The city of Santana is a charming place where we can still find traditional triangular thatched houses. It is naturally a must on any sightseeing tour.
This fertile municipality is ideal for growing wheat, maize and rye and for producing wine.
The best place for nature lovers is the high part of the municipality, in the Parque Florestal das Queimadas. Some of the island’s best walks are here along paths alongside the famous levadas, irrigational channels, with magnificent views, in the middle of the Laurissilva Forest.
Particularly good walks are those to Achada do Garamacho, Caldeirão Verde, Boca das Voltas, Pico das Pedras, the Rocha do Navio Nature Reserve and an interesting rock formation about 12 metres high known as Homem em Pé, or the Standing Man.

Miradouro do Pico Ruivo and Miradouro do Pico do Areeiro

These belvederes are at the highest points in Madeira. Here there are beautiful rock formations reaching into the sky like timeless statues.
To get to Pico do Areeiro take the EN 103 road, which goes from Funchal to Faial, then turn onto the EN 202 heading west. From Pico do Areeiro (1,810 metres), in the distance you can see a trail that leads north-east across the tops of the mountains. This trail is easy to walk and will take you to Pico Ruivo (1,862 metres).

Ribeiro Frio

The pure, cold, oxygenated water of this stream is perfect for breeding trout, which are used almost exclusively to repopulate Madeira’s streams, though some are also supplied to trout farms or for cooking.
Ribeiro Frio is situated in a paradisiacal valley where an infinity of rare plants and flowers grow.
Here you will find the Ribeiro Frio Nature Park, where you can go on a number of walks, though the most well-known is the one to Balcões.

Miradouro de Fortim do Faial

You will find this belvedere on the road between Faial and Santana. Turn right after passing Faial Church. The belvedere affords a superb view of Faial, the Penha d'Águia mountains and the northern part of Ponta de São Lourenço.

Miradouro das Cabanas

This belvedere is between São Jorge and Arco de São Jorge. Here, not only will you find a spectacular view of Arco de São Jorge, but on a clear day you can also see the neighbouring island of Porto Santo.

Roseiral da Quinta do Arco

Allow yourself to be dazzled by the beauty of 17,000 species of roses, some of them rare and others endangered species, in the largest rose garden in the country at Quinta do Arco, in Arco de São Jorge.
This rose garden is a tourist attraction and its species, from all over the world, are all properly catalogued and certified.

Sítio da Achada do Marques

Situated in Ilha, this village in a bucolic landscape, full of traditional haystacks, takes us on a journey back in time.

www.parquetematicodamadeira.pt

Population: 8,804
Bathing areas: São Jorge Bathing Complex, Praia da Ribeira do Faial and Praia da Ribeira da Boaventura

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