Porto Santo
Madeira

Regions of Portugal

Autonomous Region of Madeira

Golden Island: Tourism and Gastronomy

The Island of Porto Santo, nicknamed by the Madeirans Golden Island, in the Madeira Archipelago, it is located 68 km northeast of Funchal, the capital of the archipelago.
Porto Santo, like Funchal, it is a paradise for holidays and sports (golf, surfing), tours and weekends for visitors from all over the world.




The Porto Santo Airport connects the island to the mainland, with flights lasting 1h5. Is option to consider for those who want to go directly to the island to sunbathe or practice their sport favorite. Prices are identical to prices for Funchal: from 20-30 €.

A bit of history

"In 1418, the Portuguese navigators, João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira arrived at Island of Porto Santo, first of the Portuguese overseas discoveries.

Having been blown away by strong winds from their west coast exploration route Africa, the Island of Porto Santo gave them a safe haven, thus earning their name.

In 1446, Infante Dom Henrique appointed Bartolomeu Perestrelo governor of the island, giving him reasons to become famous: the perestrelo's daughter came to marry Christopher Columbus, who spent some time here on this Island preparing the great voyage of the Discovery of America.

Nowadays it is possible to visit the house from the 15th century that Christopher Columbus would have lived in. Located in Vila Baleira, it displays portraits of Columbus and also maps with the different routes covered by him" [Visit Portugal].

Visit Porto Santo

With just over 5,000 inhabitants, the Porto Santo Island and its headquarters, the small town Vila Baleira surprise visitors with their beautiful beaches, with fine sand and white, turquoise blue sea, a find for lovers of water sports and good waves for surfing.

Find out more: Sports in Porto Santo

Fans of selective golf are also well catered for: the golf course of Porto Santo is one of the best in Europe.
See: Golf in Porto Santo

Ferry boat from Funchal to Porto Santo

A comfortable and quick option for transfers between the two islands is done through the service ferry-boats between Funchal and Vila Baleira, the headquarters of the Island of Porto Santo, from the company Porto Santo Line.

The one-way ticket costs from 36 €
More information: www.portosantoline.pt

What to see in Porto Santo

The island's main attraction is its beautiful Porto Santo beach, with 9 km of fine white sand, beyond a turquoise sea.

In addition, the island was declared Bisphere World Reserve by Unesco in 2020.

Porto Santo tourist attractions

The Island of Porto Santo has its economy based essentially on tourism. Beaches, sports, tours, gastronomy and lots of fun guaranteed when you stay in Porto Santo.

The main tourist attractions of Porto Santo:

• Beaches, with emphasis on Praia do Porto Santo

• Christopher Columbus House Museum: the house where Christopher Columbus spent some time

• Stroll in the Historical Center of Vila Baleira, Porto Santo

• Thalassotherapy Center of Porto Santo

• Golf at Porto Santo Golf Club in Vila Baleira

Find out more: Porto Santo tourist attractions

What to do in Porto Santo

In addition to water sports, other sports are practiced on the island of Porto Santo, highlighting the local golf course.


Autonomous Region of Portugal, the Madeira Archipelago, located 972 km of the European continent, is one of the preferred destinations for holidays, sports (golf, surfing), tours and weekends from visitors from all over the world. The archipelago has a total area of almost 743 km², but the most visited part is the Island from Madeira itself.

Porto Santo Beach

The beautiful Porto Santo Beach, in the city of Vila Baleira, with its 9 km of fine white sand, in addition to the turquoise blue sea, is without a doubt the biggest attraction on the island.

Find out more: Porto Santo Beach

Porto Santo differs in almost everything from its more imposing neighbor, Madeira Island. In Porto Santo the terrain is much flatter and of a hotter, more desert type, in contrast to the exuberance of Madeira Island's vegetation.


This was the first overseas island to be colonized by the Portuguese.
Currently, Porto Santo's economy is completely focused on tourism, including seasonality of this activity.

Where to stay in Porto Santo

Good category hotels for all profiles are available in Porto Santo, as well as as a temporary rental or directly with the inhabitants

Find out more: Where to stay in Porto Santo

Where to eat in Porto Santo

Follow our suggestions to discover Madeira's traditional cuisine, such as the well-known Espetada or, if you prefer, European and international cuisine.

Find out more: Where to eat in Porto Santo, Madeira

Tourist attractions

Among other tourist attractions, visitors cannot fail to visit the Cristóvão Colombo House Museum, which dates from the 15th century.

Find out more: Porto Santo tourist attractions

Night in Porto Santo

There are good options for fun nights out in Vila Baleira: cafes, bars, restaurants to spend Memorable moments with your friends.


Find out more: Vila Baleira by Night

Holidays in Porto Santo

In a beautiful bay on the south coast lies the city of Funchal, the capital of the archipelago. Of indisputable beauty and pleasant climate of the Atlantic, Funchal is the gateway to the discovery of these paradise islands.

Madeira Wine

One of the best known wines in the world, Madeira Wine is the great ambassador of this region of Portugal.

Gastronomy

Lovers of good food will have many opportunities to taste the typical snacks and specialties of the varied and traditional cuisine of Madeira.

Find out more: Madeira Cuisine

Some distances

Madeira Island is located about 685 km from the coast of Africa (closer to Morocco), 973 km from Lisbon, 520 km from the island of Gran Canaria, and 891 km from the island of Santa Maria, the closest to the Azores archipelago.

Nice weather

Temperatures in Madeira hover around 20°C most of the year. Including the water temperature sea is 26°C in summer (17°C in winter).