Meet Porto Santo
English     Português

Meet Porto Santo



The island of Porto Santo is part of the group of islands that form the Madeira Archipelago and is well worth a visit.

It is a dreamy island with a 9km stretch of white sandy fringed by the crystal-clear and quiet waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

In addition to its fantastic beach and pleasant climate, the island has a variety of high-quality hotels and water sports options, a huge golf course, Walking trails crisscross the island’s dry, arid landscape and make up for nice walks.

We offer you information on history and culture as well as tips and suggestions on gastronomy, events, entertainment possibilities, tides chart, videos and webcams. It is an alternative guide that takes you through the island’s most attractive and traditional points of interest for an unforgettable trip.



Upcoming events in Porto Santo

In Porto Santo island, there is always something to see and do thanks to the wide variety of activities.

The Feast of St. John, the Porto Santo Nature Trail, and the Columbus Festival are just a few of the activities that Porto Santo Island hosts throughout the year.


Porto Santo Island

Porto Santo is the second oldest island in the Madeira Archipelago, with an area of approximately 42 square meters, and is the smallest municipality in Madeira.

Formed in the Miocene period 14 million years ago, Porto Santo has various geological environments of volcanic and sedimentary origin, which have developed in stages over time.

The volcanism of the base complex is essentially submarine and presents basic and intermediate characteristics, where lava flows and intrusions of basalts and trachytes occurred. The volcanic activity of this island ceased 8 million years ago.

The geological formations that frame the landscape in the Northeast and Southwest Zones present a magnificent geodiversity of great scientific, educational, cultural interest and equally attractive from a touristic point of view. On the other hand, the central western area of the island has a flattened topography and a south-facing slope, and is covered by eolian sandy-calcareous deposits of a golden colour. These deposits formed various dune fields which, through the action of the rains and strong winds, eventually fed the formation of the beach.



Explore Porto Santo

Explore the beauty of Porto Santo beyond its beaches. On a cloudy day, take the chance to discover stunning landscapes and enjoy peaceful walking paths.

The island is full of hidden gems waiting to be explored! Porto Santo is much more than just the beach.

PS PR1 - Vereda do Pico Branco e Terra Chã
PS PR1 - Vereda do Pico Branco e Terra Chã

Start: E.R. 111 Finish: Terra Chã Time: 1h30m Distance: 2.7 km (+ 2.7 km for the return) This trail starts at Regional Road E.R. 111 and follows the route to the top of Pico Branco, where you will encounter a large prismatic geological formation known as Rocha Quebrada or Broken Rock. The trail ascends steeply along a heather fence and ends at a rock fissure called Crista do Cabeço. From there, the footpath continues through a landscape dominated by cupressus trees (Cupressus macrocarpa)...

PS PR2 - Vereda do Pico Castelo
PS PR2 - Vereda do Pico Castelo

Start: Moledo Finish: Canhão Belvedere Time: 1h30m / 2h15m Distance: 3.2 km / 4.6 km This trail begins at Moledo, next to the Regional Highway, and continues up the forestry road. There are two alternate routes to follow, one along the north side and the other along the south side of Pico do Facho. The south route is the longest footpath on Porto Santo Island. As we cross the central zone of the island at the base of Pico do Facho, we can see traces of old farmlands and the impressive cut...

PS PR3 - Levada do Pico Castelo (Camacha - Ribeiro Formoso - Capela da Graça)
PS PR3 - Levada do Pico Castelo (Camacha - Ribeiro Formoso - Capela da Graça)

Start: Camacha Finish: Capela da Graça Distance: 4.1 km Time: 1h30 Altitude min/max: 210 m / 80 m The trail begins at Regional Road 120 and follows the foothills of Pico do Castelo, circling its southern slope, alongside the Levada do Pico do Castelo until reaching Ribeiro Formoso. It also provides access to the Capela de Nossa Senhora da Graça (Chapel of Our Lady of Grace), which dates back to the 1930s. The construction of the Levada do Pico do Castelo started in the first half of the 20th...



Beaches

Porto Santo's beaches offer something special for everyone.

The crystal-clear, calm waters are perfect for swimming and water sports, offering both tranquility and adventure.

Porto das Salemas
Porto das Salemas

Salemas Beach is located in the Porto das Salemas area in a small and wonderful cove, a place of great beauty where small natural pools are formed, worth a visit.

Praia da Calheta
Praia da Calheta

Calheta Beach is located on the southeast of Porto Santo, it is where the long beach ends and thus it is more rocky. From this beach one can enjoy the view over the Islet of Cal. From this beach you can enjoy a beautiful landscape over the Ilhéu da Cal and on days with good visibility you can see Madeira Island form afar. Calheta Beach also boasts therapeutic sands and the warm waters offer ideal conditions for swimmers and sunbathers. Due to its location this beach is more private. Here...

Praia da Fontinha
Praia da Fontinha

Fontinha Beach is 720 m long, beginning at the Old Quay and ending about 200 metres West of the Torre Praia hotel, bordering the Pedras Pretas beach. This is the most popular beach for locals and visitors, who are captivated by the hours of sunshine and surrounding beauty. Fontinha Beach has peculiar natural conditions. The fine sand is known for its therapeutic properties, scientifically proven, and is recommended as a treatment for rheumatic and orthopaedic problems. This beach was awarded...