Updated 2026·Checked on foot·On the clifftop shelf west of Calheta
A quiet clifftop parish above Paul do Mar, on the shelf where the west coast levels out before it falls away. It is the practical base for walking this end of the island and the top of the old zig-zag path down to the sea.
Prazeres · Settlement-era parishPaulo SP/ Wikimedia / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Period
Settlement-era parish
Location
About 10 km by road, roughly 15 minutes' drive
Entry
Free
Hours
Open access
Time Needed
1 hour
Hours and prices last checked 2026, they change, so confirm on the day.
History
How it came to be
One of the eight parishes of the Calheta municipality, historically agricultural, sitting between the coast road and the cliff edge.
What You'll See
On a visit
The parish church and village centre; the cliff-edge views towards Paul do Mar; and the start of the descent path to the shore, which is a serious walk down and a harder one back up.
How to Visit
On the roads west of Calheta; roadside parking in the village.
Best Time
Morning
Getting There
Location
About 10 km by road, roughly 15 minutes' drive · On the clifftop shelf west of Calheta
Yes. An old zig-zag path drops from the Prazeres shelf to Paul do Mar. It is a long descent on a hard surface and a demanding climb back, so many walkers arrange a lift one way.
