Have you heard the term “Fajã” on Madeira Island? I hadn’t before we moved to Madeira and lived here for 7 months. Maybe you know that Madeira Island was formed through a series of volcanic events. That is the reason why the soil of Madeira is so fertile and why you will see so many banana and vineyard plantations throughout the island.
But a Fajã is something special. It is a piece of flat, fertile land situated at the base of a towering cliff, created by flowing lava. A few of these Fajãs can be explored on Madeira, but one of the most interesting is Fajã dos Padres, with its biological farm, restaurant, pebble beach, and accommodation. Its history goes back to the 1700s when priests lived on this piece of land for over 150 years, giving it the name Fajã dos Padres.
The fun thing about visiting Fajã dos Padres is that it’s not only about the plantation; it’s a whole experience! You can’t reach Fajã dos Padres by car, so you either have to take the cable car down or get to the shore by boat. That’s already an adventure in itself! We took the cable car down along the 350-meter steep cliff, which was a thrilling ride! Even if you’re not afraid of heights, you will still feel your stomach drop when descending from the top of the cliffs to the coastal strip.
Upon our arrival at the picturesque Fajã dos Padres, we discovered that we had entered a microclimate zone. The steep cliffs provide protection from the prevailing winds, resulting in noticeably warmer temperatures. Add to nature’s equation very fertile volcanic soil, and voilà… the perfect conditions for horticulture are created!
We started our journey through Fajã dos Padres with a walk through the shaded fruit-growing area, which is part of the biological farm. Along the path, you can see how they cultivate crops and grow their mangos, bananas, vegetables, and different herbs. It was so interesting to learn more about the agricultural practices and history of Fajã dos Padres while enjoying the stunning ocean views, surrounding cliffs, and lush greenery. I can imagine that visiting Fajã dos Padres would be a delightful day trip with children, allowing them to observe the growth of various fruits and vegetables.
After the short walk through the garden, it was time for a delicious lunch! In my opinion, one of the best parts of Fajã dos Padres is that there is an organic restaurant on-site with a farm-to-table menu. With plenty of outdoor seating under the waving palm trees, stunning ocean views, and the warmth of the sun, we were lucky to have some amazing ingredients for a lovely meal in this unique coastal setting. The tranquil environment really allowed us to connect with nature and made me enjoy the serenity of the surroundings even more.
After the healthy and tasty lunch, it was time to relax on the beach of Fajã dos Padres. The restaurant had clean toilets and changing rooms, so we could easily change from our clothes to swimsuits. We hired a sunbed and parasol to comfortably relax on the pebble beach, took our books out, and enjoyed the rest of the day in peace.
It was a refreshing change from the more crowded beaches of Calheta and Funchal to relax at this secluded beach. We practically had the beach to ourselves, creating a peaceful atmosphere. The sound of the waves helped me reach a meditative state, which was exactly what I needed after a week of work.
The ocean water at Fajã dos Padres beach is a welcoming feature for cooling off from the warm sun. Swimming there is a rewarding experience, as the ocean is often calm and the water is extremely clear. There are two ways to get into the water: from the pebble beach and from the big concrete pier located next to the restaurant. If you love snorkeling, I highly recommend bringing your mask and snorkel because Fajã dos Padres is a great place to do this activity. We saw some catamaran boats come and go for snorkeling in the waters of Fajã dos Padres. I could only imagine how impressive the views must be from the boat, looking up to the towering cliffs and green garden of Fajã dos Padres. That’s definitely how I want to visit Fajã dos Padres next time! Or maybe book the accommodation to really ‘get away from it all’ and listen to the waves at night.
Because the last cable car leaves at 7 PM, we had to leave the beach 20 minutes before to be on time. While the sun was setting in the ocean, we looked back on an incredibly relaxing day with healthy food and beautiful natural surroundings. While I do hope that this untouched paradise stays quiet, I also hope you can get there to experience the beauty and tranquility of this place. It’s 100% worth it!
