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Holiday in Porto Santo 

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A coastal paradise in the land of explorers

 

Portugal has earned its name as the garden of Europe. Thanks to the warm Gulf Stream, the exotic plants once brought back by explorers from the four corners of the world have now become indigenous to the entire Atlantic coast. Beyond its mild climate and varied plant life, Portugal is famous for its history, its sailors and explorers, who have endowed this wonderful country with the finest historical treasures.

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The golden island in the middle of the Atlantic

 

Porto Santo is a small Portuguese island in the Atlantic Ocean with a surface area of just 42 square metres. It is part of the Madeira archipelago and is located about 40 kilometres north-east of the main island of the same name. Porto Santo enjoys a subtropical climate, with mild temperatures throughout the year. It is also home to more arid landscapes, where a mountainous area in the north contrasts with a beautiful coastline in the south. The nine-kilometre-long beach has golden sand and calm, crystal-clear waters, which is what the island is famous for. Porto Santo is an ideal destination for those looking to recharge their batteries and enjoy a change of scenery. However, lovers of more active holiday will not be disappointed, as golf, hiking and water sports are just some of the things you can try out during your stay here.


First deals are available:


Hotel areas

33.0603333, -16.3338703

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Vila Baleira

 

The charming capital of Porto Santo Island, Vila Baleira, is a coastal town with a peaceful and authentic atmosphere, bordered by a beautiful golden sandy beach. Despite its small size, it has a number of points of interest – Casa de Cristóvão Colombo, the former home of Christopher Columbus, now a museum, and the 17th-century church of Igerja de Nossa Senhora da Piedade are well worth a visit. You can also visit one of the restaurants to sample the local specialities. Distance from the airport: 2 km.


Must-do & Must-see - our suggestions

 

Must-do

  • The spectacularly beautiful Porto Santo boasts a range of outdoor sports activities and will delight lovers of nature too, as it’s an ideal destination for hiking. The hike to Pico do Castelo, a peak with a beautiful panoramic view of the island, is particularly recommended. You can also explore by bike, and make use of the 4.5 kilometres of cycle paths along the coast. Meanwhile, golf enthusiasts can work on their swing at the Porto Santo Golf Club, an 18-hole course with sea views!
  • The island is also highly recommended for water sports, starting with diving. The crystal-clear waters of the Atlantic, the rich marine biodiversity and the shipwrecks in the surrounding area are just waiting to be explored! You can also take a boat trip to see whales and other cetaceans in their natural habitat.

 

Must-see

  • The first time you visit Porto Santo beach, you'll understand why it's nicknamed the ‘Golden Island’! The golden sand stretches for almost nine kilometres, inviting you to relax, swim or enjoy some water sports. It's the only golden sandy beach in the Madeira archipelago, and the sand even has therapeutic properties... Sand therapy, the practice of using warm sand to relieve rheumatism and other pains, might be just what you’re looking for.
  • For culture and history buffs, there’s the Casa Colombo Museum. This building was said to be the home of the famous navigator Christopher Columbus, who visited the island several times on his voyages to America.

Excursions

 

Excursions will allow you to discover your destination from all perspectives. LuxairTours offers a range of selected tours that will allow you to discover unmissable places, paradisiacal beaches, typical dishes, ... LuxairTours organises a range of quality excursions for you.

  • Duration: 2 hours
    Every day (at 10:00 and 14:30)
    English-speaking guide

     

    Itinerary: Departing from the port of Porto Santo, you will first visit the uninhabited islets of Cima and Cal (Ilhéu de Cima and Ilhéu da Cal) located off the coast of Porto Santo. You will then continue to Zimbralinho Beach (Praia do Zimbralinho), a small beach bordered by steep cliffs located at the southernmost point of Porto Santo. A snorkelling stop is also planned (snorkelling equipment is provided).

  • Every day (at 10:00, 14:30, 16:30 and 19:30 - sunset tour available in July and August)
    English-speaking guide
    Driving licence required

     

    Buggy tours are a great way to connect with nature in its purest form and try out a unique experience. Get your fill of thrills as you navigate a range of trails and overcome exciting obstacles, with the breathtaking landscapes of Porto Santo as your backdrop! These expeditions guarantee unforgettable moments, whether you're looking for an adrenaline rush or just a different way to admire the scenery.

  • Duration: 3 hours
    Thursday (at 2.30pm)
    English-speaking guide
    Minimum 6 people (small groups on request)

     

    Itinerary: You will be picked up at your hotel and taken to the city. The tour begins along the pier, where small and medium-sized boats are moored. You will then see the Padrão dos Descobrimentos monument, which pays tribute to the Portuguese Age of Discovery, before heading to the main church (Igreja da Nossa Senhora da Piedade). Then, there will be a visit to the museum of the famous navigator Christopher Columbus and that of Jorge Brum do Canto, a Portuguese filmmaker. The excursion ends with a tasting of typical island snacks, including one drink per person.

  • Duration: approximately 24 hours
    Thursday (at 7pm)

     

    Itinerary: From the port of Porto Santo, you will take the ferry at the end of the day to Madeira, the neighbouring island. Once there, you will enjoy an overnight stay with breakfast and a whole day to explore Funchal and its surroundings at your own pace. You can stroll through the charming streets of the capital, visit the gardens or sample the local cuisine. This is the ideal getaway to discover the best of Madeira!
    Included: transfer from your hotel to the port of Porto Santo, ferry crossing to Madeira, transfer from the port to your hotel in Madeira, one night's accommodation in a hotel in Funchal with breakfast included, and return journey.

  • Duration: 3 hours
    Wednesday (at 3pm) and Friday (at 10am)
    English, French and German speaking guide

     

    Itinerary: After departing from your hotel, you will head towards the south-west of the island, where you will make your first stop at Calheta to visit the small natural harbour. On clear days, you may also catch a glimpse of Madeira. You will continue to the golf course, then on to the villages of Campo de Baixo and Campo de Cima. In Lombas, you will stop at the Moinho das Lombas viewpoint to cool off, discover how traditional windmills work and relax on the beach. The tour continues to Tanque, Dragoal and the 437-metre tall Pico de Castelo. It was a refuge for the population when the island was attacked by pirates and privateers, and offers beautiful views of the town and the island. Next, you will descend to Camacha to visit the Cardina Ethnographic Museum and taste some local wines. The museum has an octagonal shape – the same shape as the windmills – and exhibits handcrafted tools and a few models of fountains that the owner designed to scale, preserving the heritage of Porto Santo. Finally, you will head to Serra de Dentro and Serra de Fora to the Portela viewpoint, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the west of the island and the windmills.

  • Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
    Every day at 10am and 3pm
    English, French and German speaking guide

     

    Itinerary: The tour will depart from the hotel and head south-west, stopping first at the Flores viewpoint. Here, you can enjoy beautiful views of the eastern landscapes of the island and, weather permitting, Madeira. You will then head west, stopping at the Morenos viewpoint, where you can see a network of volcanic caves. Next, you will stop at Pico da Ana Ferreira to discover a rare volcanic site with a prismatic shape and almost perfect columns. You will then pass through Campo de Baixo and Campo de Cima before stopping at Quinta das Palmeiras for refreshments and the chance to admire the exotic birds and botanical garden.
    The tour continues north, passing through Fonte da Areira, a ‘mini-desert’, and Serra de Dentro. You will also visit Casa da Serra, a house-museum that bears witness to life in the past, gives an insight into the island's historic industries and sells a wide variety of homemade products. You can try Porto Santo wine and typical biscuits, before heading back to Serra de Fora and the Portela viewpoint, which has spectacular views of the west of the island and the old windmills.

  • Duration: 3 hours
    Tuesday at 9:30am
    English and French-speaking guide
    Minimum 6 people (small groups on request)
    Recommended equipment: walking shoes and water
    Distance: 5 km

     

    Itinerary: You will be picked up at your hotel and taken to Pico Castelo, which is 437 metres above sea level. The ascent is via a path largely made of basalt stones and steps.
    During the hike, you will be able to see some native plants such as dragon trees, heather, juniper, as well as other plants recently introduced to the island. This is the only green mountain on the island – its reforestation began in 1912 with the planting of Aleppo pines, Lebanese cedars and other species. You can also observe the local birds that come here to nest. From the top of this peak, you can see the stark relief of the island’s topography and its two volcanic formations at each end, separated by the lower plain.
    You will descend to the trail that skirts the island's highest peak, Pico do Facho, which is 517 metres above sea level. This altitude is ideal for enjoying a beautiful 360-degree panoramic view of the island. It was once an observation post during the island’s darker times, when pirates plundered the archipelago. Whenever a pirate ship approached, a huge fire, visible from Ponta de São Lourenço, the eastern tip of Madeira Island, was lit. Successive fires were lit on the peaks, giving the inhabitants of Madeira a few hours to prepare for pirate attacks.

  • Thursday at 8:00pm

     

    This traditional dinner is an opportunity to discover local traditions and flavours. You will first be welcomed with a glass of poncha, followed by bolo do caco (wheat bread) with garlic butter and a trio of escabèches (marinated fish) made with tuna, gaiado (bonito) and squid.
    For the main course, you can enjoy carne de vinha d'alhos (a dish made with meat, wine and garlic), regional espetada (meat skewers) and tuna in vilhão sauce (a sauce made with white wine and vinegar), served with the typical accompaniments of fried potatoes, fried cornmeal and fresh salad.
    The meal ends on a sweet note with a passion fruit pudding, accompanied with a glass of Madeira wine.

  • Duration: 2 hours
    Every day at 9:30am, 2:00pm, 5:00pm
    English-speaking guide

     

    Enjoy a peaceful and environmentally friendly experience on board this boat, thanks to its almost completely silent operation. It does not emit any air pollutants and does not contaminate the water with oil or fuel, making it an eco-conscious choice of excursion. It has a glass observation deck built into the bottom of the boat, so you can watch the underwater world go by in a unique and immersive way, without getting wet. It’s the perfect blend of entertainment and education, allowing you to appreciate the beauty of the marine ecosystem without disturbing it.
    The boat trip starts at the island's marina and heads to Ilhéu de Cima, where there is a 30-minute stop to observe the marine wildlife. Here, you will have the chance to swim and snorkel, whilst Madeira wine, fruit juices, water and traditional Porto Santo biscuits are served on board. The trip continues on to a shipwreck, where you can also see some interesting marine life, before returning to the marina.

  • Duration: 3 hours
    Friday at 9:30am
    English and French speaking guide
    Minimum 6 people (small groups on request)
    Recommended equipment: walking shoes and water
    Distance: 5.5 km

     

    Itinerary: You will be picked up at your hotel and taken to the starting point of the hike on the E.R. 111 regional road. On the way to the top of Pico Branco, you will encounter a huge prismatic formation through which the trail has been carved. It also crosses a unique, 460 metre-high rock formation. The summit is covered with cypress trees and is home to most of the native plant species of the island of Porto Santo. This area is also part of the Natura 2000 network.
    The steepest part of the hike is along a palisade, reminiscent of some hikes in Madeira, and ends at a rock fissure at Cabeço do Caranguejo. The trail continues through a landscape dominated by cypress trees (Cupressus macrocarpa) until it reaches a fork leading to Terra Chã on the right and Pico Branco, or ‘White Peak’, the second highest peak in Porto Santo, on the left. It takes its name from a white rock column where a large quantity of orseilla (Urzela) – a plant used in Porto Santo for the manufacture of dyes and other special products – once grew. Two remarkable species of seabirds can also be observed here, namely the Cory's shearwater (Calonectris diomedea borealis) and the common tern (Sterna hirundo). This trail was also built to allow mules to pass through when the inhabitants of Terra Chã used to grow barley.

  • Duration: 2.5 hours
    Every day at 10:00am and 2:30pm
    English-speaking guide

     

    Itinerary: This excursion includes a walking tour of Farol Island (Ilhéu Farol, an uninhabited island off the coast of Madeira). You will also have the opportunity to go snorkelling (equipment provided), and enjoy a tasting of regional products.

For more information and bookings, please contact your LuxairTours guide on site.