You only have1 day to visit Porto Santo? Whether you prefer to explore the sights, go hiking or enjoy a water activity, you’ll love this experience!
We took the ferry from Funchal to this small island in the Madeira archipelago. In our article, discover 4 options for day trips to Porto Santo! See also our useful tips and photos.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
Can you visit Porto Santo in 1 day from Funchal?
Absolutely! From Funchal, take a ferry to Porto Santo. The journey takes an average of 2h30. As we left the port, we passed an impressive cruise ship! Leaving at daybreak, we took some superb photos of the coastline and ocean along the way.
Once there, you’re free to organize your day as you wish, or follow 1 of our itineraries listed below. Allow around 7 hours in Porto Santo before catching your return ferry at the end of the day.
Book your return ferry ticket here!
Alternatively, opt for a guided day trip with full pick-up from your hotel in Funchal. – See prices, photos and availability.
You’ll discover the island’s best sights and attractions without having to plan your own trip! Transfers, ferry rides and island transportation included.
How do you get around Porto Santo to explore the island?
We strongly recommend renting a car to visit Porto Santo. You’ll cover more places with a vehicle, and have greater flexibility. The best viewpoints are difficult to reach on foot. See our article on how to get around the island for more details.
Have you decided to take a car? In this article, discover our 4 day itinerary options for very different experiences!
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.
Map of Porto Santo’s main tourist attractions
Use our map of Porto Santo’s main tourist attractions to plan your tailor-made itinerary:
Option 1 – See as much as possible in just 1 day
Do you have just one day to visit Porto Santo but want to explore as many sights as possible? Discover our detailed itinerary recommendation to see the best of the island!
First step: take the 8am ferry from the Port of Funchal – See prices, photos and availability.
Be sure to arrive 30 minutes before the boat’s departure to check in quietly and choose a good seat. We settled into an outdoor seat to enjoy the sun and ocean views during the 2.5-hour journey. Arriving in Porto Santo at 10.30am, we had booked a rental car. She was waiting for us when we got off the ferry, which was very helpful and practical. We set off straight away to explore the island!
With a day trip by ferry, you’ll have around 7 hours of free time on site. In our opinion, these are the must-do activities on the island in 1 day:
- Miradouro da Portela and windmills: we were charmed by this magnificent vantage point overlooking Porto Santo beach, the port and the Atlantic Ocean. Opposite the parking lot, you’ll see the island’s 3 remaining traditional windmills. They’re quite emblematic!
- Salemas natural pools: one of our favorite spots in Porto Santo! These small emerald-colored natural pools are fascinating and photogenic.
- Porto Santo Dunes This surprising mini-desert just a stone’s throw from the ocean really appealed to us! It combines fine sand, fossilized parts and views of hills and sea.
- Basalt organ and cave of Pico Ana Ferreira: this impressive wall of prismatic basalt columns fascinated us! When you’re standing at the bottom, you feel very small. The view of the island from the grotto is also spectacular!
For more information on Pico de Ana Ferreira, opt for a self-guided tour – see photos, photos and availability.
- Miradouro das Flores From the Miradouro das Flores, you can enjoy a 360° view of Ilheu da Cal, the northeast coast with the island’s various peaks and the 9km-long beach.
- Porto Santo Beach: as you step off the ferry, you’ll be immediately struck by the long, golden sandy beach that stretches along the south-east coast between the port and Ponta da Calheta!
If you’d like to personalize your day even further, take a look at our article on the best things to do in Porto Santo.
For lunch, we highly recommend the Restaurant Teodorico, where we sampled Portuguese specialties. The quality of the food and the natural setting won us over!
For more inspiration, we’ve put together a full article on the best restaurants on the island.
After an exciting day full of wonderful discoveries, it’s off to the port to catch the return ferry! Allow 45 minutes to return your rental car and check in at the boat. Departure from Porto Santo is at 6pm, and you’ll disembark around 8:30pm in Funchal.
On the way, we watched the island gradually disappear over the horizon. Arriving off the coast of Madeira’s capital, the sunset offered a superb show to end this interlude in style!
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.
Option 2 – 1 day in Porto Santo: hiking
If you’ve come to Madeira with hiking in mind, you’ll love discovering Porto Santo this way! The island is home to numerous hiking trails. Once again, we advise you to bring your own vehicle, as it’s difficult to reach the trailheads without a car.
We particularly recommend the PR1 Pico Branco and Terra Chã hikes. We fell in love with this tour, which offers breathtaking 360° panoramic views of the island!
To learn more about Porto Santo’s history during your hike, opt for a guided tour:
- Discover Miradouro de Terra Chã – See prices, photos and availability.
- Climbing Pico do Facho, the island’s highest peak – See prices, photos and availability.
- Explore the Pico de Ana Ferreira geological site – see prices, photos and availability.
Pick-up included. For an even more authentic experience, the guide is usually a local.
After an invigorating hike, head for Porto Santo Beach to enjoy its unique ocean views and the island’s sunny climate. If you’re still brave enough, you can walk along part of the long stretch of sand, which is 9km long after all!
Otherwise, take the opportunity to swim and bask in the sun!
OUR GUIDE TO PLANNING A Dream trip
- 7 maps that make planning easier
- + 120 pre-selected locations
- Practical advice
- + 260 photos to help you choose
Option 3 – 1 day of outdoor activities
If you’re more interested in outdoor activities, we suggest you try kayaking, snorkeling or the pirate-themed guided tour. Choose the morning slot to make sure you don’t miss your return ferry. Some activities may exceed the time indicated.
- For the kayak trip, you can choose between 2 destinations: Praia Zimbralinho or Ilheu da Cal. In both cases, you’ll discover the island’s magnificent coastal landscapes and spectacular rock formations. – See prices, photos and availability.
Kayaking and snorkeling are weather-dependent. Cancellations are therefore possible, particularly in the event of large waves.
- Curious about Porto Santo’s seabed? On our snorkeling trip, we were lucky enough to see many fish and starfish. We even spotted a rather shy squid taking refuge in an underwater rock cavity. He didn’t come out of his hole for us – See prices, photos and availability.
- Are you a fan of pirate stories? We recommend a guided tour following in the footsteps of the region’s privateers, to discover the island in a whole new light! As you explore Porto Santo’s most beautiful spots, you’ll learn more about its rich past. – See prices, photos and availability.
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Option 4 – 1 day of relaxation on the beach
Unlike Madeira, which is better known for its rocky beaches, Porto Santo Island is renowned for its incredible golden sand beach, which stretches for 9km!
With its turquoise waters, it offers an idyllic setting for relaxation and rejuvenation. It also enjoys a pleasant year-round climate, making it a destination of choice for sun and sea lovers. You can also enjoy a variety of water sports: from swimming to snorkeling!
We really enjoyed walking barefoot in the sand in front of this splendid landscape. The beach is lined with bars, restaurants and hotels. You’ll be able to make the most of your day without straying too far from amenities. Several sections of the beach are equipped with deckchairs and umbrellas for maximum comfort.
Hunger will certainly start to get the better of you after a morning of lounging on the warm sand. Choose the perfect beachside restaurant in our article on the best restaurants on the island!
After spending a dream day in Porto Santo, you might just want to stay! To enjoy a sublime sunrise on the island, take a look at our selection of the best hotels.
Our photo below was taken during our breakfast at the Hotel Torre Praia! Pretty impressive, isn’t it?
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
