Located on the sunny, dry, southern coast of Madeira, Garajau is situated, midway between the airport, and the capital, Funchal. Taxi journey time to both is just 12 minutes. Garajau has long been known to be one of Madeira’s high class residential areas and is named after the black-headed sea birds, terns, which nest in the cliffs. Just below the town is a 200m high headland with a fine "miradouro" - a statue of Christ with outstretched arms, similar to the larger statues in Rio de Janeiro or Lisbon. This is a wonderful spot to watch the sun go down and it has great views west to the Bay of Funchal. The coastline here at Garajau is also a conservation area, and was one of Europe’s first underwater nature reserves, providing sanctuary for whales, dolphins and seals. The sea shore has now been updated and opened up with a new cable car to take visitors down onto the beach and a beach front restaurant. Garajau is also ideal as a location to start the many levada walks in Madeira. Both Golf courses are within easy reach and the coastal area of Caniço de Baixo boasts three world renowned diving schools. Garajau’s high street combines the Hotel Dom Pedro Garajau on one side of the road and a multitude of shops, bakeries, coffee shop, ice cream parlous and a few patisseries, and a medium sized well stocked mini-markets with ATM outside, several restaurants, bars and apartments on the other. Our apartment is not in this area. It is right on the shore next to Reis Magos beach.