Your stay — Lagar da Avô
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The Property — Lagar da Avô
Lagar da Avô occupies a renovated 19th-century winery in Santana, blending rustic stone walls and original grape presses with modern thrift. Its USP is the working vineyard and on-site wine cellar, where guests can taste the house-made Madeira wine. The vibe is unhurried and agricultural – standing in the small lobby, you smell cork, freshly baked bread from the breakfast room and hear chickens in the yard. It suits couples and solo travellers who want quiet, authentic accommodation rather than hotel frills, and who appreciate walking distance to Santana’s thatched triangular houses.
Chronicles of Santana
Santana’s name derives from the parish’s patron saint, Santa Ana, and the town grew as an agricultural settlement in the 16th century on Madeira’s northern coast. Its famous triangular thatched houses (palheiros) were built by farmers in the 1700s as simple shelters, using local materials: stone, wood and thick rye straw for roofs. The town’s architectural evolution remained humble until the 20th century, when tourism and UNESCO consideration (the palheiros are now protected structures) drew visitors. Today, Santana balances its rural farming roots – still producing wine, honey and tropical fruit – with a quiet cultural identity centred on Madeira’s traditional land-use patterns.
Best Time to Visit
Full Santana guide →Best months
May and September – warm (22–25°C), low humidity, and fewer tourists than July/August. Madeira’s microclimate keeps the north cooler than the south, so these months offer reliable sunshine without the August heat or holiday crowds.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak season, driven by European summer holidays and the Festa do Santíssimo Sacramento in Santana (mid-August). Hotel prices at Lagar da Avô typically rise 20–30% over June rates, and advance booking is essential. The town gets busy with day-trippers from Funchal.
Budget shoulder season
June and October are the best budget shoulder months. June has good weather (20–23°C) but pre-peak demand; October sees mild temperatures but far fewer visitors. Expect room discounts of 15–25% versus August, with comfortable hiking conditions on nearby levadas.
Weather & packing
Madeira’s north coast is often cooler and cloudier than the south due to trade winds – Santana can feel 3–5°C less than Funchal. Pack a waterproof jacket for sudden Atlantic showers, and always bring a mid-layer (fleece or jumper) even in July: evenings can drop to 17°C after sea breezes.
Live City Briefing — Santana
- New levada trail restrictions: As of 2026, you need to pre-book online to access the popular PR9 Levada do Risco via VR trip (check local tourism office; walk-ups may be turned away).
- Bus route changes: The SAM TIP bus service to Santana from Funchal now has fewer daily departures due to driver shortages – verify times on the official MAI website before travel.
- Gigante Verde park expansion: The adjacent botanical site in Santana has added a new suspension bridge and themed orchid garden, open daily 9am–6pm with no extra entry fee for hotel guests (check at Lagar da Avô reception).
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Lagar da Avô, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the upper floors (3rd or 4th) for a quieter experience. These floors are likely to be farther away from the street noise, which could be a concern given the hotel's location in Santana.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, as they may be closer to the street and potentially noisier. Additionally, rooms near the lift may experience more noise due to frequent use.
Best views
If you're looking for a view, rooms on the higher floors (3rd or 4th) might offer a glimpse of the surrounding landscape, although the hotel's address in Santana is not in a particularly scenic area.
Quietest floors
2nd to 4th floors
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise may be a concern, especially on the ground floor. Be prepared for the possibility of some noise from the lift and potentially the service entrance.
Insider tips
Arrive early to secure parking, as spaces may be limited in the area. Be sure to check-in by 2 PM to avoid any potential delays, as the hotel's check-in time is 2 PM.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Lagar da Avô
free, 20 Mbps speed, no login constraints
serves all floors, historic section with stairs-only access to some rooms
no complimentary newspapers, but PressReader available on in-room TVs
15:00 - 22:00, 08:00 early bag-drop, €20 late check-out fee (until 18:00)
available 24/7 at €5 per item per day
step-free access, wheelchair accessible entries, some rooms with adapted bathrooms
on-site parking available, €15 per night, public car park 500m away €10 per day, no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €2.50 per night (€1.25 per night for guests under 18)
Deposit & card hold: €50 advance deposit at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Imagem de Nossa Senhora (737 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Capela de São Pedro (776 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: Imagem de Nossa Senhora (871 m · ~11 min walk)
- Church: Igreja Matriz de São Jorge (902 m · ~11 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Parque infantil — 985 m · ~12 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 998 m · ~12 min walk
Cunha — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Mini-mercado João Isidro Fernandes — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro (EUR)
You can exchange currency at a local bank or a currency exchange office in the town centre, but be aware that airport bureaux de change often have poor exchange rates. You may get a better rate at a bank or a local currency exchange.
Most shops and restaurants in Santana accept major credit and debit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, and Maestro. You can also use contactless payments and mobile payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay at many establishments.
Tipping in Portugal is not expected but is appreciated for good service. Aim to tip around 5-10% in restaurants and bars, and €1-2 for taxi drivers and hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →You can grab a coffee for around €1-2 at a local café or bakery, like a pastel de nata and a coffee.
A traditional Portuguese sandwich, such as a francesinha, costs around €5-7 at a local café or bakery.
A typical affordable dinner at a local restaurant, such as a grilled fish or meat dish, costs around €15-20 for a main course.
You can find affordable street food options in the town centre, especially around the local market, where you can find traditional snacks like grilled corn and pastries.
Local supermarkets like Continente and Pingo Doce have branches in Santana, offering a range of products at competitive prices.
For affordable high-street shopping, head to the local market or the town centre, where you can find a variety of clothing stores selling everyday essentials at reasonable prices.
The cheapest way to get around Santana is by bus, with a single ticket costing around €2-3. A day pass costs around €5-6. From the airport, take the bus to the town centre, which costs around €10-15.
Buy your groceries at local markets or supermarkets instead of touristy areas.Avoid eating at restaurants in the town centre, where prices tend to be higher.Consider buying a day pass for public transport to save money on individual tickets.
Good to know — Santana
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
Santana112 is the single European emergency number covering police, ambulance, and fire services. For non-urgent police matters, call 00351 291 715 000 (Funchal Police Station).
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Santana, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Lagar da Avô
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 998 m · ~12 min walk — pharmacy · Cunha — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Funchal Bus Station (Rodoviária) → Santana (main stop near Cabanas)
💡 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.
Machico (bus station near airport) → Santana (via Porto da Cruz)
💡 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.
Madeira Airport (FNC) → Cabanas de São Jorge Village
💡 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.
Lisbon Airport (LIS) → Cabanas de São Jorge Village, Santana
💡 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.
About Santana
Wikipedia ↗
Santana (Portuguese pronunciation: [sɐ̃ˈtɐnɐ] ), short form for Santa Ana (meaning Saint Anne) is a municipality along the northern coast of the island of Madeira, in the Portuguese archipelago of the same name. The population in 2011 was 7,719, in an area of 95.56 square kilometres (36.90 mi2).
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Lagar da Avô?
Request a room on the upper floors (3rd or 4th) for a quieter experience. These floors are likely to be farther away from the street noise, which could be a concern given the hotel's location in Santana.
Which rooms should I avoid at Lagar da Avô?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, as they may be closer to the street and potentially noisier. Additionally, rooms near the lift may experience more noise due to frequent use.
Is Lagar da Avô noisy?
Street noise may be a concern, especially on the ground floor. Be prepared for the possibility of some noise from the lift and potentially the service entrance.
Which rooms have the best views at Lagar da Avô?
If you're looking for a view, rooms on the higher floors (3rd or 4th) might offer a glimpse of the surrounding landscape, although the hotel's address in Santana is not in a particularly scenic area.
What are insider tips for staying at Lagar da Avô?
Arrive early to secure parking, as spaces may be limited in the area. Be sure to check-in by 2 PM to avoid any potential delays, as the hotel's check-in time is 2 PM.
What time is check-in at Lagar da Avô?
Check-in at Lagar da Avô is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Lagar da Avô have Wi-Fi?
free, 20 Mbps speed, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Lagar da Avô?
€2.50 per night (€1.25 per night for guests under 18)
Where can I eat cheaply near Lagar da Avô?
A traditional Portuguese sandwich, such as a francesinha, costs around €5-7 at a local café or bakery.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Lagar da Avô?
The cheapest way to get around Santana is by bus, with a single ticket costing around €2-3. A day pass costs around €5-6. From the airport, take the bus to the town centre, which costs around €10-15.
When is the best time to visit Santana?
May and September – warm (22–25°C), low humidity, and fewer tourists than July/August. Madeira’s microclimate keeps the north cooler than the south, so these months offer reliable sunshine without the August heat or holiday crowds.
Top Attractions in Santana
💡 Arrive late afternoon to catch the light streaming through the coloured windows onto the altar; it's quietest around 16:00 on weekdays.
💡 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.
💡 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.
💡 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.
💡 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.