Santana
7.7
High score (8-10)
Santana's thatched A-frame palheiro houses are among the most photographed things in Madeira, which drives enough day-trip traffic that the handful of restaurants and craft shops here see genuine tourist footfall. It's on the cooler, greener north coast, which suits a specific type of traveler. A foreign man who genuinely values rural quiet and outdoor access — the Pico Ruivo hike starts nearby — can find it cheap and peaceful, but social access is essentially zero.
Mid score (6-8) · Your profile
Santana is famous for its triangular thatched palheiro houses and that's essentially the entirety of its tourist profile — day-trippers come, photograph them, and leave. The north coast is cooler, wetter, and more agricultural than the south, and Santana functions as a quiet rural municipality with a small, aging local population. There's no social infrastructure aimed at outsiders and no expat presence. It's scenic and dead quiet.
Lower score (below 6)
Santana is a rural north-coast municipality known for thatched houses that bus tourists photograph and then leave. The year-round population is small and elderly, the economy is agriculture, and there is nothing here for a foreign man socially. The north-facing coast gets less sun and more rain than the south, and the isolation is genuine — not the romantic kind. It's a day trip from Funchal, not a base for anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the median income in Santana, Madeira?
$21k median
What's the typical marriage age for women in Santana, Madeira?
Women marry at 29
How common is a college degree in Santana, Madeira?
23% men have degree
What's the average male height in Santana, Madeira?
174 cm local avg
What's the average BMI for women in Santana, Madeira?
Local women avg 26.4