Portugal · 2026 itinerary
Santana 3-Day Itinerary
A day-by-day plan for Santana: the best attractions in order, where to eat, how to get around — with free hotel briefings for your stay.
Arrive & Explore the Highlights
The main church of Santana, a modest 18th-century building with a whitewashed facade and simple interior. Features a carved wooden altarpiece and paintings of local saints.
🕐 Daily 08:00-12:00, 15:00-18:00
Free entry💡 Arrive late afternoon to catch the light streaming through the coloured windows onto the altar; it's quietest around 16:00 on weekdays.
Hotels near Igreja Matriz de Santana →A community arts centre in a renovated cottage, showing rotating exhibitions of local painting, embroidery, and ceramics. Small workshop space with occasional live demonstrations.
🕐 Wed-Sat 10:00-13:00, 14:00-17:00; closed Sun-Tue
Free entry💡 Check their Facebook page before visiting — they often host free embroidery workshops on Saturday afternoons, where you can try the traditional Madeiran 'corridinho' stitch with locals.
Hotels near Centro das Artes (Arts Centre) →Minimercado Lourenço Marques Caldeira da Silva · ££
Centro · ££
Deeper Into Santana
A small museum dedicated to the history of wine and agriculture in the region, housed in a traditional Madeiran estate. See old tools, wine presses, and a collection of local artefacts.
🕐 Tue-Sat 10:00-13:00, 14:00-17:00; closed Sun-Mon
💡 Ask the caretaker to show you the old levada (irrigation channel) behind the house — it's not signposted but gives a sense of the original water system.
A clifftop viewpoint overlooking the north coast, with dramatic views of steep cliffs, the Atlantic Ocean, and the neighbouring village of Faial. Bench seating available.
🕐 Always open
💡 Walk the short trail to the left of the viewpoint — it leads to a less crowded spot with a better angle for photos of the coastline. Bring a windproof jacket even in summer.
La Fé
Casa de Palha
Final Favourites & Departure
A forest park with a series of easy levada trails through laurel and heather. Features a trout farm and a small waterfall accessible via a short boardwalk.
💡 Head straight to Levada do Baldio trail — it's less busy than the main path and ends at a lovely natural pool where locals dip in summer. No entrance fee, but parking costs €2 after 10am.
Bolo do Caco Grill & Pizza
L e L
Getting Around Santana
Get off at 'Santana Mercado' stop – the Cabanas are a 5-min walk uphill. Avoid the late-afternoon buses as they get packed with school kids.
Take bus 56 from Machico for a scenic coastal route – you see the cliffs of Faial. It's bumpy and slow but beautiful. Buy a Giro card for multiple rides.
Use a shared van service like 'Transfer Madeira' for €35–40 per person. The driver will bring you right to reception – worth it after a flight.
Book a flat-rate taxi or transfer in advance to avoid surge pricing. The drive is twisty through Madeira's mountains; ask the driver to take the VE1 expressway from Funchal to save time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for Santana?
Three days covers the main highlights well. You can see the key attractions like Igreja Matriz de Santana and get a genuine feel for the city. For a more leisurely pace or to explore neighbourhoods in depth, a 5-day trip is better.
What is the best time to visit Santana?
See our full best time to visit Santana guide — it covers weather month by month, peak vs. shoulder seasons and how to avoid the crowds.
Where should I stay for this itinerary?
A central location saves transit time between sites. Top options include Hotel Spa Miramaia, Cabanas de São Jorge Village, Quinta das Hortensias. See the full ranked list with free briefings for each.