Above the rocks looking out to the sea of Calheta, 30 minutes from the city of Funchal, is Casa do Calhau Grande, an ideal location for those who appreciate the calmness, the agricultural surroundings and nature. Its name, Casa do Calhau Grande (House of the Great Pebble), originates from the great rocks of basaltic origin, calhaus, which you find there, some 5 meters high, a place that locals are still finding older rocks.
You will find old houses in madeirense traditional style, acquired by the current proprietor, in 1995 and reconstructed in 1997 and 2004. The construction was renewed in accordance with the models of the region, with local rock, carefully constructed, in order to protect the surrounding ecology, tracing its original, the harmony and the integration in the landscape.
Casa do Calhau Grande, with a panoramic view of 180º on the Atlantic, fits in the natural, country environment, in perfect harmony with the typical rustic look of the region, and provides a calm, healthy stay of great pleasure. The property consists of 4 independent houses, with privacy, in a rustic and comfortable environment, framed for the spectacular beauty that the sea view and the energy of the rocks provide to them. Each one of the houses is the ideal place for a family to escape to for a while, to live with tranquillity and to get a taste of the proximity with nature. All of this with private parking, a good choice of gardens, pool, agricultural land with fruit trees, vegetable gardens and aromatic herbs that are of high biological quality.
Properties are accessed through electronic security gates (although security is not an issue!) and there is a parking space for each holiday home. The Gouveia family have their own cottage on site and so are always available for advice or help. We would advise that this is not an ideal place for someone who has difficulty in negotiating steps or who has problems with heights, as well is to recommend that children, between two and eight years old, must be always controlled by their parents, because this place has stairs, swimming pool and some balconies in X! But it is exactly the height of this little complex that makes it so spectacular.
Palheiro is a lovingly renovated cottage comprising two floors. On the ground floor is a cosy comfortable living room area with its own kitchenette and a bathroom with shower. Upstairs is a large bedroom built from local wood in the eaves of the building. It is a truly warm and welcoming room which - because the land outside rises around it - can also be accessed at the upper floor by a split stable-style door which can be opened at the top half to enjoy the views and fresh air. The cottage enjoys its own little veranda leading to your private manicured garden with a table and chairs where you can sip a glass of wine or take a meal as the sun goes down. There is a lovely outdoors barbecue behind the cottage which is shared with the Tenda apartment next door. Sleeps 2-3 persons.
 

The configuration of the hills in a semi-circle, reminding of an arch, ended up by motivating the first settlers to call Arco da Calheta (Calheta arch) to this civil parish in the Calheta municipality.

Arco da Calheta civil parish was one of the first places in Madeira Island being colonised and having the first farms established after the island was discovered.

The settlement, manly from Portuguese, took place between 1425 and 1461.

Located by the sea, between Ledo and Luairão streams, Arco da Calheta is circumscribed between the civil parishes of Madalena do Mar, Canhas and Calheta.

Arco da Calheta, separated from Calheta in 1472, established its headquarters at the chapel of S. Brás.
The mother church was rebuilt in 1744.

Arco da Calheta has currently around 4,000 inhabitants. Its economic activities include agriculture and cattle breeding, wood sawing, carpentry, blacksmith’s workshops, bread making, blocks manufacture, trade and services.

In terms of climate, the summer is very hot, but the winter is somewhat harsher.
 

Madeira, the tropical exuberance of the Atlantic Ocean

Come and sample this feast of breathtaking sheer cliffs overlooking the sea.

Let yourself succumb to the charms of Madeira. It is not difficult. First, there's the island's exceptional climate, with its mild temperatures all year round (between 16ºC and 25ºC) and its exuberant natural features and tropical vegetation, in which flowers and fruit have been turned into a genuine cult. Then there's its rich historical heritage and luxury hotels - attractions enough to satisfy even the most demanding of tourists.

First discovered by the Portuguese navigator João Gonçalves Zarco, this beautiful island, 700 km from Casablanca and 900 km from Lisbon, soon became a major port of call for the caravels ploughing the waves on their way to the distant lands of the Far East.

Come and sample this feast of breathtaking beauty: sheer cliffs overlooking the sea, natural swimming-pools carved out of the rocks, high mountains swathed in mist, narrow footpaths running alongside the «levadas» or irrigation channels, offering the visitor the possibility of countryside walks in the midst of the most extraordinary landscape.

As soon as you arrive in Funchal, the island's capital, you will probably find yourself bumping into all kinds of famous people, for this is traditionally one of their favourite spots for a relaxing holiday. Overlooking a wide and sheltered bay, the city successfully blends together its special vocation as a tourist resort and its ability to provide all kinds of cultural events that testify to its history, amongst which one of the special highlights is its colourful festivals.

You will also certainly enjoy the traditional embroidery and basketwork, revealing the great talent and skilled hands of the island's inhabitants, who have produced some truly genuine works of art. Not forgetting the famous fortified «Madeira» wine, which for more than four hundred years has spread the name and flavour of the island all round the world.

It is well worth taking the time to extend your visit a little further to the north east so that you can discover the island of Porto Santo, roughly 40 km away. Although this is much flatter than its «mother-island», there is a wonderfully extensive beach waiting for you here, with sands that are famous for their great therapeutic properties. At Vila Baleira, the island's picturesque capital, you must make sure to visit the house where Christopher Columbus once lived.

 

The farm house comprises 1 bedrooms in total; 1 double and 1 cots. The property also has 1 single sofa bed located in the in the living room. This gives room for up to 3 people. Bed linen and towels are provided for your use.

The farm house has 1 bathrooms for your party's use.

The farm house has satellite/cable. The music system will play cds, radio.

There is room for 3 in the living room and 3 in the dining room. To prepare food you will find a cooker, a fridge. The owner has also provided cutlery, crockery, glassware, cooking utensils.

Smoking is allowed in this farm house.

Pets are not welcome 

Not suitable for wheelchairs 

The farm house is in a very quiet area. It has access to a shared swimming pool, a garden, a patio area, sea views, panoramic views, a barbeque. If you are driving there is private parking.

The farm house is right beside swimming, walking.

Close to the farm house you will find a beach, wind surfing, fishing, horse riding, a restaurant, a food shop.

Within easy reach of the farm house you will find sailing, golf, scuba diving, historic sites, shopping areas.

The farm house is....

45 km from Funchal airport.
30 km from Funchal city.
2 km from Beach.

Any day of the week.

Any day of the week.

7 days.

3 PM

10 AM