Make a holiday rental home or villa in Santa Cruz, Portugal your home away from home

Santa Cruz is a town in the municipality of the same name, which lies on the eastern part of the island of Madeira, Portugal. Mountainous scenery, local markets, friendly restaurants and a high standard of living have made Santa Cruz town one of Madeira’s best kept secrets. This seaside town has a range of villas and apartments that offer great value holiday accommodation for both couples and families.

Things to do in Santa Cruz, Portugal

Santa Cruz is a relatively quiet seaside resort, which offers a welcome relief from the busier resort of Funchal. The pedestrianised waterfront is a popular area for relaxing and reading, and is just a short walk into the town centre, which has an array of shops, cafes and restaurants.

Investment has been made into Santa Cruz in recent years, including the development of a 1,000 capacity water park, which consists of several fast rides, a lazy river, two swimming pools and a bar – where you can enjoy a glass of Portuguese wine once you have worn yourself out for the day.

Golf is a popular pastime in Santa Cruz, and the course at nearby Santo de Serra is the location of the Madeira Open. The 27-hole course is set amongst the mountains, and offers breathtaking views. Playing a round at the course should be the number one thing to do whilst on holiday in the area.

When it comes to beaches, there are plenty to choose from in the region. Praia das Palmeiras is located in the centre of Santa Cruz, and consists of a pebble beach and a pool area. The water quality is excellent and sports activities are available. Praia de sao Fernando is another pebble beach located nearby, and Praia de Machico is a newly-enhanced sandy beach which is also home to a selection of bars and restaurants.

Places to visit on holiday in Santa Cruz, Portugal

Santa Cruz town is excellently located, and offers quick access to many other parts of the island. Funchal is the chief city of the island, and a busy tourist location in the summer, with its busy port and bustling nightlife. Funchal lies just 5km from Santa Cruz town, whilst you can drive all the way to the other side of the island in well under an hour.

Weather in Santa Cruz, Portugal

Madeira Island has a mountainous landscape, and a geographical location that results in warm summers, which peak at between 25C and 30C most days. This makes a holiday rental between July and September the choice of many holidaymakers. Rainfall is higher in the winter months, but temperatures only drop a few degrees.

Flights to Santa Cruz, Portugal

Madeira International Airport (FNC) is the destination to fly to from the UK, and is located just 5km from Santa Cruz town. Flights are available through various operators, including budget operators Easyjet, who fly from Gatwick and Stansted.