Porto Santo is a surprising island!
It is not large, but offers a varied selection of places and activities: beach, dunes, cliffs, natural pools, hiking…
Here’s our selection of Porto Santo’s top attractions to help you plan your stay.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
Things to do in Porto Santo: our map
Here’s a map with our favorite activities in Porto Santo, listed in this article. This island is very small, with a maximum driving time of 20 minutes between locations. So you can plan as you like.
You can spend a vacation here or visit on day trips from Madeira.
Book your ferry. The crossing takes 2h30.
1. Porto Santo beach
When you arrive in Porto Santo, you’ll be dazzled by its long, golden sandy beach.
It stretches majestically for 9 kilometers!
Its fine, soft sand is ideal for relaxing, playing and taking long walks with your feet in the water.
We find it particularly beautiful at its southern end, on the Ponta da Calheta side, with its view over the island of Ilhéu da Cal.
Access and useful tips:
- All along the southeast coast
- Between the port and Ponta da Calheta
- A few restaurants / snack bars along the beach
- Some sections are supervised during the high season
- Read more
2. Admire the views to the south: Miradouro da Portela and windmills
One of the island’s best-known viewpoints 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 9 km long beach.
We also realize that the island has no very high peaks and is fairly barren.
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.
Access and useful tips:
- North-east of the island
- Along the ER233 road
- Vehicle required
- From the port = 5 min drive
- From Ponta da Calheta = 15 min drive
- Easy parking
- Read more in our article
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. Visit the Salemas natural pools
Another of our favorite spots in Porto Santo. And it’s a very different experience from the others!
At the foot of the cliffs, you first come to a small sandy beach.
Then walk over the slippery rocks to discover the natural pools.
These small emerald-coloured waterholes are fascinating and photogenic!
Access and useful tips:
- On the northwest coast of Porto Santo
- Parking at the top of the cliffs: Porto das Salemas Parking
- Access via a short but fairly steep walk.
- Be careful, the ground around swimming pools is very slippery!
- Visit at low tide only
- From the port = 10 min drive
- From Ponta da Calheta = 15 min drive
- Read more in our article
4. A change of scene in the dunes of Porto Santo
We’re big fans of sand dunes.
The ones in Porto Santo aren’t huge, but they’re fascinating.
In this mini-desert you’ll find fine sand, coral and layers of sediment that create beautiful natural structures.
And in the background, you can have either small mountains or the sea, offering beautiful contrasts.
Access and useful tips:
- On the northwest coast
- West of the airport runway
- Park close to the road and explore on foot
- From the port = 15 min drive
- From Ponta da Calheta = 20 min drive
- Read more in our article
5. Playing the basalt organ
Just below Pico da Ana Ferreira lies one of the island’s most beautiful geological features.
The impressive wall of prismatic basalt columns is fascinating.
These columns are millions of years old and were formed by volcanic activity.
It’s one of the most beautiful structures of its kind we’ve ever seen. And when you’re standing at the bottom, you feel very small.
Access and useful tips:
- In the heart of the island in the southern part
- Access over the last few hundred metres on a bumpy track from the road.
- The wall faces east. So the light is best in the morning.
- From the port = 10 min drive
- From Ponta da Calheta = 10 min drive
- 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
6. Climb to the Pico de Ana Ferreira cave
Above the basalt organ are caves in the Pico de Ana Ferreira mountain. They offer an ideal setting for capturing the island’s beauty.
The best known is on the north side, with a magnificent view of the whole northern part of the island: the peaks, the beach and the golf course at the foot of the mountain.
Access and useful tips:
- In the heart of the island in the southern part
- There is no signposted path, so you have to climb around the organ and above it.
- The hole faces north.
- From the port = 10 min drive
- From Ponta da Calheta = 10 min drive
- See more photosSee more photos
7. Kayak tour
Depuis Ponta Calheta, découvrez la côte et les grottes en Kayak.
An unforgettable experience with two destination options:
– as close as possible to the volcanic cliffs of Zimbralinho beach,
– to Cal Island, a wild and protected islet.
Access and useful tips:
- Departure from the beach at Ponta da Calheta
- All levels accepted
- Duration: 1h30
- From the port = 15 min drive
- See program and availability – and book!
8. Discover Praia Zimbralinho
If you love clear waters and secluded coves, we recommend a detour to Praia Zimbralinho. It really is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Madeira archipelago.
It’s a cove at the foot of colorful cliffs, with a hidden beach and clear water.
In the photo above, you can see just how transparent the water is and how visible the rocks are! The area is also ideal for snorkeling and observing underwater fauna.
Access and useful tips:
- On the south-west coast
- The end of the road is a bumpy track (200m)
- Beware of falling rocks on the way down to the beach.
- From the port = 15 min drive
- From Ponta da Calheta = 10 min drive
9. Miradouro das Flores
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.
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.
Access and useful tips:
- South coast of Porto Santo
- Easy access
- Giant swing
- Unsurfaced but easy parking
- From the port = 15 min drive
- From Ponta da Calheta = 7 min drive
- See more photos
10. Vereda Pico Brando and Terra Cha hikes (PS PR1)
Porto Santo’s most popular hike is Terra Chã.
It takes you around Pico Branco with views that combine the sea, rocks of different colors and a bit of greenery!
This is a medium-difficulty hike with a positive vertical drop of 382m.
Access and useful tips:
- Departure from road ER111
- North of the island
- 5 km loop
- From the port = 15 min drive
- From Ponta da Calheta = 20 min drive
11. Admire the geology at 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 and sediment formations.
And at low tide, natural pools appear to the north.
Access and useful tips:
- East coast of Porto Santo
- A short detour from the ER233 road
- Bring good shoes to explore
- From the port = 12 min drive
- From Ponta da Calheta = 20 min drive
If you like snorkeling, you’ll find some great species here. See for a guided tour: program and availability
12. Climb Pico Castelo
Pico Castelo is yet another viewpoint on the island.
In our opinion, the view is less spectacular than at other places, but the interest of the site is historical. There’s a cannon and traces of a fortress built in the 16th century. It was used to defend the inhabitants against pirates.
It’s also one of the few places with trees. Schiappa de Azevedo’s bust pays tribute to those who planted them.
Access and useful tips:
- North of the island
- Accessible by car via a tarmac road
- Or take a hike, departing from Camacha
- From the port = 11 min drive
- From Ponta da Calheta = 16 min drive
13. Strolling through the center of Vila Baleira
Porto Santo’s main town is Vila Baleira. It’s not very big, but the town center has a lot of charm.
The architecture is typical of the Madeira archipelago: white walls, brown stone outlines and orange roofs.
Appreciate the mosaic floors in the city.
And discover the azulejos (earthenware tiles) at the bottom of the church walls: Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Piedade.
Access and useful tips:
- On the south coast, not far from the port
- From the port = 3 min drive
- From Ponta da Calheta = 10 min drive
14. Visit Casa de Cristovao Colombo
Learn more about the island’s history at the Casa Colombo museum.
The building was probably the home of navigator Christopher Columbus when he passed through Porto Santo (hence the museum’s name).
The various rooms in the museum allow you to discover..:
- The life of Christopher Columbus and his visits to Porto Santo
- The story of Portuguese maritime expansion
- Pirate attacks in the 16th century
- The island’s history linked to the Dutch colonial empire
- …
Access and useful tips:
- In the town of Vila Baleira
- Not far from the church
- From the port = 3 min drive
- From Ponta da Calheta = 10 min drive
- Read more
15. Eat an ice cream
On the island of Porto Santo, you’ll also find a place famous for its ice cream: Lambecas.
If you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss this island institution, even if the queue can be a little long.
In this small boutique, you’ll find classic fragrances as well as more exotic ones. Ice creams are served in cookie cones or cardboard cups.
Access and useful tips:
- In the town of Vila Baleira
- Not far from the church
- From the port = 3 min drive
- From Ponta da Calheta = 10 min drive
Other activities in Porto Santo
More hiking
The hikes aren’t as impressive as those on Madeira (as the peaks are much lower), but if you like to get out and about, you still have a few options:
- Pico de Baixo
- Pico de Maçarico
- Pico do Concelho
- …
Visit Casa da Serra
If you want to add a more cultural experience to Porto Santo, you can visit Casa de Serra (on the road to Porto de Frades).
It’s a small private museum, so it’s not always open.
But if you do, you’ll be able to see how people lived in previous centuries: tools for cooking, for farming…
You can also taste and buy local liqueurs.
See opening hours on their Facebook page.
Quinta Das Palmeiras Mini-Zoo Botânico – things to do in Porto Santo with children
If you’re visiting with children or need to see some greenery, the little oasis Quinta Das Palmeiras is a small zoo and botanical garden.
It’s a lovely place to stroll, with peacocks, swans, fish ponds, palm trees and lots of beautiful trees.
Open from 10am to 5pm – see Facebook page.
Learn more in our article.
Frequently asked questions
Is Porto Santo worth a visit?
Yes, especially 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 beautiful sandy beach and rock formations.
Find out more in our article on why to visit Porto Santo.
How long does it take to visit Porto Santo?
In just one day, you can already see the island’s must-see sights. But to take the time to explore, we recommend 3 days.
Things to do in Porto Santo in 1 day
If you only have one day on the island, we recommend it:
- Mirador de Portela and the windmills
- If you’re there at low tide, the natural pools of Salemas
- Exploring the dunes
- Basalt organ and cave of Pico Ana Ferreira
- Miradouro das Flores
- A walk on the beach
See our article on planning a day trip.
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
