Porto Santo: Madeira’s golden beach island

Porto Santo is Madeira’s small, dry, sunny neighbour, 45 km to the north-east. Where Madeira is green, steep and rocky, Porto Santo is flat, golden and laid back, with one of the finest beaches in Portugal.

The beach

A beach of fine golden sand runs for about nine kilometres along the south coast, with clear, calm water. The sand is said to have healing properties, and some people bury themselves in it for aches and pains. Parts of the beach are busy in summer around Vila Baleira; walk a little and you will find space.

When to go

• June to September: beach season, warmest sea, busiest in August, when many Madeirans come over.
• Spring and autumn: quiet, mild and good for walking and cycling.
• Winter: very peaceful, many places close, and the ferry has fewer sailings.

Day trip or longer?

A day trip by ferry gives you about six to eight hours on the island. Two or three nights let you enjoy quiet mornings and evenings on the beach. See getting to Porto Santo.

Beyond the beach

• Vila Baleira, the small capital, with its church square and palm trees.
• Casa Colombo, the museum in the house where Christopher Columbus is said to have lived. He married the daughter of the island’s first governor.
• Viewpoints: Portela with its windmills, Pico do Castelo and Pico do Facho.
• Ponta da Calheta at the western end of the beach, with rocks and islets offshore.
• Diving: a sunken navy ship off the south coast has become an artificial reef.
• Golf on the island’s championship course.
• The Columbus Festival in September. See the festivals calendar.

Getting around

The island is small and flat. Rent a car, a scooter or a bicycle, use the local buses, or take a taxi tour. Many hotels are on or near the beach.