Calheta Beach
Madeira's first artificial beach with imported Moroccan sand, offering a unique seaside escape with hotel amenities.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more relaxed vibe
Calheta Beach
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more relaxed vibe
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Madeira's first artificial beach with imported Moroccan sand, offering a unique seaside escape with hotel amenities.
"The staff are very nice and super helpful! The food options were pretty good, but it would be nice if more food was available between mealtimes."
🚗 Book Car in Advance
For island exploration from Calheta, rent a car early. Taxis/Bolt are options but less convenient for extensive trips.
☕ Coffee Kiosk Near Marina
Grab a great coffee at @gatolegalcoffeeroastery, a renovated kiosk by the marina.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Artificial Golden Sands
Calheta Beach
Enjoy imported golden sand from Morocco and crystal-clear waters at this unique artificial beach.
Indoor & Outdoor Pools
Calheta Beach Hotel
Relax and swim in multiple pools, though some guests note the outdoor ones can be quite cold.
Spa and Wellness
Calheta Beach Hotel
Unwind with spa treatments, though some visitors found them limited and not worth the price.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
All-Inclusive Perks & Potential Downsides
Navigating Calheta & Madeira
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Book Car in Advance
For island exploration from Calheta, rent a car early. Taxis/Bolt are options but less convenient for extensive trips.
☕ Coffee Kiosk Near Marina
Grab a great coffee at @gatolegalcoffeeroastery, a renovated kiosk by the marina.
🛏️ Room View Caveats
Side sea view rooms might be across the street. Check details carefully to avoid disappointment.
🍽️ Restaurant Reservations
Book specialty restaurants 24 hours in advance. Be prepared to show your booking confirmation.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Book Car in Advance
For island exploration from Calheta, rent a car early. Taxis/Bolt are options but less convenient for extensive trips.
☕ Coffee Kiosk Near Marina
Grab a great coffee at @gatolegalcoffeeroastery, a renovated kiosk by the marina.
🛏️ Room View Caveats
Side sea view rooms might be across the street. Check details carefully to avoid disappointment.
🍽️ Restaurant Reservations
Book specialty restaurants 24 hours in advance. Be prepared to show your booking confirmation.
☀️ Pool Lounger Strategy
Pool loungers are often reserved early. Get out to the pool area in the morning to secure a spot.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Calheta Beach offers a mixed bag of experiences. Guests often praise the friendly staff, pleasant meals (especially breakfast), and the unique artificial beach. However, recurring criticisms include dated rooms, inconsistent cleanliness, cold pools, and limited dining variety, leading some to feel it doesn't meet 4-star expectations.
"We enjoyed our stay at Calheta beach! We booked a suite side sea view. It did have a side view of the ocean, but the room was across the street. However, the suite was large with plenty of space! The parking garage can get pretty full (parking is free if you book your room through their website). The staff at Calheta are very nice and super helpful! The entertainment in the evening was mainly dancing and singing, which was good! The food options were pretty good, but it would be nice if more food was available between mealtimes (there is a snack bar but it is fairly limited). Overall, we had a great experience at Calheta beach!"
Sarah
"Overall the stay was bittersweet. The best: meals (breakfast was the best although lunch could be improved), swimming pools, location and friendliness of the staff.
The worst: The mattress was sagging, it was impossible to rest on it. I complained 3 times at reception and they didn't pay any attention to me, nobody checked it, nobody changed it... (room 703). I tell you because other guests could suffer the same that me. The toilet was also broken but they fixed it 24 hours later.
Finally I would give my stay a 3 out of 5. On holidays you go to rest and I came back with back pain and tired."
JL Del
"The hotel is old! The reception staff helps with information, but understand that not everything is in their power. We booked a room with a side view of the ocean, it turned out that the room is in another building across the street and the front view is on a noisy road. They could not change our room, because there were no better rooms. We wanted to leave faster, cockroaches were crawling freely in the room, restaurant and children's room ((. The hotel does not have its own massage therapists, they come at the request of the hotel and are not customer-oriented. The exchange that is hung on the hand is made of cheap plastic with sharp edges and caused irritation on the skin. There is definitely no desire to return to this hotel or recommend it. However, there was one woman from the cleaning service, whose work and care I want to note and thank, she tried to take into account our wishes, thank her for that!"
Elena
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
From Funchal, you can take a bus to Calheta, which is a scenic but longer journey. Renting a car is highly recommended for flexibility in exploring Madeira, including getting to Calheta Beach. Taxis and ride-sharing services like Bolt are available but can be more expensive for longer distances.
Calheta itself is a small town. For exploring the wider island of Madeira from Calheta, renting a car is the most convenient option. Public buses connect Calheta to Funchal, but schedules can be limited.
For hiking trips from Calheta, you can use Bolt/taxis for shorter excursions. For more extensive island exploration, renting a car is advisable. Booking a rental car in advance is recommended.
Yes, Calheta Beach Hotel has a parking garage. Parking is free if you book your room through their website. However, the garage can get quite full.
Yes, public transport options exist to reach Calheta, including buses from Funchal. However, for exploring the island and reaching specific points of interest around Calheta, a rental car is generally more practical.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Calheta Beach itself, particularly the artificial beach area, is generally accessible. If you are staying at the Calheta Beach Hotel, access to its facilities, including pools and beach access, is typically included with your stay.
Calheta Beach, as a public beach area, is generally accessible throughout the day. The Calheta Beach Hotel's facilities, such as pools and restaurants, will have specific operating hours. It's best to check with the hotel directly for their current schedule.
Yes, if you plan to stay at the Calheta Beach Hotel, you will need to book a room. For dining at their specialty restaurants, reservations are required 24 hours in advance.
As an artificial beach, Calheta Beach is designed for recreation. During certain events, like festivals, parts of the beach might be temporarily occupied by stages, as seen in some social media posts.
The artificial beach area in Calheta is generally accessible to the public. However, access to hotel amenities like pools and private beach areas may be restricted to guests.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Calheta Beach offers opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying the imported golden sand. Water sports are also available. The hotel provides evening entertainment, often featuring dancing and singing.
The outdoor swimming pools at Calheta Beach can be quite cold, similar to the ocean temperature. The indoor pool is small, and its water clarity has been noted as a concern by some guests.
Room quality can be mixed. Some guests report spacious suites, while others describe rooms as dated with issues like sagging mattresses, stained curtains, and noisy appliances. Cockroaches have also been reported in some rooms. +2
Wi-Fi is generally available at Calheta Beach Hotel, though the quality and speed can vary. It's advisable to check with the hotel for specific details regarding Wi-Fi access in rooms and common areas.
Evening entertainment at Calheta Beach Hotel typically includes dancing and singing. Some guests found the entertainment basic and limited, while others enjoyed the efforts to get people involved. +1
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
The hotel offers buffet-style meals, with breakfast generally being well-regarded. Specialty restaurants like Azul are available but require advance reservations. Some guests found lunch options limited and noted that not all menu items were available for all-inclusive guests. +1
Food quality is subjective. Breakfast is often praised, but lunch and dinner options can be repetitive or limited. Some specialty dishes at restaurants like Azul have received positive feedback. +2
Yes, there is a snack bar available, but some guests found its offerings to be fairly limited.
For excellent coffee, visit the @gatolegalcoffeeroastery kiosk near the marina in Calheta.
The all-inclusive package covers meals and drinks. However, some guests noted that a portion of the menu at specialty restaurants might not be included or available.
📸 📸 Photography
The artificial beach with its golden sand and the intense blue sea offer beautiful photo opportunities. Views from the Museu Contemporâneo das Mudas towards the beach are also stunning. Drone shots capture the dramatic coastline. 
Drone photography can offer breathtaking perspectives of Calheta Beach and its surroundings, showcasing the coastline and the artificial beach. Always check local regulations regarding drone usage.
Golden hour, shortly after sunrise or before sunset, will provide the most flattering light for photos of Calheta Beach. Midday sun can be harsh, but the vibrant blue of the water is still impressive.
The Museu Contemporâneo das Mudas offers elevated views of the beach and coastline, making it a great spot for panoramic photos. The marina area also provides picturesque scenes.
A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expanse of the beach and coastline. A polarizing filter can enhance the blue of the sea and sky. If you have a drone, it offers unique aerial perspectives.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
However, parents should be aware that the outdoor pools can be quite cold, and the indoor pool is small. Some reviews have mentioned issues with room maintenance and cleanliness, including the presence of cockroaches, which could be a concern for families. It's advisable to confirm room conditions and cleanliness standards upon booking. The limited snack options between meals might also require families to plan accordingly.
💰 Budget Travelers
For budget-conscious travelers looking to explore Madeira, consider the transportation costs. Renting a car is highly recommended for flexibility but adds to the overall expense. Public buses are an option but limit exploration. Staying in Calheta and utilizing its amenities might be more economical than constantly traveling from other parts of the island, but research alternative accommodations and dining options in the area for comparison.
couples
+1However, be mindful of potential room issues and the mixed reviews on food quality and entertainment. If seeking a truly luxurious or consistently high-end experience, it might be worth carefully reviewing recent guest feedback or considering other options. Booking a room with a guaranteed sea view and confirming restaurant reservation policies in advance will enhance the experience.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Unique Artificial Beach of Calheta
+1While the artificial nature provides a unique aesthetic, it's worth noting that the imported sand might feel different underfoot compared to natural beaches. The beach is situated near the marina, adding to its charm and providing a picturesque backdrop. It's a place where visitors can enjoy a 'VIP' beach experience, as described by some, with all the comforts readily available.
+1For those seeking a different kind of beach experience on Madeira, Calheta Beach offers a luxurious and well-maintained environment. It's a spot that combines natural beauty with man-made enhancements to create a memorable seaside destination. The presence of a beach bar ensures that refreshments are always within reach, enhancing the overall relaxation factor.
+1Exploring Calheta and Surrounding Areas
From Calheta, day trips can include visiting the dramatic cliffs of Cabo Girão, exploring the historic capital of Funchal, or venturing into the island's mountainous interior. The Museu Contemporâneo das Mudas, located near Calheta Beach, offers not only art but also stunning panoramic views of the coastline, making it a worthwhile stop for both culture and photography enthusiasts.
For those who prefer not to drive, public buses connect Calheta to Funchal, but for more extensive exploration, taxis or ride-sharing services like Bolt can be used for shorter trips to nearby attractions or hiking trailheads. However, for comprehensive island discovery, securing a rental car in advance is highly recommended to make the most of your time in Madeira.
Dining and Refreshments in Calheta
A notable addition to the Calheta dining scene is the @gatolegalcoffeeroastery kiosk located near the marina. This spot is praised for serving fantastic coffee and provides a much-needed boost of quality caffeine in an area where good coffee was previously harder to find. It's a perfect place to relax in the sun with a delicious beverage.
For those exploring the area, it's advisable to plan your dining, especially if you're seeking specific cuisines or experiences. While the hotel offers convenience, venturing out to local spots or enjoying a coffee by the marina can add to the overall culinary exploration of Calheta.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit