Provided by:
Curioso.Photography/Shutterstock
Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.
*this will be downloaded as a PDF.Price
€4,95
The Island
The guide was updated:
Porto Santo is compact, yet it carries centuries of history into its sun-soaked shores. Discovered in 1418 by Portuguese navigators, the island forms part of the Madeira archipelago and is the smaller of its two inhabited islands. Its position in the Atlantic has shaped life here from the very beginning: fishing, seafaring, and trade set the rhythm, and the island’s long, pale-sand beach would eventually become its most defining feature.
The island is also linked to the Age of Discovery. Christopher Columbus once lived here, well before his transatlantic voyages would change the course of history.
Today, Porto Santo feels a world away from the bustle of larger destinations. Best known for its nine-kilometre beach, calm waters, and restorative pace of life, the island remains quietly rooted in its maritime character. With only a few thousand permanent residents, it retains an intimacy and authenticity that’s increasingly rare, even within the Portuguese islands.
Wander through quiet villages, uncover historic corners, hike along rugged trails with stunning views, or simply sink your toes into the sand and let the Atlantic breeze do the rest.
The island is also linked to the Age of Discovery. Christopher Columbus once lived here, well before his transatlantic voyages would change the course of history.
Today, Porto Santo feels a world away from the bustle of larger destinations. Best known for its nine-kilometre beach, calm waters, and restorative pace of life, the island remains quietly rooted in its maritime character. With only a few thousand permanent residents, it retains an intimacy and authenticity that’s increasingly rare, even within the Portuguese islands.
Wander through quiet villages, uncover historic corners, hike along rugged trails with stunning views, or simply sink your toes into the sand and let the Atlantic breeze do the rest.