Santa Cruz Trip Overview
Choose this self-drive tour around Madeira and spend 8 memorable days exploring the superb culture and landscapes of this island. Drive along the emerald coastline passing through the charming fish villages Santo da Sierra and Boaventura, take in to the beautiful waterfall called “Veu da Noiva” (Bridals veil) and discover the legend about the unfulfilled love. Melt into the flavours and aromas by the typical dishes of the local gastronomy in Ponta do Sol and in Funchal, experience the vivid and attractive vibe of the Portuguese culture and traditions. This trip will fill all your senses and will leave great memories for the lifetime.
Additional Info
Duration: 8 days
Starts: Santa Cruz, Portugal
Trip Category: Outdoor Activities >> 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours
Explore Santa Cruz Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Santa Cruz, Madeira Islands, Portugal
Choose this self-drive tour around Madeira and spend 8 memorable days exploring the superb culture and landscapes of this island. Drive along the emerald coastline passing through the charming fish villages Santo da Sierra and Boaventura, take in to the beautiful waterfall called “Veu da Noiva” (Bridals veil) and discover the legend about the unfulfilled love. Melt into the flavours and aromas by the typical dishes of the local gastronomy in Ponta do Sol and in Funchal, experience the vivid and attractive vibe of the Portuguese culture and traditions. This trip will fill all your senses and will leave great memories for the lifetime.
Itinerary
Day 1: ARRIVAL MADEIRA – SANTO DA SERRA
Pass By: Portugal, Portugal
Arrive at Madeira International Airport, meet and greet by our local representative who will assist you with your car hire (Car rental A – Renault Twingo or similar – or Car rental B – Nissan Micra or similar-) and inform you how to proceed on your departure day. Hop into your car and drive to Santo Da Sierra for the first overnight. Check-in to your hotel and if you’re itching to start exploring this fascinating town, stroll down its picturesque streets and visit the “Quinta do Santo da Serra” where you can get a glimpse of the Madeira vegetation and mesmerising variety of flowers and plants. Visit to the stables. And surrounded farms and get a touch of the local rural spirit of this place. You can take a short drive to Machito, seaside town, with a gold sand beaches, walk along the seafront and enjoy spectacular views over the sea and the island. Overnight in Santo da Serra. Accommodation at Hotel Enotel Golf or similar 4* hotel category with bed and breakfast basis.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 2: SANTO DA SERRA
Pass By: Portugal, Portugal
Wake up to your tasty breakfast (included) and get ready for your new experience. Drive Santo da Serra, passing by Poiso, Ribeiro Frio, Faial. On your way to Ribeiro Frio you can make a small stop and hike up to the third highest peak “Pico do Areeiro”. Continue driving through our enchanting and magical “Laurissilva” forest, until you get to Ribeiro Frio a well-known place by its trout hatchery. Climb up to Balcões (short one-hour hike) is a must, you will get a breath-taking view over this mountainous part of the island and you will fill your senses by these pure natural gems. Overnight in Santo da Serra. Accommodation at Hotel Enotel Golf or similar 4* hotel category with bed and breakfast basis.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 3: SANTO DA SERRA – BOAVENTURA
Stop At: Portugal, Portugal
Enjoy your morning breakfast (included) at the hotel and after, check-out. Today carry on exploring beautiful Madeira. Depart from Santo da Serra to Faial and enjoy the natural emerald views over the coastline that this small picturesque village of Santana reveals, maybe stop for a meal at the local restaurants and have a delightful fresh fish or other sea delicate. Continue along the breath-taking north coastline towards the tiny little village of Boaventura, passing through Porto Moniz, home to a gorgeous natural swimming pools hidden in the rocks. Check-in to your hotel in Boaventura and enjoy the greenish landscape that surrounds this voluptuous town. Overnight in Boaventura. Accommodation at Hotel Solar Boaventura or similar 3* hotel category with bed and breakfast basis.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 4: BOAVENTURA
Pass By: Portugal, Portugal
Start your day with the breakfast (included) at the hotel and get ready for your new adventure. Drive through this beautiful countryside and get a deeper inside into the local country by enjoying the local gastronomy and warm welcoming of the local people. Drive along the coastline and stop to see the wonderful waterfalls, São Vicente and Encumeada Pass display their magnificent views over the north and south of the island, if the weather permit you can even see the island of Porto Santo. Overnight in Boaventura. Accommodation at Hotel Solar Boaventura or similar 3* hotel category with bed and breakfast basis.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 5: BOAVENTURA – PONTA DO SOL
Pass By: Portugal, Portugal
After the energizing breakfast (included) at the hotel, check out from the hotel and depart towards Ponta do Sol, charming harbour settled on the south-western coast of the island. On the way do not miss to visit waterfall called “Veu da Noiva” (Bridal veil) and discover the Portuguese story about the unfulfilled love. Local people believe that all couples passing by this spot, have to kiss here so they can happily live together forever. In Porto Moniz, take a pleasure at the natural volcanic swimming pools and enjoy a local fish speciality “arroz de Lapas” at one of the restaurants that were signed in the Guinness book by being the restaurant cooking the biggest “arroz de Lapas” (Limpet’s rice) in the world. After lunch (not included) heads towards the Paul da Serra Plateau (the only one in Madeira) and then drive down passing the village of Calheta. Once in Ponta do Sol, in this “sunny corner of Madeira”, check in to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at the local cobbled stone beach and take a refreshing swim in the sea, maybe snorkel and discover the thrilling underwater world. Overnight in Ponta do Sol. Accommodation at Hotel Enotel Baia or similar 4* hotel category with bed and breakfast basis.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 6: PONTA DO SOL
Pass By: Portugal, Portugal
Wake up to your luscious breakfast (included) at the hotel and enjoy the whole day at leisure. You can enjoy the beach in Ponta do Sol or you can take a ride to the closest villages and explore this beautiful region more profound. From Baia do Sol, it is a short distance to the villages of Jardim do Mar and Paul do Mar, small fishing villages with a wonderful and romantic landscapes. From Paul do Mar you can drive up and head to Prazeres. Take a pleasure in these tranquil vivid landscapes and savour the fresh flavours of local gastronomy. Overnight in Ponta do Sol. Accommodation at Hotel Enotel Baia or similar 4* hotel category with bed and breakfast basis.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 7: PONTA DO SO – FUNCHAL
Pass By: Portugal, Portugal
After morning breakfast (included) at the hotel, depart towards Funchal, modern and vivid cosmopolitan city. En-route you will be passing by blooming vineyards and banana trees. Stop in Ribeira Brava, charming village, perhaps take a walk-through picturesque street and busy square, and get deeper inside of the tranquil local vibe. Take a short hike up to the second highest sea cliff in the world “Cabo Girão” situated close to the villages Campanário and Quinta Grande, and after continuing to Câmara de Lobos, small fish village on the east part of the island. Once in Funchal, check-in to your hotel and set out for discovering this bustling city. Funchal is the paradise for those searching for a lively atmosphere, it is full of hotels, restaurants and bars that can be found in the heart of the old town, and together with the local markets create unique vibrant spirit of this place. Overnight in Funchal. Accommodation at Hotel Ocean Gardens or similar 4* hotel with bed and breakfast basis.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 8: FUNCHAL – DEPARTURE MADEIRA
Pass By: Portugal, Portugal
Spend your last morning in Funchal, savouring your breakfast (included). Then, hop into your car and drive back to Madeira, return the rental car at the Madeira Airport and prepare for your return flight.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
