Santa Maria de Colombo – Sail Into History
Take a self-guided walk back in time. Step aboard the Santa Maria de Colombo, explore the life of Christopher Columbus, and relive the age of discovery. Simple, historic, unforgettable.
Includes
• History of Christopher Columbus • The first Voyage • Navigation in the past • Arriving in America • Dolfins & Whales • (It takes around 1 hours)
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Recommended: • Swim Suite • Cash • Madeira Island Pass (for discounts) • Mobile data • Light Brakefast at Hotel or Rentalplace
Your Guide
Banana Joe the All-Knowing
Disclaimer
Most of our self-guided tours are exclusive to Island Pass holders — available in both Digital and Printed versions. Once you grab your Pass, you’ll get a special password that instantly unlocks all our tours across Madeira. 🎧✨
The only self-guided tour you can try for free is the “Taste & Tales of Funchal City Walk.” It’s the perfect way to see how our tours work — fun, easy to follow, and full of stories, food, and local flavor!
Good To Know
Just press play and let our guide Banana Joe walk you through this awesome tour. Tip: on mobile, you can enlarge the tour by clicking the yellow button in the upper right corner.
The Men and the Voyage That Changed History Forever
Press Play to meet your guide for the day and discover what today’s epic tour has in store for you — go on, tap it… the adventure starts there!
The Tour "Santa Maria de Colombo – Sail Into History" is currently in development and will be available end of April — stay tuned, adventure is on its way! 🌄🚗
Only those in the know have the super-secret, ultra-mega-difficult password — the rest will just have to guess… and fail gloriously. 🔒😏
Ribiera Brava
Ribeira Brava — an old town reshaped by a powerful storm not long ago.
Amazing Ride with crazy viewpoint
Let’s start the road trip on Madeira’s original coastal roads — built long before tunnels and highways, full of curves, cliffs, vintage island vibes, and dramatic views.
Onwards the old Road and some history
For the next 30 minutes, we’re sticking to Madeira’s old coastal road — the scenic route locals used long before highways and tunnels existed.
Miradouro Trigo de Negreiros
Welcome to Viewpoint Trigo de Negreiros — a stunning spot overlooking the sunny village of Madalena do Mar and the Atlantic, where you can even spot Madeira’s impressive offshore fish farms.
Poncha do Lombo Doutor
In the hills of Calheta, somewhere between the clouds and the coast, there’s a humble little spot that locals whisper about and travellers accidentally fall in love with.
Ponta do Pargo
A Lighthous which has been guiding ships along Madeira’s rugged coastline since June 1922
Faja da Ovelha
Let’s start part two of our adventure — heading back along the coast toward the fishing village of Paul do Mar.
Paul do Mar
Paul do Mar has a long and proud history tied to the sea.
Parking Rum Factory Calheta
We skip Jardim do Mar to have some more time to learn about Sugracane in Madeira
Rum Factory & History
From sugar that built Madeira’s wealth to the rum that keeps the tradition alive — discover the story at Calheta’s sugarcane museum.
Time for a Break
Calheta Beach: Madeira’s golden sand, calm waters, great pizza — and the perfect place to slow down for a while.
Madalena do Mar
A peaceful fishing village where Madeira’s banana story comes to life.
Small Banana Hike
Let’s dive into the history of Madeira’s famous banana industry.
Cascata dos Anjos
The famous waterfall where the road meets the ocean — and your perfect Instagram moment.
Ponta do Sol
Madeira’s “Point of the Sun” and the grand finale of the South-West Tour.
Estalagem da Ponta do Sol
The perfect sunset terrace to end your South-West adventure.
Tip Box
If you enjoyed this self-guided tour, a small tip helps us keep these website running smoothly. Thank you! 💛
This self-guided walk takes you on one of Madeira’s most unique journeys — straight into the age of discovery, where history, adventure, and life at sea come together. Step aboard the Santa Maria de Colombo and leave the modern world behind as you enter the world of explorers, sailors, and long ocean voyages.
On board, you’ll step into a different time. Discover how Christopher Columbus lived and traveled, explore the ship’s decks and details, and take your time imagining what it was like to cross unknown oceans with nothing but wind, wood, and courage.
And then comes the real magic. As you move through the ship, history starts to feel alive — not something you read about, but something you experience. The creaking wood, the narrow spaces, the open deck… it all tells the story of a journey that once changed the world.
A perfect blend of history, exploration, and imagination — all at your own pace.
All recommendations are completely optional and instantly available when you show your Madeira Island Pass (digital or printed) at the recommanded stops. The best part? No need to book ahead! Just show up, join in, and enjoy everything at your own pace, all on the same day. 🍌
Facilities
Location
To start navigation on your phone, click 'View larger map' in the top left corner of the map.
Sometimes, finding the exact location of the hike can be challenging. That’s why we’ve included GPS coordinates to make it easier to reach.
32.648011425874444
-16.900141499516174
Highlights
The only pass you need in paradise
