Santana Traditional Houses

The colourful triangular houses of Santana are one of Madeira’s most recognizable sights. With their white walls, bright colours and steep thatched roofs, the Casas Típicas are based on the traditional rural houses once found throughout this part of the island. If you walk around Santana and the surrounding countryside, you can still spot an original house here and there – but they have become quite rare. Today, you’ll find a small group of these houses around the Núcleo de Casas Típicas next to Santana’s town hall. Some are used to showcase and sell local handicrafts and traditional products, and the surrounding gardens make it a nice place for a short walk. It’s worth knowing that this is one of Santana’s main tourist attractions, so don’t expect a hidden or untouched historic village. The houses themselves are also a fairly quick visit. But if you’re already exploring Santana or Madeira’s north coast, they’re definitely worth a stop and an interesting glimpse into the island’s traditional architecture. Our tip: combine your visit with other places around Santana rather than coming here just for the houses.