RAPOSEIRA VIEWPOINT. Places you must visit on Madeira Island

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Raposeira Viewpoint

Jun 15, 2020

How to get to Raposeira Viewpoint?

The Raposeira viewpoint is located on the south coast. There are no tours to this place, the best way is for you to have your own car.

There is a parking lot located on the side road and then you have a sign clearly pointing down the slippery dirt trail to the viewpoint. Bring shoes for this trail as it is dusty and hard to get much traction.

From the parking lot, it’s just a 10-minute walk to the viewpoint. Beware of the gravel track, which is very slippery and has a big drop-off on the right side. Or take your car down to the road on the left before arriving at the viewpoint and walk just for 5 minutes, it's less dangerous.

Enjoy the view and watch the sunset

To the left, you have stunning views of Jardim Do Mar as you look down the golden southern coast of Madeira Island. As the sun began to go down, a soft orange glow came over the cliffs creating a beautiful view from the Miradoura da Raposeira.

To the right, you have views of the edge of Faja and the coast towards the west of the island.

Raposeira calheta

TIP:

Rent a car and explore the southwest side of Madeira: Funchal-Ponta do sol-Calheta- Ponta do Pargo- Paúl do Mar- Jardim do Mar- Madalena do Mar

Get to know how to explore Funchal: Is it Funchal worth visiting?

Tours to go to Calheta:

Jeep tour

Sailboat Rental in Calheta

Snorkeling with Dolphins Tour from Calheta

Whale Watching Tour from Calheta

5 Things to do in Calheta

1. PR19- Caminho Real Paul do Mar

Since you are in Prazeres viewpoint and you're an adventurer go down by PR19, from the viewpoint, the path leads to Paul do Mar, it's only 1,8 km and takes about 1h30.

In this route, in addition to the waterfalls and the imposing relationship between those who wind a slope, the geological beauty is one of the attractions given the alternation between basaltic veins and ocher-colored rocks.

Safety:

As it corresponds to an accentuated path and with frequent traces of the erosion process, it is necessary to have adequate footwear and support staff;
If you are uncomfortable with heights and show signs of vertigo, keep in mind that this is a route with wide exposure on the slope. Make sure this is the ideal route for you.

Check also this Levada walk near Prazeres: PR20 Vereda do Jardim do Mar

2. ''Quinta pedagógica dos Prazeres''

This farm is a multifunctional space composed of four areas:

Cultivation area (privilege for alternative cultures)
Processing area (jams, cakes, and medicinal herbs)
Exhibition area (domestic animals from all over the planet) and tea room (teas) of the plants grown on the farm

Quinta Pedagógica dos Prazeres

Prazeres- Calheta

3. Museum of Contemporary Art of Madeira, "Casa das Mudas Arts Center"

It features a wide cultural offer, showcasing exhibitions of various kinds, plays, musicals, conferences, contemporary art, and many other events.

Casa das Mudas

4. Calheta Beach
5. Sugar Cane Mill and Museum in Calheta

The old steam engine has been in operation since 1894. Funchal and Porto da Cruz also have sugar cane factories.

On the first floor :

You can see how the Sugar Cane is unloaded and transported
Following this, workers pull the stems with a large rake into the machine, where it all falls down below upon the conveyor belt to be crushed by gear wheels.
The air smells of a little alcohol and sweet as it is here that the sugar cane is transformed into “Sugar Cane Rum” and “Sugar Cane Honey”.

Calheta Mill