Santana Private Tour: Thatched Houses & Laurissilva Forest

Five hours through Santana's hidden roads and mountain views

A 5-hour private guided tour of Santana on Madeira's eastern side, traveling old mountain roads through villages where traditional life still shapes the landscape. You'll see the Laurissilva protected forest, terraced agriculture, coastal viewpoints and the distinctive A-frame thatched houses Santana is known for, with a local guide in English, Portuguese or French and pickup from your Funchal hotel included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Eastern Madeira and Santana

• Visit Laurissilva forest and trout farm
• Pass by agricultural village with terraces
• Stop at viewpoint over East coast
• Explore Santana traditional houses and shops
• Optional typical lunch in Santana
• Visit unique scenic viewpoint
• Pass through rural parish Porto da Cruz

The experience

Five hours takes you through the eastern villages and valleys of Santana, following the old roads locals still use instead of the main routes. The guide shows you how tradition shapes daily life here (the way people farm, build and move through the landscape) as you travel through time in a single afternoon. You'll see the Laurissilva forest, a protected area where green dominates, then shift to coastal views over the northeast and the central mountains beyond.

The route includes several stops: a village built on agriculture with terraced fields that define the hillside; a viewpoint over the east coast; and Santana itself, the mandatory stop where the famous A-frame thatched houses line the streets. Many have been converted to shops selling local crafts and products, so you can see both the architecture and what people make here. A complementary viewpoint rounds out the tour with one of the island's most distinctive landscapes. The guide chooses between a Land Rover Discovery or an open-top UMM depending on availability and your preference, so you can decide how much of the air and the view you want during the drive.

Pickup from your Funchal hotel is included, and the guide speaks English, Portuguese or French. The tour suits groups up to six, though four is the recommended size for comfort in the vehicle. Lunch is not included, though Santana's shops and cafes offer local options if you want to eat during the stop there.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Funchal.
• local guide in English, Portuguese or French.
• vehicle (Land Rover Discovery or open-top UMM).
• stops at Laurissilva forest, terraced villages, coastal viewpoints and Santana's thatched-house district.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30, 09:00 and 09:30

Book up to1h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by alwaysmadeira4x4

Is this one for you?Book this if you're staying in Funchal and want to see Santana's traditional villages and mountain landscape without driving yourself: the private vehicle and local guide mean you move at one pace and stop where the stories are, not where the tour schedule demands.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, French and Portuguese.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the tour and what time does it start?

The tour runs 5 hours total. Specific start times depend on your hotel location and the operator's schedule. Confirm the pickup time when you book.

Can I choose between the Land Rover and the open-top UMM?

You can request either vehicle, though availability is not guaranteed. The operator will do their best to match your preference.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Lunch is not included, but Santana has local shops and cafes where you can eat during the stop there.

Do I need to be fit for this tour?

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended. The tour involves walking at several stops and moving around villages, but there are no strenuous hikes.