Santana, a municipality located on the north coast of Madeira Island, stands out for its natural landscape and the preservation of its roots. This place is world-renowned for its typical houses, small constructions with triangular straw roofs, which represent an icon of traditional Madeiran architecture.
The region of Santana is embraced by lush nature. Here lies a significant part of the Laurissilva Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which invites you to discover its trails and biodiversity. The green mountains and the views over the Atlantic Ocean contribute to a setting of great beauty and serenity.
Life in Santana is marked by a tranquil rhythm, where agriculture and local traditions still play a central role. It is a municipality that offers an authentic perspective of Madeiran life, a place to appreciate the simplicity and cultural richness of a community that values its heritage.
Authentic flavors that tell the story of our land
One of the island's most emblematic dishes, espetada is prepared with cubes of tender beef, seasoned and skewered on a laurel wood stick. This cooking method, traditionally done over embers, gives the meat a distinctive aroma and flavor, linking it to rural traditions and the use of local natural resources.
Not a cake, but a flatbread made with wheat flour, sweet potato, and yeast, cooked on a basalt griddle. Served hot and usually spread with garlic and parsley butter, it is a versatile accompaniment, present in almost all Madeiran meals and rooted in the island's home cooking.
A hearty and comforting soup, highly appreciated in the rural areas of Madeira, including Santana. It is made with wheat, potato, cabbage, and meat (sometimes pork or chicken), representing a complete and nutritious meal with strong ties to agriculture and the subsistence of local communities.
Lapas, marine mollusks gathered from the coastal rocks of Madeira, are a popular snack. Grilled on a griddle, served in their own shell, and seasoned with butter, garlic, and lemon, they reflect the municipality's connection to the ocean and its fresh products, consumed with simplicity and flavor.
A surprising and iconic combination in Madeiran gastronomy. Black scabbard fish, caught in the deep waters surrounding the island, is fried and served with fried Madeiran banana. This dish demonstrates the creativity and ability to integrate local products, such as bananas, into the island's traditional cuisine.
A traditional and invigorating drink from Madeira, made with sugarcane rum, bee honey, and lemon juice (or other fruits like passion fruit or orange). Originally created as a remedy, it has become a symbol of Madeiran conviviality and the sugarcane culture on the island.
