The PALHEIRO MASSAPEZ cottage is one of two cottages we rent out on the property. The other cottage is a renovated two-bedroom typical home. That other cottage can be found here: https://www.vrbo.com/en-gb/p8727294?dateless=true.
Both are typical Madeiran stone cottages converted from older structures. They are located on a cliff overlooking the beautiful Atlantic Ocean in sunny Calheta.
The PALHEIRO MASSAPEZ has one large bedroom with its own private balcony overlooking the gardens below, the pool to the side and the Ocean towards the south. On the bottom of the cottage is a cozy comfortable living room area with its own kitchenette. A shower bathroom is also available on the bottom floor.
Note: to get to the bedroom area in the cottage you need to climb up a short flight of steps to the top floor.
The cottage provides barbecue facilities with its own patio next to the garden but slightly away from the pool. There is also ample garden space with awesome sea views.
The greatest feature of the area in which the cottage is located is the beautiful greenery typical of a rural village setting, the grape vines, banana trees, vegetable patches, and the awesome blue sea beyond.
We believe the cottages are in a veritable “sun-trap” and enjoy warm weather for most of the day. It has, in our opinion of-course, the best weather you can find on the island.
The swimming pool available on the property is made available for guests from both cottages to use. Please be aware of this: the pool is shared by the guests of both the one-bedroomed and two-bedroomed cottages.
The two cottages are perched on a cliff in an area called "Massapez" that is part of “Loreto” in the municipality of Calheta. It lies just after the spectacular amphitheatre village area of Arco da Calheta and just before the quaint villa of central Calheta itself.
To take in the best that Madeira has to offer and to enjoy the many facilities it offers we strongly recommend that you hire a car.
Facilities such as a supermarkets, restaurants, chemist, views and starting points for levada walks are perhaps a little too far away to be had by foot.
Having said that, there are a lot of niches, paths or “veredas” through terraced cultivated plots of land all around the cottage to enjoy long healthy sojourns by foot or without a car. Albeit that these are mostly privately owned properties.
The climb to the top of the mountain can be done in one or two hours, and a walk down to the beach may take another hour or so too. But by car it is about five minutes away.
Typical and traditional mini-markets, snack-bars and bars are also in the vicinity. But it is a rural location. Driving instructions, and how to get there is provided for upon confirmation of reservations.
A couple IMPORTANT NOTES to consider before booking our cottage:
1. It is not recommended to stay here without a car. Unfortunately, there is hardly no Uber or Bolt in the area. Using a taxi service is possible, but will be relatively expensive. Also, many taxi drivers will take advantage of its remote location to "get lost" finding it....
2. If you have read the reviews (about the approach by car to the property, the last 300 metres or so) the road down to the cottages can be daunting or scary if you are not a confident driver! Even more so if you arrive at night. The road is very narrow and windy. In parts, it seems to hang off a precipice on the side of the hill. The reward for completing the drive down the steep road is enjoying grand sea views and panoramic vistas. Not to mention having that great Madeira experience of living on a steep rock in the middle of the Atlantic ocean!
3. This is a working area of local farmers in a rural setting. Some of the working farming neighbours have chickens. Others may have goats or other livestock. They also keep dogs and cats. Animals like these can make noises. It is rare for our guests to complain about the animal noises though. Most guests choose to stay in independent cottages and homes like those found on this platform because they want to experience the real Madeira.
4. Also, we do ask our guests, to respect the farmer's properties and not take vegetables or fruits from their farms.
5. Most of our guests can self-check-in. We provide an email with instructions on how to get to open the door of your cottage.
6. We are required to collect a Municipality Tourism Tax for all guests 13 years or older. The value of the tax may change in the future (but as of 2026 it was €2 Euros per person per day). More details will be provided in our emails to you.
If that is OK with you please feel welcome to book our property!