Just by the sea, Ribeira Brava (“rugged brook”) named after it’s stream, is an inviting and relaxing village perfect for a stop while touring the Madeira Island. There are good restaurants, bars and modern hotels. The long hours of sun in the West coast are an attraction to many beach lovers.

During the last years Ribeira Brava developed itself significantly for tourism. Ribeira Brava local church contains valuable 16th century paintings.

Pico do Arieiro is the third highest peak of Madeira Islands archipelago with an altitude of 1818 m. The footpath towards Pico Ruivo (to the North) is a popular and important tourist attraction with an average of 1000 tourists trekking on it per day. There is also an easy access road with a large car park, restaurant and souvenir shop.

From the top and with a good weather you get a magnificent view of Porto Santo, located 30 nautical miles North. When weather permits the south coast, Curral das Freiras and even Porto Santo can be seen from here.

On the way to Pico do Arieiro one can admire a unique stone-built pit (looks like a huge igloo) known as “Poço da Neve” built by an English family who once used to store ice, snow and hail from the mountains.

Porto Moniz is situated to North-West end of Madeira Island and is one of the most visited places of the region, this is partly due to the natural swimming pools formed by the crest-like lava flows, which rise from the sea.

The famous old narrow north coast road (now a one way only) from Porto Moniz leading to São Vicente is still very much in use despite a newer one having been built and still is a touristic attraction.

São Vicente civil parish includes S. Vicente, Ponta Delgada and Boa Ventura. It’s a coastal village that got reduced in size in 1835 giving place to Santana and Porto Moniz. But in 1867 the parish returned to its original dimensions, becoming again one of the widest parishes in the region.

The Madeira Theme Park in Santana is one of Madeira’s most popular attractions. The park offers its visitors the possibility of discovering a bit of the whole island, mostly in a cultural way. It’s a very captivating environment giving a wide vision of all multiple activities existing in Madeira Islands.

Another view of Santana, now from Cortado village. This region lives mainly from agriculture, handicraft and tradition. The landscape is dominated by the vivid green characteristic of the Laurissilva Forest. Some of it classified as “World Heritage” by Unesco, being a strong contribution to its maintenance.

Not very far from this area, you will find Queimadas, one of the most popular and spectacular walks towards Caldeirão Verde.

Known by its small triangular houses, Santana is a beautiful village on the North coast. These houses, built from natural stone and thatched with hay are used as stables and some times as dwellings.

Every year in July, takes place a famous festival of traditional music and dancing attracting people from everywhere. The event, known as “24 Horas a Bailar” (24 Hours dancing) is composed by folk groups from everywhere in the world.

Following the road connecting Funchal to Camacha, between paths lined with wonderful blooming camellias, you will find Santo da Serra village. This is the home of the former Blandy Park which still has some variety of animals including deers, horses, goats and even kangaroos have been seen.

The weekend is a good time to visiti the village, as the locals stage a small market trough the main road, here you will be able to buy food and other good for very cheap prices.

It’s also a pebbled beach, like most of the beaches in the island, this beach is the choice by the locals in the Summer, being most crowded during the week ends. Recently the local population of Machico got a new sandy beach; a marvelous sand extension created in the Oriental side of the bay adding to the charms of this lovely historic town.

Calheta is a beautiful area by the sea with a beach made by men. This beach offers a wide variety of nautical activities like canoeing, windsurf and catamaran renting. The sand was mostly brought from Morocco and some less quantity from Figueira da Foz in Portugal.

The beach can be quite crowded in the week ends since it’s a very popular beach and one of the few with sand, it’s recommended that you visit it during the week if you prefer more privacy.