Casas de Santana: Madeira's Iconic Thatched Houses

An Architectural Icon of Madeira

Painted in bright blue, red, and white, the triangular Casas de Santana are among the most photographed sights on the island. Traditionally built from wood with thatched roofs made of wheat and rye straw, their steep sloped roofs shed rain while the timber frame helped regulate the temperature inside.

What to Expect

Inside, the layout is simple: a ground floor split into a kitchen and bedroom, with an attic once used to store crops. The Núcleo de Casas Típicas de Santana (Santana Typical Houses Centre) lets visitors step inside and learn about the building tradition, and a number of privately-owned Santana houses are also available to rent as holiday cottages around the village.

Good to Know

• Location: Santana, north coast of Madeira

Worth combining with a visit to nearby Queimadas or the Balcões viewpoint, both close to Santana.