Paul do Mar in Madeira
Paul do Mar is a small village on the south west coast of Madeira. It has a pebble beach and is a spot that offers the tourist a quiet retreat and the chance for surfing.
The village owes its origins to the fishing community although, today, its economic activities also include banana cultivation and tourism.
Public transport in and out of Paul do Mar is limited. So, if you want to use the village as a base and travel further afield you will need to hire a car or else be dependent on local taxis.
A short distance along the coast, travelling eastward, are the lovely golden sand beaches of Calheta.
Venturing westward along the coast, is the new golf course development at Ponta do Pargo. Further on, are the seawater volcanic rock pools at Porto Moniz.
Fisherman Statue at Paul do Mar
Paul do Mar is an important fishing village and in the past, many inhabitants have ventured to Central America to seek their fortunes.
There is a significant ethnic Madeiran community in Panama.
Over the years, this ex-patriot community has seen many of its members prospering from the new economic opportunities offered abroad and many have returned to the island of their birth. Hence, Paul do Mar has recently been transformed by an influx of wealthy returnees and the village boasts a selection of newly built, high-spec, luxury properties.
On the 21st August 2004, a Fisherman Statue, was inaugurated to celebrate Paul do Mar's fishing heritage. Appropriately, the statue stands on the seafront and looks out across the Atlantic Ocean to horizons new. On the plinth, a plaque lists the names of some of the former fishermen who are fondly remembered by the community.
Tourist Pursuits Near To Paul do Mar
Apart from the nearby attractions of Calheta and Ponta do Pargo, Paul do Mar is an excellent base for those interested in walking some of the more remote regions of Madeira island.
The Calheta to Ponta do Pargo levada is nearby. This levada stretches some 8 miles (13km) broadly parallel to, but inland from, the coast. It may be conveniently broken into a number of shorter walks. It offers varied landscape and some spectacular viewpoints, notably that at the Cabo Miradouro.
For details of the various routes you are recommended to read the Essential walking guide.
For those with a head for heights, there is a short, but exhilarating, cable car ride at Archadas da Cruz. It is primary intended for local farmers to use for access to their small seafront fields, but a ride gives the tourist a lovely view.
A little more distant is the delightful village of Porto Moniz. Here, apart from the famous seawater, volcanic rock pools, is the Madeira Aquarium, and the modern Living Science Centre visitor centre.
Possibly Madeira's Best Walking Guide
If you want to explore the island on foot, then you will need an up-to-date Madeira walking guide book.
Illustrated with detailed maps, and written in clear easy to read language, John & Pat Underwood's Sunflower Madeira walking guide book is possibly the best on sale. Certainly, those who have bought the book think so.
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This pocket-sized guide has a tough durable soft cover and will give you all the information you need to undertake and enjoy all the most popular, and the less well known, walks in Madeira.
Each walk itinerary gives information on:
- How to get there by public transport
- Clear details of the route to follow
- How long the walk is and how long it will take
- A graded difficulty level
- Latest updates available free via the Internet
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Directions
Paul do Mar is not easily visited by bus from Funchal.
If you want to indulge yourself in a little adventure on the local transport then the Rodoeste company that services the area.
Service number 142, that departs Funchal from the Comunidades Madeirenese, just along from the bland Praça da Autonomia square, is the best route to take for Paul do Mar. But, ask the driver to tell you for the stop nearest to the village centre. You should consult the latest bus schedule carefully before you travel.
By car:-
By car, Paul do Mar is easy to get to.
Join the Rapida from Funchal and head eastward. Keep on the Rapida motorway until Ribeira Brava, where you want to take the left hand exit toward Ponta do Sol.
Follow the ER101. As you pass Calheta, pick up the ER224 and follow the signs to Paul do Mar. You will pass through a relatively long tunnel just before you reach the village.
Madeira Features
Passeio Publico do Lido
If your staying in the hotel district of Funchal, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting a restaurant for your evening meal.
After you have dined though, what better way to end the perfect day than to take a gentle stroll in the public park that lies adjacent to the nearby Lido.
Many people do not venture down the short hill to the seafront - and they are surely missing out.
Just set back from the coast is the lovely Passeio Publico do Lido.
Many locals can be found in this park as the hot sun of the day wanes. Surely, there can be no better way to end your day than to watch the fading glow of the setting sun over the Atlantic from this oasis set apart from the tangle of hotels.
Hotel District to Funchal City Centre Walk
If you visit Madeira, chances are you will end up in a hotel in the Lido suburb of Funchal. The district is full of popular hotels and restaurants. It also boasts a pleasant public park.
Many hotels run a courtesy bus service to the city centre. Other tourists make for the taxi rank whenever they wish to make their way into Funchal.
However, the walk into Funchal City Centre is a nice stroll and you can spot many interesting features along the way - as long as you know what you are looking for!
And, as an added bonus, unlike most walks in Madeira, the walk from the hotel district into Funchal City Centre is almost entirely on the flat.
