Aquela Banda is approximately 60km west of Funchal Airport (FNC). The travelling time will depend upon the time of day that you have landed, but should take no more than 50 minutes. The drive from the airport takes you on the Via Rápida (the motorway or freeway), through an amazing number of tunnels (which have improved the travelling time across the island) – 38 at the last count – through some picturesque scenery and villages; which allows you to be relaxing on your balcony overlooking the Atlantic within an hour of leaving the airport.
On leaving the airport take the Via Rápida (the motorway or freeway). Follow the signs for Funchal and Camara de Lobos. You will start to see road signs for Ribeira Brava – follow these.
Ribeira Brava is the end of the Via Rápida, and it is here that the road splits between the south coast and the north coast. You will see sign posts attached to the ceiling of the last tunnel before the split in the road. Stay in the right hand lane and follow the signs for Ribeira Brava. Be aware that you will loop under the Via Rápida on your approach into Ribeira Brava.
This road will take you onto a large roundabout – take the first exit still going into Ribeira Brava. You will now find yourself on a dual carriageway. At the end of this dual carriageway will be another roundabout. Take the first exit (right) into a tunnel.
Now you will be following signs for Calheta and Prazeres. You will continue through a series of tunnels driving through or passing a number of villages:
- Lugar do Baixo
- Ponta do Sol
- Madalena do Mar
- Arco da Calheta
As you exit from one of the tunnels, you will see the signs to Calheta on your left. Continue round the roundabout and into the tunnel opposite, following signs for Prazares.
As you exit what will feel like yet another tunnel you will see a slip road to Estreito da Calheta on your right. Soon after this you will see a sign directing you left to PAUL DO MARR. To turn left you will filter right, bear left, and cross the highway. Once you are across the highway you will have a pharmacy on your right. If you miss the filter and get to a section of road that opens out into two lanes going uphill, you have missed the turning to Paul do Mar.
After passing the pharmacy, keep going down the hill until you see a signpost to Jardim do Mar (to your left). Don’t turn left, go through the tunnel straight ahead. At the end of this tunnel you will be in Paul do Mar.
Continue along this road, going past a road to the harbour on your left, going past the Church on your left, going past another road on your left, and soon afterwards you will find Aquela Banda on your right.
The first sign that you will see on the hotel building will be the supermarket, Mini Mercado Golfinho, followed by the coffee shop, Cafe Vila Amore. Parking is in the parking spaces at the far end of the building, opposite the hotel entrance.
