Solar da Bica is a 15-room agritourism house in Lameiros, on the slopes of the São Vicente valley on Madeira's north coast. It is registered in Portugal's tourism registry as agro-turismo, a form of rural tourism (RNET 119), and opened in 2005. It suits drivers who want a quiet rural base between the São Vicente valley and the north-west coast, rather than a village with restaurants on the doorstep.
What kind of property is it?
According to the Turismo de Portugal registry, it has 15 rooms for up to 30 guests, an indoor pool and a meeting room for 20 people. The host's description on Booking.com explains that the property is the reconstruction of two century-old houses, now with a heated indoor saltwater pool, a sauna (charged separately), a panoramic garden and an organic vegetable garden that supplies part of the breakfast. There is a lounge with a fireplace, but no restaurant.
Where exactly is it?
The address is Rua da Bica 17, Sítio dos Lameiros, 9240-211 São Vicente. Road distances (OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap data):
- 3.4 km to São Vicente village centre;
- 9 km to the Miradouro do Véu da Noiva and 11 km to Seixal beach;
- 19.3 km to the Porto Moniz natural pools;
- 35.1 km to the Fanal forest and 38.7 km to Rabaçal for PR 6 Levada das 25 Fontes;
- 34 km to central Funchal and 49.7 km to Madeira Airport.
Is it a good base without a car?
No. Booking.com states that the property is not served by public transport, and the host gives the nearest bus stop and restaurants as about 4 km away and recommends a car. For the island's roads, see our guide to driving in Madeira.
Practical notes
Booking.com gives check-in from 15:00 to 18:00 and check-out from 08:00 to 11:00, a minimum check-in age of 18, free private parking and no pets. The north coast is wetter and cloudier than the south, so plan coastal drives around the forecast. More on the area on our north coast page.
