Santana’s thatched houses

When you visit Madeira for the first time, there are a few spots that instantly make you feel like you’ve stepped into a postcard and Santana is definitely one of them.

This little village on the island’s north east coast is famous for its traditional thatched houses, called ‘Casas de Colmo’ or ‘Casas Típicas de Santana’. You’ve probably seen them in photos: the cute, A-shaped cottages with red doors, blue trims, and roofs made of straw.

Even if you just stop for five minutes on your way to other highlights, it’s worth it. These houses are such a beautiful part of Madeira’s cultural heritage, and there’s something about them that just makes you slow down for a moment.

Most visitors head to the small square in the center of the village where a few of these houses are on display (and yes, where souvenirs are sold). But if you wander a bit away from the main area, down the quieter lanes surrounded by gardens and farmland, you might spot a few that are still being used today.

Locals often keep them as part of their farm, sometimes for storing crops or sheltering animals, but every now and then you’ll see one that’s still used as an actual home. It’s so special to see tradition blending so naturally into everyday life.

Santana may be small, but it captures a big part of what makes Madeira unique: that mix of authenticity, color, and charm that makes you fall in love with the island all over again.

📍 Santana, North-East Madeira

#madeira #santana #casastipicasdesantana #casasdecolmo #ilhadamadeira