Paul do Mar is a small and pretty fishing village that is set on the south-western coastline of Madeira, at the foot of a chain of mountains that look as though they might tumble into the sea. It’s in Calheta, has fewer than 1,000 inhabitants and is protected by giant cliffs, giving it an impressive and spectacular appearance despite its small size.
Like other villages in the Portuguese archipelago, Paul do Mar has a pleasant climate and crystal clear waters, and it’s been adopted by a surfing community who see surfing more as a way of life than just a sport. And it makes sense, because the challenging waves at Paul do Mar are a big draw for experienced surfers. It’s a popular destination for beginners too because the village has several surf schools that help you take your first steps in this fun sport.
Paul do Mar’s economy is based around fishing and agriculture, particularly banana plantations. Ecotourism is also on the rise and exciting activities are available to travellers, particularly whale and dolphin watching tours.
- History of Paul do Mar
- Historic centre and monuments
- Hiking routes
- Paul do Mar Beach
- Where to eat in Paul do Mar
- Where to stay near Paul do Mar
History of Paul do Mar
The history of Paul do Mar and its neighbouring towns is intrinsically linked with the history of Portugal and while it may not be an ancient past, it’s certainly a rich one. Madeira and Porto Santo have been known, at least on the Iberian Peninsula, since the 14th century – the islands featured in a 14th century geography map known as “The Book of Knowledge”. The fact that they were previously known, and their few inhabitants, meant that the first explorers to rediscover the archipelago in 1418 advised Portuguese monarch John I to establish settlements here.
Colonisation was slow and complicated until Madeira became a stop on the trade route to India and an important centre of communications. Today, Madeira is an international tourist destination and tourism is its main source of income.
Historic centre and monuments
Before exploring the heart of Paul do Mar, it’s worth knowing that there are two ways to reach this pretty Madeiran village. One road runs eastwards to Porto Moniz, Santana, Calheta and Funchal, while the other heads to Fajá da Ovelha and Jardim do Mar. Essential sights in the historic centre of Paul do Mar include the parish church of Santo Amaro, which was built as part of the expansion of a chapel founded by Joao Antunes de Couto Cardoso, one of the village’s first inhabitants, Another interesting place to visit is the Fort of Santo Antonio, which was built in 1754 – and don’t miss the colourful houses on the sea front.
Hiking routes
Madeira is known as the garden of the Atlantic and nature truly runs wild on these ocean islands. That’s why hiking fans love exploring the trails that start from Paul do Mar and its neighbouring villages and enjoying the stunning landscapes in this area. There are hiking routes to suit everyone, no matter your experience level, and the most popular trails lead to Jardim do Mar, Vereda da Atalaia, Porta do Mar and Caminho San Lorenzo. Don’t forget that, although Paul do Mar is fairly small, it has all the tourist services you could need: shops, a supermarket, bars, cafés, restaurants, bakeries, a church, hospital, bank and football pitch.
Paul do Mar Beach
Paul do Mar Beach, also known as Río de las Gallinas, is one of the best surf spots in the whole archipelago. Big waves break here and usually experienced surfers are the only ones who dare to take on the wild ocean waters. In 2001, Paul do Mar was one of the hosts of the World Surf Championship. But if you’re a novice, don’t panic! There are several surf schools in the village where you can join classes and hire all the equipment you might need.
Paul do Mar Beach is a pebble beach with no life guard, although it does have showers, restaurants and bars nearby.
Where to eat in Paul do Mar
Madeira has plenty of restaurants and you’ll find lots in and around Paul do Mar. There are restaurants of all kinds so you can easily choose something that suits depending on your budget and preferences. One of the most popular is Maktub Pub, where you can enjoy fresh seabream or sip a mojito or caipirinha while listening to live music and watching the sun go down. We also recommend the following restaurants: O Ideal, Xama, Sol e Mar, The Beach Bar Paul do Mar, Restaurante Chico Tradicional, Olhar do Campo and Joe’s Bar.
Where to stay near Paul do Mar
The best place to sleep in Madeira comes with a Spanish seal of approval. Due to its excellent value for money, we recommend the Allegro Madeira Adults Only hotel, in Funchal, which has stunning panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and is very close to the old town and the Lido area. It has 124 very bright rooms decorated in blue tones and offers delicious traditional and international dining options, with something to satisfy all palates. From the Rooftop Bar 360 of the hotel, you can enjoy a delicious cocktail or an aperitif with a view of the Atlantic on the horizon. And if that weren’t enough, it has a gym and a wellness centre. In short, everything you need to guarantee a pleasant stay.
