Discover Santo António Da Serra

Santo António Da Serra combines an elevated location with mountain scenery and lush, exotic vegetation. At the same time, trails, golf, a public park and historic buildings offer a range of different activities and interests. If you are looking for a hotel in Santo António Da Serra, you can plan your trip around what interests you most locally: nature and outdoor activities, golf or the history of the area.

Landscape, nature and trails

Santo da Serra lies on an elevated plateau. Its impressive mountain scenery and lush, exotic vegetation shape the landscape. Nearby, the PR 5 – Vereda das Funduras leads into the Laurisilva forest, part of the Natura 2000 network. The forest supports Madeira’s endemic flora and fauna, making the forest and biodiversity among the area’s natural highlights.

The Vereda do “Alvoredo” offers a different perspective: the trail passes stone walls that form poios, as well as traditional animal shelters and centuries-old trees. If you choose trails based on their features, there is a clear contrast: the PR 5 highlights the Laurisilva and the endemic flora and fauna it supports, while the Alvoredo trail features walls, animal shelters and old trees.

Golf and park

The Clube de Golf do Santo da Serra opened in 1937 and was redesigned by Robert Trent Jones Senior in 1991. The 27-hole course extends over 9,003 metres and is set in a botanical garden landscape with diverse flora and four lakes. The dates mark its opening and redesign; the number of holes and the length independently indicate the scale of the course.

Quinta do Santo da Serra is a public park in the parish of Santo António da Serra. Animals found there include peacocks, fallow deer and Garrano horses; the Quinta also has a miniature golf course and a tennis court. The animals and facilities may change. Before visiting, check which animals and facilities are available at the time.

Architectural history and local traditions

Along the old paths in Santo António da Serra, folk houses with ornate roof finials and door transoms featuring coloured glass have been preserved.

Fonte de Santo António da Serra is a stone fountain with a wide opening framed by a round arch and a semi-circular vaulted interior in the Late Mannerist style. It is dated to the late 17th or early 18th century; its exact year of construction is uncertain. In the past, the spring supplied drinking water to many people who came from Machico into these mountains to gather firewood. The houses along the old paths and the Fonte thus offer two different perspectives on the area’s architectural heritage.

Mostra da Sidra

The Mostra da Sidra takes place every September and showcases the processing of pêro apples into cider. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the dates for the relevant year.

Discover more destinations: Ribeira Brava, Santana, Santa Cruz.

Return to the main travel overview: Arco De Sao Jorge.