São Martinho

São Martinho is where the vast majority of hotels of the Autonomous Region of Madeira are located. This area is particularly blessed with the island’s natural beauty. It is recommended to tour the area around the famous beaches of Lido and Praia Formosa, which is a beach of black sand and pebbles.

The main public access points to the sea are in São Martinho, such as Lido, the Poças do Governador, Ponta Gorda and the vast Praia Formosa. The promenade along the sea is adorned with beautiful flowers and is popular with locals and tourists, whether they are out for a walk or for sports activities.

The entire area near the sea provides visitors with a wide range of bars and restaurants and for those who like to shop, it is in this area that two of the largest shopping centers on the island, the Madeira Shopping and Forum Madeira, are located.

A small chapel in honor of São Martinho was first built here. The church was successively enlarged and rebuilt in 1735 giving origin to the church Igreja Velha de São Martinho. In the late nineteenth century a more imposing monument was built to respond to the needs of a growing population.