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First discovered back in 1418, by Portuguese seamen, this archipelago is formed by the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo as well as the uninhabited Selvagens (Wild) and Desertas (Deserted) Islands. The friendliness and hospitality of the population, the mild weather   throughout the year, the spectacular unspoilt landscapes and the richness and sheer variety of the natural, historical and cultural  resources are just some of the reasons why you should yourself discover this paradise. A golden isle, washed by turquoise seas and where peace and quiet reign supreme, is all you need for a truly relaxing holiday. The safety, the warm welcome from the local  people, the pleasures of nature on the beautiful sandy beach and its tranquil waters make Porto Santo first among equals. This Atlantic island boasts 9 km fine golden sands ideal for sunbathing and swimming. Health and wellness go hand in hand on this magnificent beach as, in addition to its crystalline waters, its sands have rare therapeutic properties. The sand is soft, fine and smooth and consists mainly of calcium carbonate in the form of calcite, which has special thermal qualities.

Vila Baleira can tell stories and legends of the distant and recent past, with the Museum House where Christopher Columbus once lived. The primitive beauty of the landscape enchants anyone walking the paths or cycling the island’s trails.The security, together with the friendliness of a welcoming people, the pleasures that nature has to offer, with the beautiful beaches of fine sand, and the sea of calm waters, make the island of Porto Santo a privileged location amongst other similar destinations.

Come and get to know an island where calm and tranquillity reign!

Surrounded by natural scenery ranging from kilometers of quiet beach to green peaks and a deep blue sea, this small island is ideal for escaping the stress of the daily grind. Enjoy the scientifically proven therapeutic benefits of Porto Santo’s sea and sand. They are rich in iodine, calcium and magnesium and can restore the lack of mineral salts in the body caused by stress and fatigue.

Be pampered in one of the many natural treatments at the archipelago’s only thalassotherapy centre. There are beauty treatments like facials and peeling, treatments for the prevention and relief of rheumatism, arthritis and bone and muscle problems and innovative techniques for combating the so-called diseases of modern life, like stress, breakdowns, fatigue, a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, smoking, circulatory problems, joint conditions, digestive disorders, post-natal recovery, etc.

No one can remain indifferent to the archipelago’s second largest island, so different from neighbouring Madeira, but just as attractive. Come to paradise: it’s so close!

Places of Interest & Activities 

Christopher Columbus Museum House

The Christopher Columbus Museum House, Porto Santo’s main cultural attraction, marks the discoverer’s presence on the island. The museum recreates the environment in which the explorer lived for a time.

Columbus’s house consists of two buildings, the older of which dates back to his time on the island. There we can see portraits of Columbus from the 16th to the 20th century and maps showing his different routes. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sundays and public holidays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., closed Mondays and public holidays. On summertime: From July to September from Tuesday to

Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12.30 a.m. and from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Closed Mondays and public holidays.

2 and 4, Travessa da Sacristia

9400-176 Porto Santo

Phone: (+351) 291 983 405; Fax: (+351) 291 983 840

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www.museucolombo-portosanto.com

Quinta das Palmeiras

This mini-zoo and botanical garden in Linhares on a hill in the central western part of the  island houses a vast number of birds and plants in an area of 5,380 m2 covered with  luxuriant vegetation.

Operating Opened daily from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Sitio dos Linhares

9400-020 Porto Santo

Phone: (+351) 291 983 625

www.quintadaspalmeirasportosanto.com

Handicraft Centre

This centre is in the town centre near the old quay and displays and sells handicrafts from the Madeira Islands. You can also watch craftsmen working here.

Centro de Artesanato Porto Santo

Av. Manuel Gregório Pestana Júnior

9400-171 Porto Santo

Nossa Senhora da Graça Chapel (Our Lady of Grace )

This chapel is one of the oldest churches built in Porto Santo before 1533. It was destroyed in 1812 and rebuilt in 1951. It is closely linked to the island’s history and it was here that many of the inhabitants took refuge from pirates.

Fort of San Jose

The old fort of San Jose is located in a high part of the city and consists of a row of 8 small iron cannons, which once served as a defense to the island. Its construction has undergone profound changes since the principles of the XVII century and from the XX century has become private property.

Mother Church

One of the main monuments in Porto Santo is the Mother Church also known as Nossa Senhora da Piedade in Largo do Pelourinho, in the middle of Porto Santo. It was burned down several times by pirates and corsairs. Today it houses lovely altars and paintings by Martim Conrado and Max Romer that leave no one untouched by their beauty.

Windmills

Porto Santo’s landscape is spotted with traditional windmills. As its relief is fairly low, the island is exposed to winds from all quadrants. The windmills were built here the grind flour to make bread. The first one was built in 1794 and was the most impressive building constructed in Porto Santo in the 18th century. Years later, the island was very picturesque with countless wooden windmills, some of which still work today.

Municipal Hall

Even though it lies in the heart of the city of Vila Baleira, this building, which is also known as the “Chamber House”, has the distinction of having formerly been a prison. The origin of the building goes back to the distant 16th Century, even though at present the building has already had some alterations to make it more functional.

Discovery Monument

Better known by the moniker of “Pau de Sabão” (Soap Log), this is an impressive and four-square monument, with each of its sides presenting embossed works alluding to the

discoveries made during the life of Prince Henry. Formally opened on 28 August 1960, the Discovery Monument, executed by António Aragão, now stands on Alameda do Infante (Infante Lane).

Portela

This belvedere is 1.6 km from Vila Baleira and is marked by a palm-lined avenue and windmill. From here you can see Porto Santo Beach down to the west and cone-shaped Pico de Baixo and Ilhéu de Cima to the east. On the way there, stop and visit Nossa Senhora da Graça Chapel, built in 1851.

Pico Castelo (Castelo´s Peak)

A small fort was built on top of this peak in the 16^th century to ward off frequent attacks by French and Algerian pirates. Today, this belvedere commands a fine view of Porto Santo.

Pico do Facho (Facho´s Peak)

At 517 metres, Pico do Facho is the highest on the island. Long ago, beacons were lit here to warn the population of the approach of enemy ships. Lovers of diversity and discovery can brave Serra de Fora and the large Serra de Dentro Valley on the eastern slope of Pico do Facho and enjoy unique landscapes, charming inlets and the rough seas of the northern area.

Pico das Flores (Flowers Peak)

Located on the west coast, this peak is a magnificent panoramic viewing point which overlooks the beautiful island of Porto Santo. From there and looking west you can spot Desertas and Madeira Islands. At Morenos, an adjacent belvedere to this peak is a lovely place to have a picnic and enjoy yourself.

Pico de Ana Ferreira (Ana Ferreira´s Peak)

The Pedreira belvedere is at the top of this peak and affords a view of Ilhéu de Fora, Pico do Facho and Pico do Castelo. The quarry consists of irregular prismatic columns known as the Piano. Climb to the top and be rewarded with a panoramic view of the town.

Fonte da Areia

Natural springs are very important on an island with limited amounts of water. In times gone by, this spring provided the tastiest water on the island and was also used for medicinal purposes. The inhabitants consider it a holy spring even today. Fonte da

Areia doesn’t spout water like it used to, but the wind has left its mark on the sandy rocks to create a spectacular display or erosion. You can get to the spring on a road going west from Camacha, towards the sea.

Ponta da Calheta

There is probably no better way to enjoy Porto Santo Beach than to walk along it from the town to Ponta da Calheta. Listen to the magic sound of the waves and drink in this indescribable beauty. Wait for nightfall and admire the last rays of the sun as they kiss the sea and golden sands.

Zimbralinho

Going west, between the Flores belvedere and Morenos you will find Zimbralinho and beautiful, tranquil place. Walk along the trail and you will see the pebble beach with a drinking fountain. Now you can walk down to the fantastic blue waters. 

Morenos

To the west, after Pico da Ana Ferreira and Zimbralinho, you will find an ideal, verdant picnic area.

Ilhéu de Baixo or Ilhéu da Cal (Limestone Islet)

This islet has rich limestone mines. Its slopes are pitted with caves leading into countless mining galleries. Between this islet and Ponta da Calheta is Boqueirão de Baixo, which is 400 metres wide and accessible only to small boats when the sea is calm. As it is such a beautiful place, there is a plan to build a cable car between Ponta da Calheta and unreachable Ilhéu da Cal.

Beach

At Porto Santo Beach, the pleasure of sea bathing combines with safety and the qualities of the sand to make the island an exceptional holiday destination. Health and wellness go hand in hand on this magnificent beach as, in addition to its crystalline waters, its sands have rare therapeutic properties.

Discover the benefits of this tranquil, inviting beach and relax and recover the energy and enthusiasm that you need.

Walks

Walking through wonderful landscapes and enjoying their wild beauty is a good way of relaxing, discovering the charms of nature and getting back lost energy. In Porto Santo you can enjoy the simplicity and silence of walking.

Walk on Dunes

This walk, about 12 meters wide, extends to the area contiguous to the dunes. It has a floor made of stone colours and simple garden benches that will accompany the entire route, decorated with palm trees and vegetation. You will find the simplicity and silence matched to the pleasure of walking.

Municipal Library

Recently renovated, the Municipal Library is located in Dr. Silvestre Nuno Teixeira, next to the Cultural Center and Congress in Porto Santo. The library has about 23 thousand books constantly updated. It offers its users, video, internet access and a free space for children and teens.

Game Fishing

Just like Madeira, Porto Santo has an international reputation for deep-sea fishing. Given the abundance and quality of the fish from the tuna family, these islands are the ideal  place for catching blue marlin weighing in at over 500 kg.

Diving

Porto Santo has long been visited by divers thanks to the clearness and temperature of its waters and the beauty of its seas. Go snorkelling in this fantastic world. The most popular

place with divers is in the southern part of the harbour, where the SS Madeirense, which plied for decades between Porto Santo and Madeira, has been sunk. Hundreds of divers have already visited this submersed treasure and they are unanimous in saying that it is an excellent attraction for diving fans.

Sailing, Boat Trips, Canoeing and Rowing

Enjoy the delights of a warm, calm sea and take a trip around the island to the gentle rhythm of the waves. As you sail or row, you can see the contrasts between the island’s different coastlines.

Jet Skiing, Waterskiing, Windsurfing and Kite-Surfing

Try these sports in the bright blue waters of the bay. Challenge the wind and enjoy a beach with perfect conditions for the excitement of windsurfing or kite-surfing.

Horse Riding

Porto Santo has a horse-riding centre with a riding school that organises pony trekking around Porto Santo, along routes of varying degrees of difficulty. 

Hipicenter (Horse riding centre)

Sítio da Ponta

9400-085 Porto Santo

Phone: (+351) 291 983 258

Mob.: (+351) 967 671 689

Safaris

Drive a 4x4 around Porto Santo and enjoy some unique scenery. You will never forget the sensation of overcoming tricky natural obstacles.

Hang-Gliding and Paragliding

The island’s golden sands and clear blue sea make it very attractive to novices and experienced flyers alike. Climb one of the peaks and soar off for an unforgettable flight. There are good take-off points and plenty of alternatives for landing.

Cycling and Motorcycling

Porto Santo is fairly flat and so cycling is a very popular way of exploring it, pedalling pleasantly and calmly to the island’s magic corners.

Golf

Porto Santo Golf Course was designed by the former world champion, Severiano Ballesteros and opened in 2004. It has 18 par-7 2holes and nine par-3 holes on a pitch and putt circuit. It will soon be the largest course in the archipelago allowing 500 golfers to play at the same time. The last phase will include a 18-hole circuit. The course occupies a vast area affording players spectacular views of the north and south coasts of the island. 

Porto Santo Golfe

Sitio das Marinhas -P.O 174

9400-162 Porto Santo

Phone: (+351) 291 983 778

Fax: (+351) 291 983 504

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www.portosantogolfe.com

Tennis

Porto Santo boasts the region’s best tennis complex and one of the best in the country. The complex is in Campo de Baixo next to the golf course and is fully equipped for top competition tournaments. It has a main stadium with stands seating 1,000 spectators, five secondary courts and two paddle courts.

Open everyday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Porto Santo Ténis

Campo de Baixo

Porto Santo

Phone: (+351) 291 983 274

Fax: (+351) 291 983 584

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Beach Sports

With its long beach of fine sand, Porto Santo hosts beach volleyball tournaments, the most popular of which is the World Under-21 Beach Volleyball Championship held at the Beach Sports Complex near Penedo Beach.

Festivals and dates of interest 

Twelfth Night Celebration

Commemorated on 6 January each year, Twelfth Night is feverously celebrated on the island of Porto Santo, with the festivities taking place at dawn, when the Porto Santo community, in pilgrimage and bedecked in formal garb, warble out popular folk songs and go from one house to another, admiring the traditional nativity scenes right through to daybreak. 

The Festival of St Amaro

This festival is just as intense as that celebrated on Twelfth Night. The population, dressed up for the occasion bring typical musical instruments such as braguinhas and rajões (typical string instruments) and mandolins, in families or groups of friends, start to sing traditional songs that shall never vanish amidst the mists of time, as they are passed on from one generation to the next. This festival also only comes to an end when the day breaks.

Festivities of St John

Out of all the festivities, the most representative, and also the most eagerly awaited, is of course that dedicated to St John, who is the patron saint of the Island, and whose feast day is commemorated between 23 and 24 June, as part of the Municipality Festival.

These Festivities are a real open book bringing out the popular culture of the island of Porto Santo, and show, through several cultural and recreational activities for the people at large, the very identity that characterises the island of Porto Santo and the people who abide thereon.

Our Lady of Grace Festival

Celebrated in the middle of August (14th to 15th August), this religious party rallies round hundreds of followers and admirers, and includes liturgy and a procession, which is followed by an arraial with food and drink and a lot of merriment.

Our Lady of Mercy

Thanks to the symbolism and the tradition that has been conquered, this is also a religious festival that includes traditional music, bands and general food and drink, in what amounts to a true arraial on Porto Santo. This festival takes place between 30 and 31 August, next to the temple of the same name.

Vineyards Festival

During the last 3 days of August, in the city centre, all those who visit Porto Santo are introduced to the different wines produced on the island, all within an atmosphere in which the scent of wine wafts through the air.

Columbus Festival

In September, Vila Baleira devotes a week to Christopher Columbus who came to the island and lived here for several years. Christopher Columbus’ first contacts with Madeira were in 1478, at a time when Funchal was dedicated to the sugar trade. However, closer ties with the Madeira Archipelago arose through his marriage to Philippa Moniz, daughter of the first captain donee of Porto Santo. Between 1480 and 1482, Columbus lived on the archipelago, with his son Diego having been born on Porto Santo. The festival remembers the discoverer’s presence in the Madeira Islands on his voyages to the Americas and the height epic of the age of the discoveries.

Visitors can enjoy music, exhibitions, street entertainment and medieval scenes. A theatrical recreation re-enactment of the arrival of Columbus and his followers at the quay and a historical parade mark this week of history.

Before planning your trip, find out about how to get to the Madeira Islands, the papers you need, customs formalities and health precautions.

Papers

If you are visiting the islands from a European Union country belonging to the Schengen Agreement there are no restrictions on entry. Visitors from countries that are don’t

take part not party to on this the agreement, it is required to have and need identification document, which, under Portuguese law, means a valid passport and, in some cases, a visa.

Customs Formalities

Goods leaving the island are not subject to any limitations. However, if the customs officers feel that the quantity is excessive, you may be asked to prove that the articles are for your personal use.

Vaccinations and Health Care

You do not need any vaccinations before travelling to the archipelago. Emergency treatment at state hospitals is free of charge for European Union citizens and there are good private health care services for visitors from other countries.

There is one health centre in Porto Santo.

Health Centre (Centro de Saúde)

Rua Dr. José Diamantino Lima

Phone: (+351) 291 980 060

Fax: (+351) 291 980 061

Pharmacies

Pharmacies are open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Rua João Gonçalves Zarco

Phone: (+351) 291 982 577

Water and Electricity

The electric current in Madeira is 220V.

In Porto Santo the water is desalinated and is also quite safe to drink.

Banks and Shops

The banks are open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Exchange bureaus are open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. every day except Saturdays, when they open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. At other times you can exchange money at some hotels.

Police

If you need help from the police, dial 112. There is a police headquarters in Porto Santo is to be found at downtown area – Matas – phone: (+351) 291 982 423 and also at the airport – phone: (+351) 291 982 289

Phones

There are public phones in the main streets of the larger towns. Some take only phone cards, which you can buy in cafés, tobacconist and post offices. To call abroad, dial 00 followed by the country code. 

Time

In Madeira summer time is GMT. The clocks go forward one hour on the last Sunday in March and back an hour on the last Sunday in October, as in the rest of the European Union.