São Vicente is a picturesque town in the north of the island, which has been described as the most beautiful town in Madeira.

It is set in a narrow valley stretching from the Atlantic coast inland, where it widens into rolling green meadows dotted with villas and farmhouses. The small historic centre is dominated by the beautiful 16th-century Igreja de São Vicente, a typical colonial-style church.

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Volcanic caves

São Vicente's biggest attraction are the lava caves of tunnel-like nature, more than 700 metres long (Grutas de São Vicente).

The cave was formed around 890,000 years ago and is only accessible with a guide. You will visit a small volcanological museum and then take the elevator to the underground. During the roughly one-kilometre walk, you will admire the lava mini-craters, tunnels and pools. Allow about an hour to an hour and a half for your visit.

Price for adults: 8 eur
Price for children under 14 and seniors over 65: 6 eur
Official website

Open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (last entry 5:15 pm).

Hiking trails and levadas

From São Vicente you can go on 2 main treks. One of them leads through a large elevation to a viewpoint from which you can see the whole valley to the ocean. The trail is 8 km one way (see map).

The other trail runs along the short Fajã do Rodrigues, which leads through wooded terrain through several tunnels. In total, the trail is 4.2 km in one direction (see map).

Accommodation

There is a wide range of accommodation in São Vicente, from really cheap apartments to more expensive guesthouses. It is ideal to stay here for 1 or 2 nights during a road-trip around Madeira. Some of the best apartments or guesthouses here include Granny's Farm, Pereira Place, Casa do Bago.