Sao Vicente Caves, Madeira: Closed Since 2020 (Latest)

The São Vicente Caves on Madeira’s north coast are lava tubes formed by an ancient eruption, among the first volcanic caves in Portugal to open to the public. A guided walk through the tunnels, plus the Volcanism Centre next door, explained how the island was formed. Important: the caves have been closed to visitors since March 2020, so read the status note below before you plan a trip around them.

Quick answer: the caves are just outside São Vicente, about 40 to 45 minutes from Funchal through the mountain tunnels. They have been closed since March 2020. In August 2026 the local council said the new board running the site was working towards reopening, but by late September 2026 no date had been given, so check before you go. São Vicente itself is still worth a stop, and it combines well with Seixal and Porto Moniz. See places to stay in São Vicente.

Why go

Madeira is a volcanic island, and the São Vicente lava tubes are one of the few places where you can see that history from the inside. Even while the caves are shut, the village of São Vicente is one of the prettiest on the north coast, with a chapel built into a rock by the sea, a tidy old centre and a dramatic valley behind it. It makes a good stop on a day trip around the island.

Current status

• Closed: the caves have not taken visitors since March 2020. The Volcanism Centre is closed too.
• Why: they first shut for the pandemic. Engineers then found fissures and loose rock inside the tubes, and a 2025 assessment said the site needed drilling and reinforcement before it could safely reopen.
• Reopening: in August 2026 the mayor of São Vicente said the new board running the site was working towards reopening, but did not give a date.
• Latest news: in late September 2026 local press reported that the council had ordered safety studies, including of the footbridge that leads to the site, and was preparing an emergency plan. No repair works had started.
• Before you go: check the Visit Madeira website or ask at your hotel for the latest news. Don’t rely on old blog posts or booking sites that still list opening hours.

The caves and the Volcanism Centre

How the caves formed

The tubes formed about 890,000 years ago, when lava from an eruption in the Paul da Serra area flowed down towards the sea. The outer layer cooled and hardened while hot lava kept flowing inside, leaving hollow tunnels behind. Local people found them in 1885, and they opened to the public on 1 October 1996. Before they closed, they drew about 150,000 visitors a year, which made them one of the busiest sights on the north coast.

What the visit included

• The lava tubes: a guided route of about 700 metres through tunnels five to six metres high, with lava stalactites and small underground pools.
• The Volcanism Centre: exhibits and audiovisual shows about eruptions and the birth of the Madeira islands.
• Time needed: the guided cave walk took about 30 minutes, plus time in the centre. Expect a similar format if the site reopens.

What to see in São Vicente

• The rock chapel: the little Capela de São Vicente was built in 1692 into a block of basalt at the mouth of the river, and restored in 1885. It’s the classic photo of the village.
• The old centre: a few quiet streets of whitewashed houses, cafes and the parish church, just inland from the coast road.
• The seafront: a rocky shoreline with big Atlantic waves. It’s for looking at, not swimming.
• The valley: terraces and green slopes run up towards the centre of the island.

Volcanic sights while the caves are shut

You can still see Madeira’s volcanic past nearby. The Porto Moniz pools fill natural basins in black lava rock, and Seixal has a small black-sand beach backed by green cliffs. On the drive, look out for the dark basalt layers in the road cuttings and sea cliffs, each one an old lava flow.

Getting there

• By car: from Funchal, take the expressway west to Ribeira Brava, then the tunnel road north to São Vicente. Allow about 40 to 45 minutes. There is parking near the village centre.
• By bus: buses on the island’s SIGA network link Funchal with São Vicente, but the trip is slow and services are limited. Routes were renumbered on 9 March 2026, so check current timetables rather than old guides.
• By tour: many west and north coast day tours stop in São Vicente. See the best Madeira tours.

How long to spend

An hour is enough for the village and the chapel. Most people fit São Vicente into a one-day loop: Funchal to São Vicente, west along the coast to Seixal for a swim, then on to the Porto Moniz pools for lunch, and back over the Paul da Serra plateau or via Fanal. See Fanal Forest.

Food

• Espetada: beef on a bay-wood skewer, a Madeiran classic.
• Bolo do caco: flat bread cooked on a stone, served with garlic butter.
• Lapas: grilled limpets with garlic and lemon, common on the coast.
• Poncha: the island’s drink of sugar cane rum, honey and lemon.

Practical tips

• Weather: the north coast is cooler, greener and wetter than Funchal. Bring a light jacket.
• Rainy days: with the caves closed, Funchal’s museums or a wine lodge are better wet-weather options. See the Madeira wine guide.
• Driving: the tunnel roads are easy, but older coast roads are narrow and winding.

Nearby

• Seixal: see Seixal.
• Porto Moniz: see Porto Moniz.
• Santana: see Santana.

FAQ

Are the São Vicente caves open?

No. They have been closed since March 2020, and as of late September 2026 no reopening date had been set. Check the Visit Madeira website before you go.

Why are the São Vicente caves closed?

They shut for the pandemic in 2020, and engineers then found unstable rock inside the lava tubes. The site needs stabilisation work before it can safely take visitors again.

Is São Vicente worth visiting while the caves are closed?

Yes, as a stop on a north coast day trip. The rock chapel, the old centre and the valley take about an hour, and Seixal and Porto Moniz are a short drive west.

How do you get to São Vicente from Funchal?

Drive west to Ribeira Brava and take the tunnel road north, about 40 to 45 minutes in all. SIGA buses also run from Funchal, but they are slow and infrequent.

More: Madeira with kids and the Madeira itinerary.

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