Santana, Madeira: What to See in the Triangular Houses Village and How to Get There by Car
Santana is one of the most distinctive municipalities in north Madeira, famous for its triangular houses with thatched roofs that reach down to the ground. It's about 45-50 minutes from Funchal via the VR2/VR3 and packs into a few kilometres some of the island's most surprising landscapes: moss-covered forests, levada trails and the most convenient access to Madeira's highest peak.
Santana's Triangular Houses: Madeira's Symbol
When most tourists think of Madeira, sooner or later the image of a brightly coloured little house with a huge thatched roof reaching almost to the ground comes to mind. Those are the palheiros, and Santana is their birthplace.
These buildings date from the 17th and 18th centuries. They were originally farmers' homes designed to withstand the north of the island's damp climate. The sloped roof, covered in rye straw or thatch, drained rainwater as far as possible from the walls.
Today they're Madeira's cultural heritage and one of the most photographed tourist draws.
What you should know before going:
- ✓The originals are in Santana village itself. These have real history and authentic context
- ✓There are replicas at several points on the island, including the Madeira Theme Park
- ✓Most are privately owned, perfectly visible from the street
Allow at least 30-45 minutes to walk around the historic centre. Morning light is best for photos.
Madeira Theme Park: ideal if travelling with children
Under 2 km from central Santana, the Parque Temático da Madeira includes:
- ✓Scale models of Portugal's main monuments (Torre de Belém, Convento de Cristo, Palácio da Pena)
- ✓A dinosaur zone with life-size figures
- ✓A zoo and farm animals, very popular with young children
- ✓Picnic areas, a restaurant and souvenir shop
Entry is around €10 per person (discounts for children). The full visit takes an hour and a half to two hours.
If travelling with children aged 3 to 12, this park alone justifies the trip to Santana.
Parque das Queimadas: the forest that looks like a fairy tale
About 10 minutes' drive from Santana, climbing side roads, you reach Parque das Queimadas: one of those places that looks straight out of a fairy tale.
The laurisilva forest is especially dense and damp here. Everything is covered in moss: the trees, the rocks, the roofs of the old thatched houses. Fog often rolls in during the morning, turning the atmosphere into something hard to describe without seeing it.
What you can't miss at Queimadas:
- ✓The moss-covered thatched houses, which look like they've grown out of the forest floor
- ✓The start of the Levada do Caldeirão Verde, one of Madeira's most popular trails (13 km round trip, four dark tunnels — bring a torch)
- ✓Simply sitting quietly and listening to the forest
Queimadas has no entry fee or opening hours. Parking is free though limited: arrive before 9:30am in high season.
Achada do Teixeira: the easiest access to Pico Ruivo
From Santana, taking the ER218 for approximately 7 km (about 20 minutes), you reach the Achada do Teixeira car park, at 1,580 metres altitude.
From there starts the trail leading to the summit of Pico Ruivo: at 1,862 metres, the highest point in all of Madeira.
What you need to know:
- ✓Parking is free
- ✓The walk up is 3.2 km one way with ~280 metres of elevation gain. Between 1h and 1h30
- ✓At the summit there's a mountain refuge with basic restaurant service
- ✓The ER218 road is only accessible by your own car or taxi. No public transport
How to get to Santana from Funchal
Option 1 — Fast interior route (recommended):
VR1 from Funchal → VR2 tunnel → Santana via the VR3. Arrival in 35-40 minutes.
Option 2 — North coastal route (spectacular):
Funchal → Ribeira Brava → São Vicente → Boaventura → Santana. Between 1h15 and 1h30. The stretch between São Vicente and Santana along the north coast is among Madeira's most impressive. Going via the interior and returning via the coast is the perfect combination.
Why You Need a Car to Visit Santana
The municipality's main attractions aren't accessible without a car:
- ✓Parque das Queimadas is 10 minutes' drive up the road. On foot, from the centre, it's a 5 km climb
- ✓Achada do Teixeira and Pico Ruivo have no public transport
- ✓Combining all three points in a single day is only viable with your own vehicle
Recommended Itinerary: Santana in a Day
- 18am — Depart from Funchal via the VR2
- 28:45am — Parque das Queimadas (the morning-fog forest is special)
- 310am — Triangular houses in central Santana
- 411am — Theme Park (only if travelling with children)
- 51pm — Lunch in Santana with Madeiran espetada
- 62:30pm — Drive up to Achada do Teixeira via the ER218
- 73pm — Hike to Pico Ruivo and back (bring warm clothing)
- 85:30pm — Return to Funchal via the north coast if there's enough daylight
Frequently Asked Questions about Santana, Madeira
How much time do you need to visit Santana?
With a full day you have enough for the triangular houses, Queimadas and Pico Ruivo from Achada do Teixeira. For just the village centre and the Theme Park, half a day is enough.
How much does entry to the Madeira Theme Park cost?
General admission is around €10 per adult. Children have reduced prices by age.
Can you climb Pico Ruivo from Santana without a car?
Not practically. The ER218 road has no public transport.
What's the best time of year to visit Santana?
From April to October, with spring as the ideal time. In winter the north is rainier and the peaks can be snow-capped.
Are the triangular houses museums or private homes?
Most are privately owned. They can be seen and photographed perfectly from the street. Some have been converted into a museum or craft shop.
Santana, Queimadas and Pico Ruivo require a car that waits wherever you decide. Book at Funchal Car Hire and start planning your route through the north of the island.