THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Venture beyond Funchal on the Santana Excursion, a full-day tour spotlighting Madeira’s cultural heritage and UNESCO-protected Laurissilva Forest. Discover traditional houses, lush forests, and rugged landscapes in one immersive trip.
Venture beyond Funchal on the Santana Excursion, a full-day tour spotlighting Madeira’s cultural heritage and UNESCO-protected Laurissilva Forest. Discover traditional houses, lush forests, and rugged landscapes in one immersive trip.
Book with Madeira Adventure Kingdom
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Madeira Adventure Kingdom · Funchal, Madeira
Located off Portugal’s mainland, Madeira Island is a rugged Atlantic outpost famed for its dramatic cliffs, vibrant flora, and deeply rooted cultural traditions. From the island’s capital of Funchal, Madeira Adventure Kingdom offers the Santana Excursion, a full-day journey into the heart of Madeira’s distinctive northern landscapes and heritage. This trip unfolds through a rich blend of nature and culture, revealing some of the island’s most stunning and less-traveled sites.
Starting in Funchal, guests are transported to Santana, a village renowned for its iconic traditional houses with steep, triangular thatched roofs — built centuries ago as protection from Madeira’s often harsh mountain weather. These structures, still inhabited and carefully maintained, offer a striking glimpse into local architectural heritage rarely seen beyond this corner of Europe.
Beyond the village, the tour ventures into the Laurissilva Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Europe’s last remaining subtropical rainforests. Towering laurel trees and dense undergrowth form a lush canopy that supports an array of endemic birds and rare plants, setting a primeval scene starkly contrasting the cultivated village life.
The excursion also touches on surrounding nature reserves, where sheer cliffs and sprawling valleys offer dramatic vistas of Madeira’s volcanic origins. This combination of cultural landmarks and wild scenery makes the tour a standout experience, blending education with active immersion in a remarkable environment.
Madeira Adventure Kingdom has established itself as a premier operator in the region by providing well-organized excursions that balance comfort with authentic local insight. The company’s knowledgeable guides and thoughtful route planning ensure visitors get more than a sightseeing trip—they gain a sense of place and history, essential to appreciating Madeira’s unique identity.
For travelers based in Funchal looking to deepen their connection to Madeira beyond the coast, the Santana Excursion is an ideal way to engage with the island’s soul. Its mix of traditional village life, ancient forest, and striking geology is a rare ticket to one of Europe’s most alluring natural and cultural escapes.
moderate.
7 hours.
Suitable for individuals in average physical condition comfortable walking several hours with breaks.
The tour starts and ends in Funchal city center, with pickup provided from central locations.
Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult for safety and compliance reasons.
Food and drinks are not included, so bring your own snacks and water to stay energized.
Expect a mix of paved village paths and forest trails, some uneven and potentially slippery.
Since meals aren’t provided, feel free to bring food suited to your dietary needs.
No technical skills or prior hiking experience is necessary, but a moderate fitness level is recommended.
Santana’s distinctive triangular houses date back to the 16th century, designed specifically to withstand Madeira’s mountain climate.
Efforts to protect the Laurissilva Forest focus on controlling invasive species and maintaining trail integrity to preserve this fragile ecosystem.
Madeira Adventure Kingdom is a Funchal-based activity operator specializing in guided outdoor experiences across Madeira island. Operating from Funchal and departing often from Funchal Marina for marine trips, the company offers a diverse program that includes levada walks, mountain hikes, catamaran cruises, whale and dolphin watching, canyoning and jeep safaris. Signature land experiences listed include Levada Walk Caldeirão Verde, Levada do Rei, Rabaçal with the 25 Fontes lagoon, Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo hikes, Achada do Teixeira to Pico Ruivo, and coastal routes such as Ponta de São Lourenço. Sea-based options include catamaran trips for cetacean sightings, Desertas Islands excursions, sunset cruises, and dedicated dolphin swimming experiences departing from Funchal Marina. Adventure activities include multiple canyoning routes in Ribeira do Cidrão, Ribeira das Cales and Ribeira do Lajeado, plus scenic jeep safaris exploring the island’s south, north and west. Excursions to cultural and volcanic highlights such as Santana and Porto Moniz are also on offer. Tours emphasize Madeira’s UNESCO-listed Laurisilva forest, native flora, dramatic mountain vistas and coastal wildlife. Tours are presented as guided experiences tailored to different fitness levels, from moderate walks to challenging summit hikes. Booking details, schedules and meeting points are provided on listings and through The Adventure Collective feature page. Madeira Adventure Kingdom’s programs provide a practical way to explore Madeira’s natural landscapes, combining shoreline views, mountain panoramas and direct marine encounters in organized day trips. Scheduling options suit families, solo travelers and small groups, with clear meeting points and safety briefings included on departure.
Book with Madeira Adventure Kingdom