About the host
Roberto is an entrepreneur from Ponta do Sol, Madeira. His friends describe him as passionate about building new businesses, but he prefers to think of his ventures as opportunities to create unique and memorable experiences for others.
At the age of seventeen, he left Madeira to study in Rome, an experience that profoundly shaped his life. There, he connected with people from a variety of cultures and backgrounds, forming friendships that remain strong to this day.
When Roberto returned to Madeira, he began to imagine ways to bring these friends—and new ones—to the place he loves. The vision only started to take shape when he inherited his grandmother’s land in Anjos, Ponta do Sol. It was here that he saw the potential for a truly special project: Canto das Fontes - Madeira Island Glamping.
After years of careful planning and development, the space emerged as a breathtaking destination that never fails to impress those who visit. Each guest is welcomed with the same warmth and enthusiasm he extends to his old friends from Rome, taking great pride in showcasing the best that the island has to offer.
Roberto loves traveling, socializing, and meeting new people, seeing each encounter as an opportunity to share stories, exchange experiences, and create lasting connections.
The Story behind the project
The first time Roberto joined his grandmother to help irrigate the banana trees on a piece of land down the hill, he was just eight years old. Despite the two-hour walk along old trails to reach it, he was captivated by the surroundings—the soothing sound of the springs and the sight of boats gliding across the sea. The experience left such a strong impression that he eagerly accompanied her every weekend.
As the years went by, his grandmother grew too old to tend to the land, and it lay abandoned for almost 20 years. Then one day, Roberto found himself back at the property and decided it was time to bring it back to life.
In December 2008, he began preparing the soil and planting the first fruit trees. By 2010, he had built a small house and started acquiring adjacent abandoned plots to expand the property. In September 2013, the focus shifted to restoring the old stone terraces that once supported cultivation along the steep hillsides.
It took a year to complete the restoration, transforming the landscape into something remarkable. Inspired by the results, Roberto envisioned creating a space that would offer a unique experience for both locals and visitors to Madeira Island.
Location
Canto das Fontes is located 100 meters above the beach of Anjos, a quaint village situated between Ponta do Sol and Madalena do Mar on the sunny west coast of Madeira.
The property is the last plot on a quiet access road with no outlet, offering visitors a tranquil setting and a deep connection with nature.
A small café and a grocery store, where fresh bread and basic supplies are available, can be found just 3 minutes away in the local fishermen’s neighborhood. For more extensive shopping, a larger supermarket is just a 5-minute drive to the center of Ponta do Sol.
In the center of Ponta do Sol, guests can also find a pharmacy, a bank, a medical center, various cafes, restaurants, and some trendy bars. The main road leading to the Paúl da Serra plateau, which offers some of the best hiking routes on the island, also begins nearby.
Ponta do Sol is famously the sunniest place in Madeira, and its entire coastline is a beautiful rocky beach with sea access. Visitors can explore the old port and wander through the charming historic streets.
Just a 10-minute drive to the east lies Ribeira Brava, the largest town before reaching Funchal, with additional rocky beaches, sea access, a large supermarket, and a variety of shops, cafes, and restaurants.
To the west, a 10-minute drive brings you to the resort town of Calheta, renowned for its man-made golden beaches, a vibrant marina, and a wide selection of supermarkets, restaurants, and bars.
The capital city of Funchal is an easy 40-minute drive along the motorway, while the airport is approximately 50 minutes away by car.
The Concept
Roberto has always had a passion for growing plants of all kinds — experimenting with different species, sizes, and colors. Equally, he loves meeting and interacting with people from various cultures. This inspired him to blend these two passions and develop a concept called Glamping. He began by constructing two Tipi tents, strategically placed to capture the best views across the property.
This was the first Glamping project established on Madeira Island. The project opened in June 2015, featuring two comfortable Tipi tents set on a 3,300 square meter property. The land is designed around Permaculture principles and includes a Certified Organic Farming project, with banana trees as the main crop, all set on a stunning cliffside location overlooking the sea.
The goal was to create an experience where guests wake up immersed in a tropical oasis filled with a diverse array of fruits, plants, and flowers, breathing in the fresh Atlantic air within a subtropical climate. It’s a space that combines the beauty of simplicity with modern comfort.
Today, Canto das Fontes has expanded to include two Tipi tents and two Yurts, all thoughtfully arranged to offer visitors a sense of peace and complete relaxation. Each guest has plenty of private space, surrounded by nature. The only sounds here are the soothing rush of a 30-meter waterfall that cascades through the property and the distant waves crashing on the beach, 100 meters below.
Roberto believes this is the perfect retreat for a few days of tranquility in nature, providing an opportunity to disconnect from the world and reconnect with oneself, while still enjoying all the comforts needed for a restful stay.
Feedback from you
“My idea, is for a guest to wake up inside a tropical forest with all the fruits, plants and flowers they can imagine,” Roberto explains, “Then to breathe the fresh, pure Atlantic air and enjoy the subtropical climate of Madeira while enjoying the comfortable simplicity of life here.”
“We stumbled across Canto das Fontes this summer and have thought of nothing else since.”…”Talk about paradise. Imagine waking up to the sound of birdsong, then wandering into your sunlight-soaked garden to pick fresh bananas, figs and papayas for breakfast.“
“Canto das Fontes is a magical place”…”I could see nothing but sea. At night, all I could hear was water: the waves below and the site’s own 30 metre-high waterfall.”
