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Santana, PortugalNational parks

Our most recommended Santana, Portugal National parks

From Madeira: Private Buggy Driving Experience with Pickup

1. From Madeira: Private Buggy Driving Experience with Pickup

Step away from the warm beaches and into the cool forest for a magical adventure through the lush Laurisilva of Madeira. See a different side to this exotic island as you hit the dirt tracks on a thrilling tandem buggy ride and explore the diverse landscapes of the area. Hop on your buggy and follow your guide into the forest, steering away from the crowds. Bring your best friend or partner along on your experience and ride together on the two-seater vehicles. Travel through Madeira's breathtaking landscapes, from ocean to mountains. Seize the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the Laurisilva of Madeira, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and snap amazing photos of some of the iconic verdant spots you'll stop at.

From Funchal: 2-Day Guided Tour of Madeira

2. From Funchal: 2-Day Guided Tour of Madeira

During this 2 day tour, from 9AM to 5PM each day, you will have the change to experience the best of Madeira. Here are a few highlights that you will discover - Cabo Girão: Our first stop, we travel up to the magnificent 580m high, glass balcony view point of Cabo Girão, famous for being the highest in Europe and second highest cliff in the world. - Ribeira Brava: Traveling along the coast of the island we soon arrive at the village of Ribeira Brava, where we can visit a church dated in the 15th century. - Madalena do Mar: Next we make our way to Madalena do Mar, a smnice visit throught the lush green banana plantations. - Fonte do Bispo: From an altitude of between 1300-1500 meters we find the tourist attraction of Paúl de Serra and it's initiation of several levada walks that connect to different points of the island through the Laurissilva forest. - Porto Moniz: Home of the largest volcanic natural pools of Madeira. On our decent towards the town we can enjoy fantastic views, especially those of the volcanic pools in their entirety. Lunch stop / free time, about 1.30 to 2 hours stop. - Seixal: Next we enjoy a brief stop in Seixal. Along the way, we have the pleasure of passing several waterfalls, particularly the famous and stunning Bridal Veil waterfall. - São Vicente: Thereafter we visit the picturesque neighbouring village of São Vicente, where you can visit a beautiful church dating from the 17th century before returning to Funchal. - Câmara de Lobos: Situated 5km from the city of Funchal, our last stop is the quaint and famous fishing village of Câmara de Lobos; a favourite painting spot of the late Winston Churchill! - Cristo Rei in Garajau: Situated in one of the most surprising places on the Island of Madeira, the statue of Christ the King of Garajau is one of the most emblematic monuments on the east coast. - Machico: A historic city, it was here that the first settlers loved in 1420 and Funchal only became the capital in 1508. - Ponta de São Lourenço: Ponta do Rosto, the easternmost point of Madeira and is a natural reserve with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and spectacular rock formations; it is a unique landscape very different from the rest of the island. - Porto da Cruz: A small village located in the North Eastern part of Madeira, an ancient rum distillery testifies the importance of sugarcane for Madeira. - Faial: A small and picturesque village on the northeast coast of the island that was named after a local beech tree. The colonizers arrived here only in 1519 and were mostly of Moorish and Galician origin. - Santana: Santana is a charming village on the northeast coast of Madeira, well known for its colorful, thatched, triangular houses. Lunch stop / free time, about 1.30 to 2 hours stop. - Ribeiro Frio: Ribeiro Frio is a natural park located in a deep valley in the north of the island surrounded by mountains. - Pico do Arieiro: Pico do Arieiro is the third highest peak on the island of Madeira, with an altitude of 1818 meters. The views are fabulous, with clouds hovering over the fantastic rock formations - an impossible scenario to describe.

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

3. 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.

From Funchal: Full-Day Guided Madeira Island Tour

4. From Funchal: Full-Day Guided Madeira Island Tour

Explore the stunning island of Madeira. The first stop will be at Monte and marvel at the Church and surroundings. Discover the magnificent Tropical Garden of Monte. Surrounded by the island's towering mountains and immersed in the laurissilva forest, you will find Casa do Poiso, where it presents visitors with the best of Madeiran cuisine. Ribeiro Frio is an exquisite place, and we can see that it is surrounded by fragrant forests, which offer a pleasant atmosphere. Its slopes are populated by numerous species of plants, which form the Forest Park of Madeira. In the Faial area, where there is a beautiful beach with a natural pool, there are several leisure spaces and support infrastructures. Santana is a must-visit area on a visit to Madeira, due to its traditional houses, although in very small numbers. It is very close to Parque das Queimadas, where the Caldeirão Verde and Inferno levadas begin (fabulous for nature lovers!).

Madeira Island: Full-Day Guided Tour of Eastern Madeira

5. Madeira Island: Full-Day Guided Tour of Eastern Madeira

This tour aims at showing the Eastern side of Madeira Island. Main attractions are Pico do Areeiro in 1818 meters, Ribeiro Frio that you can see the trout ponds, the typical straw-roofed houses of Santana the East/North part of the Island, Porto da Cruz where here you have the Rum Factory that you can make a proof and relax a little near of the sea, and for finish we visit the Caniçal the most eastern part of Madeira Island. Route: Start in Funchal / Monte / Pico do Arieiro (1818 meters) / Ribeiro Frio (Option Levada Walk Balcões) / Off-Road to Queimadas / Santana (Lunch) / Faial / Porto da Cruz (Rum Factory) / Caniçal / Machico and Return to Hotel.

Madeira: Jeep 4x4 Old Forest Safari Tour with Pico Arieiro

6. Madeira: Jeep 4x4 Old Forest Safari Tour with Pico Arieiro

Explore Madeira Island in a unique and active way on this Land Rover 4x4 trip. Prepare to see breathtaking views, visit hidden places that you can’t reach by yourself, and collect memories you’ll never forget. Visit the Laurissilva Forest and Pico do Arieiro. Start your trip by departing from Funchal in the direction of Camacha Village, where you can visit the basketwork factory. Then, continue through Vale Paraíso towards Poiso with an altitude of 1412 meters. Climb through the mountains to Pico do Arieiro, Madeira’s third-highest peak at a height of 1,818 meters. This is one of the most beautiful places in Madeira, with unbeatable views of the island. Stay here for a while and walk around. Later, descend to Ribeiro Frio and reach the Laurissilva Forest to visit the trout nursery. Continue the adventure along old paths passing Cedro Gordo and Cruzinhas until you reach the Village de Santana where you’ll get to visit the typical straw houses (colmo). After this stop, descend to the village of Faial with views down to the sea, then continue towards Ponta de São Lourenço in the east of Madeira. This part of the Island is much drier and arid, but with a unique beauty due to its cliffs and colors. End your trip with drop-off back in Funchal.

From Funchal: Pico Do Arieiro and Santana Full-Day 4x4 Tour

7. From Funchal: Pico Do Arieiro and Santana Full-Day 4x4 Tour

An opportunity to "go back in time". Travel with us in a unique way to enjoy the magnificent hidden surroundings of this wonderful island. Your east tour starts from funchal towards the highest mountains you always have funchal scenery behind us, soon you arrive at the third highest mountain in pico do areeiro at 1818m altitude with stunning views and landscapes. After that you will start our descent to Santana through ribeiro frio and cruzinhas, where you will see the beauty of our indigenous Laurissilva Forest, which was classified as a unesco World Natural Heritage site in December 1999. Once you get to Santana you will see the houses that keeps the original characteristics of Santana, a thatched roof and of course stopping for a lunch, after the lunch we come our way back by the eastern coast where you will be introduced once more to breathtaking views, at last we will introduce you to a short levada walk (15 min hikking). All of your tours have the drop-off at the same place where we pick you up.

From Funchal: Madeira Island Private Jeep 4x4 Tour

8. From Funchal: Madeira Island Private Jeep 4x4 Tour

Discover the best of Madeira Island with this Jeep safari tour. Customize the route to see the Sea, Mountains, Cliffs, and Laurissilva Forest (North-East part of the island). Leave Funchal in the direction of the village da Camacha where you can visit the basketwork factory. Continue through Vale Paraíso towards Poiso with an altitude of 1412m and climb through the mountains to Pico do Arieiro at a height of 1818m for mesmerizing panoramic views. Then, descend to Ribeiro Frio in the Laurissilva Forest and visit the trout nursery. Continue your adventure along old paths passing Cedro Gordo and Cruzinhas until you reach the Village de Santana to explore the typical straw houses (Colmo). Descend to the village of Faial for amazing views down to the sea and then continue towards Ponta de São Lourenço in the east of Madeira. Finish off with a transfer back to Funchal.

East tour Santana 4x4 VIP Wrangler tour 8h trip

9. East tour Santana 4x4 VIP Wrangler tour 8h trip

Discover more of Madeira with a V.I.P 4x4 wrangler excursion to the eastern part of the island. Travel from Funchal to see sights like Pico do Areeiro peak and Ponta de São Lourenço natural reserve. See how rum is made with a visit to a sugar cane factory. Be picked up from your hotel in Funchal and drive to the Pico do Areeiro to see the views from the third highest peak on the island. Continue to the charming Ribeiro Frio village. Take a leisurely walk to Balcões viewpoint in the lush heart of the Laurissilva forest. Jump back in the jeep and drive through São Roque do Faial parish, Cruzinhas viewpoint, and the mountain village of Lombo Galego. Take the off-road trail Cova da Roda. Pass through Pico das Pedras right in the middle of the Ponta de São Lourenço reserve. Head towards Santana, where you can go get lunch. Visit the Porto da Cruz sugarcane rum factory. Finish with panoramic views of the Atlantic at the reserve.

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What people are saying about Santana, Portugal

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 108 reviews

For everyone who is looking for an adventure!!! First of all: we were absolutely thrilled! First, we were picked up from our hotel on time, then we received a full set of rain gear when we arrived at the buggy, so that we didn't get dirty and wet from the rain-soaked paths. The tour itself was adventurous and exciting all in one, but also full of beautiful landscape impressions. The guide took a lot of time and at no time did we have the feeling of the mass processing known from many tourist attractions! All in one a beautiful and exciting and well thought out tour! We would do it again anytime!

I can recommend this trip! Our guide picked us up directly from the hotel from where he took us to my town near Santana. There we got into a comfortable buggy and got all the necessary equipment. By buggy we got to places that we would not have reached by car, so we visited not only the classic attractions of Madeira, but also a corner of the forest or an abandoned village. The best part was our guide, who was willing to answer all our stupid questions and gave us an insight into life in Madeira. It was fun! Thank you for this experience :)

Our guide David picked us up on time, right at the hotel. He drove us to the most beautiful places, on- and off-road. He told us a lot about Madeira and the flora. You would never be able to find or drive such routes alone. We did this tour as a group of three and can fully recommend it!!

We had a fantastic time! Rui was a great guide and very professional. He knows the area extremely well - There was a fallen tree that blocked the road mid-trip but he took us on a detour and we got to see more of the island. Highly recommended! :)

Amazing experience. We got a private tour in the laurisilva forest. Felt very safe and got a pickup/drop of from the hotel. Highly recommended!