Santa Cruz Holidays

In terms of beaches, Santa Cruz has pocketed one of the island’s prettiest. Praia das Palmeiras unravels along the town’s coastline for miles. Since the water’s so clear around this part of Madeira Island, it’s popular with scuba divers and snorkellers. Head out on a boat trip and you might be able to spot manta rays, whales and dolphins, too.

Santa Cruz has taken the traditional route when it comes to shopping, meaning that family-run stores set the scene around town. You’ll find most of them clustered around the central square, near the 400-year-old Sao Salvador Church. You can shop for handmade clothes, carved wooden souvenirs and ceramic plates, before wandering down the beachfront promenade for a bite to eat in one of the Madeiran restaurants.

The town of Machico’s a 10-minute drive east of Santa Cruz, and it’s the ideal launching point for exploring Madeira’s countryside. Buses offer roundtrips there all day, and locals make a habit of heading up into the hills for a peaceful change of pace. Hiking trails carve their way up to mountain summits, where you’ll be presented with a panoramic view of the nearby towns. On a clear day, you’ll be able to see the Desertas Islands out at sea, too.