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.
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.
Transport to São Vicente
The city lies on the main ring road around Madeira, plus it has a fast tunnel link through the centre of the island between north and south.
São Vicente is 35 km from Funchal. There is more than enough parking in the town and all of them are free.
Bus services are provided by Rodoeste. There are 5-6 services to Funchal on weekdays and 2-3 on weekends. A ticket to Funchal costs 4,70 eur.
What to see around
Discover all the places to see in Madeira.