Santana, Northern Madeira - Tourist Information
Santana is located in the north east of Madeira. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations as it is home to the Palheiros. The Palheiros is a unique Madeira house design.
Most Eastern island tours encompass a stop at this delightful village. There are also dedicated tourist buses that have Santana as their destination.
There is so much to see and do here. The attractions range from the traditional to the latest in modern developments. It would be a shame to limit yourself to perhaps just an hour or so stop that is usual on the east of island tours. So, either hire a car, or select a Santana tourist bus and allow at least half a day to enjoy the sights.
Santana Facilities
Santana belies its position towards the extreme north west end of Madeira and is well-appointed for the tourist and locals alike. Among the facilities available are the following:
- Bank with ATM
- Cable Car nearby on the coast
- Church
- Festivals held regularly
- Hotels
- Madeira Theme Park
- Petrol Station
- Pharmacy
- Police Station
- Post Office
- Restaurants
- Supermarket
- Tourist Information Office
- Viewing point nearby
- Walking routes start from & end here
| Tourist Information Office | |
|---|---|
| Address | Sitio do Serrado, 9230 Santana |
| Opening times: Monday to Friday | 9:30am to 1:00pm and then 2:30pm to 5:30pm |
| Opening times: Saturday | 12:00 noon to 3:00pm |
| Telephone | (351) 291 572992 |
| Building | Traditional A-framed, thatched, red and white |
| (Details correct at August 2009) | |
Things To Do In & Around Santana, Madeira
The unique Santana house
Santana is perhaps most famous for its thatched, A-framed house design. They are unique to Madeira. Called Palheiros locally, the design reaches back to the early 1600's.
Today, the same design is also used to house cattle although, for this purpose, corrugated iron usually replaces the thatched roof.
There are a number of the triangular Palheiros in and around the Santana village. A few are still lived in by the locals - with the aid of a government subsidy. Take a look inside. Downstairs is the main living area, whilst upstairs are tiny sleeping quarters. You will be surprised at how spacious they are.
February - Festa dos Compadres
Held in late January or early February each year the Festa dos Compadres takes place in Santana.
For the tourist, the festival highlight is the parade, the exact date varies from year to year, but it is invariably held on a Sunday. In 2009, over 800 individuals dressed in traditional and comic costumes took part in the procession.
The remainder of the festivities is really only for the locals as a series of actors perform sketches that are contrived to poke fun at their politicians and current issues. The highlight for many locals is the Sentence and Burning of the Compadres. This is when caricatures of those ridiculed are held to account, sentenced by a comic court of public concern and an effigy ceremoniously put to the torch.Unless you speak Portuguese, you are likely to be bemused by much of the show.
July - Folk Festival
In July each year there is a Folk Festival which lasts non-stop for two days.
Folk groups from around Madeira and abroad assemble to perform traditional dance and music. Every group strides to represent their district with pride.
The atmosphere is lively and is very much an informal celebration. Onlookers are often welcome to join in with the dances.
Many food and drink stalls help to keep the spectators refreshed with a blend of traditional recipes. The event is always well supported by the locals and tourists alike.
To view a photo slideshow of the Folk Festival click 48 Horas a Bailar
Cable Car
Almost everybody who visits Santana makes a point of visiting the traditional A-framed houses.
However, few people think of visiting a modern development that gives you access to wonderful views of the nearby coastline.
The Rocha do Navio cable car does just that.
Although not intended to be a tourist attraction, the cable car is open for leisure rides.
So, if you don't mind taking a 30 minute walk from the centre of Santana village, venture to the dramatic coastline. Here, you will find the orange cable car cabins waiting to take you on an exhilerating descent to the coastal plain.
Full details are given on our Rocha do Navio cable car tourist guide.
Madeira Theme Park
An excellent day out
For those interested in Madeiran culture, the Madeira Theme Park offers an excellent day out.
There are traditional handicraft techniques demonstrated. There is also a restored watermill and various reproductions of traditional forms of transport used on Madeira. Of course, examples of the famous A-framed Santana houses, or palheiros, are a prominent feature.
The latest technology is also fully employed to give breathtaking multimedia presentations. In different venues, there are a variety Madeira related of topics covered. From the discovery of the archipelago, to it's status as a popular honeymoon destination, through to the future of the earth. All are covered in an entertaining and challenging way.
Children are well catered for as well. A play area, maze, activities centre and boating lake attractions are all available to keep them amused.
Full details are given on our Madeira Theme Park tourist guide.
Walks To & From Santana
Local based walks
There are many walks that either start from or finish in Santana. The weather on the northern side of the island can be cooler, wetter and more windy than that on the southern coast, so you should be suitably prepared before starting out.
Obtaining a good guide book is recommended before attempting any of the walks. Some walks have sheer drops and there is a danger of vertigo. Always obey safety signs. Other walks trails are just so hard to find unless you have prior knowledge. However, once you have found the walk that is suitable for you, the views can be stunning.
For those that wish to explore the surrounds on foot, here is a selection of ideas that you may wish to follow up:
- Santana to São Jorge
- Levada do Cantinho
- Pico da Boneca
- Ribeiro Frio to Santana
- Queimadas to Santana
Santana Video
This video contains a 1 minute 7 seconds introduction to the unique Santana houses known locally as Palheiros.
Directions To Santana
By road from Funchal:-
From Funchal there are two main routes to Santana. Basically, you can either follow the Rapida to Machico and then northward to your destination. This is the easiest, but longer route. Or, alternatively, you can go over the centre of the island via Ribeiro Frio.
For the first route, pick up the Rapida from Funchal. This road is designated the ER101. You need to be heading toward eastward Santa Cruz. If you find yourself travelling toward Ribeira Brava, then you are going in the wrong direction.
After about 20km you will reach Machico. Keep on the ER101 and follow the signs to Porto da Cruz. After passing Porto da Cruz, you will travel on to São Roque and Faial. Santana is directly after Faial. The total distance is about 42km.
For the second route, you need to find your way up to Monte. From Funchal city centre there are various ways to get to Monte, look out for the prominent roadsigns directing tourists.
At Monte you need to pick up the ER103. This is the main road leading up from the Largo da Fonte and the main bus stop. You should be in no doubt when you find this road as it doubles back on itself at the junction with the Largo da Fonte. You want to take the road heading uphill.
Once on the ER103, keep on this road and pass Poiso and Ribeiro Frio. You will find yourself heading up winding and steep roads. Do not be surprised if you encounter low level cloud. Continue on to Faial, where you pick up the ER101 to Santana. Once you spot a Palheiros, the famous A-framed, red and white, thatched cottage, you know you have arrived. The total distance is about 30km.
By Public Transport from Funchal:-
Horarios buses are the inter-urban associate of the Funchal yellow town buses. Line numbers 56, 103 and 138 take you to Santana. All buses depart from the stop nearby the cable car terminal on the Avenida do Mar, which runs parallel to the seafront promenade in Funchal.
The routes of each bus line varies during the day. For all line numbers, some buses go via Machico whilst others go via Ribeiro Frio. However, all stop at Santana. Most will complete the journey in about 1 hour and 40 minutes.
On the satellite map above:
- The blue arrow is the location of the cable car terminal on Funchal's seafront
- The bus stop to Santana is just to the left, along from the blue arrow
Madeira Features
Pocas do Gomes
The Pocas do Gomes rock pool is a lovely, if small, feature on the south coast.
It is situated at the extreme westward end of the seafront promenade that runs along the coast starting from the Passeio Publico do Lido.
There is a small entrance fee and lifeguards are on duty throughout the summer months.
The swimming pools themselves have been fashioned out of the natural, volcanic, lava rock pools.
During the winter months the facility is often closed.
Passeio Publico do Lido
If your staying in the hotel district of Funchal, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting a restaurant for your evening meal.
After you have dined though, what better way to end the perfect day than to take a gentle stroll in the public park that lies adjacent to the nearby Lido.
Many people do not venture down the short hill to the seafront - and they are surely missing out.
Just set back from the coast is the lovely Passeio Publico do Lido.
Many locals can be found in this park as the hot sun of the day wanes. Surely, there can be no better way to end your day than to watch the fading glow of the setting sun over the Atlantic from this oasis set apart from the tangle of hotels.
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