Discover Arco De São Jorge

Arco De São Jorge combines hiking trails, sea views and regional culture in a special way. Anyone planning a trip to Madeira will find a range of opportunities here for active days and peaceful discoveries: paths lead through traces of the Laurissilva forest, to a wine museum or along the north coast. There are also viewpoints, a rose garden with more than 1,500 rose varieties and insights into the region’s former ways of working.

Hiking trails with different focal points

The 1.3-kilometre Vereda da Ribeira Funda – Terras de Fora takes one hour and has a medium level of difficulty. It passes traces of the Laurissilva forest and ends in Terras de Fora by the sea in Arco de São Jorge. The trail therefore combines nature observation with a clear destination on the coast.

Another option is the Vereda do Museu do Vinho e da Vinha. The 2.6-kilometre trail takes 1 hour and 20 minutes and also has a medium level of difficulty. It begins at the Miradouro da Beira da Quinta and ends at the Museu do Vinho e da Vinha. The route initially passes several Laurissilva species and later agricultural land. At the museum, visitors can learn about the grape harvest process.

The Caminho da Entrosa follows a different route. It begins at the ER 101 in Arco de São Jorge and ends at Caminho da Barreira in São Cristóvão in Boaventura. Along the way, there are maritime views of Madeira’s north coast as far as São Cristóvão. When planning a trip, anyone weighing up forest, agricultural landscapes and coastal views can take these different trail characteristics into account.

Viewpoints between the coast and the mountains

The Miradouro da Beira da Quinta is located between São Jorge and Arco de São Jorge and offers a wide-ranging view, especially of Arco de São Jorge. The viewpoint is situated at an altitude of 469 metres. In good visibility, Porto Santo can be seen. The view also extends across large parts of Madeira’s north-west coast towards Porto Moniz, where coastal cliffs around 500 metres high can also be seen.

The Miradouro do Cabo Aéreo has a picnic area and a privileged view of the crystal-clear sea. The site also preserves a visible trace of regional history: its name refers to a cable that is still visible and which formerly helped farmers and fishermen transport their goods. This also included sugar cane, which was subsequently taken by sea to the sugar cane mills.

Wine, regional products and roses

The Museu do Vinho e da Vinha is housed in a restored old winery. The main exhibits are wine-growing equipment donated by local residents. A tasting area is dedicated to regional products such as bolo de mel and Broas da Madeira. A visit to the museum therefore complements the hike not only thematically, but also provides access to Madeira’s agricultural and culinary traditions.

The Roseiral da Quinta do Arco is home to more than 1,500 rose varieties. Old and contemporary climbing roses, as well as non-climbing roses, can be seen. Rare varieties are labelled with their name and class. The garden has been awarded the “Garden of Excellence” distinction by the World Federation of Rose Societies.

Which accommodation suits your travel plans?

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Arco De São Jorge, your preferred daily itinerary is a useful starting point. Anyone who primarily wants to hike can include the two trails of different lengths and the route of the Caminho da Entrosa in their plans. For culture- and food-oriented days, the Museu do Vinho e da Vinha, the tasting area and the Roseiral da Quinta do Arco are special points of interest. Viewpoints such as the Miradouro da Beira da Quinta or the Miradouro do Cabo Aéreo offer a different focus.

More destinations in Madeira

If you would like to compare other places in addition to Arco De São Jorge, you can find Machico, Lombada Velha, Tabua, Gaula, Madalena Do Mar, Ponta Delgada, Fajã Da Ovelha and Porto Moniz here.

For the overarching travel overview: Madeira.