Santa Maria Maior Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Fantastic garden for nature lovers
Fantastic garden for nature lovers
A view across the North Atlantic Ocean from Funchal, Madeira
Traditional Maderia clothing :)
Take this great value cable car for a 15 minute long journey up to the subtropical gardens or connect to another cable car onwards to the botanical gardens.

The Annual Holiday Sale

Members save up to 40% on hotels and homes. Plan this year’s big trip and save.
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Hotel PortoBay Santa Maria

Hotel PortoBay Santa Maria

4 out of 5
Avenida do Mar e das Comunidades Funchal
The price is NZ$537 per night from 19 Feb to 20 Feb
NZ$537
19 Feb - 20 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Funchal. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition in their reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (474 reviews)
Very friendly welcome and was also upgraded to a superior sea view room, which was clean and well-equipped, with a kitchen. Location was perfect at the quiet end of the front and close to the cable car station to Monte. Car parking in the basement was very handy and leaving it there after checkout ...

Reviewed on 11 Dec 2025

Hotel PortoBay Santa Maria
Quinta Mãe dos Homens

Quinta Mãe dos Homens

3 out of 5
39 Rua Mãe dos Homens Funchal
Stay at this hotel in Funchal. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Pregetter's Orchid Garden and Madeira Botanical ...
9/10 Wonderful! (73 reviews)
The room, which contained a kitchen area with a fridge, opened out onto a balcony then onto a well maintained garden. It has a lovely pool area. The whole complex is surrounded by beautiful gardens. The downside is that it was quite a way up steep roads from Funchal

Reviewed on 5 July 2025

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Quinta Mãe dos Homens
Pensão Residencial Mirasol

Pensão Residencial Mirasol

3 out of 5
Rua Bela De São Tiago 67 Funchal
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Funchal. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Popular attractions Fort of Sao ...
8/10 Very Good! (99 reviews)
Easy, central and clean with a nice and warm staff!

Reviewed on 1 Feb 2026

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Pensão Residencial Mirasol
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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.
Zarco Apartments by Mercado Funchal

Zarco Apartments by Mercado Funchal

4 out of 5
Praça de Tenerife Funchal Madeira
Stay at this apartment in Funchal. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and cable TV channels. Popular attractions Embroidery Museum and Funchal Farmers Market ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (23 reviews)
The room was very clean and a perfect configuration for a couple to hang out and relax as well as a place to sleep. We appreciated the kitchenette, the laundry facilities that were free including detergent, and the location was great. It was super quiet in the area and only a few steps away from ...

Reviewed on 10 Feb 2026

Zarco Apartments by Mercado Funchal
Three House Hotel

Three House Hotel

5 out of 5
Rua Brigadeiro Oudinot 2 Funchal Madeira
Stay at this luxury aparthotel in Funchal. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a fitness centre. Popular attractions Funchal Farmers Market and Embroidery Museum ...
10/10 Exceptional! (45 reviews)
Nice place, friendly staff

Reviewed on 3 Feb 2026

Three House Hotel
Sea and Sun 4 You - Choupana Studio

Sea and Sun 4 You - Choupana Studio

5 out of 5
R. do Clube da Choupana 30A Funchal Madeira
Stay at this luxury apartment in Funchal. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a casino. Popular attractions Madeira Botanical Garden and Pregetter's Orchid Garden ...
It was a nice appartement. Only the kitchen was not completely equiped. Maybe also good to mention there is jo balcony with the appartment. For me that was complete clear.

Reviewed on 29 Dec 2023

Sea and Sun 4 You - Choupana Studio
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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

Botanical Garden which includes flowers

Madeira Botanical Garden

One of Madeira’s most famous attractions is known for its scenic views and fascinating display of colorful flowers.

Madeira Botanical Garden
Mercado dos lavradores ...i never knew there are so many kinds of maracuja until i visited this place

Funchal Farmers Market

During your trip to Santa Maria Maior, you can search for that perfect souvenir at Funchal Farmers Market. Stroll along the area's seaside or simply savour its top-notch restaurants.

Funchal Farmers Market
Town Square which includes a small town or village and street scenes

Town Square

Defined by its striking black-and-white tiling, Funchal’s main square is surrounded by some of the city’s most interesting historic attractions.

Town Square
The Forum Shopping Mall in Funchal

Centro Comercial Forum Madeira

You can enjoy retail therapy at Centro Comercial Forum Madeira during your trip to São Martinho. Amble around this relaxing area's picturesque gardens and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Centro Comercial Forum Madeira
Palheiro Gardens featuring outdoor art

Palheiro Gardens

Go for a stroll in these charming gardens, known for their rare and unique design, to see indigenous plants mingled with exotic species.

Palheiro Gardens
Monte Palace Gardens showing a park

Monte Palace Gardens

More than just a striking floral display, this beautiful garden is also home to an impressive collection of art.

Monte Palace Gardens

Activities

City Sightseeing Funchal Madeira Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

City Sightseeing Funchal Madeira Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Bookable Extras

NZ$49
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
City Sightseeing Funchal Madeira Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Bookable Extras
From Funchal: Ecological Catamaran Dolphin Whale Watching

From Funchal: Ecological Catamaran Dolphin Whale Watching

NZ$69
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
From Funchal: Ecological Catamaran Dolphin Whale Watching
From Funchal: Machico to Porto da Cruz Larano Cliff Hike

From Funchal: Machico to Porto da Cruz Larano Cliff Hike

NZ$85
per adult
From Funchal: Machico to Porto da Cruz Larano Cliff Hike
Picture 2 for Activity Caldeirão Verde: Queimadas PR9 Transfer Hike

Caldeirão Verde: Levada Caldeirao Verde Hiking Transfer

NZ$66
per adult
Caldeirão Verde: Levada Caldeirao Verde Hiking Transfer
Boss's Well - Nuns Valley

Nuns Valley Tour

NZ$49
per adult
Nuns Valley Tour
Picture 1 for Activity Small Group Walks Rabaçal 25 Fontes

Small Group Walks Rabaçal 25 Fontes

NZ$89
per adult
Small Group Walks Rabaçal 25 Fontes
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Cities near Santa Maria Maior

Madeira

Funchal