Arco De Sao Jorge: Winegrowing, Hiking Trails and Rural Heritage

Arco de São Jorge combines a rural character with impressive paths, local history and a special connection to winegrowing. The name of the place refers to the arched shape of the mountains that surround it. At the same time, Arco de São Jorge is one of the six civil parishes of the municipality of Santana; in 2011, Santana received UNESCO recognition as a biosphere reserve. Anyone looking for accommodation for a varied stay in Madeira will find various opportunities here to enjoy culture, nature and active days.

Winegrowing and History in the Villagescape

An important cultural point of interest is the Museu do Vinho e da Vinha. It is located at the Arco de São Jorge winegrowing experimental plot and includes a restored former winery with winegrowing equipment as well as the experimental plot. The exhibition illustrates the connection between the local population and winegrowing. The visit can therefore be seen not only as a museum tour, but also as an insight into an influential local tradition.

Further traces of history can be found in the preserved historic paths and a mill. The recently restored communal washhouses are considered an important part of the cultural heritage of the traditional way of life of the parish's population. The parish's fountains, including those da Enseada, da Quinta, Fonte da Quebrada and Fonte do Fundo da Quebrada, are also considered attractions and illustrate local cultural and social practices. At the Biblioteca Feiticeiro do Norte, visitors can consult works from its own collection; at the same time, it is a multimedia space.

Hiking Trails with Different Profiles

Several trails with clearly distinct characteristics are available for active days on holiday. The Vereda da Ribeira Funda – Terras de Fora is 1.3 km long, has a moderate difficulty level and ends in Terras de Fora in Arco de São Jorge. The Vereda do Museu do Vinho e da Vinha is 2.6 km long, also moderately difficult and takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes. It begins at the Miradouro da Beira da Quinta and ends at the Museu do Vinho e da Vinha.

The Caminho da Entrosa begins in Arco de São Jorge and leads to São Cristóvão in Boaventura. The moderately difficult hiking trail offers views of the seascapes along Madeira's north coast. Anyone planning to go cycling can consider the Down - São Jorge mountain bike trail: it is 1.4 km long, has a high difficulty level and can be completed in 16 minutes. The trail runs entirely through a wooded area. At the end, cyclists can get to know the parish of Arco de São Jorge and enjoy several gardens or viewpoints there.

Food, Gardens and the Right Accommodation

For many years, the fertile soil produced food that could not be transported there from the markets. Doces Tradições offers a taste of the region with traditional pastries, bread, cakes and broas, which are kneaded by hand and baked in a wood-fired oven. Local handicrafts are also made there.

When choosing your holiday apartment or holiday house, you can therefore decide according to your preferred pace of travel: culture enthusiasts can combine the museum, washhouses, fountains and library, while hikers can choose between shorter trails, the moderately difficult Caminho da Entrosa and the demanding mountain bike trail. The rose garden of Quinta do Arco can be visited from April to December between 10:00 and 18:00; it is closed from January to March. For more places to help plan your trip, see Santana, Ribeira Brava, Santa Cruz and Santo António Da Serra.

More Destinations

More places within the same destination:

Porto Santo, Caniço, Ponta Do Sol.

To the overview of the parent destination: Madeira.