Casa Basilico Madeira: Is It the Best Coliving on the Island? (Honest Review)

Casa Basilico is one of the top-rated colivings on Madeira, holding a 5.0 rating from guests on Coliving Community. It sits in Ponta do Sol, offers 1Gbps fiber internet, and runs a community built around shared meals and curated weekend activities. It is not the cheapest option on the island, but for nomads who want real connections over just a desk and a bed, it is hard to beat.

Why Nomads Keep Choosing Madeira

Madeira has quietly become one of Europe's most popular remote work destinations. The island offers year-round mild weather, reliable infrastructure, and a growing digital nomad community that makes it easy to hit the ground running.

Ponta do Sol, where Casa Basilico is based, became the world's first officially designated Digital Nomad Village in 2022. That move drew hundreds of remote workers to its clifftop streets overlooking the Atlantic. The village is small but has everything you need: a beach, restaurants, cafes with wifi, and a pace of life that won't burn you out.

According to Coliving Community, Madeira is consistently one of the most searched destinations for nomads looking for coliving in Southern Europe. If you want to compare your options on the island, the Homeoffice Madeira review covers the other well-known option.

What Casa Basilico Actually Is

Casa Basilico is not your standard coliving where you pay for a room and figure out the rest yourself. It is closer to a curated group experience that happens to include a place to sleep and work. The founders describe it as "a dinner party that travels."

The founders, Jules and Fabio, are present on-site, not managing from a distance. Guest vetting through a pre-arrival call keeps the dynamic consistent, so you generally arrive to a group that is there for the same reasons you are: to get work done and actually meet people worth knowing. You can read more on their website.

The house holds up to 12 guests across 7 rooms. It is intentionally small. You know everyone's name by dinner on day one.

The Food and Community Culture

If there is one thing that defines Casa Basilico, it is the food. Daily cooking sessions, handmade pasta, pizza, tiramisu — these are not just meals, they are the main social mechanic of the place. Community is built around the kitchen table, not a scheduled icebreaker.

Weekend activities are planned for you: quads, boats, wine tastings, snorkeling, and local experiences that shift depending on the group. There is also a "Surprise Weekend" that guests mention repeatedly. You do not find out what it is until you are there.

According to Coliving Community, 100% of rated guests gave Casa Basilico a 5-star rating across 5 reviews. That is rare. It also tells you something about how the vetting process works: filtering for cultural fit keeps the vibe consistent across cohorts.

That said, this model means less spontaneity. You are buying into a structure, and some people find that liberating while others find it constraining. Worth being honest with yourself about which camp you are in before booking.

Workspace and Internet

For most nomads, internet and dedicated workspace are non-negotiable. Casa Basilico covers both properly.

There is a bright coworking area inside the property with an ocean view, plus a free coworking space a 2-minute walk away if you want separation between work and living. Internet runs at 1000mbps fiber, which handles video calls, large uploads, or anything bandwidth-heavy without issue.

Each room includes a dedicated desk and fast wifi, so you do not have to compete for a spot in the shared area during peak hours. That flexibility matters more than people expect during a long stay.

Rooms and Living Situation

Casa Basilico has 7 rooms across private and shared configurations, with ensuite and shared bathroom options. Rooms come with a king, double, or single bed depending on type, plus a large closet and desk.

The house is in the heart of Ponta do Sol, 5 minutes from the beach on foot. Shared kitchen, balcony, and common areas are central to daily life here. Weekly cleaning is included, as are fresh linens and towels.

There is a rooftop terrace, which in Madeira's climate is actually usable year-round. The island averages around 22°C, so outdoor space does not sit empty for half the year the way it would in most of Europe.

Location: Ponta do Sol

Ponta do Sol is a 30-minute drive from Funchal, Madeira's capital. It is quieter and more village-like. Supermarkets, restaurants, and a beach are all within walking distance. The nomad community here has been growing steadily since the Digital Nomad Village program launched.

Madeira's terrain rewards weekend effort. Levada walks, mountain hikes, volcanic landscapes, dramatic coastal scenery — the island punches above its weight for outdoor activities. Weekend plans organized by the house lean into this, so you are not left searching for things to do on a Saturday morning.

If you are weighing Portugal more broadly as a base, the honest guide to coliving in Portugal covers costs, visas, and the best cities for different work styles.

Pricing

Rates at Casa Basilico start at €67 per day, with monthly pricing from €2,024. The exact price depends on room type. The minimum stay is 2 weeks.

That monthly rate becomes more competitive once you factor in what is included: accommodation, daily cooking experiences, weekend activities, and community programming. It is not budget territory, but you are not just paying for a room.

First-time guests can currently get a $100 discount through the deal listed on Coliving Community. Check current availability and pricing on the Casa Basilico listing page.

Who It Is Right For

The ideal Casa Basilico guest is someone tired of surface-level connections and repetitive routines. If you are new to coliving and want a structured, welcoming introduction to what it can feel like when it works well, this is a solid place to start.

It also suits nomads who want logistics handled. Restaurants booked, activities planned, food sorted. If decision fatigue is real for you after months on the road, a stay here removes a significant amount of it.

Who It Is Not Right For

If you need a lot of alone time, keep a rigid personal schedule, or prefer to organize your own social life from scratch, the communal model here will probably feel like too much. The house is small and the group dynamic is intentional.

Casa Basilico is upfront that it is not right for people who do not like surprises or who want to plan everything themselves. That honesty is worth taking seriously. The experience works because people opt into it consciously, not because they did not read the fine print.

FAQ

What is the minimum stay at Casa Basilico Madeira?

The minimum stay is 2 weeks. This makes Casa Basilico better suited for nomads on a monthly or longer rotation rather than short-term visitors looking for just a week on the island.

How fast is the internet at Casa Basilico?

The house runs fiber internet at 1000mbps. There is also a free coworking space 2 minutes away, giving you the option to separate your work environment from your living space on days when that helps.

Is Casa Basilico good for solo travelers?

Yes. It is designed with solo travelers in mind. The structured community model means you are not left figuring out how to meet people on your own. The founders vet guests to keep the social dynamic consistent.

What is included in the price at Casa Basilico?

Accommodation, fast wifi, daily cooking experiences, weekend activities, and a community manager are all included. Weekly cleaning and fresh linens are also part of the deal. It is all-in rather than pay-as-you-go, which is part of why the monthly price looks more reasonable in context.

Is Madeira a good base for digital nomads?

Yes. Madeira offers year-round mild weather, reliable infrastructure, and a strong nomad community. Ponta do Sol in particular has leaned into this since its Digital Nomad Village designation in 2022, making it one of the more intentional remote work destinations in Southern Europe.

How does Casa Basilico compare to other colivings on Madeira?

According to Coliving Community, Casa Basilico currently holds a 5.0 average rating. Compared to Homeoffice Madeira, it is more community-intensive with structured daily activities versus a more flexible, independent setup. The right choice depends on whether you want structure or autonomy during your stay.

Browse all verified coliving spaces on Coliving Community and find your next base.