One of Porto Santo’s best-known viewpoints, Miradouro da Portela, offers sweeping views to the north and south. From here, you can take in the entire southern half of the island, including the 9 km-long beach, and see how the island’s low peaks give it a surprisingly open, almost barren feel. On a clear day, Madeira even appears in the distance. A short walk will bring you to the island’s three remaining traditional windmills. Painted white and red with sturdy stone bases, they’re no longer in use but are wonderfully preserved and make a great spot for photos, framed by both the ocean and the inland hills. Portela gets especially magical at sunrise or sunset, when the light casts the bay in golden hues. It’s also easy to combine this stop with nearby attractions like Porto dos Frades natural pools or the Terra Chã hike.

At just over 430 metres high, Pico do Castelo feels a little different from the island’s other viewpoints. It’s greener, quieter, and layered with history. The summit is dotted with conifers, a rare sight on an otherwise dry island. A cannon and the remains of a 16th-century fortress, built to protect the population from pirate attacks, mark its past as a defensive lookout. You can reach the top either as part of the PR2 hiking trail or by tackling the short, steep climb from Vereda do Pico do Facho, which takes about 15–20 minutes on foot. The payoff is a wide view over much of Porto Santo, and on clear days, even Madeira on the horizon.

Tucked away on Porto Santo’s southwestern coast, Praia Zimbralinho is a secluded rocky cove that reveals a hidden beach with crystal-clear waters and visible underwater rocks, perfect for snorkelling and observing marine life. Access requires a bit of effort: you can descend via a steep stairway from above, or approach by kayak. The effort is rewarded with one of Porto Santo’s most peaceful and photogenic spots.

Surrounded by the World Heritage wilderness, this area features a number of excellent bush walks and lookouts. It offers spectacular views over the Jamison Valley and the magnificent waterfall for which it's named. The town also has a good collection of Victorian and other historic buildings.