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Towns · East coastReview

Santa Cruz: town in Madeira

Santa Cruz sits in the municipality of Santa Cruz, Madeira. Its population is around 43,005.

Coastal municipality home to Madeira's international airport and the Aquaparque waterpark.

Edited by Madeira Info Editorial·Last checked

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Municipality
Santa Cruz
Population
43,005
Region
East coast
Coordinates
32.6892, -16.7975

About Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is part of the municipality of Santa Cruz, with a population of around 43,005

Santa Cruz sits where dry eastern ridges and deep coastal inlets meet the sea, which shapes its layout and its everyday rhythm: fishing, agriculture, and increasingly tourism. Spending half a day here gives a much better feel for the island than only visiting Funchal.

What to know before you go

  • Most cafés, bakeries and family-run restaurants take cards; small village shops sometimes still prefer cash for under €5.
  • Buses connect the main towns through the day, but a small rental car is far more flexible if you want to chain villages together.
  • Old-town streets are tight and one-way; use the signed car parks on the outskirts and walk the last few minutes in.

Best time to visit

Santa Cruz is comfortable year-round, but spring and early autumn give the best mix of warm afternoons and low cloud cover.

Location

East coast, Madeira · Open in OpenStreetMap · Google Maps

32.68920, -16.79750

Visitor reviews

Honest first-person notes from people who have actually been to Santa Cruz. Reviews are moderated before they appear, no account needed.

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Frequently asked

Is Santa Cruz worth visiting?

Yes. Santa Cruz shows a quieter, more local side of Madeira than central Funchal, and pairs naturally with the trails, beaches and viewpoints in the same valley.

How do I get to Santa Cruz from Funchal?

20–35 minutes east of Funchal on the VR1, easy day-trip distance, and Aerobus / SIGA lines run through regularly.

Plan around Santa Cruz

The nearest town, viewpoint and walk: the three things most visitors pair with Santa Cruz in a day.

ViewpointsPico do Facho6.1 km awayTrailsPico do Facho Viewpoint Walk5.3 km awayBeachesPraia das Palmeiras213 m away

Nearby on Madeira

Other places within easy reach of Santa Cruz.

Beaches
Praia das Palmeiras
213 m
Restaurants
O Professor
292 m
Restaurants
Recanto da Pitada
343 m
Restaurants
Do Dia P'ra Noite
376 m
Restaurants
Rota dos Sabores
441 m
Restaurants
Taberna do Petisco
571 m

Plan the rest of your trip

The four guides most first-time visitors reach for.

GuideMadeira travel guideThe full island in one long read.Plans3, 5 & 7-day itinerariesReady-made road-trip plans.WeatherMonth-by-month climateAir, sea, rain and sun by month.TipsFirst-timer travel tipsCar hire, parishes, red flags.

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