Porto Santo, surrounded by turquoise waters, is part of the Madeira archipelago. It lies about 70 km northeast of the main island of Madeira and can be reached by plane or ferry. The mountains are not as high as in Madeira and the landscape is less green, but there are some interesting sights on the island.
The island, 11 km long and 6 km wide, enjoys a mild climate all year round, with ocean temperatures ranging from 17°C to 22°C, which makes it a magnet for tourists even in winter.
The island is famous for its sandy beaches, such as the 9-kilometre-long Porto Santo Beach, which boasts a unique fine sand. In addition to the beach, the town of Vila Baleira and the landscape dotted with traditional windmills offer a wide range of activities, so active holidaymakers will not be disappointed. You can go hiking in the island’s scenic landscapes, cycling or even try water sports.
The island has a rich history and cultural heritage. You can visit the Christopher Columbus Museum, which shows the famous explorer’s connection with the island. The local cuisine is always an exciting part of a trip and this is also true of Porto Santo.
This guide is for you if you want to:
- Discover Porto Santo Island, Madeira’s hidden gem
- Relax on its long golden sandy beach
- Explore top attractions and scenic viewpoints
- Plan a perfect day trip or longer stay
- Know how to get there and what to expect
Scroll down for the complete Porto Santo travel guide.
Please note, this post may contain affiliate links.
How many days do you need in Porto santo?
- If you want, you can even skip Porto Santo for a day from Madeira. Take a morning ferry there, then an evening ferry back to Madeira. Then you really only have time for a swim and a short walk. Once you arrive in the town centre, hop on the open-top tourist bus and see the island’s main sights. In the afternoon, take a dip in the ocean.
- If you’re looking for relaxation, Porto Santo is worth spending 2-3 days. Book accommodation near the beach and take long walks along the coast.
- If you want to explore the whole island while relaxing, you will need 4-6 days. In this case, it is worth renting a car or a scooter to explore the hidden treasures of the island.
Best Time to Go to Madeira – Weather, Seasons & Travel Tips
Travel to Porto Santo
By Ferry
The ferry trip from Madeira takes around 2.5 hours one way. The return fare for an adult is €60-70, depending on the season. The ferry usually runs once a day, from Madeira to Porto Santo in the morning and back in the evening.
In high season, there may be several ferry crossings a day. From the port you can get to the hotel by taxi or bus in a few minutes.
Porto Santo Line: Timetable and prices
By Plane
The flight from Madeira to Porto Santo takes just 25 minutes. The fare includes 23 kg of checked baggage. If you are travelling with cabin baggage, you will have to check it in (and it will count towards the 23 kg) as it cannot be taken on board. The island’s airport is international, so if you want to visit Porto Santo only, you can fly directly from Europe. A taxi from the airport will take you to the hotel in a few minutes.
Find your flight: Kiwi or use the airline’s direct website
From Madeira: Binter Canarias
DOWNLOAD MY FREE MADEIRA BUCKET LIST FOR YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE
Porto Santo Map
Getting around Porto Santo
Most people go to Porto Santo to relax, so you don’t need a car. Almost all the beaches are on the south side of Porto Santo, where taxis run up and down all the way, but you can also walk if you feel like it. If you want to explore the whole island, its viewpoints, hiking trails and other more remote beaches, there are a few transport options.
Rent a car
At its widest point, the island is 11 kilometres long, which reflects how little driving is needed to get from A to B. It’s worth renting a car for larger groups or families. There are several companies operating on the island, but we did not rent a car, so I have no personal experience.
Rodavante Rent a car , Moinho Rent a car , Five Rent a car
Scooter – bicycle
Perhaps the best way to explore Porto Santo is to rent a scooter. There are some hills on the island, but not as steep as in Madeira.
Of course, if you like cycling, you can also rent a bike/e-bike, even for a few hours. E-bikes can be a good alternative because of the hills.
By Bus
The Moinho company has scheduled services and also operates a service for tourists. This open-top bus takes about 2 hours to make a circuit of the island and visit the main attractions. The bus departs from the centre (Vila Baleira – round about at the pier).
More about Porto Santo island
History of Porto Santo
Portuguese sailors João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira arrived on the island of Porto Santo in 1418. After being blown away by strong winds while exploring the west coast of Africa, Porto Santo offered them a safe haven. Hence its name, which means Holy Harbour.
Navigator Henry appointed Bartolomeu Perestrelo governor of the island in 1446. Perestrelo’s daughter, Filipa de Moniz, then married Christopher Columbus, who spent some time on the island preparing for his great voyage of discovery to the Americas. According to some sources, the couple moved to the archipelago and their only child, Diogo, was born here in 1482.
Explore more Madeira travel tips on my blog – Check it Now
Today the 15th century house where Christopher Columbus lived is a museum. The museum in Vila Baleira houses portraits of Columbus and maps of the sea routes he followed.
Where to stay on Porto Santo
Porto Santo has a wide range of options from large all-inclusive hotels to small Airbnb apartments. As the island is very small, the location of accommodation is less important than in Madeira. If you are mainly looking for a beach holiday, the most important thing is to be close to the beach.
Hotels:
5 star hotel: Pestana Porto Santo Beach Resort & Spa*****
4 star hotel: Hotel Porto Santo & Spa****
3 star hotel: Hotel Praia Dourada*** (based on my personal experience)
Apartments for larger groups or families:
Sotavento Guest House 200 metres from Porto Santo Beach
Casa da Pedreira apartment with terrace less than 1 km from the Beach (based on my personal experience)
Private room on the beach/centre:
Theresia’s is located a few steps from Porto Santo beach
16 Porto Santo Apartments with a garden and a terrace 300 metres from the beach
Are you looking for a 4- or 5-star hotel with an excellent rating?
Pestana, the Portuguese hotel chain!
With five decades of history, the Pestana Hotel Group is the largest Portuguese multinational group in the tourism industry. The hotel chain opened its first hotel in Madeira in 1972, the Pestana Carlton Madeira.
Currently it also offers accommodation in other the European countries, as well as in America and Africa, with more than 100 hotels and 12,000 rooms.
Pestana has 18 hotels on the archipelago, of which 15 are located in Madeira and 3 in Porto Santo.
Porto Santo main attractions
Although the coast is divided into several small sections, the 9 km of golden sandy beach is one of the most inviting activities for visitors. Bars and umbrellas line the beach, the perfect place to relax.
Wandering around the island, you can discover the beauty of the landscape formed by successive volcanic eruptions from the viewpoints. The Miradouro da Portela, surrounded by windmills, is by far the most emblematic lookout point on the island, offering a perfect view of the long beach and harbour.
Despite its small size, the island’s capital, Vila Baleira, offers a wealth of attractions.
Read my Complete guide to the Pico Ruivo hike
Its streets lined with palm trees and bougainvillea are ideal for pleasant, relaxing walks. For a taste of the island’s history and culture, the beautiful tiled panels of the 17th century church of Nossa Senhora da Piedade are worth a visit, along with Christopher Columbus’ house.
Ponta da Calheta, the southernmost point of the island, is also not to be missed and offers the best views from the Miradouro das Flores lookout. Apart from the beach, the island offers a wide range of activities such as kayaking, fishing, diving, windsurfing, water sports, cycling and paragliding.
Popular Programmes
Why do I recommend Get Your Guide website or app? Because it offers free cancellation. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund!
Hiking routes
PS PR 1 – Vereda do Pico Branco e Terra Chã
Distance: 2.7 km (one way)
Difficulty: easy
Duration: 1:30 hours
Details: PSPR1 – details and tour map download
PS PR 2 – Vereda do Pico do Castelo
Distance: 3.2 km VO / 4.6 km VE (one way)
Difficulty: easy
Duration: 1:30 / 2:15 hours
Details: PSPR2 – details and tour map download
PS PR 3 – Levada do Pico do Castelo
Distance: 4.1 km (one way)
Difficulty: medium
Duration: 1:30 hours
Details: PSPR3 – details and tour map download
Porto Santo – TOP 10
Based on my personal experience…
- Best Fresh Poncha – Bar Colombo
- Best viewpoint – Miradouro da Portela
- Longest sandy beach – Porto Santo beach
- Best food – Sabores na Brasa
- Most hidden beach – Praia do Zimbralinho
- Best sunset – Porto das Salemas
- Most atmospheric beach bar – Bar do Henrique
- Best value for money accommodation – Hotel Praia Dourada
- Most interesting rock formation – Miradouro do Morenos
- Best restaurant serving fresh fish – Mercado Velho
Personal experiences
We originally planned to spend one night on the island of Porto Santo. We traveled there by boat from Madeira and flew back. Unfortunately, a major cyclone hit the archipelago, so all boat and flight services were canceled.
In the end, we spent three nights on the island at various accommodations. We booked our stays day by day, but unfortunately, as time went on, our options kept dwindling because no one could leave the island.
Overall, we had a great time despite the changing weather. We went for walks, spent time at the beach, and explored the island’s hidden spots on a scooter. The situation was a bit stressful because we had to go to the airport every day to see if the flight would take off. Finally, on the fourth day, the plane was able to take off, and we were able to return to the island of Madeira.
Need help planning your trip?
Here are my favourite sites to use when planning my trips:
Find your flight: Kiwi or use the airline’s direct website
Book your Hotel: Booking.com and Airbnb
Search for a rental car: Discovercars
Stay Connected Anywhere: Airalo eSIM
Book an unforgettable experiences: GetYourGuide website.
Source: Wandering Linda and visitmadeira.com
Photos: Wandering Linda
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