Calheta Village, Madeira

Calheta, one of the oldest parishes of the island, was one of the first to be explored by the primitive colonizers. Founded on the 1st of June 1502 by Royal Decree from Dom Manuel the Virtuous, the Municipal Assembly of the region stipulated that the town’s anniversary should be celebrated on the 24th of June, this day coinciding with the St. John’s festivities. So, every year, there are lively celebrations in the village, near the beach, with music, food stands and popular parades.

Besides its attractive location, surrounded by rocks and almost caressing the ocean, Calheta – which actually means ‘small cove’ in Portuguese – has an old sugar cane factory, Engenho da Calheta, founded in 1901 and still producing sugar cane honey and ‘aguardente' or ‘rum’ (sugar cane spirit). Calheta is also famous for the wide variety of fish to be found in its coastal waters.

A particularly interesting visitors’ attraction in this enchanting place by the sea is Mudas Contemporary Art Museum of Madeira. Besides the high-quality exhibitions on display and some cultural events held in the auditorium, this is an ambitious architectural project designed in complete harmony with its surroundings. In fact, the most iconic picture of Calheta is precisely taken from this building overlooking the sandy beach, Savoy Calheta Beach hotel and the marina. Also very close to the marina area and right in front of a small pebble beach you will find the Savoy Saccharum Resort & Spa, a hotel perfectly integrated into the natural landscape.