Experience the best of Calheta

Calheta lies on the sheltered south-west coast of Madeira, one of the island's sunniest stretches, with banana plantations and terraced fields rising behind the town. The beach has golden sand brought in from elsewhere to soften the dark volcanic shore, and there is a marina and a seafront promenade. The parish church has a ceiling in the Mudéjar style, and the Casa das Mudas arts centre perches on a cliff above the sea.

Inland, the Rabaçal valley is the starting point for popular levada walks, which follow old irrigation channels to the Risco waterfall and the 25 Fontes. The high plateau of Paul da Serra lies above, and the lighthouse at Ponta do Pargo stands on the western tip of the island. Funchal lies east along the coast, and the natural lava pools of Porto Moniz are on the north-west coast.

Sugar cane is still grown and pressed in the district, and the local rum is made from the fresh juice. Poncha, a mix of cane spirit, lemon and honey, is the drink of the island, and black scabbardfish with banana is a Madeiran classic. The climate is mild all year, so the walking is good in every season.