SANTANA BUS TOUR FIELD GUIDE
East Madeira in a Day: High ridgelines, laurel gardens and Santana’s thatched houses
A full-day, 8-hour MB Tours bus excursion across eastern Madeira that links Pico do Arieiro, Ribeiro Frio, São Roque do Faial and the iconic thatched houses of Santana — this guide helps you anticipate the stops, logistics and why each scene matters.
East Madeira in a Day: High ridgelines, laurel gardens and Santana’s thatched houses.
This guided bus tour traverses the island’s eastern spine: a morning ascent toward Poiso bringing you to Pico do Arieiro (1818 m) for sweeping island views, a walk through the endemic-rich gardens at Ribeiro Frio, a passage across the cultivated landscapes of São Roque do Faial, and a visit to Santana’s famous straw-thatched houses before returning via coastal lookouts such as Porto da Cruz, Portela and Pico do Facho.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Pico do Arieiro and coastal lookouts
An early climb toward Poiso places Pico do Arieiro first on the itinerary; from this high ridge you take in broad views of the island. The return route also crosses vantage points such as Pico do Facho, with spectacular outlooks toward the Ponta de São Lourenço.
Ribeiro Frio’s endemic gardens
Ribeiro Frio is noted for its gardens and collections of endemic plants—an important stop on the route for anyone interested in Madeira’s laurel-forest flora.
Santana’s iconic casas de palha
The tour culminates in Santana, where the classic triangular, straw-thatched houses epitomize regional vernacular architecture; en route the group also crosses São Roque do Faial, an area distinguished by a diversity of cultivated landscapes.
What the day feels like
A single-day loop of eastern Madeira’s peaks, gardens and villages
Expect an 8-hour guided circuit by coach that begins with a mountain ascent and a high-altitude viewpoint, then moves into botanical gardens and working agricultural zones before stopping in Santana for a visit and lunch break (lunch not included). The return follows coastal and ridge roads with additional panoramas before concluding back where you began.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this day tour suits — and who should check first
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The excursion runs approximately 8 hours.
Pickup is arranged from your accommodation or hotel.
There is a midday stop for lunch but lunch is not included; plan accordingly.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the tour?
The tour lasts approximately 8 hours.
Where does the tour start?
Pickup is arranged from your accommodation or hotel.
Is lunch included?
No — there is a stop for lunch in Santana, but lunch is not included in the tour price.
Which sites will we visit?
Key stops include Pico do Arieiro, Ribeiro Frio, São Roque do Faial and Santana, with a return route via Porto da Cruz, Portela and Pico do Facho.
Who operates the excursion?
The operator for the program is MB Tours.