Travel to Santa Cruz

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Santa Cruz, Madeira

Santa Cruz is a small town of less than 30 000 inhabitants. Located on the eastern coast of the island of Madeira, 11 miles away from the capital of Funchal. The city is famous mainly for its airport, but also for the beach at Palmeiras. It has two natural swimming pools which are very pleasant as the beaches are strewn with pebbles rather than sand.

The natural swimming pools.

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No sand on the beaches.

Visit Santa Cruz

To see

Near Santa Cruz, Camacha is known throughout the world for its folklore and its basket products. The craft shops offer many accessories and furniture made of wicker.

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To do

Remember to go to the House of Culture in Santa Cruz. Several art exhibitions are held there throughout the year. You will discover works by local and international artists. Santa Cruz has a popular water park located near the resort complex of Ribeira de Boaventura.

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To think about

Visit in the autumn as the weather is a very pleasant 17°C to 20°C. In the spring, wait until March to avoid the rains. For a typical but very comfortable stay, choose a quinta (an old house transformed into a charming hotel). The cuisine is generally excellent, however, the swimming pool, proportionate to the number of rooms, is much smaller than in the larger hotels.

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To avoid

If you decide to go hiking along any of the superb levadas (irrigation canals on the island), do not leave without the proper equipment. The walk is often not very dangerous but prevention is better than getting hurt! It is important to wear good walking shoes and a jumper, the temperature is cooler at a higher altitude. It's not a bad idea to carry a flashlight to light your way through the unlit tunnels. Do not forget to bring water so that you are properly hydrated during the walk.

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To try

From swordfish to rabbit, octopus or cod - this is all typically Portugal. The corossols (cinammon apples), mangoes, papayas, passion fruit are a delight. For dessert or tea time, have a snack in one of the bakery-cafés in the centre of town with small cream cakes or cinnamon doughnuts.

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To bring back

Stock up on local Madeira wine, gingerbread cakes (which keep for several months), hand embroidered fabrics in the form of tablecloths, towels, table napkins, handkerchiefs and shirts and basket items. To buy wine from Madeira, start by trying some in a factory. Visit the embroidery museum in Funchal to learn how to distinguish the authentic hand made product from the rest.

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Country guide

Portugal, All you need to know!

Hotels reviews by the Easyexperts

Easyvoyage heads to Portguese island, Madeira!

Of a volcanic origin, the archipelago of Madeira is a true paradise for hikers hungry for wild landscapes. Its multiple levadas, the island's network of irrigation canals, offer unforgettable strolls through tunnels dug into the mountains and along lost paths in the forest. Its subtropical climate allows ...