Santana — Madeira's North-Coast Village of Thatched Houses
Santana is a mountain village on Madeira's north coast, famous for its brightly-painted triangular A-frame thatched houses called palheiros — one of Madeira's most distinctive and photographed subjects. Set among deep valleys and dramatic Atlantic views, Santana is also the gateway to some of the island's finest laurel forest levada walks.
Things to Do in Santana
- Visit the traditional palheiro A-frame thatched houses — Santana's symbol, restored and open to visit
- Walk the PR18 Levada do Caldeirão Verde (13 km return, 5–6 hours) through tunnels to a 30 m waterfall
- Explore Queimadas Forest Park — a picturesque picnic area surrounded by ancient laurisilva trees
- Visit Madeira Theme Park (Parque Temático da Madeira) with gardens and island history exhibits
- Drive the dramatic north coast road towards Faial for panoramic views of sea stacks and cliffs
- Eat at a local village café serving caldeirada (fish stew) and caldo verde soup
Where to Stay near Santana
- Quinta do Furão — Vineyard estate hotel perched above the north-coast Atlantic with exceptional views
- Pestana Quinta do Arco — Botanical rose garden resort with nature trails and spa
- Dom Pedro Madeira — Comfortable beachfront hotel in nearby Machico with pools
- The Cliff Bay — 5-star resort in Funchal, 1 hour from Santana with transfer available
Practical Information
Santana is about 40 km from Funchal, taking approximately 1 hour by car. Public buses 101 and 103 connect Funchal to Santana but take around 2 hours. The village is best explored by hire car to reach Queimadas and the trailheads.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best levada walk from Santana?
- The Levada do Caldeirão Verde (PR18) is the most celebrated — a 13 km return walk through multiple tunnels and ancient laurel forest ending at a stunning 30 m waterfall in a rocky amphitheatre. Allow 5–6 hours and bring a head torch for the tunnels.
- Are the thatched houses in Santana real homes?
- A small number of traditional palheiros in Santana have been restored and are open for visitors to look inside. A few are still used as residential homes or storage. The cluster near the village centre is the most photogenic and accessible.