Santana Wonders and Northeast Madeira Full Day 4WD Experience
Villages, vineyards, thatched houses, and rum distilleries across Madeira's most fertile northeast corridor
This Santana 4WD tour takes you through the rural heart of northeastern Madeira, tracing old roads that connect hillside villages, cliff-top vineyards, and centuries-old agricultural traditions across one of the island's most rewarding landscapes. The journey begins at São Vicente with a sweeping 360-degree panorama from the Nossa Senhora de Fátima chapel-tower. Over eight hours, every stop reveals a distinct layer of Madeiran culture, history, and natural beauty.
The route winds through agricultural hamlets where manor houses dating to the 18th century still stand as evidence of the prosperity that viticulture once brought to this region. Fertile microclimates along the north coast support sugar cane, Malvasia vines, and a diversity of crops that have shaped the identity of each village you visit. Thatched triangular houses in Santana and stone manor houses in São Jorge represent two very different but equally compelling chapters of island heritage.
A visit to the Porto da Cruz rum distillery connects the day's scenery to something tangible and aromatic. Ancient steam engines remain in working order, operated by original factory staff, producing the aguardente and honey molasses that have been a staple of local economy since 1927. The contrast between Boaventura's tranquil valleys and the dramatic cliff-top views at Quinta do Furão keeps the experience varied from morning to late afternoon.
This tour is graded easy and suits a wide range of travelers. The 4x4 vehicle handles terrain that standard vehicles cannot reach, opening access to landscapes that remain largely unseen by visitors who stick to the main coastal roads.
Tour Highlights
Explore Santana's iconic triangular thatched houses, a living architectural tradition rooted in the 16th century and unique to this corner of Madeira.
Tour the Porto da Cruz rum distillery, where original steam machinery and long-serving staff keep a production process dating to 1927 in full operation.
Pass through Boaventura, a natural sanctuary of deep valleys, exotic flowers, and verdant hillsides that earn it the reputation as one of Madeira's most peaceful retreats.
Take in cliff-top views from Quinta do Furão, a manor house surrounded by vineyards with direct sightlines over the ocean and the rugged northern coastline.
Travel on old rural roads by 4x4 through Arco de São Jorge, a seaside village of 520 inhabitants whose fertile microclimate supports a remarkable range of crops.
Begin the day at the Nossa Senhora de Fátima chapel-tower in São Vicente, a steep and architecturally singular structure offering a 360-degree view of the surrounding valley.
Itinerary
The tour opens at the Nossa Senhora de Fátima chapel-tower, a steep structure with simple facades and an unusually tower-like form. From this point, visitors take in a 360-degree view over São Vicente before boarding the 4x4 vehicle for the journey northeast.
Boaventura is one of Madeira's oldest colonised settlements and is considered almost isolated from the surrounding world. Its valleys, water courses, exotic flowers, and deep quiet make it a natural sanctuary appreciated for the peace it provides.
Arco de São Jorge sits by the sea, ringed by mountains and vineyards, with a fertile microclimate that supports a wide variety of agricultural products. Neighbouring São Jorge is considered among the most productive northern villages, cultivating sugar cane and the Malvasia grape used to produce Madeira wine.
Santana is the centrepiece of the day, famous for its colourful triangular stone-and-thatch houses whose origins date to the 16th century. The town also features a clifftop artillery viewpoint decorated with ten smooth-bore English cannons, traditionally fired during feasts in honour of Our Lady of the Nativity.
The Engenhos do Norte distillery in Porto da Cruz has been producing aguardente, honey molasses, and dry red wine since 1927. Original steam engines set the working rhythm, and long-serving factory workers keep the equipment operational, offering a genuine look at a working artisan industry.
The day closes at Quinta do Furão, a manor house set among vineyards on a cliff above the northern coast. The views over the ocean and the rugged shoreline provide a fitting end to a tour of Madeira's northeastern interior.
What Is Included
Included
- Full-day guided 4x4 transport
- Local guide throughout the tour
- Rum distillery visit at Porto da Cruz
- Stops at Santana thatched houses
- Scenic viewpoint visits including São Vicente chapel-tower
Not Included
- Personal travel insurance
- Meals and beverages unless stated
- Gratuities for guides and drivers
- Personal purchases at distillery or local shops
Important Information
Reserve Your Place on This Tour
Discover the villages, vineyards, and working traditions of northeastern Madeira on a guided full-day 4x4 journey that covers terrain few visitors ever reach.
Book Now
