Miradouro dos Balcões — Attraction in Santana

Extremely popular and very easy one-way walk to the "Balconies" - a viewing point with spectacular views of Madeira's largest mountains and the valley on the north coast.

Because it's about 1.5 kms max on a flat ground, I would not call this a hike and pretty much everybody can do this, including children and old people. This also means it's going to be absolutely swarmed with tourists, even in a really bad weather.

Additionally, there is a really lovely café near the beginning of the trail, which was a huge surprise, because I would expect a tourist trap.

If you're coming in a car, I recommend you park on the large parking lots south of the little town and avoid the craziness and dangerous behaviour of others in the town (see the traffic situation on the photo).

Unfortunately, the over-tourism is the very worst thing about this place - you will be cramped amongst hordes of other people trying to take selfies that everybody else had already taken, and there will be many mentally slow people who didn't learn to read the warning signs and who bring food for endangered endemic birds, so they can snap a photo feeding them from their hand. I really wish this was enforced better by local authorities.

I visited the Balconies during really bad weather (fog, rain, cold temperatures) and did not have a good view, but I still enjoyed the incredible drama of Madeira's aggressive...

Levada dos Balcões offers a serene and shaded hike that's perfect for families, especially with young children. The trail, though short, winds through lush, cool forest, providing a peaceful escape into nature. As you stroll along the levada, the gentle sound of water accompanies you, setting a tranquil tone.

The real magic happens at the viewpoint. Here, the landscape opens up to reveal a breathtaking panorama of Madeira’s verdant mountains, a sight that makes the hike more than worthwhile. But what truly sets this hike apart is the chance to connect with the local birdlife. If you bring along proper seeds, you’ll find the birds surprisingly friendly—they'll even eat straight from your hand. It’s an enchanting experience that delights kids and adults alike. However, it's crucial to be mindful and only feed them appropriate seeds—feeding them human food can cause harm and disrupt their natural diet.

Levada dos Balcões is a perfect blend of beauty, simplicity, and interaction with nature, offering a memorable experience for all who...

Took a hire car to this spot on a rainy day. I was able to park 10 metres from the shop and cafe. The walk to Miradouro Dos Balcões was via some steepish steps then onto a level walk to the spot. Even with the rain it was worth the effort being rewarded with a full rainbow across the valley. When we left the parking had gone bonkers with cars parked along the road blocking one side making it a one lane road with buses and cars trying to gain access. We had to reverse 300 metres or so to allow oncoming traffic even though I suppose legally it was my right of way. There was a policeman standing at the side of the road but he was seemingly doing nothing about the carnage caused by the parking. I am unsure what could be done about this. But after reading some reviews it does seem to be a worsening problem. At least we managed to get...