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Things to do in Santana

Our most recommended things to do in Santana

Funchal: Sunrise Hike from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo

1. Funchal: Sunrise Hike from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo

Experience the most amazing natural scenery as you walk from mountain to mountain on a hike from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo. Walk at your own pace with total freedom as you enjoy the fantastic views. Start with pickup from your accommodation in central Camara de Lobos, Funchal, or Caniço. Before your hike, receive instructions from your host regarding schedules and where you will pass by. The day before the hike, you will receive the exact pickup time and a weather forecast, in order for you to be as prepared as you can be. On the way back to your accommodation, pass through the city of Santana for close-up views of the traditional triangular homes.

Madeira: Best of the East Tour from Funchal

2. Madeira: Best of the East Tour from Funchal

Discover the diverse landscapes of Madeira on a day-long tour. Wander charming towns, enjoy panoramic views and learn about the area from your expert guide. Depart from the meeting point at Funchal's Lido or take advantage of a free hotel pick-up in selected areas. The first stop is at the beautiful viewpoint of Terreiro da Luta, located a few kilometers outside Funchal. Next, drive toward the mountain of Pico do Arieiro. At an altitude of 1,818 meters, the third highest peak on the island offers breathtaking views. Once you've been to the highest drivable peak in Madeira, head back down through the forest on the way to the coast. Admire some of Madeira's emblematic straw-roof houses, pass pretty villages and get stunning seascape views. Arrive at the very eastern point of the island for some superb panoramas of the north and south coasts. Discover the popular start point for the levada walks, Ribeiro Frio, on the northern slopes of the island. See interesting trout pools and original vegetation. Madeira was once completely covered by laurissilva forest, a relic from prehistoric times. Stop for lunch in Santana, characterized by its small, thatched triangular houses. Past Portela go towards Ponta de São Lourenço, situated in the eastern part of the island. This is a place where a fantastic combination of rocks, sea, and nature combine. The last town to be visited is Machico, a viewpoint where you can look over the bay and the golden sandy beach.

From Funchal: Roundtrip Transfer to Pico do Arieiro Trail

3. From Funchal: Roundtrip Transfer to Pico do Arieiro Trail

Enjoy an affordable and flexible transfer to Pico do Arieiro to enjoy the famous hike all the way to Pico Ruivo. Trek up to the highest and second-highest mountains on Madeira at your own pace and enjoy pickup and drop-off at your accommodation. Instructions will be given by the host, regarding schedules and where you will pass by. The day before the hike, you will receive the exact pickup time and a weather forecast, in order for you to be as prepared as you can be. Get picked up at your accommodation in Funchal and dropped off at the entrance to Pico do Arieiro to begin your self-guided hike. Experience the most amazing natural scenery as you walk from mountain to mountain on the #1 hiking trail on Madeira Island. Once you're finished exploring, the end of the hike and pick-up location is at Achada do Teixeira, in the parking lot area. On the way back to your accommodation, pass through the city of Santana for close-up views of the traditional triangular homes and you will have a tasting and the end of the hike, produced by locals.

Madeira Island: Whole Island Mega Tour

4. Madeira Island: Whole Island Mega Tour

Explore both sides of the island on one day. This tour will allow you to visit both areas of the west and east of the island in a non rushed tour that takes about 9 to 10 hours in order for us to have enough time to properly visit these wonderful areas Madeira has to offer. We start off with the East Side of the island by going to the original Christ Statue, which has a great view to Funchal. Afterwards we head to the tip of the island Ponta de São Lourenço and we do a stop there for about 25 minutes, where you can enjoy some great views to both the south and northeast coast of the island. After we go and visit another viewpoint in Faial, Santana with a skywalk, the viewpoint of Guindaste. We also visit the traditional straw rooftop houses in Santana, and then we make our way to the northwest coast using the scenic roads from the northeast and we stop along the way on a very interesting beach in Calhau de São Jorge where there are some interesting ruins and afterwards we have a little stop in São Vicente and then we make way for our lunch/swimming stop in Porto Moniz. After we enjoyed the natural pools we go to the Western tip of the island, the lighthouse of Ponta do Pargo. Afterwards we visit Paul do Mar, while taking some scenic roads as well and then we head off to a great waterfall in Ponta do Sol , called Cascata dos Anjos and we stop at the skywalk in Cabo Girão at 580 metres of altitude for some great views. If you wish to ask for a specific spot to visit you can request us beforehand and we can see if its possible to incorporate it in our tour

Funchal: Eastern Madeira Island Guided Tour

5. Funchal: Eastern Madeira Island Guided Tour

Pico Areeiro: Start the tour in the magnificent Pico do Areeiro mountain at an altitude of 1818 meters. Ribeiro Frio: Here you will enjoy a small ( 40 - 45 minute) Levada Walk to a beautiful viewpoint. If you are not a walking person, you can enjoy this stop to visit the Trout nursery. Santana: This stop is the bigger one. You can take advantage of this 1.5-hour stop for lunch and visit Santana village. Faial: At the Guindaste viewpoint you can admire the wonderful northeast coast view. Porto da Cruz: At this small village the stop is around 20 to 30 minutes. Here you can visit the North Mills Distillery and taste the local rum. Ponta São Lourenço: The Ponta do Rosto is a must-see viewpoint. It's situated at the easiest part of the Island and gives you astonishing views over the North and South Madeira Sea and sometimes also of Porto Santo Island.

Madeira: Half-Day Nun's Valley and Sea Cliff Tour

6. Madeira: Half-Day Nun's Valley and Sea Cliff Tour

Explore some of the most remote places of Madeira Island. Not far from Funchal, and hidden in between high mountains and deep valleys, lie remote villages and hamlets such as Jardim da Serra with its splendid view over the Nuns Valley. You can explore another world by joining this Jeep safari tour, complete with panoramic views and interesting places. You will also enjoy sensational encounters with Madeira's fascinating natural heritage. Your route will pass though Funchal, Fajã das Galinhas, Boca da Corrida, Jardim da Serra, Quinta Grande, Cabo Girão, and Câmara de Lobos. At the conclusion of your enjoyable day out, you will return to your point of origin.

Tour of Eastern Madeira

7. Tour of Eastern Madeira

Start with pick-up from the hotel and drive through Funchal's steep roads. Pass the Eucalyptus and Mimosa forests overlooking the Christmas pines, into the breathtaking mountains of Pico do Arieiro at 1,800 meters. The centenary Forest covered by the old trees (Laurisilva) is a must and a short walk along the Levada Madeiras water channels can be taken as an option. Taking the old road of Faial overlooking the eagles rock mountain, Santana will be the next stop. Visit the town's traditional thatched houses and vines. Make a stop for lunch (not included in the price). After the lunch stop in Santana, continue to Porto Cruz, passing the sugar cane fields. Visit the only steam rum factory in Europe (with rum tasting) and explore the village. See the rough black sandy beach popular for surfers. In July and August, enjoy the chance to swim in the famous saltwater. Then, travel along the North Coast where sugar cane terraces are still visible. See the old capital of Madeira, Machico, where the first Portuguese settlers arrived in the 15th century, before heading to Ponta de São Lourenço, the eastern point cape of the island.  The tour ends with a drop-off at your hotel. 

Madeira: Santana Jeep Safari and Levada Tour

8. Madeira: Santana Jeep Safari and Levada Tour

Get picked up from your accommodation or the cruise port and embark on a true adventure around the enchanted island of Madeira. Hop in a well-maintained Land Rover or jeep and head into the Laurisilva Forest in the center of Madeira. Explore a forest known to be the largest surviving laurel forest in the world with over 90% believed to be primary forest. Then walk in the shoes of a Madeiran farmer as you hike along the levadas that criss-cross the fields of sugar cane and other different crops. Learn about how these unique irrigation channels were developed to suit the island's topography and climate. See how levadas like Ribeiro Frio and Referta serve a dual purpose as scenic byways for those looking to explore the beautiful natural landscapes of Madeira on foot.  Make stops throughout the day at viewpoints and villages, including Funchal, Pico Arieiro, Achada Cedro Gordo, Santana and Ponta de São Lourenço. Get dropped off back at your accommodation or the cruise port at the end of the tour.

Madeira East Island Tour and Levada Walk

9. Madeira East Island Tour and Levada Walk

This tour of the east side of Madeira island is designed to show guests how truly magical it is. Come and be awed by its spectacular beauty. To begin the day, pick-up is from the hotel at 8:00 to 9:00. The first stop will be at a viewpoint above Funchal. Continue to Camacha, famous for its beautiful wicker works, and stop to have a look around and then take a scenic drive up to Poiso where the start of the Laurissilva forest can be found. After this, make your way to the majestic views of Pico do Arieiro. Pico do Arieiro is the third highest peak on the island, standing 1818 meters. Next is what some consider to be the most beautiful spot on the island, Ribeiro Frio. Here you will visit a trout farm and do a levada walk to the Balcões. Following the walk, make your way to Santana to see its famous A-framed cottages and then continue along the northern coastal road to Faial. Stop for lunch in the northern part of the island. After lunch, carry on to the eastern part of the island, to the famous viewpoint of Pico do Facho. From here you will have incredible views of Ponta de São Lourenco, Machico and the airport. On a good day one can see the Desertas Islands as well Porto Santo, the small island adjacent to Madeira. The last stop will be a famous viewpoint above Machico. You will arrive back to Funchal by 17:00.

From Funchal: Full-Day Madeira Peaks Tour by Open 4x4

10. From Funchal: Full-Day Madeira Peaks Tour by Open 4x4

Begin this full-day 4x4 tour with a pick-up at your hotel in Funchal and travel deep into the southeast of Madeira. You’ll come to Machico town and the line that divides the north and south of the island. Take in breathtaking views of the Eagles Rock from Portela. Drive down, stopping in Porto da Cruz, which is the next must-see point. Visit a sugar cane factory, continue to the Faial coastline and then up to see the typical houses of Santana. These small straw-thatched triangular houses are emblematic of Madeira and intricate in their construction. Head down into the valley and through the forest to Riveiro Frio at an elevation of 1818 meters, the third-highest peak on the Island.

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What people are saying about Santana

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 2,474 reviews

The service provided by Philip - the driver, was awesome. Communication was gr8, Philip arrived on time for pickup in Funchal and drove the passengers to the Pico Arriero start point. He gave good time based guidelines for finishing the hike on time. At the end of the hike, he was patiently waiting for the stragglers, with heated van so that the passengers would be comfortable after a cold rainy hike. The time given to complete the hike is optimal even for slow hikers. I highly appreciate Philip's service and care. He likes his job and takes good care for all questions and concerns you may have. I highly recommend this excursion.

Great experience, the driver picked us up on time. Logan provided a great support before and after the trip with some recommendations. Many thanks for checking up on us during the hike! Highly recommended

Very informative tour. Tony our guide was wonderful , full of knowledge and very funny. Well worth doing this trip. Comfortable mini bus. Tour guide Tony had so much knowledge.

Great experience, Carlos made our day and kept the group in a great mood during the whole duration of the trip. The experience has exceeded all of my expectations, hands down!

Very nice trip, nice guide. Delicious dinner at the restaurant we were brought to.