São Vicente

São Vicente is on the north coast of the island of Madeira, which is characterised by breathtaking verdant scenery overhanging the deep blue sea.

The mountains and diminutive houses spread along the valley give it a majestic air.

São Vicente is one of the friendliest and most welcoming places on the island, with its clearly rural atmosphere.

The narrow stone paved streets and stairways in front of the parish church are so attractive that they appear on one of the postcards of São Vicente.

Serenity reigns in streets closed to traffic and where the old shops remind us of a time when shopping centres did not exist.

The tiny chapel, which was built in 1692 inside a volcanic rock at the estuary of the river that runs through the town, is an ex-libris feature of São Vicente.

Right next to it is the town park, situated in a green area full of lakes, footpaths and a sports area which all combine to constitute an agreeable recreation area.

As the beaches of Madeira are of rounded volcanic rock, there are a number of practical and useful facilities to provide access to the sea and are available for those practising water sports including: a restaurant and bar, sun terrace and a walkway which links Varadouro to Baía dos Juncos.

There are exceptional conditions for surfing provided by the sea of São Vicente, where the waves give the surfers an emotional ride.

The island's modern transport network has brought the northern coast of Madeira nearer. The city of Funchal is only approximately 30 minutes away.

São Vicente is one of the friendliest and most welcoming places on the island!

The northern coast of Madeira is one of the best wine-growing areas of the region and has a magnificent view of the vineyards and sea.

Everything looks different here. The dry slopes and green mountains covered in mountain terraces, where vines are grown protected from the sea breeze by heather, make this an unparalleled landscape.

At Boaventura the scenery is even greener with tiny houses dotted about over the valleys.

As we climb the mountain we can enjoy the rare beauty of Falca de Baixo, Falca de Cima, Achada da Madeira, Lapinhas and Lombo do Urzal.

There is a Vine and Wine Museum in Arco de São Jorge. Apart from wine-presses and other implements used throughout decades to produce wine, you may see various stages in the wine-making process as they take place, as well as tasting and buying table and fortified wines. The museum is a homage to the wine-producers of Madeira.

There is also an area known as Doces Tradições" which produces home made bread and wholemeal cakes made with honey.

The emblematic thatched houses come into view as we arrive at Santana. As Santana was, for many years, of difficult access by land or sea, it has preserved its own special characteristics.