Hotel Quinta Do Furao

Hotel Quinta Do Furao sits on the rugged north coast of Madeira in Santana — a village known for its triangular thatched houses — roughly 35km from Funchal along the island's dramatic coastal road. The property occupies a working quinta, or rural estate, perched above Atlantic cliffs, placing it far outside the resort corridor of the island's south shore.

The 4-star hotel scores 9.3 across 1,687 reviews, with breakfast singled out as exceptional — notable given Madeira's tradition of local bread, passion fruit, and poncha-cured meats. Two swimming pools, a fitness centre, restaurant, and bar round out on-site facilities, with free parking reflecting the practical reality that a car is essential in this part of the island.

Santana's location means guests trade beach-town convenience for near-total quiet and direct access to Laurisilva forest trails — a UNESCO-listed ancient laurel woodland covering the island's north slopes.