones by lava formed millions a go (figuratively spoken haha) – what is very neat as this big difference from the usually sunny Calheta shore side makes a big effect there now, doesn’t? Plus that journey takes one past some really verdant forests at higher attitudes for awesome scenery, that is a very awesome deal for Porto Moniz from here to be your last journey from Calheta!