Discover Campanário

Campanário combines hiking experiences, swimming spots, historic religious buildings and special excursion destinations for a varied stay in Madeira. The area is ideal for travelers who do not want to spend their days only by the water, but also want to discover the landscape, traditions and wildlife. When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Campanário, you can therefore consider whether your trip should focus more on hiking, swimming excursions, cultural discoveries or a combination of these.

Hiking between the levada and Campanário

The PR19 offers a specific option for active days. The hiking trail leads from Estreito de Câmara de Lobos via the Levada do Norte and Quinta Grande to Campanário. At the same time, PR19 is one of Madeira’s 25 designated recommended hiking trails. This means you can also plan your choice of location based on how important a hike along a levada is to your trip.

The PR19 represents a different way of experiencing Campanário than visiting a single viewpoint or making a short stop. Those who enjoy being on the move can consider the trail an important part of their day’s plans. The stated stages and places should be noted carefully, as the trail is explicitly described as leading via Estreito de Câmara de Lobos, the Levada do Norte and Quinta Grande to Campanário.

Swimming spots with different types of access

Calhau da Lapa is a small swimming area in the municipality of Campanário, known for its tranquil atmosphere and the excellent quality of its waters. Access is via a path that descends down steep cliffs. This information is important when planning your day: anyone wishing to visit Calhau da Lapa should take the descent into account when choosing the excursion.

Fajã dos Padres offers another swimming experience. You can swim at the pebble beach and by the small landing stage. Fajã dos Padres can only be reached by cable car or boat. The cable-car ride takes four minutes and offers views of Madeira’s south coast and the bay of Fajã. Tropical fruit trees such as mango, banana and avocado trees grow at Fajã dos Padres all year round. They benefit from the fertility of the soil and the local microclimate. This creates an excursion destination where access, swimming and subtropical vegetation are closely connected with the place’s distinctive character.

Culture, traditions and birdlife

The history of Campanário can also be seen in its churches. The Glória Chapel was built in 1599; the present parish church was built in 1963. Those interested in religious buildings and the development of a place can include both details in their exploration without confusing the chapel’s historic character with the construction year of the present parish church.

One of the municipality’s cherished traditions is collecting Açucena flowers for the Nossa Senhora do Bom Despacho festival. Today, this cultural aspect is complemented by an excursion destination for nature and wildlife enthusiasts: the Ilha das Aves Mini-Zoo is located in Campanário Park. The facility covers 7,000 m², and its gardens are home to 200 bird species. This offers another way to spend a holiday day differently from a hike or swimming excursion.

The right base for planning your trip

Campanário appeals to different holiday preferences: you can choose the PR19 as a hiking focus, plan a swimming day at Calhau da Lapa or Fajã dos Padres, and add historical and nature-related experiences. When choosing your accommodation, it makes sense to first determine these personal priorities and then search for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Campanário. This way, your decision is guided by the desired mix of activity, water, culture and discovery, without associating an accommodation with unverified amenities.

For comparing other destinations, you can also include Ponta Do Pargo, Arco Da Calheta, Porto Moniz, Madalena Do Mar, Tabua, Lombada Velha, Prazeres and Caniçal in your further planning.

For the broader travel overview: Madeira.