Vila Baleira, Porto Santo’s main town, may be small in size, but it makes up for it with charm and character, and you can easily explore the historic centre in about an hour or so. Start near the old pier, a favourite spot for locals, and take in views of Porto Santo Beach and the hills in the distance. From there, wander through the town square and past buildings with traditional Madeiran architecture. Around the square, you’ll find several of Vila Baleira’s key sights, including the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Piedade, the town’s main church, the town hall, and the Casa Colombo Museum. The latter is well worth a visit if you’re interested in learning more about the island’s maritime past. Cafés and restaurants nearby offer a chance to sit back and watch the world go by.

The dunes of Porto Santo might not be huge, but they’re a fascinating sight. Fine sand, traces of coral, and layered sediment form natural patterns and small ridges, while the backdrop shifts between low mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. This unique ecosystem is one of the few sandy dune systems in the Madeira Archipelago, and it’s just a short walk from the beach.

Explore the wood walkways traversing Dongbaekseom Park and take in the spectacular views of the coastline from several viewing platforms along the way. It's a very pleasant, scenic walk in the shade of pine trees that lends itself well to photos; you'll see Busan's own mermaid statue looking out longingly to the sea soon upon entering. Busan's most popular public beach, Haeundae, is right next to the park. It gets rather busy during the summers (in August especially so); bring your own sun umbrella if you plan to stay longer.