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Things to do in Santa Cruz, Portugal

Our most recommended things to do in Santa Cruz, Portugal

Madeira: Pico Ruivo Guided Sunrise Hike with Hotel Pickup

1. Madeira: Pico Ruivo Guided Sunrise Hike with Hotel Pickup

Admire Madeira's starry night sky on a guided trek up to the jagged Pico Ruivo. Enjoy a warm cup of tea while you catch the first rays of sunlight from the island's highest point and relax with a transfer back to your accommodation at the end of your hike. Start your early-morning adventure with a convenient pickup directly from your accommodation. Then, drive for about 1 hour to Achada do Teixeira, where your trek begins. Take some time to admire the starry sky and gaze up at the Milky Way above before you begin the 260-meter climb up to Pico Ruivo. Reach the dramatic peak, the highest point on Madeira, in time to watch the first rays of sunlight illuminate the island below you. Sip on a cup of tea and refuel with a healthy granola bar while you soak in the magnificent views and take photos. Finally, begin your descent back to the car park where your hike began and enjoy a comfortable journey back to your accommodation to finish your tour.

Madeira: Full-Day Laurel Forest Guided Walking Tour

2. Madeira: Full-Day Laurel Forest Guided Walking Tour

Experience the magic of Portuguese forests on an adventurous trail hike. Madeira is known for its "levadas", a system of aqueducts, popularly used as hiking trails. Drive to the quaint town of Santana and up to Queimadas Forestry Park to journey through one of the famous levada walks. Deep in the Laurel forest, find a typical thatched house, which serves as a park landmark and creates a fairytale setting to begin your journey. This magical trail runs through the Serra de São Jorge and wanders through an emerald green paradise. Take in outstanding views of the valleys and villages that lie below, until finally reaching the magnificent Caldeirão Verde waterfall. Make contact with the lush greenery as you walk along this historical levada in the company of your experienced guide.

Madeira: Private Banana Farm Tour with Pickup

3. Madeira: Private Banana Farm Tour with Pickup

The banana from Madeira is a subspecies of the original banana and grown extensively on the island of Madeira, traditionally smaller than the South American banana but accentuated on the palate. It is supplemented with sucrose, glucose, fructose, fibers, potassium, magnesium and various vitamins from clusters A, B and vitamin C. We will visit a local Banana Farm area in funchal city where you can understand a little bit more how this famous fruit grows in the Island. We will also have a look at the Viewpoint of RG3, an unknow viewpoint many people don’t know where we can see the whole funchal around us.

From Funchal: Santo de Serra Local Farmers' Market Day Trip

4. From Funchal: Santo de Serra Local Farmers' Market Day Trip

Sunday's its a great time to join this tour and mix with the locals. This half day experience available morning and afternoon, and will take you to visit the local farmers market in Santo da Serra, where you can see the farmers seling they fruits and vedgetables, local bread, licours home made, infusions drinks, this is the market where the "madeirenses" goes for shopping. Explore also other areas, Christ the King view point and stunning views, Santa Cruz, Morena where we have steep roads to reach hidden villages, terraces and really amazing landscapes.

North Madeira & Wine Tour 4x4 Jipe Tour

5. North Madeira & Wine Tour 4x4 Jipe Tour

We leave from Funchal to the village of Santa Cruz for a short stop. Then, we start the trip to Porto da Cruz, where we visit the Sugarcane Mill where there is the possibility to taste the famous and typical regional drink “Poncha”, made with sugarcane brandy. We continue until we reach Santana, along dirt roads and winding through the green of the Laurissilva that will take us to the parish of Ilha and S. Jorge where we can appreciate the natural beauty, passing by the viewpoint of Boca das Voltas with a magnificent view. From here we head towards Arco de S. Jorge, already by the sea, for lunch. After this break, we continue along the north coast, passing through Boaventura, Ponta Delgada and São Vicente, where we will stop at Quinta do Barbusano, to visit the property and taste the wines produced there. In the wine tasting you can taste red, white and rosé wines. In the late afternoon we return to Funchal.

Other Sightseeing Options in Santa Cruz, Portugal

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What people are saying about Santa Cruz, Portugal

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 10 reviews

This tour is a must in Madeira. The hike to the top is gorgeous with the starry sky. We could even see shooting stars and the Milky Way. At the top of the mountain we had a beautiful view of the sunset. The guide was very nice and spoke fluent English with us. When we got to the top, the guide had tea and a granola bar for us. All in all a nice trip. PS Dress warmly!

A very nice tour on the east side of the island and up in the mountains, where you can't get to without a car. A visit to the market, because there are no buses on Sundays to Santa de Serra, a jeep ride on a small road in the mountains was amazing, the guide was very friendly and told a lot about fruit trees and showed things

The guide told us a lot of interesting things about the flora and fauna in three languages. We were going fast, with little incline on the way. You should already have a basic level of fitness and you should be free from giddiness.

A good trip, especially at the beginning - the route on the Levada is flat, the tunnels are a great attraction and the waterfall is the crowning of the trip.

Very caring, attentive guide, who adores the Madeira nature and all Madeira :)