São Vicente Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Sao Vicente featuring outdoor eating, street scenes and a small town or village
Sao Vicente which includes a small town or village, heritage architecture and a church or cathedral
São Vicente
Sao Vicente showing a church or cathedral
Sao Vicente which includes religious aspects and a church or cathedral

This picturesque town is set within the hills of Madeira’s northern coast and is home to a fascinating underground cave complex and botanical garden.

São Vicente is a small town where you’ll find pleasant churches and an excellent surfing beach. Many visitors make the daytrip from Funchal to see the volcanic caves here, but this charming old town also deserves some attention.

Go for a stroll around São Vicente’s Old Town, where most of the cobbled alleys and streets are pedestrianized. Lined with palm trees, shops and cafés, the focal point of the Old Town is a beautiful 17th-century church. This Baroque church is dedicated to St. Vincent and topped with a distinctive checkered spire. Inside, you’ll find beautiful ceiling paintings, one of which depicts St. Vincent blessing the town.

Don’t miss the town’s Garden of Indigenous Plants, which is home to more than 60 different species of flora indigenous to Madeira. This expansive garden includes a number of different laurel species and other common coastal plants.

Walk to the town’s beach and watch surfers taking on the ocean waves. Although this pebbly beach isn’t particularly ideal for sunbathing, it is a fantastic spot for surfing. Its tall waves attract surfers from across Europe. 

At the mouth of a stream running through the town you’ll find Capela de San Roque, a small chapel constructed in 1694. Surrounded by basalt rock, it is said the chapel was built on the exact spot where St. Vincent once appeared before the townspeople.

Be sure to see the popular São Vicente Caves & Volcanism Centre, which features a series of caves formed during the island’s last volcanic eruption. Take a walking tour through the mysterious caves and visit the neighboring Volcanism Centre to learn about the region’s geological formation.

Not far from the caves you’ll find Nossa Senhora de Fatima, a hillside chapel built in 1953. Notice how the chapel’s 45.9-foot (14-metre) high tower contrasts against the rolling mountain peaks that surround it.

São Vicente is located on the northern coast of Madeira. It can be reached by bus or car from Funchal.

Solar de Boaventura
Solar de Boaventura
3 out of 5
Sitio do Serrao, Boaventura, São Vicente
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in São Vicente. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9/10 Wonderful! (211 reviews)
"The place is so nice. Staff is friendly and helpful"

Reviewed on 1 May 2025

Solar de Boaventura
Mediterrâneo Madeira
Mediterrâneo Madeira
4 out of 5
Sítio do Calhau, 50, São Vicente, Madeira
The price is ₹13,809 per night from 17 Jul to 18 Jul
₹13,809
₹14,362 total
17 Jul - 18 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in São Vicente. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and on-site spa services. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (89 reviews)
Amazing
"Amazing stay. Lovely place on the beachfront with delicious breakfast included."

Reviewed on 19 May 2025

Mediterrâneo Madeira
Estalagem Do Vale
Estalagem Do Vale
4 out of 5
Sitio Das Feiteiras De Baixo, São Vicente
The price is ₹14,045 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
₹14,045
₹14,606 total
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in São Vicente. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Laurisilva of Madeira and Caves of Sao Vicente ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (195 reviews)
"the location with beautiful view and smell of jasmine plants around the property was unforgettable"

Reviewed on 17 Jun 2025

Estalagem Do Vale
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Porto de Abrigo Guest House
Porto de Abrigo Guest House
3 out of 5
Sitio do Calhau, 58A, São Vicente
Stay at this 3-star apartment in São Vicente. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and cable TV channels. Popular attractions Caves of Sao Vicente and Volcanism Center ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (13 reviews)
"It was clean, beds were comfy. Paula was welcoming and she messaged to ensure we were alright and recommended some activities. The apartment is right next to a bar, if you have trouble sleeping, you might struggle a little. The restaurant next door is very nice, cofee and cakes are delicious. There ..."

Reviewed on 24 Jun 2025

Porto de Abrigo Guest House
Dom Pedro Garajau
Dom Pedro Garajau
3 out of 5
Estrada do Garajau, 131, Santa Cruz
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly aparthotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy 2 outdoor pools, a 24-hour front desk and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful ...
7.2/10 Good! (446 reviews)
"A very nice place to stay as a base whilst visiting around the beautiful island. Its not far from Funchal by BOLT taxi service and close to airport too, so not difficult to travel to the main centre."

Reviewed on 8 May 2025

Dom Pedro Garajau
Village Cabo Girao
Village Cabo Girao
4 out of 5
Rua 1º de Julho, nº 2, Camara de Lobos
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Camara de Lobos. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the property condition in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (193 reviews)
"Great location! Lots of amenities!"

Reviewed on 8 Jun 2025

Village Cabo Girao
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of São Vicente

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
2
5 - Excellent 67%
4 - Good
1
4 - Good 33%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Very pleasant village. But now caters for tourists. No supermarket other than cash and carry.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Good position for touring island.

Cities near São Vicente