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 £122 per night from 17 Jul to 18 Jul
£122
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 £126 per night from 11 Jul to 12 Jul
£126
11 Jul - 12 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
Valley's Refuge by Madeira Sun Travel
Valley's Refuge by Madeira Sun Travel
São Vicente
Stay at this apartment in São Vicente. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Laurisilva of Madeira and Caves of Sao Vicente ...
Valley's Refuge by Madeira Sun Travel
HOUSE CARVOEIRO, SEA AND MOUNTAIN VIEW!
HOUSE CARVOEIRO, SEA AND MOUNTAIN VIEW!
São Vicente, Madeira, Madeira Region
Stay at this holiday home in São Vicente. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Eglise de Jesus-Bom Senhor and Caves of Sao ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (38 reviews)
Parfait pour un séjour de quelques nuits !
"Nous avons bien été reçu par Maria, et le logement était très convenable pour un séjour de quelques nuits :) une très belle vue sur la mer avec une belle terrasse !"

Reviewed on 26 Jun 2024

HOUSE CARVOEIRO, SEA AND MOUNTAIN VIEW!
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

Things to do

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