Calheta Holidays

A picturesque holiday town
Calheta, situated on the south-west coast of Madeira, lies in the sunniest and most fertile part of the island. An agricultural town, Calheta is the main producer of sugar-cane and bananas on Madeira, and it boasts a certain natural beauty, with its' lush vegetation, green valleys full of vineyards and verdant mountains. Calheta is one of the oldest parishes on Madeira, dating back to the 15th century, with buildings from that period still found in the area.

Perfect for wonderful scenic walks and hikes 
Its' name meaning 'small beach' in Portuguese, Calheta sits on rocky south coastline of Madeira, an attractive mix of terraced hillsides and sparkling seas. As well as an important agricultural centre, Calheta is known for the wide variety of fish found in its' waters and the marina is home to many fishing vessels and visiting yachts. Holidays in Calheta are ideal for those looking for a relaxing holiday, walking or hiking in the steep cliffs or valleys or enjoying the white sandy man-made beach, and soaking up the tranquil atmosphere of this scenic part of Madeira. Accommodation in Calheta ranges from traditional hotels on the beach, and smaller bed and breakfasts and apartments situated on the coast and in the hillsides. Calheta also offers visitors to Madeira a taste of rural tourism, being home to some wonderful old restored guesthouses set in the countryside and amongst the vineyards.

An important agricultural town, and still home to a working sugar cane factory
The atmosphere in Calheta is peaceful and unhurried, with the resort being home to a small number of restaurants, with most serving the locally caught fish. The area around Calheta is perfect for exploring, with good day trips including a trip to the stunning waterfalls at Rabacal, which drop from 100m, and the plateau at Paul da Serra, with its' views of both coasts. Caletas' parish church dates back to 1430, and there are some wonderful chapels and churches nearby at Loreto and Lombo dos Reis. Once home to as many as eight sugar cane factories, Calheta is still home to one working factory, built at the turn of the 1900's, which continues to produce the traditional 'aguadente', a local spirit from sugar cane, and sugar cane honey. The resort is also home to a new Art Centre, Casa das Mudas, an exhibition centre and a modern showcase that has been built to blend perfectly with its' surroundings.

All inclusive holidays to Calheta
Calheta, and nearby Sintra, boast a good choice of four-star all-inclusive holiday hotels, offering a terrific range of great all-inclusive amenities such as spas, saunas, steam baths and massages - all keeping you in super shape for the beach. With their own indoor and outdoor pools, bars, special areas for the kids, and a good choice of restaurants selling local fish meals and other traditional cuisine, Calheta all-inclusive hotels will ensure you have a fabulous time. Other extras include surfboard and mountain bike hire, and an airport shuttle service.

Calheta Weather
The climate in Calheta is moderate, with plenty of sunshine creating ideal conditions for a beach or activity holiday. Summers are warm but not too hot, with highs reaching 20C in June and rising to 23C in August. Calheta can see 8 hours of sunshine during the summer months, however the resort can see strong coastal winds, as the town is less protected that others. Water temperatures in Calheta range from 18C in January to 24C in August, with the warm sea perfect for both swimming and water sports. The resort sees minimal rainfall during the summer months, with as little as 8mm of precipitation in both July and August. Spring and autumn see average temperatures of 16C - 20C and at least 6 hours of sunshine.