Fajã dos Padres

Fajã dos Padres sits on a narrow strip of land at the foot of a 300-metre cliff on Madeira's south coast, reachable only by cable car or boat. Visitors descend to find a beachfront restaurant, cottages, a private beach and a working organic farm growing mango, banana, avocado and wine grapes. The project began thirty years ago from the vision of a single person who saw the potential of this remote spot once a cable car made it accessible. Today, Fajã dos Padres operates as a working farm, restaurant and small hospitality business rather than just a tourist attraction. It describes itself as a secluded organic farm, and its own team, by its own account, continues to prioritise local and seasonal produce in the restaurant kitchen, often sourced from its own fields. The farm hosts weddings, private parties and corporate events in its cliffside setting, alongside day visits and overnight stays in its cottages. Sustainability runs through how the project frames its daily operations: decisions are described as rooted in preserving the land that feeds the business and its guests. Fajã dos Padres has received the Green Key certification for six consecutive years, an international recognition tied to environmental preservation and responsible tourism. The farm is open daily, with extended summer hours running from 10:00 to 20:30. The project is currently expanding its kitchen team, looking for a versatile, independent cook comfortable across hot and cold stations, prep and plating, with knowledge of HACCP food safety standards. It also welcomes volunteers interested in contributing to the daily running of a rural tourism project, and accepts spontaneous applications from people who share its stated values of hospitality, sustainability and authenticity.