Madeira: Pico do Arieiro & Santana Thatched Houses Day Trip

The Houses with Straw Roofs Are Still There, and the View from the Peak Reaches the Ocean

You visit Pico do Arieiro's high viewpoint, walk among the traditional thatched houses of Santana with time for lunch, pass through the Laurissilva Forest, and end at Ponta de São Lourenço's coastal cliffs. Transport is air-conditioned and the route includes a craft factory stop. You arrange your own lunch in Santana, and the day takes most of your daylight hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Santana and scenic viewpoints

• Visit Craft Factory and Bazaar
• Watch scenery at Pico do Arieiro
• Stop to observe trout
• Visit typical thatched houses in Santana
• Stop for lunch in Santana
• Watch scenery at Ponta de São Lourenço
• Watch additional scenery

The Experience

The thatched roofs of Santana catch you off guard if you've only seen Funchal's modern seafront. These aren't museum pieces—they're actual homes, painted in primary colors, with steep A-frame roofs designed to shed Madeira's heavy rain. The excursion takes you to the eastern side of the island, climbing to Pico do Arieiro, one of the highest points, where the landscape shifts from coastal towns to cloud-wrapped peaks and the dense green of the Laurissilva Forest pressing in on both sides of the road. You stop at a craft factory and bazaar first, then move through the forest before reaching Santana itself, where you'll have time to walk among the houses and grab lunch at a local spot (not included in the tour price).

The drive up takes maybe an hour from Funchal, and the air-conditioned vehicle matters—the road winds and the altitude climbs fast. At Pico do Arieiro, you pause to take in the scenery; the peak sits high enough that weather can shift in minutes, so what you see depends partly on the day. From there, the route drops down through forest, stopping to watch the trout in a stream before arriving in Santana. The village itself is small and quiet, which is the whole point. You're not rushing through; you're standing in front of something that looks like it belongs to another era, except people still live there and maintain the gardens.

The final stop is Ponta de São Lourenço, a rocky peninsula on the island's eastern tip where the landscape opens up again—cliffs, ocean, and often wind. It's a viewpoint rather than a hiking destination, so you're not scrambling or spending hours on foot. The whole day runs from morning into early evening, and the vehicle is wheelchair accessible, which means families with strollers, older travelers, and anyone with mobility considerations can join without worrying about transport logistics or getting stranded on a mountain road.

What’s included

Air-conditioned vehicle transport from Funchal to the eastern side of Madeira, a visit to a craft factory and bazaar, a stop at Pico do Arieiro viewpoint, time to explore the traditional thatched houses of Santana (lunch is your own cost at a local restaurant), a stream stop to observe trout, passage through the Laurissilva Forest, and a final viewpoint stop at Ponta de São Lourenço. The vehicle is wheelchair accessible and suitable for families with infants and strollers.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Madeira MTG Travel Agency

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to see Madeira's eastern highlands and traditional villages in one day without renting a car or navigating mountain roads yourself—the fixed route covers the main sights and the air-conditioned transport handles the long drive.

Top questions

How long is the full day trip from Funchal?

The excursion runs from morning into early evening, with travel time to and from the eastern side of the island plus stops at each location. Exact duration depends on traffic leaving Funchal.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

No. You have free time in Santana to eat at a local restaurant, but meals are not included and you pay separately.

Can I do this tour if I use a wheelchair or have mobility limitations?

Yes. The vehicle is wheelchair accessible, all areas and surfaces at the stops are accessible, and the tour is suitable for all fitness levels. You won't be hiking steep terrain.

What is there to see at Ponta de São Lourenço?

It's a rocky peninsula on the island's eastern tip with ocean views and cliffs. It's a viewpoint stop rather than a hiking destination.

What are the Casas de Santana?

Traditional thatched houses unique to Santana village, painted in bright colors with steep A-frame roofs designed for the island's rainy climate. They're still inhabited homes, not museum exhibits.

Will I see the Laurissilva Forest?

Yes. You pass through it on the drive, and it's part of the scenic route between Pico do Arieiro and Santana.

Is there a craft factory visit included?

Yes. The tour includes a stop at a craft factory and bazaar early in the day.