Discover Santo António Da Serra

Santo António da Serra lies on an elevated plateau, characterised by striking mountain scenery and lush, exotic vegetation. The area combines experiences in nature, distinctive cultural landscapes and special places to visit: you can plan hiking days in the laurel forest, discover a golf course in botanical surroundings or explore historic traces and regional festivals. When choosing accommodation, it is therefore worth deciding first what you want your trip to focus on.

Golf in a distinctive landscape

The Clube de Golf do Santo da Serra opened in 1937 and was redesigned by Robert Trent Jones Senior in 1991. The golf course has 9,003 metres and 27 holes. Its surroundings are described as a botanical garden landscape with diverse flora and four lakes. Those planning to make golf a central part of their trip will find a clearly defined experience here, while the landscape also adds its own character to the day's itinerary.

Forest trails, stone walls and old trees

The Vereda do "Alvoredo" hiking trail passes stone walls that form poios, as well as traditional animal shelters and centuries-old trees. Near Santo da Serra, the PR 5 – Vereda das Funduras also leads into the laurel forest of the Natura 2000 network. This forest supports Madeira's endemic animal and plant life. The two trails appeal to different interests: the Vereda do "Alvoredo" focuses on the visible traces of the traditional landscape, while the PR 5 highlights the laurel forest and its natural environment.

Culture along old paths

Along old paths in Santo António da Serra, traditional houses with decorated roof finials and door transoms with coloured glass have been preserved. Such details give a walk a cultural perspective without requiring an extensive programme. The Fonte de Santo António is also part of the area's history: it once supplied drinking water to many people who travelled from Machico into these mountains to search for firewood.

Another attraction is the Fonte de Santo António da Serra. It dates from the late 17th or early 18th century. The stone fountain has a wide opening beneath a round arch and a semi-circular vaulted interior in the late Mannerist style. The fountain is of interest to visitors who appreciate historic architectural forms and traces of regional everyday life.

Parks and varied day trips

The Quinta do Santo da Serra is a public park in the parish of Santo António da Serra. It is home to peacocks, fallow deer and Garrano horses. The Quinta also has a mini-golf course and a tennis court. This gives the park several different options for a visit, meaning that not all travellers need to share the same interests.

Parque da Ribeira Primeira in Santa Cruz features dense laurel forest vegetation, a humid subtropical forest consisting predominantly of endemic Macaronesian species. A circular trail with eleven ponds and the opportunity to fish for trout are also among the experiences mentioned there. Visitors can also prepare their catch in an outdoor area with seating. The park thus complements Santo António da Serra's nature and cultural experiences with a distinct excursion focus.

Events throughout the year

The annual Mostra da Sidra takes place in September and showcases the processing of pêro into cider. The event dates given are 27 and 28 September. The programme includes demonstrations, talks, areas for producers, a press, and the traditional treading of pêro and apples. The Festa de Santo António takes place in the parish of Santo António da Serra on the weekend closest to 13 June. Those wishing to organise their trip around regional traditions and festive dates can take these dates into account when planning.

Which accommodation suits your plans?

When looking for accommodation in Santo António Da Serra, your preferred daily rhythm is a useful guide. A holiday apartment is particularly appealing as a base for the days you have planned. If your travel group has different preferences, you can agree on the shared focus of the trip and choose the accommodation accordingly. This way, you are not deciding solely based on the place name, but on the kind of holiday you want to spend in Madeira.

More places for your travel plans

For further inspiration, you can also discover Santana, Santa Cruz and Ribeira Brava.

For the higher-level travel overview: Arco De Sao Jorge.