Engenhos do Norte
Engenhos do Norte
4
About
The Porto da Cruz 'Engenho' (mill) is a testimony to the importance sugarcane had and still has on an economic and cultural level in Madeira. A visit to our mill is like taking a journey through time, visitors can walk the original circuit that goes from the collection of sugar cane, through to the various stages of production and ending in a visit to the Rum House.
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< 1 hour
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53 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
218 reviews
Excellent
70
Very good
95
Average
33
Poor
14
Terrible
6
Caroline LP
London, UK119 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Small distillery, free to access with some history presented via posters. It was interesting to note some of the equipment came from Liverpool! The shop was very small this might be why there was no tasting experience. My first distillery experience was in St Lucia and I’m afraid I may have been spoiled here as we had a fairly private tasting session on more 20 products. Here you had to buy each sample and the invitation to try could have been more welcoming. We would have probably bought more it the welcome was warmer.
Written May 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Gluten Free Wanderer
Surrey, UK391 contributions
Jan 2020
We stopped over as part of a group tour and enjoyed ourselves - tried the rum, had some poncho (various flavours are available), they also have lovely dark chocolate with rum. There's plenty to choose from and you can see the distillery. We all felt rather jolly after the stopover.
Written February 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Skewer House
Taunton, UK14 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
Second time visiting this restaurant. Lovely setting. Unfortunately food is terrible. No flavour. Wait Staff lovely and attentive and smiling.
I wasn’t going to leave a review as the wait staff were nice. My issue is I didn’t eat my fish soup explained it wasn’t great and had no flavour.
They took away asked if I wanted to order anything else.
I said no I am fine as my partner had finished.
Then they charged me on the bill.
If think maybe they thought I was a tourist so they wouldn’t see me again.
Unfortunately for them I am a local and won’t be visiting or bringing any family or friends here again.
I wasn’t going to leave a review as the wait staff were nice. My issue is I didn’t eat my fish soup explained it wasn’t great and had no flavour.
They took away asked if I wanted to order anything else.
I said no I am fine as my partner had finished.
Then they charged me on the bill.
If think maybe they thought I was a tourist so they wouldn’t see me again.
Unfortunately for them I am a local and won’t be visiting or bringing any family or friends here again.
Written July 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Filip H
16 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
Cool machines, however only look-around tour without much info. You can only guess what the machines and kettles are used for. Really short video on how the sugar canes come in and are processed. Did not find anything on the process of rum making.
However this was even overshadowed by an unfriendly lady behind the desk who acted like I was stupid and wasn’t very keen to give additional info. Only after repeatedly asking for it, since we had been driving for an hour to visit the place, she gave in.
Bought another €6 shot of (good) rum. However did not manage to set aside my frustration so I didn’t buy a bottle, only so that I wouldn’t be reminded of that woman every time I drank the rum at home.
Good to have a 5 min look inside if you happen to be in that town, but not worth the drive from Funchal.
However this was even overshadowed by an unfriendly lady behind the desk who acted like I was stupid and wasn’t very keen to give additional info. Only after repeatedly asking for it, since we had been driving for an hour to visit the place, she gave in.
Bought another €6 shot of (good) rum. However did not manage to set aside my frustration so I didn’t buy a bottle, only so that I wouldn’t be reminded of that woman every time I drank the rum at home.
Good to have a 5 min look inside if you happen to be in that town, but not worth the drive from Funchal.
Written July 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ubud138
Munich, Germany67 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
excellent rhum (cheaper than in any supermarkets or airport shops), nice sugar- cookies. We had a very good poncha at the bar. From there lovely stroll along the strand and coast of Porto da Cruz.
Written May 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tincityzoo
57 contributions
Dec 2019 • Solo
What a waste of time this was . Did not see any of the rum making process and was given a tiny tiny bit of rum to taste . The lady went around offering this small taste and I went and offered up my glass again thinking it was a refill and she screamed across the room at me in Portuguese the gist was “one per person” .This was in front of others in the room so I immediately left at being spoken to in such an awful way . I was going to buy lots of products in the shop so it was all there loss as I left because of this staff member
Written December 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OZS_ATW
Budapest, Hungary2,853 contributions
Jan 2023
Engenhos do Norte is a nice rum distillery in Porto da Cruz.
It is free of charge to enter and you can the process how rum is made!
It is free of charge to enter and you can the process how rum is made!
Written February 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David W
263 contributions
Sep 2021
Although this was on our "things to do in Madeira" list, we happened upon it quite by chance. We were touring the coast and stopped off in the nearby car park to look at the bay (surfing and other watersports available) before strolling to the historic building. You could say we "arrived under our own steam" lol. Its a real, working distillery, with free entry and free tastings available. You can purchase direct from the manufacturer - we got a few bottles for gifts - keeping down our retail carbon footprint. A self-guided tour is available with a video, in English, running to show the complete process. All the exhibits are labelled, in Portuguese and English. Rum is made from sugar cane, which is grown across Madeira. This arrives in flat bed vehicles and is loaded by grab crane (see photo) before being crushed to extract the sugar syrup. The remainder of the plant is used as fuel for the steam engine (see photo) as it is burnt on site. The sugar syrup is then the ingredient used as fermentation to produce the alcohol which is then distilled to give the high strength final liquor for cask ageing and bottling. Its a really clever set up. They do not run at full production every day - they were not working during our visit - but the video shows the scene and the exhibits bring it to life. Great insight into the whole process. You can finish the tour in the gift shop where you can sample the rum produced and also, should you wish to, purchase drinks for consumption on and off the premises. The 'poncha' is freshly made and you can have a creamy cocktail containing it too. They had a special rum called 'Fire' which apparently, although strong, doesn't burn your throat like some rum does. Tours of the island often visit here and two 4x4 vehicles, full of tourists, arrived whilst we were there. Everyone seemed to enjoy the experience, particularly those sampling the final product!
Recommended
Recommended
Written November 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Renobi
Vilnius, Lithuania302 contributions
Aug 2021
If you have a half hour or less and passing by. This is ok for a short visit and a walk through to see a little of the history of Rum making in Madeira.
Written August 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jiri S
Prague, Czech Republic36 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
One of the bedt poncha on the island right from the source.The surrounding is also nice - perfect place for a short walk around with a cup of poncha.
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Engenhos do Norte (Porto da Cruz) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Engenhos do Norte
- We recommend booking Engenhos do Norte tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 14 Engenhos do Norte tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Engenhos do Norte:
- Tour & Levada walk East Madeira Island (From $38.64)
- Northeast meet the locals 4x4 tour - Santana / Caniçal (From $68.70)
- East Tour - 4x4 - Small Group (From $60.71)
- Wheelchair Handicap Full Day East Tour Santana Tour (From $193.18)
- East private full day (From $430.50)
- Hotels near Engenhos do Norte:
- (0.11 mi) house pc
- (0.12 mi) Vivenda Linda Vista 1 - with spectacular sea and mountain views
- (0.13 mi) Vivenda Linda Vista 2 with spectacular sea and mountain views
- (0.20 mi) Hotel Vila Bela
- (0.14 mi) Vivenda Linda Vista
- Restaurants near Engenhos do Norte:
- (0.16 mi) Snack Bar A Pipa
- (0.09 mi) Restaurante Praia da Alagoa
- (0.21 mi) Restaurante Vila Bela
- (0.21 mi) Praça Velha
- (0.19 mi) Snack Bar Piscinas
Engenhos do Norte Information
Excellent Reviews | 70 |
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Very Good Reviews | 94 |
Engenhos do Norte Photos | 314 |