Get ready to enjoy the untouched beauty of Porto Santo, a breathtaking island located two hours by boat from Madeira. Despite the fact that the islands are so close to each other Porto Santo a totally different experience than Madeira. On Porto Santo you will find a 9 kilometer long sandy beach and the smallest desert in the world.
With its expansive golden beaches, beautiful views and unique sights, Porto Santo has everything you need for an unforgettable day out from Madeira. In this article we therefore take you on a journey along the 10 highlights of the island. Let the charm of Porto Santo surprise you!
As World Travelers we have seen many islands in the world and few can compare to Madeira. Nature in the Portuguese 'Flower Island' is unprecedentedly green thanks to the mild climate. Steep cliffs, turquoise waters, waterfalls, jungles, micro climates and Portuguese gastronomy, that's what you come for.
The island is also known as the 'Hawaii of Europe' and Madeira is rightly allowed one of the most beautiful islands in the world be mentioned. Find out for yourself!
- Very affordable
- The "Hawaii of Europe"
- Special nature
- Portuguese gastronomy
Plan your holiday in Europe here
- Cheap deals and last minutes you will find at ANWB, TUI en Corendon
- Train travel through Europe you will find at NSinternational en Opreis.nl.
- Campsites and camping trips you will find at ACSI trips, campspace en allcamps
- Flight tickets for Europe you compare with Skyscanner.
- Hostels, Hotels and Resorts in Europe you will find at Booking.com.
- Rental cars : Sunnycars en rental cars.
- Tours and Activities in Europe you book via GetYourGuide.
- Travel insurance you close with a discount Allianz.
- travel items such as suitcases, bags and more you can buy at Bol.com.
- Parking at the airport you can arrange via Parkos, park care of iParking.
10x tips and things to see and do on Porto Santo
1. Porto Santo Beach
The main highlight of the island is the beautiful beach, Praia de Porto Santo. The beach stretches for 9 kilometers and is known for its soft, golden sand and crystal clear waters. The sand here is so fine that it feels nice and is good for your skin. The beach is perfect for sunbathing and swimming. The calm and crystal clear sea also make it perfect for water sports activities such as snorkeling and diving.
2. Miradouro das Flores
Visit Miradouro das Flores, a viewpoint that offers a panoramic view of the island Ilheu de Baixo and the surrounding ocean. It's a great place to watch the sunset and take photos.
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3. Dunas De Porto Santo
With an area of only one kilometer, people here wave the flag that it is the smallest desert in the world. I don't know if it's true, but it's special. In Dunas De Porto Santo, however, you feel like you are in a desert, naturally formed with fine sand and sandstone.
What I personally found very special about this mini-desert is that you can still find intact corals and shells / fossils between the sandstone. The fossils of what once lived here in the water. That and the particularly colorful plants that apparently don't care much about the extreme drought here.
4. Casa Museu Cristovao Colombo
Pay it a visit Casa Museu Cristovao Colombo, a museum dedicated to the famous explorer Christopher Columbus. The museum is located in the house where Columbus is said to have lived before making his historic journey to America.
5. Take a jeep tour
Porto Santo is a small island which is best explored by jeep. Not all roads are paved here and with a jeep tour you will get to places where you can hardly get to with a normal car, such as viewpoints and the desert on the island, Dunas De Porto Santo.
6. Organ Pipes at the Ana Ferreira Peak
You would almost think that it is man-made, but nothing could be further from the truth. This natural phenomenon can only be found in a few places in the world, including Namibia en Australië. They are like organ pipes (hence the name Organ Pipes). They are square and pentagonal rock columns formed millions of years ago by volcanic activity. The summit has been worn down by erosion over the last million years, exposing the strong and resistant inner layer of rock.
7. Miradouro da Portela
Visit Miradouro da Portela, another vantage point with panoramic views of the ocean and Porto Santo's rugged coastline. It's a great place to enjoy the natural beauty of the island.
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8. Go snorkeling and/or diving
Porto Santo is known for its crystal clear waters, as evidenced by this photo I took with my drone. The rocky formations on the southeastern side of the island are perfect for independent snorkeling. For those who prefer to go a step further: there are several diving schools on the island. The underwater world here must be really fantastic. Those who have a little more time and like to dive, can definitely go here.
9. Vila Baleira
Visit Vila Baleira, the main town of Porto Santo. Explore the narrow streets, traditional houses and historic sites such as the Igreja Matriz, a charming 15th-century church. You can also shop in the local boutiques and enjoy delicious food in the restaurants.
10. Ilheu de Baixo
Take a boat trip to Ilhéu de Baixo, a small island off the coast of Porto Santo. Here you can enjoy special (and remote) beaches where white and black sand mix. Snorkel in the clear water and relax in a peaceful environment. The island is a paradise for nature lovers. Spot unusual birds while enjoying the sound of the waves. This is the place to completely escape the hustle and bustle.
Practical tips for Porto Santo
How do you get there?
- By Plane: The easiest way to reach Porto Santo is to take a flight to Porto Santo Airport (PXO). There are direct flights from several European cities, including Lisbon and Porto in Portugal. Through Skyscanner you can find these deals the best. In our article Skyscanner | How to save (a lot of) money on flights, we explain step by step how you can find the best deals and save a lot of money on your airline tickets.
- By Ferry: You can take the ferry from Funchal, the capital of the neighboring island Madeira. The crossing takes approximately 2,5 hours and the ferry service is provided by Porto santo line. Please note that ferry service can be limited, especially out of high season, so check the timetable on the official website of the ferry service.
Tip:: Want to know more about traveling to Madeira in combination with Porto Santo? Then read one of our other articles about these beautiful islands.
- Madeira | 17x the most beautiful places + things to do
- Madeira | Practical information and tips for a carefree holiday
- Madeira | 6x particularly delicious food in the best restaurants
When is the best time to visit Porto Santo?
- Spring (March-May): This season is generally mild, with pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds. It's a good time to enjoy quiet beaches and beautiful landscapes.
- Summer (June-August): Summer is the high season on Porto Santo, when most tourists visit the island. The weather is warm, with temperatures around 25-30°C, and the water is perfect for swimming. However, please note that the island can be busier during this time.
- Fall (September-November): Autumn is another good time to visit Porto Santo. The weather remains pleasant and the crowds begin to decrease. You can enjoy mild temperatures and quiet beaches.
- Winter (December-February): Porto Santo has a mild winter climate, with temperatures around 15-20°C. Although it is not as hot as in summer, you can still experience pleasant days. It is a quieter period with fewer tourists.
Conclusion
Porto Santo has a good asset and is perfect for a day trip from Madeira. Porto Santo offers a unique travel experience for the adventurer who has had enough (as crazy as that may sound) of the lush green nature of Madeira. You will find endless (white) sand beaches here, something Madeira cannot offer you. In addition to relaxing on the beach, do not forget about the highest peak Castle Peak climb for a panoramic view. For those looking for culture and history: visit the fascinating museum in the house where Christopher Columbus has lived.
As World Travelers we have seen many islands in the world and few can compare to Madeira. Nature in the Portuguese 'Flower Island' is unprecedentedly green thanks to the mild climate. Steep cliffs, turquoise waters, waterfalls, jungles, micro climates and Portuguese gastronomy, that's what you come for.
The island is also known as the 'Hawaii of Europe' and Madeira is rightly allowed one of the most beautiful islands in the world be mentioned. Find out for yourself!
- Very affordable
- The "Hawaii of Europe"
- Special nature
- Portuguese gastronomy
Plan your holiday in Europe here
- Cheap deals and last minutes you will find at ANWB, TUI en Corendon
- Train travel through Europe you will find at NSinternational en Opreis.nl.
- Campsites and camping trips you will find at ACSI trips, campspace en allcamps
- Flight tickets for Europe you compare with Skyscanner.
- Hostels, Hotels and Resorts in Europe you will find at Booking.com.
- Rental cars : Sunnycars en rental cars.
- Tours and Activities in Europe you book via GetYourGuide.
- Travel insurance you close with a discount Allianz.
- travel items such as suitcases, bags and more you can buy at Bol.com.
- Parking at the airport you can arrange via Parkos, park care of iParking.
