Rural Cottage in sunny Calheta with shared pool, WIFI, BBQ, Sea View
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!
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Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts cash
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
About the area
Calheta
Located in Calheta, this cottage is in a rural area and in the mountains. Casa das Mudas Arts Center and Ethnographic Museum of Madeira are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include Church of Our Lady of Light and Eglise de Faja da Ovelha. Lava Pools and Eglise de Jesus-Bom Senhor are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and scuba diving nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with mountain climbing and hiking/biking trails.
Porto Moniz Natural Pools - 39 min drive - 39.0 km
Seixal Beach - 53 min drive - 44.3 km
Getting around
Funchal (FNC-Cristiano Ronaldo) - 56 min drive
Restaurants
Pukiki Bar - 8 min drive
Bar Sra Maria - 6 min drive
Laranjeira's Snack Bar - 9 min drive
Taberna da Madalena - 7 min drive
As fontes do Horácio - 10 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Does Rural Cottage in sunny Calheta with shared pool, WIFI, BBQ, Sea View have a pool?
Yes, this property has a pool.
How much does it cost to stay at Rural Cottage in sunny Calheta with shared pool, WIFI, BBQ, Sea View?
As of 15 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Rural Cottage in sunny Calheta with shared pool, WIFI, BBQ, Sea View on 27 Oct 2026 start from AU$141, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
Is Rural Cottage in sunny Calheta with shared pool, WIFI, BBQ, Sea View pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking at Rural Cottage in sunny Calheta with shared pool, WIFI, BBQ, Sea View?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Rural Cottage in sunny Calheta with shared pool, WIFI, BBQ, Sea View?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Rural Cottage in sunny Calheta with shared pool, WIFI, BBQ, Sea View?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Rural Cottage in sunny Calheta with shared pool, WIFI, BBQ, Sea View located?
Situated in the mountains, this cottage is 2.3 mi (3.6 km) from Casa das Mudas Arts Center and within 6 miles (10 km) of Church of Our Lady of Light and Beachside Square. Ponta Do Sol Beach and Laurisilva of Madeira are also within 9 miles (15 km).
Reviews
9.0
Wonderful
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We loved staying here. The cottage is nice and cozy with lovely views. The pool was perfect to cool off. Driving here was a little treacherous but worked out without problems.
This property had everything we needed! The shared pool was lovely and the views were amazing. We had some initial questions/concerns that the host was able to answer to help better our stay. Overall a lovely home. The road to get there is very steep and winding so I would just keep that in mind. Also, there is only one parking spot so if the other property is occupied the parking situation can be complex.
Beautiful stone house, with lots of wood. Small living room with kitchen on the ground floor, the sleeping area above accessible via steep wooden stairs. South facing, a small well-kept garden with a covered wooden bench, a small balcony with seating on the upper floor. Fantastic view over the wide Atlantic. A small pool is shared with the neighbors. The other facilities are functional, not luxurious. Access and driveway are quite steep in places, possibly difficult for those with physical disabilities. We felt very comfortable there.
The cottage is a great place to stay if you want to explore the island and enjoy some pool-time. It is equipped with a renovated bathroom and a full size kitchen. The style is indeed quite rustical, but everything was very clean. The mattress must have been changed since one of the former reviews, it was quite thick and comfortable. There is no AC unit in the house, so letting air in whenever you can is necessary, but watch out for the stray cats as they may want to visit. You also shouldn’t have a problem with the small lizards as they also like to hang out. The outdoor area is the clear highlight of the property, the pool is newer and bigger than the one shown in the pictures even with a small waterfall. There are three double lounge chairs on the deck which are quite comfortable. From the deck and balcony you have an amazing view of the Atlantic Ocean and the banana trees around the house.
Leonie S.
Stayed 8 nights in Sep 2024
Verified
6/10 Okay
Sue H.
5 Oct 2024
Very remote location
The positives beautiful view of the sea. the pool is lovely
The negatives for me were. A lot of things in the property needed replacing or repairing. The road down to the property is so steep it was frightening and doing it on a daily basis was really scary. We had a tyre blow out coming down it was horrid. For that reason alone I wouldn’t stay here again . There were dogs barking for most of the night that drove us crazy. Everything in the house was because it needed to be equipped it wasn’t for comfort there were no little things to help like salt and pepper ,Just basic stuff fridge was broken shower rose wouldn’t stay up cupboards didn’t have handles no loo paper down the loo but no bin bags to put loo paper in. No pool towels. No bowl for washing up. . It just went a bit beyond rustic in my opinion.
Sue H.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024
Verified
6/10 Okay
Vicky S.
7 May 2025
Liked: Communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness
Amazing terasse, cottage not so great
The view and the terrasse are great ! We didnt use the pool because the weather was a bit cold. We liked the wood fired bbqThe access is tricky and scary, but you need to trust the process, it's doable!The host Jorge is very responsive.Now for the cottage itself, we can't say we had a confortable stay...There are centipedes looking insects on the floor everywhere, including in the shower, and sometimes on the kitchen counter. We saw 3 mices (or 3 times the same one). We also saw slugs (3 times). There were A LOT of small ants on the kitchen counter.The kitchen is functionnal, but we needed to wash everything prior to use, because the dishes were dusty and smelled like old cabinet. There were missing some useful things, like a lighter or matches, a spare cloth to clean the surfaces (we were staying a week, so it got dirty pretty fast) or salt and pepper. The living room furniture were not very comfy, but clean.The bathroom was humid and moldy at some places. Lots of little flies. It was smelly when we arrived, too. There was no bag in the trash can, even if we are ask to put toilet paper in the trash can. We kept the fan running 24/7, but still everything stayed dampThe bed was clean and confortable.
Wir haben uns sehr wohl gefühlt Die kleine Wohnung war gemütlich, die Küche einfach, aber ok, der Blick von der Unterkunft aus großartig Ein schöner Aufenthalt
Logement très agréable bien situé très belle vue avec les deux terrasses. Facilité de communication avec l hôte.Un petit panier avec du café sel poivre huile aurait été le bienvenu il faudrait penser à remettre des plaques dans le réfrigérateur. On y reviendra avec plaisir.
GWENAELLE J.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2026
Verified
6/10 Okay
Petra D.
2 Feb 2026
Liked: Check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Disliked: Location
Es war nett, eine Menge Bananen als Willkommensgruß zu finden. Wir hatten vor der Reise um Brennholz gebeten, das nicht vorhanden war, aber auf Anfrage zügig und in ausreichender Menge geliefert wurde.Die Kommunikation mit dem Host war tadellos.Das Haus hätte sauberer sein können. Es war augenscheinlich über einen längeren Zeitraum nicht bewohnt und war staubig. Das Geschirr, das wir benutzen wollten, haben wir erstmal abgewaschen, weil es nicht sauber erschien. Die Teppiche und die Decke auf dem Sofa müssten dringend gewaschen werden.
Der Blick aufs Meer war genial und der Pool sauber und angenehm zu schwimmen.Der Ausbau des Appartements war sehr rustikal und es gab abends eine Maus die durch die Küche lief. Man musste es entspannt hinnehmen.Man hatte in dem Appartement den absoluten Ruhepunkt mit toller Aussicht.Der Anfahrtsweg ist wie beschrieben nicht ganz leicht zu finden und anspruchsvoll
Très joli petit chalet rustique avec une magnifique vue sur la mer. En réponse à certains commentaires, il faut se souvenir que le chalet est dans la nature et entouré de jardins, de bananiers et autres flores. Il y a donc de petites bestioles très inoffensives. Le village alentours est charmant, et j'ai bien apprécié le BBQ du vendredi soir au Bar Massapez. La piscine après les randos était bienvenue. Il est vrai que le chemin pour se rendre au stationnement de la Casa est plutôt intimidant, mais on s'y habitue. L'option de rester sur la route et prendre le court sentier au travers des bananiers est simple à gérer. Le lieu est aussi fort utile pour explorer le sud, le nord et l'ouest de l'île. J'y reviendrais dans hésitation!
Super logement très mignon avec une vu magnifique. 2 axes d'améliorations, -replacé des contenants dans la porte du frig-laisser un panier de courtoisie ( sucre sel poivre vinaigre....) Nous en avons acheté et laissé sur-place.
Madère est une belle destination. 1 semaine bien remplie. La maison est top: la vue est magnifique, la piscine est agréable, la maison est bien équipée. Notre hôte est très réactif. Nous avons passé une super semaine! Merci!
CAROLINE P.
Stayed 8 nights in Apr 2025
Verified
6/10 Okay
Estrella N.
5 Apr 2025
Liked: Check-in, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness, location
Wir würden es vermutlich nicht nochmal buchen.
Positiv:- Der Ausblick vom Balkon - Gartengrundstück sehr gepflegt - Pool vorhanden - Badezimmer sauber Negativ: - Die Lage ist definitiv herausfordernd. Trotzdessen, dass wir geübte Autofahrer sind haben wir die A
Estrella N.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025
Verified
8/10 Good
Felix G.
14 Feb 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication
Disliked: Location
Madeira Neugirr auf Sonne
Appartement war gut, Kühlschrank etwas klein, der Weg oder Straße zu dem Appartement war allerdings eine Katastrophe.
Felix G.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2025
Verified
8/10 Good
Sabine W.
6 Jan 2025
Liked: Communication, listing accuracy
Kein Titel
Bitte dafür sorgen, dass keine Maus mehr im Haus durch Küche/Wohnzimmer läuft!
Magnifique gîte conforme à la description.
Bon emplacement. Le gîte était propre. Bonne communication avec le propriétaire.
Superbe jardin privatif et piscine vue mer.