Porto Santo is a surprising island, very dry and in complete contrast to the island of Madeire. Here you’ll discover extreme colors: turquoise waters, golden sand, black and red rocks…
Here’s our selection of 25 of Porto Santo’s most beautiful landscapes: beaches, viewpoints, dunes…
We hope these beautiful photos of Porto Santo will convince you to explore the island!
Our favorite car rental platform: DiscoverCars
Our must-see tour: guided tour of the island
Our unforgettable outdoor activity: Kayak excursion
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
1. Miradoura da Portela – Porto Santo’s most beautiful landscape
The island’s best-known viewpoint is Miradouro da Portela.
It offers views to the north and south.
In the photo above, you can see the entire southern half with its 9km long beach.
We also realize that the island has no very high peaks and is fairly barren.
See more photos.
2. Dunas do Porto Santo
Our favorite spot in Porto Santo: a surprising mini-desert with sea and mountains in the background.
We enjoyed exploring and discovering the layers of sediment creating beautiful natural structures.
Read more about it.
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.
3. Pico de Ana Ferreira cave
Above the basalt organ are caves in the mountain. They offer an ideal setting for capturing the island’s beauty.
No trails are indicated.
See our article.
4. Salemas natural pools
The Salemas pools are best visited at low tide. This is another of our favorites.
Here you’ll find stunning rock formations at the foot of cliffs, with emerald pools.
Access via a short but fairly steep walk.
See more photos.
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
5. South of Praia de Porto Santo
Porto Santo is famous for its 9 km-long golden sand beach.
It starts at the port and ends at Ponta da Calheta, opposite the island. This southern section is the most photogenic.
There are dunes, rock formations and plenty of space to enjoy your visit.
We really enjoyed the contrasting colors: golden sand, turquoise waters and dark rocks.
Find out more about Porto Santo beaches.
6. Porto de Frades
Porto de Frades is a secluded pebble beach at the end of an untouristy road.
We love the location, because if you walk north, you can admire beautiful sand formations and natural pools (at low tide).
The location is on the east coast.
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.
7. Capela Nossa Senhora da Graca
Discover the charm of the small chapel and its open views over the south of the island.
The island is very deserted, so we appreciate the pretty trees around the square.
It’s a little detour on the way to Miradouro de Portela, but you can imagine yourself traveling back in time and climbing up here to escape pirates, as the locals used to do.
8. The basalt organ: Pedreira do Piano
Just below Pico da Ana Ferreira lies one of the island’s most beautiful geological features. They are millions of years old and were formed by volcanic activity… The impressive wall of prismatic basalt columns is fascinating.
Access for the last few hundred metres on a bumpy track or on foot.
See our article.
9. Praia de Porto Santo nord
As mentioned above, Porto Santo is famous for its 9 km-long golden sandy beach. Especially as Madeira has few sandy beaches.
The southern part is more popular, but the northern part, near the town, is also very pretty, with views of the “northern mountains” and Ilheu de Cima island.
Once again, admire the intensity of the colors.
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10. Miradouro das Flores – view to the south
From the southern end of the island, you can easily reach the Miradouro das Flores viewpoint.
On one side, you have a beautiful view of Ilheu da Cal and its ridge. Admire its 150m-high cliffs. Historically, there were calcium oxide extraction mines. And today, this island is uninhabited and you need a permit to go on it.
Find out more about the location.
11. Miradoura das Flores – north view
And from the same vantage point, you can also enjoy a magnificent, unobstructed panorama of the entire northeast coast, including the island’s various peaks and the 9km-long beach.
The peak in the foreground is PIco Na Ferreira.
12. Praia Zimbralinho
If you love clear waters and secluded coves, we recommend a detour to Praia Zimbralinho. It’s a beautiful cove with a hidden beach and clear water, ideal for snorkeling.
Beware of falling rocks on the way down to the beach.
The end of the road is a bumpy track.
13. Morenos
Morenos is an area at the top of the north-western cliffs of Porto Santo where you can admire geological peculiarities: various dykes (volcanic fissures), different rock colors.
This allows you to see the different phases of volcanic activity on the island.
The end of the road is a bumpy track.
14. Moinhos de Vento
From the Portela viewpoint parking lot, if you go up a little, you’ll find the island’s 3 remaining traditional windmills. They are quite emblematic.
If you look closely, you’ll see the wheels: they’re wooden rotating mills.
According to some historians, Porto Santo’s first windmill was built in 1794.
As you can imagine, this means that the island gets quite a lot of wind…
15. The pontoon
At Vila Baleira, the main town, don’t miss the opportunity to take a step back and admire the island’s desert-like landscape.
You’ll also see how transparent the water is.
Porto Santo photo spot: Moldura de Porto Santo
And at the start of the pontoon, we find the Porto Santo setting, for those who like classic photos…
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
