Casa Grata

Casa Grata is located in beautiful Calheta, a seaside town that is famous for being one of Madeira’s most idyllic and historic areas. The area is famous for its banana and sugar cane plantations and its vineyards, as well as for having one of the only golden sandy beaches on the island - making it a go-to place for tourists. The area features a modern marina and is popular with those who love outdoor pursuits, including hiking, biking, surfing, kayaking, windsurfing, scuba diving and paragliding. It’s also one of the most fantastic spots on the island for whale and dolphin-spotting, and you’ll find plenty of places offering whale-watching tours and boat trips along the marina.

Once you’ve had your fill of sun, sea and sand, we recommend heading to one of the town’s unique bars or cafes, which include the Pukiki Bar, the very instagrammable Sem Idade Cafe - famous for its rooftop pool, and Maktub Pub, which features a relaxed atmosphere and well-priced and delicious cocktails. Eating in Calheta is sure to be an experience you’ll never forget, as it is a region that prides itself on its agriculture, and as such, the restaurants here offer plenty of fresh, local produce. There are some fantastic restaurants in the area, all mainly specialising in Portuguese meat and fish dishes. Delicacies include Espetada (meat-on-a-stick), Frango Assado (a roast chicken dish), spare ribs, marinated octopus, scabbard fish with banana, shellfish, and grilled tuna. Tropical fruit salads and other fruit dishes made with fresh produce grown in the area are served in most eateries in Calheta  - with passionfruit pudding being a particular favourite.

We recommend that art lovers pay a visit to the Mudas Museum in Calheta, where you’ll find a collection of contemporary Portuguese art dating from the 1960s to the present, or perhaps the Sugar Cane Mill and museum - especially as entry is free! The museum houses machinery that was once used to process sugar cane, as well as a working mill which is still used to produce sugar cane honey today.

Read more about Calheta

Please be aware that the location tab shown on the website is not based on the property's exact location; therefore, all location amenities are an approx of facilities, restaurants, and villages/towns you might find around the property. The property's exact location will be provided to you before arrival and might come along with some recommendations about the area and what to visit.

THE REGION

Calheta, meaning ‘Small Cove’, is where many tourists flock to in order to indulge in beautiful man-made beaches and striking scenery.

This part of Madeira is formed of several municipalities, each with something unique and special to offer. Calheta Village is an ideal place to start especially if you enjoy a stiff drink! An old sugar cane factory still produces one of the world’s most respected white rums – Aguardente…perhaps you want to leave this part of your holiday till late in the evening!

Jardim do Mar is where you will find many of the locals on dawn patrol, taking to the waves and surfing. The waters can both be heavy and flat, making them ideal for abilities of surfer. Akaw!
 
For lovers of seafood, you should look no further than Paul do Mar. This is a village where most of the fisherman work out of, so you know you’ll be able to find the catch of the day here.

For those who have travelled to Madeira for its inland beauty, then look no further than Arco da Calheta and Prazeres. Within these locations you won’t only be able find some stunning hiking trails, but you’re also likely to stumble across some traditionally styled Parishes and unforgettable views.

ABOUT MADEIRA

The island of Madeira can be found south west of mainland Portugal, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Due to the island’s location, its is considered to have a Mediterranean climate that serves locals and visitors all year round – making it an ideal escape from reality at any point in the year.

What we love Madeira for is its seemingly ongoing festivals! Madeirans have found an excuse to celebrate most things; including film, their natural surroundings and key patron saints. This means that planning a visit during these days and even weeks of commemoration is well worth it (scroll down to see some key dates).

Madeira is divided into several municipals, each with a special offering to those who visit this island. Our favourite two communities are Funchal and Calheta and these are where you will find most of our beautiful villas.

Madeira’s landscape extends much more than a striking coastline. Make sure you pack some hiking boots and venture inland during your stay. With mountainous trails along Vereda do Arieiro, or more countryside appropriate paths like Levada do Risco and waterfall chasing treks like Levada do Caldeirao Verde – this archipelago has everything a keen outdoors person requires.

For those who enjoy either playing or watching sports, you’ll be happy to know Madeira offers so much selection. Madeira is also home to three notable football clubs, so if you’re visiting during the football season and want to see a good quality of football, you have every chance to. Porto Santo Golfe is the island’s renowned golf course. With an 18-hole course (Par 72) overlooking a Galapagos-like backdrop, golf enthusiasts will certainly want a ‘slice’ of the action! Surfers can access some great beaches like Jardim do Mar, Ponta Pequena, Paul do Mar, and Fajã da Ovelha in order to find some swell. Or, if you’re simply looking to recline on a sun lounger and soak up some rays, whilst listening to crystal clear waves break as they hit the shores, you will find plenty of man-made beaches & Lidos created for your leisure!

With a superb climate, close proximity to the coastline, wonderful cuisine, charming locals and astonishing scenery – this is a fabulous holiday choice for families & friends.

But while you're enjoying one of our fantastic villas in Madeira, you may well want to take some time out from all that sun worship to explore everything else the region has to offer – so we've put together this handy travel guide to give you a little help and inspiration!

Download our Madeira travel guide >>