We love —
- Discovering the golden sands and picture-perfect landscapes of Madeira at the Vila Gale Santa Cruz Madeira 4*.
- Pampering and indulging at the hotel's incredible spa, offering a heated swimming pool, massage rooms, Turkish baths and so much more.
- Taking a swing at the nearby golf course followed by a barefoot walk on the beach.
Customer reviews —
Your Holiday —
Vila Gale Santa Cruz Madeira 4* —
The Vila Gale Santa Cruz Madeira 4* in Madeira, located right along the beachfront, offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean as well as bright, soft sands and gorgeous blue waters. This modern and expansive hotel features 262 elegant and comfortable rooms, as well as two restaurants, two bars, an outdoor swimming pool and a fully appointed spa. All in all, this hotel has everything you need for a fantastic getaway in the sun.
Your room —
Enjoy a stay in a Standard Room or higher category.
Standard Room (23 m²)
The Standard Room offers affordable quality. Fitted with modern furnishings and decorated in pastel shades, the room boasts excellent facilities and will form the perfect base for your stay.
Standard Sea View Room (23 m²)
Warm and cosy, the Standard Sea View Room offers the ultimate coastal retreat with luxurious amenities and sumptuous sea views.
Your dining choices
This is a half board stay. Your breakfast and evening meal will be served in the main restaurant (excludes drinks).
Versátil Restaurant is the hotel's main restaurant serving up a selection of tasty buffet dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In the evening, the Soul & Blues Bar offers an intimate setting for a drink until midnight, perfect for relaxing at the end of a long day.
Your time
Within the hotel itself, you will be able to relax by the pool, or indulge yourself at the spa, with a heated indoor pool, sauna, Turkish bath, and massage rooms. There's also a gym for guests looking to keep fit. With the Vila Galé Santa Cruz located right next to the beach, there will also be a range of water sports activities available for adventurous guests.
Your journey to Madeira —
Flights:
You will be able to choose your airline and flight times when you make your booking, in either Economy, Premium, or Business class, depending on the destination and carrier. This flight may include one or more stopovers. Please review your flight options carefully as departure and arrival airports may differ, in order to offer the best price.
Luggage information
Luggage, meals and other services on board may be subject to an additional fee on certain airlines. It is possible to view details of luggage allowances when you choose your flights at the next stage of the booking process. If luggage is not included with your flight, please go to the airline's website before your departure to purchase your luggage for an additional fee.
For domestic flights, airlines do not always offer the option of reserving luggage. In this case, you will need to pay for it at the airport counter.
You will receive all the information you need to check in for your flights after you have made your reservation.
Madeira —
Welcome to Madeira:
A lush emerald jewel adrift in the Atlantic, Madeira is Portugal’s wild and wonderful island escape. Here, rugged cliffs plunge into sapphire seas, misty laurel forests whisper of ancient times, and terraced vineyards cling to volcanic slopes. Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, winding through botanical gardens, or soaking in natural lava pools, Madeira feels like a world apart—untamed, dramatic, and endlessly enchanting.
Must-sees:
- Levada walks: Hike along centuries-old irrigation channels through emerald forests, past waterfalls, and up to breathtaking viewpoints.
- Monte Toboggan Ride: Take a cable car to Monte, then zoom back down in a traditional wicker toboggan, expertly steered by straw-hatted carreiros.
- Mercado dos Lavradores: Wander through Funchal’s bustling market, where tropical fruits, fragrant spices, and vibrant flowers burst with colour.
- Cabo Girão: Brave the glass-floored skywalk on one of Europe’s highest sea cliffs for dizzying ocean views.
- Lava Pools of Porto Moniz: Take a dip in naturally formed volcanic rock pools filled with crystal-clear Atlantic waters.
Culinary culture:
Madeira’s cuisine is a feast of bold flavours and fresh, local ingredients. Skewer-grilled espetada, sizzling over fragrant laurel wood, pairs perfectly with a glass of punchy Poncha, the island’s signature sugarcane spirit. Sweet tooth? Try bolo de mel, a sticky, spiced honey cake that’s been baked here for centuries. And of course, no visit is complete without sipping on the world-famous Madeira wine—a fortified delight with a history as rich as its flavour.
Dive deeper:
Beyond the tourist trail, Madeira reveals its soulful traditions. Be sure to check out a fado performance, where mournful melodies echo through candlelit taverns, or witness the Festival of Flowers, when the streets explode in a kaleidoscope of petals. Meanwhile, in tiny fishing villages, men still weave basketwork by hand, a craft passed down through generations.
Good to know:
Madeira is about 1h30 by flight from Lisbon, served by Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport in Funchal. The best time to visit is year-round, thanks to its subtropical climate, though April to October is ideal for levada walks and outdoor adventures. The local currency is the euro (EUR), and driving is recommended if you want to explore the island’s dramatic landscapes at your own pace.
