Things to do in Santana

Santana sits on Madeira's north coast, about 45 minutes (roughly 35 kilometres) from Funchal on winding roads through the VE1/ER101. The village is known for its casas de colmo, triangular thatched houses painted red, white and blue, a style that once covered farms across this part of the island.

Three of these houses, grouped at the centre of the village, are open to visitors as furnished reconstructions rather than lived-in homes, and admission runs a few euros per person, payable on site. Expect a short visit of 30 to 45 minutes rather than a half-day stop.

The north coast here is noticeably cooler and wetter than Funchal, so a light rain jacket is worth carrying even when the south is dry and around 24 to 26 degrees in summer.