Santa Cruz is the second largest resort in Madeira and one of the main tourist centers of the island. There are pebble and rocky beaches, many hotels and apartments, as well as a lot of pretty, historic buildings.
The city was one of the first Portuguese settlements in Madeira. In the mid-16th century, a parish church was built at the foundation of King Manuel I. In the city of Santa Cruz, you can also visit the late Gothic Church of St. Savior and the 18th-century chapel of St. Izabela.
For many tourists, the main attraction of Santa Cruz are the local beaches. The most famous of them is the rocky Palm Beach. On Machico Beach there is a small bay with sand brought from Morocco, while Prainha Beach is famous for its dark, volcanic sand. Almeda park with a promenade and rest areas stretches along the beaches. There are also numerous restaurants and bars.
