Santana: the thatched houses of Madeira’s north coast
Visiting Santana on Madeira’s north coast: the triangular thatched houses, the Madeira Theme Park, the Rocha do Navio cable car and the nearby trailheads.
Santana is a farming town on the green north coast, famous for its little triangular houses with thatched roofs, the casas de colmo. It is also the gateway to some of Madeira’s best walks.
The thatched houses
The traditional A-frame houses, painted white with red doors and blue trim, were once the homes of farming families. A group of them has been restored in the town centre, next to the town hall, where some house small shops selling crafts and local products. Others survive scattered among the fields.
Madeira Theme Park
The Parque Temático da Madeira, on the edge of town, tells the story of the island with pavilions, gardens, a lake and a playground. It is aimed at families. Check its season and opening days before going.
Rocha do Navio cable car
Just outside Santana, a cable car drops down the cliff to the Rocha do Navio nature reserve on the coast, with a small farmed area and a pebble beach. See cable cars.
Walks nearby
- Caldeirão Verde (PR9) starts at Queimadas, above Santana.
- Pico Ruivo from Achada do Teixeira (PR1.2) starts in the hills above the town.
- Levada do Rei (PR18) starts near São Jorge, just west. See easy levada walks.
Getting there
By car, about 45 minutes from Funchal via the expressway and the tunnels, or slower and more scenic over the mountains via Ribeiro Frio. Buses run from Funchal; check the current timetable.
Combine with
Faial and the Penha d’Águia rock, Porto da Cruz with its rum distillery and seawater pools, and the viewpoint at Guindaste.
Weather
The north is greener and wetter than the south. Bring a jacket, and check the webcams.