---
title: Full-Day Santana Madeira Island Tour Amazing Straw Houses
lang: en
alternate_de: https://guidekin.com/de/portugal/madeira/tours/full-day-santana-madeira-island-tour-amazing-straw-houses/
type: tour
city: Madeira
country: Portugal
price: 40
currency: EUR
price_unit: per_person
availability: bookable
rating: 4.97
reviews: 63
duration_minutes: 420
duration_max_minutes: 480
languages: [de, pt, en, fr, es]
free_cancellation: "true"
rank_in_category: 8 of 20 (Santana)
schedule_checked: 2026-09-30
data_updated: 2026-10-12
canonical: https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/tours/full-day-santana-madeira-island-tour-amazing-straw-houses/
---

# Full-Day Santana Madeira Island Tour Amazing Straw Houses

**Guidekin's take:** A full day by air conditioned minibus to the east and the mountains, ending at the thatched houses of Santana, with the highest road accessible peak on the way. Lunch is extra, pickups outside Funchal and Caniço cost more, and the optional Balcões walk must be booked and paid separately in advance. 4.97 from 63 reviews at €40 per person.

In our comparison: #8 of 20 in Santana, by rating weighted by review volume (table below).

## Overview

Embark in one lovely Journey to the East, Northeast and the Mountains , spectacular parts of Madeira, capturing the essence of its dramatic coastlines, iconic landmarks, and lush landscapes such as the highest mountain where you can go by car .The tour offers a blend of breathtaking viewpoints, unique geological formations, and traditional Madeiran culture, culminating in the charming town of Santana. Known for its characteristic thatched-roof houses, Santana provides a picturesque backdrop for a delightful lunch before continuing through more scenic locales. This tour is perfect for those who appreciate natural beauty and want to explore the less-traveled paths along with some of the most photographed spots on the island. Also the chance to do one lovely walk (45minutes) inside of the Native Forest, The Laurel Forest , World Heritage By the UNESCO ( opcional) that needs to be booked in advance from the clients in the website of the gouvernemment Simplifica Madeira in advance .

## Before you book

- Hotel pickup: from 105 pickup points
- Starts 09:00: one departure a day
- Food not included: bring or buy your own
- Strollers OK: infants accepted
- Children from €21: ages 5 to 12

**Pickup:** Hotel pickup from 105 pickup points

## Key facts

- Price: from €40 per person
- Duration: 7h–8h
- Rating: 4.97/5 from 63 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor)
- Free cancellation (see policy below)
- Operator: Spot Madeira Travel
- Group: Shared tour
- Guide languages: German, Portuguese, English, French, Spanish
- Start times: 09:00
- Booking: Instant confirmation, mobile ticket
- Price checked on Viator: 2026-09-30

## Reviews

4.97 from 63 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor.
100% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4 or 5 stars: 63 of 63.

- 5 stars: 61 (97%)
- 4 stars: 2 (3%)
- 3 stars: 0 (0%)
- 2 stars: 0 (0%)
- 1 star: 0 (0%)

### What reviewers say

Reviewers praise the informative guides and varied stops; minibus comfort gets mixed feedback.

**Praised:**
- Guides explain local history, plants and daily life in several languages
- Mountain and coastal viewpoints provide varied scenery
- Levada and forest walks are frequently mentioned as highlights
- Well paced stops leave time for photos, walks and refreshment breaks
- Local food recommendations and rum tastings are well received

**Complaints:**
- Higher stops can be cold and windy, with rain on some outings
- Some find the minibus comfortable, while others report cramped seating or weak air conditioning

Written by Guidekin from the 40 most recent English reviews on Viator & Tripadvisor (2024-09-12 to 2026-09-13); last checked 2026-10-04.

## What's included

- Air-conditioned vehicle

## Not included

- Lunch
- Pickups outside Funchal and Caniço have additional fee.
- Balcões Walk

## Itinerary

1. **Pico Do Areeiro** (30m) - Start at one of Madeira’s highest peaks, offering spectacular views across the island.
2. **Ribeiro Frio** (45m) - Pequena paragem casa de banho e café ou Levada walk 2.4KM ( Opcional). ATENÇÃO: Reserva e pagamento do percurso à responsabilidade do cliente. Reserva tem que ser feita com antecedência e pagamento online no site sob pena das Slots estarem cheias !
3. **Faial** (pass by, no stop) - Passing Throught
4. **Santana** (1h 30m) - Enjoy a traditional Madeiran lunch in this quaint village, famous for its colorful, triangular thatched houses.
5. **Porto da Cruz** (30m) - Rum Factory ( when its open), foto stop
6. **Ponta de Sao Lourenco** (30m) - Explore the strikingly arid, almost lunar landscape of Madeira’s easternmost point, known for its vivid contrasts and panoramic sea views.

## Schedule

- Runs: daily
- Departures: 09:00
- Schedule last checked: 2026-09-30
- These are published departures, not a live seat count; availability is confirmed at checkout.

## Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Pickup points listed by the operator: 105

## Good to know

- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- ATTENTION: Reservation and payment for the optional walk are the fully responsibility of the client. Reservation must be made in advance and payment online on the website under penalty of the slots being full! That is the PR11 and the Slot Time must be between 10h30 and 11am .

## Compared with other Santana

| Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **This tour · #8 of 20** | €40 | 7h–8h | 4.97 (63) | shared |
| [4x4 Safari Private Jeep, Full Day, Customizable Santana or Porto Moniz or other](/portugal/madeira/tours/4x4-safari-private-jeep-full-day-customizable-santana-or-porto-moniz-or-other/?format=md) | €295 per group | 7h | 4.98 (164) | private |
| [East Madeira 4x4 Jeep Tour with Local Guide](/portugal/madeira/tours/east-madeira-4x4-jeep-tour-with-local-guide/?format=md) | €89 | 8h | 4.95 (239) | shared |
| [Private 4x4 Jeep Full Day Porto Moniz or Santana ](/portugal/madeira/tours/private-4x4-jeep-full-day-porto-moniz-or-santana/?format=md) | €300 per group | 7h | 5.0 (89) | private |

Ranked #8 of 20 in Santana by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €31 to €89, median €45; typical length 7h 30m. 3 of 20 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market.

Full list: https://guidekin.com/portugal/madeira/santana/?format=md

## More in Madeira

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