São Vicente

São Vicente is a pleasant village in the north of the Island set in one of the most beautiful valleys of Madeira. The São Vicente Caves “Grutas de São Vicente” are the best underground channels of lava ever found in Madeira. The result of an eruption that occurred about 400,000 years ago they were first discovered in 1885. Enjoy a guided tour by a specialist through the caves and learn how they were formed.
For other areas of interest visit São Vicente's main church in the centre of the village. Dedicated to Saint Vincent and built in the 17th century it has magnificent ceiling paintings, in one of which Saint Vincent is blessing the town.

Down the valley by the sea find a small symbolic chapel built in 1694 constructed right on the very spot where it is said Saint Vicente appeared. Another interesting chapel is in Pico da Cova with a 14 metre high Chapel tower and a clock built in 1942. The town of São Vicente is fast becoming popular with surfers thanks to a pebble beach with excellent conditions where many surfers from all over Europe come to ride the waves.