Santana is known for the traditional homes constructed with sloping triangular rooftops, and protected with straw.

These were mainly rural homes, used by local farmers, during the settlement of the island, with white-painted walls, red doors and windows with blue trim.

Most of the surviving buildings are tourist attractions, and maintained (for example, the straw roofs are replaced every four to five years).

A tourist-themed park was constructed to exhibit examples of the island's early history and culture; the Madeira Theme Park is an ample area, on 7 acres (28,000 m2) of land, where visitors discover the cultures of Madeira and Porto Santo.

This includes exhibits on the island's history, artifacts used in daily life and cultural presentations, in a scenic environment.