Best things to do in Santana

Santana Essentials

Santana encompasses Madeira’s highest terrain, including the 1,862-meter Pico Ruivo and the 1,818-meter Pico do Areeiro. This UNESCO-protected region is defined by the ancient Laurisilva forest, accessible via the Levada do Caldeirão Verde and Caldeirão do Inferno trails. Coastal viewpoints like Beira da Quinta and São Cristovão overlook the Atlantic, while the Parque das Queimadas preserves traditional thatched-roof architecture. The area serves as the primary hub for the island's most significant high-altitude hiking routes and botanical diversity.

Santana Essentials — Map

Ondřej Žváček / CC BY 2.5

A

Arieiro Peak

Mountain peak with an altitude of 1,818 meters, featuring panoramic views of the surrounding mountain massif and the Atlantic Ocean.

B

Ruivo Peak

Pico Ruivo is the highest peak on Madeira Island. It can be reached only by foot, usually either from Pico do Areeiro after a strenuous hike…

Daniel Dias / CC-BY-SA

C

Parque das Queimadas

Forest park featuring traditional Santana-style thatched houses and the trailhead for the Caldeirão Verde levada walk. It is surrounded by the UNESCO-protected Laurisilva forest.

cudi / CC BY 2.0

D

Green Cauldron

A scenic natural amphitheatre located in the midst of the forests. Spectacular levada hike from Santana is definitely worth it.

GanMed64 / CC BY 2.0

E

Miradouro dos Balcões

Accessible via a flat trail from Ribeiro Frio, this viewpoint offers panoramas of the Ribeira da Metade valley and the peaks of Areeiro and Ruivo.

José Lemos Silva / CC BY-SA 4.0

F

Miradouro do Ninho da Manta

Situated near the summit of Pico do Areeiro, this viewpoint provides views over the Fajã da Nogueira valley and the central mountain range.

Jacqueline / CC-BY-SA

G

Miradouro Beira da Quinta

A northern coastal viewpoint overlooking the village of Arco de São Jorge and the terraced agricultural fields characteristic of the region.

Harald Lordick / CC BY-SA 3.0

H

Miradouro São Cristovão

Located on the rugged north coast, this site overlooks the cliffs and the Atlantic Ocean near Boaventura.

I

Caldeirão do Inferno

A deep canyon and waterfall reached through a series of tunnels and narrow bridges along the extension of the Caldeirão Verde trail.

J

Roseiral

Located at Quinta do Arco, this garden hosts one of the largest collections of roses in Europe, featuring over 1,000 different species and varieties.

Other Lists

Peaks and Waterfalls