Casa Cossart

Casa Cossart is located in the quiet foothills of the Prazeres forest in the rural southwest region of Madeira. Prazeres village, meaning ‘pleasures’ is a 6-minute drive from the villa and is aptly named. Famed for its beauty and tranquillity, this quaint village is dotted with family-run restaurants, cafes and poncho bars.

Children will love the small animal farm with its goats and pigs, and there’s also a cider mill and a tearoom (serving cider) making Prazeres a lovely place to spend an afternoon. There’s a lively market every Sunday, so be sure to come and stock up on colourful fresh fruits and locally grown vegetables.

From Prazeres a steep path, with spectacular views, leads down to the ancient fishing village of Paul do Mar. Once only accessible by boat today this fishing village is famed for its sunny weather and delicious seafood. Relax at one of the many restaurants, soak up the sun and enjoy freshly cooked fish delivered straight from the fishing boats.

Some of the best surf on the island can be found in this area, and experienced surfers can ride the waves here or at the nearby pebbly beach of Praia do Jardim.

The Prazeres region also possesses some excellent hiking trails known as levadas walks. The levadas are narrow channels that carry water long distances to banana groves and vineyards, making them excellent walking routes. One that shouldn’t be missed is the trail that connects Prazeres to Raposeira. An easy 6.7km trail, hikers can enjoy beautiful views, lush mountainous countryside, streams and a lovely waterfall.

For a great family day out be sure to head to Calheta and it’s beautiful sandy beach. It’s a 12-minute drive from the villa and the perfect place to relax. Children can safely swim in the water as sea walls protect the area from waves or build castles on the shore. Grab a bite to eat at one of the cafes or restaurants along the promenade, then stroll to the marina and watch the boats bopping on the water. There are also plenty of water sport activities on offer too. Try your hand at paragliding, scuba diving or windsurfing. Alternatively, book a boat trip and spend the afternoon spotting whales and dolphins.

Read more about Calheta

Please be aware that the location tab shown on the website is not based on the property's exact location; therefore, all location amenities are an approx of facilities, restaurants, and villages/towns you might find around the property. The property's exact location will be provided to you before arrival and might come along with some recommendations about the area and what to visit.

THE REGION

Calheta, meaning ‘Small Cove’, is where many tourists flock to in order to indulge in beautiful man-made beaches and striking scenery.

This part of Madeira is formed of several municipalities, each with something unique and special to offer. Calheta Village is an ideal place to start especially if you enjoy a stiff drink! An old sugar cane factory still produces one of the world’s most respected white rums – Aguardente…perhaps you want to leave this part of your holiday till late in the evening!

Jardim do Mar is where you will find many of the locals on dawn patrol, taking to the waves and surfing. The waters can both be heavy and flat, making them ideal for abilities of surfer. Akaw!
 
For lovers of seafood, you should look no further than Paul do Mar. This is a village where most of the fisherman work out of, so you know you’ll be able to find the catch of the day here.

For those who have travelled to Madeira for its inland beauty, then look no further than Arco da Calheta and Prazeres. Within these locations you won’t only be able find some stunning hiking trails, but you’re also likely to stumble across some traditionally styled Parishes and unforgettable views.

ABOUT MADEIRA

The island of Madeira can be found south west of mainland Portugal, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Due to the island’s location, its is considered to have a Mediterranean climate that serves locals and visitors all year round – making it an ideal escape from reality at any point in the year.

What we love Madeira for is its seemingly ongoing festivals! Madeirans have found an excuse to celebrate most things; including film, their natural surroundings and key patron saints. This means that planning a visit during these days and even weeks of commemoration is well worth it (scroll down to see some key dates).

Madeira is divided into several municipals, each with a special offering to those who visit this island. Our favourite two communities are Funchal and Calheta and these are where you will find most of our beautiful villas.

Madeira’s landscape extends much more than a striking coastline. Make sure you pack some hiking boots and venture inland during your stay. With mountainous trails along Vereda do Arieiro, or more countryside appropriate paths like Levada do Risco and waterfall chasing treks like Levada do Caldeirao Verde – this archipelago has everything a keen outdoors person requires.

For those who enjoy either playing or watching sports, you’ll be happy to know Madeira offers so much selection. Madeira is also home to three notable football clubs, so if you’re visiting during the football season and want to see a good quality of football, you have every chance to. Porto Santo Golfe is the island’s renowned golf course. With an 18-hole course (Par 72) overlooking a Galapagos-like backdrop, golf enthusiasts will certainly want a ‘slice’ of the action! Surfers can access some great beaches like Jardim do Mar, Ponta Pequena, Paul do Mar, and Fajã da Ovelha in order to find some swell. Or, if you’re simply looking to recline on a sun lounger and soak up some rays, whilst listening to crystal clear waves break as they hit the shores, you will find plenty of man-made beaches & Lidos created for your leisure!

With a superb climate, close proximity to the coastline, wonderful cuisine, charming locals and astonishing scenery – this is a fabulous holiday choice for families & friends.

But while you're enjoying one of our fantastic villas in Madeira, you may well want to take some time out from all that sun worship to explore everything else the region has to offer – so we've put together this handy travel guide to give you a little help and inspiration!

Download our Madeira travel guide >>