Wide view of the long stretch of golden sand on Porto Santo island with fluffy clouds in the sky and mountains in the distance

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Holidays in Porto Santo

A holiday to Porto Santo means golden beaches, azure waters, dazzling sunsets and centuries of history. Part of Portugal’s Madeira Archipelago, the little island is a year-round destination for sunshine and relaxation.

The highlight of Porto Santo is its long sandy beach, which stretches about 9km (5.6 miles) from the island’s marina to its southern tip. Locals living on neighbouring Madeira often make the short hop to enjoy Porto Santo’s soft sands, a rarity in this archipelago of mostly rocky shores.

The island’s coastal waters have high levels of minerals, making them famous for their restorative properties. Similarly restorative is the calm you enjoy pootling around the island’s beautiful coves by kayak or paddleboard. You could even snorkel, dive or take a boat to watch dolphins and whales.

Back on shore, visitors will find the 18-hole Porto Santo Golf Course, a horse-friendly beach and hiking trails with spectacular views across the island and the Atlantic. This island beckons you to explore and rewards you when you do.

During your Porto Santo holiday, pay a visit to its little capital, Vila Baleira. If you time your trip carefully, you could even catch one of its traditional festivals, usually in the summer, rich with parades and music. Stop by Casa Colombo, said to have briefly been the home of Christopher Columbus. Now it’s a museum about the era of colonialism and Porto Santo’s history.

Your history lesson is sure to earn you a good appetite, so aim to try a typical meal of fried limpets with garlic butter and a glass of chilled local wine.

With hiking trails that allow you to see the island from every angle, an interesting history and annual summer festivities, you’ll have plenty to see and do on your holiday to Porto Santo.

Festas de São João

For several days in June, the locals celebrate and honour the island’s patron saint, São João (St John), with parades, live music and bonfires as part of the Festas de São João.

Locals decorate the altar of São João with sugarcane and poplar branches, and everyone dresses up for the parades depicting daily life scenes from the island’s past.

The summer is big for festivals, including the Festa das Vindimas, which celebrates the grape harvest at the end of August.

Pico do Castelo

Pico do Castelo has a fantastic panoramic view of Vila Baleira and the archipelago’s islets.

Follow the Pico do Castelo footpaths that wind around the island’s highest point, Pico do Facho, to really earn those views. One route is slightly shorter than the other, but both reach the summit where you’ll find the ruins of a 16th century fortress.

Tired legs? You can also drive to the top.

Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Piedade

In the centre of Vila Baleira, the white-washed Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Piedade is one of the island’s main historic sights. Built between 1430 and 1446, the church was burnt down by pirates and privateers many times, but it was fully reconstructed in 1667.

The wooden ceiling still has some elements of the original, and there are paintings by Martim Conrado and German artist Max Römer, who lived in neighbouring Madeira in the mid-20th century.

Casa Colombo

Just around the corner from the church is a traditional stone house that the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus probably lived in.

Inside, the Museum of Porto Santo details the life of Columbus – who moved to Porto Santo in 1478 as a sugar merchant – the European colonisation of the Americas and the history of Porto Santo.

Food and drink

As an island in the Atlantic Ocean, Porto Santo has stunning seafood dishes influenced by Portugal’s fabulous flavours. The island’s subtropical climate allows produce the rest of Europe struggles to grow, such as bananas, mangoes and papayas. As a result, the farmers markets are a real treat.

Dine on grilled beef espetada (skewers) and bolo do caco, a delicious bread soaked in garlic butter. Don’t forget to try the dried cod, fried small fish and fried limpets with lemon and butter.

A classic dish to try is cozido à madeirense, a meal of salted pork and vegetables often served with couscous. Polish off your meal with Madeiran fortified wine.

The main beach in Porto Santo is a 9km (5.6 miles) strip of golden sand, stretching from the marina to the southern tip. You can easily discover its best sections over a few long walks but make time to visit some other coves on the island too.

Praia da Fontinha

A wide sandy section of the main Porto Santo beach, Fontinha is a popular Blue Flag beach close to Vila Baleira and a convenient spot with lots of facilities for families.

Ponta da Calheta

At the southern end of Porto Santo’s long sandy strip, Calheta Beach looks out to dramatic rock formations in the Atlantic Ocean, which makes for stunning sunsets.

Porto das Salemas

On the north coast and only accessible on foot, Salemas Beach is superb at low tide when the rock pools appear. Swim in the clear natural pools or dangle your feet in from the edge with a picnic.

Praia do Zimbralinho

Praia do Zimbralinho is a tiny pebble beach at the foot of steep cliffs in the south. It’s incredibly scenic and is great for kayaking (both for reaching the bay and exploring the area).

Cotrim Beach

On the east coast in Porto dos Frades, Cotrim Beach is a quiet collection of sandy bays along a rugged coastline. Its calm water makes it an ideal spot for snorkelling.

Family holidays

The Porto Santo beach is a huge draw for families, with miles of space, uncommonly soft sand for this part of the world, and calm, clear bays for watersports. Some of the most popular beaches, like Fontinha, wave proud Blue Flags.

Aside from the beach, there are plenty more attractions for families. Visit the Quinta das Palmeiras mini zoo and botanical garden to see brightly coloured parrots and spot turtles in the palm-lined pond.

Many of Porto Santo’s hotels welcome families with open arms. The Pestana Porto Santo is right on the beach, with swimming pools, game rooms and sports facilities. Check out package holidays to Porto Santo for a great family-friendly deal.

Cheap holidays

While the island isn’t known for low hotel rates, it’s still possible to find a relatively cheap Porto Santo holiday. Travelling either side of the summer holiday season helps keep costs down, and you can also look at Porto Santo package holidays for a good-value deal.

Once you’re on the island, the good news is there are lots of free and inexpensive things to do. Spending your days on the beach costs virtually nothing, barring lunch and drinks.

The same can be said for hiking. Head to the Flores viewpoint overlooking the islets off the south coast, including Madeira on a clear day. Or trek up the highest peak on the island, Pico do Facho.

Couples’ holidays

It’s easy to spend quality time together in Porto Santo – even the main beach has quiet sections out of peak season. Around the rest of Porto Santo, there are secluded coves perfect for a romantic swim or just lounging together under the warm sun.

You might enjoy kayaking the turquoise waters off Praia do Zimbralinho or spending a morning in a sandy cove along the lesser-visited east coast. Explore inland on horseback or canter along the island’s wild beaches, and watch the sunset from the southern Ponta da Calheta, perhaps over a seafood dinner at Restaurante O Calhetas.

Do spend some time strolling the narrow lanes of Vila Baleira too, pausing for lunch and a glass of wine at one of the capital’s family-run restaurants.

Porto Santo is a year-round destination with typically warm and dry weather – even in winter, January and February have average highs of 17C. Travel before and after July and August for the best weather without the crowds.

When is the cheapest time to visit Porto Santo?

Travel out of season (any time either side of July and August) for a cheap Porto Santo holiday. It’s still beach weather during the shoulder seasons too, and September has an average high of 24C. You may be able to score a great deal in winter but be aware that many businesses close during the low season.

When should I go for the best weather?

The hottest months are July and August, with temperatures around 25C. Mid-September is a great time to visit for hot weather without the school holiday masses, though the island has mild to warm conditions throughout the whole year.

People want to know

FAQs

How do I get to Porto Santo?

There are 90-minute direct flights to Porto Santo from Lisbon or Porto. From Madeira, you can fly to Porto Santo in fifteen minutes or take a two-and-a-half-hour boat journey.