Santo António da Serra and the Golf Course
Santo António da Serra is one of the island’s best-kept secrets; Santo da Serra Golf Club(www.santodaserragolf.com)– is 15 minutes from Machico.
- Coordinates: 32.722025, -16.803887
Designed by Robert Trent Jones, the 27-hole course is the home of the Madeira Open. At 700 metres high, clouds float between the course and the coast.
If you want to stay here, there is the beautiful PortoBay Serra Golf Hotel (Sítio dos Casais Próximos) which rises from an old mansion dating from the beginning of the 20th century – with comfortable rooms, a small pool and a gym.
- Coordinates: 32.722475, -16.815333
The breakfast is delicious. The rest of the village isn’t much to see – buses stop in front of the church (19th century), and the square is dotted with a few shops and cafés. 2 km away is the beautiful Quinta Da Junta (Santo António Da Serra).
- Coordinates: 32.724149, -16.817827
It is a place for good family time – a recreational area with deer, birds and a beautiful viewpoint of expansive views. If you continue northwest towards Porto da Cruz, you will be rewarded with a dramatic uphill climb.
The highest point on the pass is marked by an area with shops, restaurants and the magnificent Portela Viewpoint.
- Coordinates: 32.746696, -16.826539
Porto da Cruz
Then the road guides you, 5km, towards Porto da Cruz, spectacularly situated on the north coast, flanked by a rocky beach and seafront promenade. Most people head for the Porto da Cruz swimming pool (salt water).
- Coordinates: 32.773592, -16.827104
You’ll see the charming restaurant A Pipa (Rua Dr Abel de Freitas), famous for its fresh fish.
- Coordinates: 32.773361, -16.828026
The owner makes an excellent poncha, and his wife is a fantastic chef. As you continue west, you spot another rocky beach: Praia da Lagoa, with changing rooms and a café.
- Coordinates: 32.774613, -16.828970
Between the pool and the lagoon beach is the distillery Companhia dos Engenhos do Norte – where Madeira‘s best sugar cane rum has been produced (since 1942).
- Coordinates: 32.774218, -16.828145
