Santana is Madeira's cultural heartland, famous for its iconic triangular thatched houses (Casas Típicas) with colorful painted doors. This UNESCO-recognized town on the north coast also serves as the gateway to Queimadas forest park and some of Madeira's best levada walks. The express bus from Funchal takes just 50 minutes.
How to Get to Santana by Bus
Non-residents (ages 12+) must pay a €4.50 entry fee to hike any classified "PR" trail in Madeira. Advance booking with time-slot reservations is mandatory.
Payment must be made online via the official portal before starting your hike.
Pay Online (Simplifica)Three SIGA bus routes connect Funchal to Santana, each offering a different experience:
Bus Schedule at a Glance
Suggested Day Trip Itinerary
Take the early Route 56 express from Funchal (departing around 08:00) and arrive in Santana by 09:00. Spend the morning visiting the traditional thatched houses at the Theme Park and the town hall designed as a giant Casas Típica. After lunch at a local restaurant (try the regional espetada — beef skewers on a laurel stick), take a taxi or walk to Queimadas forest park for an afternoon levada walk. Return to Funchal on the afternoon bus (around 16:00–17:00). For a circular route, take Route 56 express outbound and return on the scenic Route 103 via Ribeiro Frio.
What to See and Do
The Santana Theme Park (Parque Temático da Madeira) showcases traditional island life, crafts, and history. Several authentic Casas Típicas are preserved around the town center and are free to photograph from outside. The town hall (Câmara Municipal) is itself designed as an oversized thatched house.
Nearby Queimadas is the starting point for the famous PR9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde walk — one of Madeira's top hiking trails leading through ancient laurel forest to a spectacular waterfall. The PR13 Vereda do Fanal and shorter walks are also accessible from the area.
Practical Tips
Best Time to Visit
Santana is a year-round destination. Summer brings local festivals celebrating rural traditions with music, food, and dancing. Spring (April–May) offers stunning flower displays. The thatched houses look photogenic in all seasons, though morning light is best for photography.