Nestled in the heart of Portugal’s Madeira archipelago, Porto Santo is a little-known gem.
So why go to Porto Santo for your next getaway? Why is this island really worth discovering?
In this article, we share the main reasons to visit Porto Santo for a day or a week… to help you decide.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
Is Porto Santo worth a visit?
Yes, absolutely. Particularly in 2 cases:
- if you want to spend your vacation on a beautiful, quiet beach.
- or if you’re spending more than a week in Madeira and want to see the contrast with the neighboring island.
It’s a fascinating island with a fine sandy beach, fascinating rock formations, and what’s more, you can walk around it in a day!
You can spend a vacation here, or come by day from Madeira.
See availability of an organized day tour and make a reservation!
WHERE TO STAY IN Porto Santo
Option 1 : Vila Baleira (north beach)
For access to a small town and the beach
- Hotel Torre Praia – prices, pictures and availability
- Vista Dourada apartment: see prices, photos and availability
Option 2: Central or southern beach
Tourist areas near the beach
- Pestana Porto Santo, 5 stars – see prices, photos and availability
- Hotel Porto Santo & Spa, 4 stars – prices, pictures and availability
Reason 1: its 9 km-long beach and clear waters
Those familiar with Madeira and its tiny beaches will particularly appreciate this contrast.
Porto Santo’s long, golden sandy beach stretches majestically for 9 kilometers! It offers visitors an exceptional seaside experience, with its crystal-clear waters.
This beach is renowned for its fine, soft sand.
Whether you’re looking for relaxing moments in the sun, long barefoot strolls along the shore, or aquatic adventures such as diving and kayaking, this beach offers an idyllic setting.
Find out more about Porto Santo beaches.
Reason 2: its geological features
If, like us, you love rock formations and geological features, you’ll love Porto Santo.
The island has a rich and complex geological history. It owes its origins to volcanic phenomena that took place millions of years ago. Spectacular basalt formations, evidence of past volcanic activity, dot the island and offer unique panoramas.
You can also find out more:
- The basalt organ of Pico da Ana Ferreira, an impressive wall of prismatic basalt columns
- The Morenos zone with its various dykes (volcanic fissures) and different rock colors.
Reason 3: its mini-desert
Our favorite spot in Porto Santo: a surprising mini-desert with sea and mountains in the background.
We enjoyed exploring its dunes and discovering the layers of sediment creating beautiful natural structures.
Shimmering color, wind-sculpted ripples and soothing silence create an almost mystical ambience.
See our article on dunes.
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING YOUR CAR AT Porto Santo
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- The island is small and easy to drive.
- A car gives you plenty of freedom to explore every corner of Porto Santo
- There’s plenty of demand and few cars, so book early.
Reason 4: its small size
Porto Santo’s small size is its secret charm. With an area of around 42 square kilometers, it has a warm and welcoming atmosphere, allowing visitors to move easily from one place to another.
This small size also makes it possible to capture the essence of Porto Santo in a single panoramic view, from different vantage points to the north and south.
Porto Santo’s small size, and its 517m summit, are an invitation to explore every nook and cranny of this island pearl with ease.
OUR FAVORITE ACTIVITY IN Porto Santo
Depuis Ponta Calheta, découvrez la côte et les grottes en Kayak.
An unforgettable experience close to the volcanic cliffs.
Reason 5: its magnificent natural pools
Having discovered natural pools on different coasts around the world, we find the Salemas pools to be among the most beautiful.
Here you’ll find stunning rock formations at the foot of cliffs, with emerald pools.
A must-see at low tide. And be careful, the floor is slippery!
Read more about it.
Reason 6: A very relaxed atmosphere
Porto Santo’s relaxing ambience is an invitation to unwind and recharge your batteries. As soon as you set foot on this island, you’re enveloped by an atmosphere imbued with serenity: the cobbled streets of the small town, the golden sandy beach as far as the eye can see…
Here, time seems to slow down, offering visitors a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
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Reason 7: its history
Don’t hesitate to visit Casa Colombo, the museum on the history of Porto Santo.
It is housed in a building that they believe was once the residence of navigator Christopher Columbus during his stay in Porto Santo, after his marriage to Filipa de Moniz. The navigator stayed here several times, notably in 1498, during his third voyage to America.
You’ll discover the island’s different periods:
- In 1418, explorer João Gonçalves Zarco is said to have discovered Porto Santo while sailing south from Madeira.
- Portuguese and Spanish maritime expansion with Christopher Columbus
- pirate attacks in the 16th century
- the dutch colonial empire
Reason 8: contrast with Madeira’s greenery
And above all, if you’re holidaying on the wonderful island of Madeira, take the time to visit Porto Santo. The contrast between these two islands, so close together, is absolutely breathtaking!
Madeira, often nicknamed the “Flower Island”, amazes visitors with its lush, green landscapes. Rugged mountains, fertile valleys and lush forests create a palette of seemingly endless shades of green.
The neighboring island of Porto Santo, on the other hand, offers a completely different picture. With its nine kilometers of golden sandy beaches and mini-desert of dunes, Porto Santo has a semi-arid, desert atmosphere.
See availability of an organized day tour and make a reservation!
Some disadvantages of a trip to Porto Santo
Access
As the island is small and less touristy, air access is less developed. You have to be more flexible with your arrival days.
For more options, you can fly to Madeira and then take the ferry to Porto Santo, but be aware that landing in Madeira is more dependent on the wind.
Less to do
And because the island is small, you’ll find fewer activities.
No theme parks, just a few small museums…
Choices are more limited.
Limited hotel supply
If you want to stay in a full-service hotel, the choice is fairly limited and the standard is not that of Madeira’s hotels.
Here are some suggestions:
5 stars: Pestana Porto Santo
4 stars: Hotel Porto Santo & Spa
Or view all top-rated accommodation types
No natural water source
You have to drink bottled water on this island.
PLAN YOUR STAY IN Porto Santo
Best of
Best things to do in Porto Santo
The most beautiful landscapes in photos
Porto Santo’s most beautiful beaches
The dunes
Salemas natural pools
Best restaurants
Terra Cha hiking trail
Pico Ana Feireira
Practical advice
How to get to Porto Santo
Getting around Porto Santo
Rent a car in Porto Santo
Where to stay in Porto Santo – best hotels
