Santana’s picturesque houses—small dwellings with sloping thatched roofs that reach all the way to the ground and give them a triangular shape—have been used as both homes and stables for centuries. To see the houses, head to the town’s Center for Traditional Santana Houses preservation area. You can also learn about the island and the town at the nearby Madeira Theme Park, which displays traditional buildings and handicrafts and also boasts a boating lake, a windmill, a maze, and more.
Many visitors pair a trip to the theme park with a ride on the Rocha do Navio Cable Car, which offers a spectacular bird’s-eye view of the area. You can also see the region on an adrenaline-pumping, off-road tour in a 4-wheel-drive vehicle.
You can tour the traditional houses free of charge—many of them now house souvenir shops.
There are entrance fees for both the Madeira Theme Park and the cable car.
The theme park and the traditional houses are both wheelchair accessible.
The cable car may be closed during high winds and bad weather.
The town of Santana is located on Madeira’s north coast, on the opposite side of the island from the capital, Funchal, where the airport is located. You can get to Santana by car or taxi by taking either the winding Route 103, which runs through the mountains, or the faster Rapida 101. There are also local buses that run between Funchal and Santana every hour. Alternatively, visit on a guided tour that includes transportation.
The island of Madeira enjoys good weather all year round. It is a popular winter destination for European travelers, and most attractions, shops, hotels, and restaurants are open all year round. Santana itself is a popular tourist destination and is especially busy during the summer.
The saltwater pools at Porto Moniz, which are separated from the ocean by lava rocks, make for a unique swimming experience. Take a dip, and enjoy views of the wide Atlantic in one direction and the terraced hillsides full of tropical fruit plantations on the other. After you dry off, you can enjoy an al fresco meal at one of the nearby restaurants, which offer the same stunning views.