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| Ponta do Sol | ||
| Autonomous Region | Madeira | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 8.862 (2011) | |
| height | unknown | |
no value for height on Wikidata:  | ||
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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Ponta do Sol is a small place on the south coast Madeira and at the same time the administrative seat of the district of the same name.
background
Ponta do Sol is a small, picturesque harbor town, which, together with Calheta, has the most hours of sunshine in Madeira. In the past, a large part of the goods traffic to the western part of the island was handled through this port. Today, a bit away from the expressways, the place seems pleasantly sleepy for the visitor. The population lives from agriculture and fishing as well as from the small businesses typical of a district community, of course also from tourism.
Visitors will mostly stroll through the small town and then the wide view to the west and east over the south coast Enjoy Madeira from the headland next to the port.
getting there
Via a small spur road from the VE-3, which joins the coastal motorway VE-1 from Ribeira Brava to Calheta Extended with many long tunnels, Ponta do Sol can be reached in about 30 minutes from Funchal.
By plane
Madeira's only one Santa Cruz Airport you can get to Ponta do Sol via the motorway in around 40 minutes.
By bus
The operator Rodoeste connects the place quickly and frequently with the capital Funchal, but via Ribeira Brava (taxi 10.10Eu as of 2014) also with all other places on the island (sometimes only 1-2 times a day). Sometimes no timetables are posted at the stops. From Funchal, some lines do not go into the village, you will be dropped off at the crossroads at the beginning of the valley. Whether you will be taken there has not yet been tried (no stop sign "Paragem").
In the street
In a roundabout between the road tunnels to Ribeira Brava (east) and Maddalena do Mar (west) The spur road to Ponta do Sol branches off to the sea, well signposted.
By boat
There is a sports harbor in the nearby Lugar de Baixo.
mobility
The place can be easily explored on foot. Parking spaces are located at the entrance to the village or (more convenient) in the abandoned tunnel of the former coastal road at the eastern end of the harbor promenade. Special addresses can be higher up in the bay, which climbs rapidly towards the mountain, so that they can only be reached with a good level of fitness or a car.
Tourist Attractions
- Nossa Senhora da Luz. Parish church. Built in the 15th century, at least the facade was completely replaced in 1708. Noteworthy pictures and ornaments in the choir as well as the baptismal font donated by King Manuel I.
- Harbor promenade to the Cape and Ponte do Caminho Real. The stone bridge visible behind the headland is a popular photo object and was originally part of the Caminho Real, i.e. the first network of paths along the inaccessible coast built by royal order.
activities
Swimming
- The stony beach has adequate infrastructure to take advantage of the hours of sunshine.
hike
- To the sources of the Levada Nova from Lombada da Ponta do Sol
- (Follow the opposite signs from the roundabout between the Ponta do Sol tunnels Canhas then follow the signs "Levada Nova" to Capela do Espirito Santo). This spectacular, often exposed and unsecured tour is only suitable for experienced hikers who do not suffer from vertigo. Torch necessary for tunnels.
- Levada do Moinho
- According to the website of the parish, the path, which is also clearly exposed, starting from the church in Lombada has now been secured.
- Coastal walk
- Simple walks can be made along the former coastal road.
shop
In Ponta do Sol, as everywhere, the local handicrafts are offered.
Self-catering is best in the supermarket Ribeira Brava be served when you don't want to limit yourself to the local, small shops. There is a well-stocked small supermarket at the petrol station at the roundabout.
kitchen
- Restaurante do Cais, Cala do Ponte do Sol (towers like a balcony over the harbor in front of the headland). Always traded as an insider tip for sunsets that are well accompanied by culinary delights.
- Dom Petisco, Estrada Santo Antonio 1, Lugar de Baixo (at the Lugar de Baixo marina). Tel.: 351 291972077.
nightlife
accommodation
In addition to private offers of holiday homes and apartments, the majority of them receive positive ratings (partly also bookable as a package):
- Hotel da Vila, Rua Dr. Joao Augusto Teixeira,. Tel.: 351 291 973 356, Fax: 351 291 970 209, Email: [email protected]. Feature: Garni.
security
health
Practical advice
trips
- Hikes and viewpoints in the neighboring communities Canhas, Ribeira Brava, Calheta as well as for Cabo Girão.
- Plateau of Paúl da Serra with the classic hikes at the forester's house from Rabaçal. The first author did not navigate the existing, direct connection to the plateau himself, it could be problematic for inexperienced users.
Ultimately, all destinations on the island can be reached from Ponta do Sol.
literature
Web links
- http://www.cm-pontadosol.com/ - Official website of Ponta do Sol
- Travel report of the first author
