Visiting Madeira's neighbouring island of Porto Santo is like taking a ‘holiday within a holiday’ especially on that marvellous beach which reaches the parts other beaches simply don't reach.

A SHORT HISTORY

“Porto Santo was the very first Madeira island to be ‘discovered’!”

In 1418, Portuguese explorers João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira, seeking shelter from a fierce storm, came across a small, deserted island far out in the Atlantic. Their two small caravels sought refuge in a natural harbour, and so grateful were they for the ‘safe haven’, they named it the ‘Holy Harbour’ or Porto Santo!

Not only had they discovered the islands of Madeira but the event marked the beginning of the ‘Age of the Discoveries’ launched by Prince Henry the Navigator, when the Portuguese began to explore and exploit lands from as far afield as West Africa, India and China.

A year after Porto Santo’s discovery, fellow explorer Bartolomeu Perestrelo returned to oversee the initial settlement and development of the island as the island’s first ‘captain’ or governor.

Around 1479, a young Christopher Columbus appeared on Porto Santo and soon after married the governor’s daughter, Filipa Moniz Perestrelo. Not a bad catch for a lowly peasant’s son supposedly from Genoa, Italy. You can read our full story on that here.

During his 11 years living on the island, Columbus gathered vital information about the Atlantic currents and trade winds that would carry him across the ocean to discover the Americas. You can visit his home, now a museum, in the centre of Vila Baleira, Porto Santo’s main town.

HEALING SANDS

Apart from the Columbus connection, the number one attraction in Porto Santo is undoubtedly its beach. Nine kilometres of gorgeous, golden sand make this one of the finest beaches in all of Europe. Every summer, visitors flock from Madeira or the Portuguese mainland to enjoy the fabulous sun, sea & sand.

Locals have claimed for centuries that the sands of Porto Santo have special, healing properties, and scientists from the University of Oslo in Norway and the University of Aveiro in Portugal have recently confirmed this. The sand is rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulphur and strontium, all useful for a host of rheumatic and skin conditions. Only two beaches in the world have such therapeutic properties, this and another in Japan. To gain its benefits, you simply bury yourself up to your neck for a few hours or, alternatively, sit with your feet in the sand at one of the many superb beach bars while enjoying delicious food and wine.

TILTING AT WINDMILLS

*Porto Santo was once a key provider of wheat for ships that stopped here for reprovisioning.*

Porto Santo became famous for growing and supplying wheat to ships that were travelling down the African coast or crossing the Atlantic to the Americas. Picturesque windmills still dot the skyline and there’s even a museum, ‘Museu do Cardina’ dedicated to the island’s agricultural past. The museum has been created and curated by one man, José Cardina without any official resources or money and is a testament to his passion for the preservation of Porto Santo’s heritage.

*‘Casa da Serra’ farmhouse dates back to 1764.*

Another interesting museum to the east of the island is called ‘Casa da Serra’. This old farmhouse dates back to 1764 with artefacts gathered over many years. Here you can also learn more about the island’s history, accompanied by a unique passion fruit liqueur that they serve to visitors.

WHAT ELSE TO DO

Besides the wonderful beach life, there’s a surprising amount to do on this island. A 4x4 Jeep Safari is a great way to see the most interesting places in a day and make the most of your time. There are also hiking tours, snorkelling and scuba diving, cycling and horseback riding along the beach.

Pico de Ana Ferreira is a high point on the island and you can easily get close to appreciate the fascinating prismatic columns formed by volcanoes thousands of years ago.

*Pico de Ana Ferreira's fascinating prismatic columns*

*Porto Santo's course is a great addition to Madeira's other golfing venues.*

Located beneath the peak, golf is particularly pleasant on this island with a wonderful 18-hole course designed by Seve Ballesteros. It’s possible to sail from Funchal for the day, play golf and return in the evening.

You can sail to Madeira’s other inhabited island in two and a half hours or go by plane, which takes only 15 minutes. Whichever way you choose to get there, you’ll be glad you did!

RESTAURANTS

Porto Santo is particularly blessed when it comes to gastronomy! There are several excellent restaurants all around the island. If you just can’t tear yourself away from the beach, Restaurante Pé na Água offers the best of all worlds where you can bury your feet in the sand while enjoying their excellent fayre.

Teodorico is another terrific find, a hidden gem just out of town. There were no signposts last time we visited but the GPS (or a taxi) will get you there without problems. Jorge and his Brazilian partner have turned this little country retreat into an artistic sanctum with delicious food & wine that match the unique decor.

RURAL RETREAT

The ideal island accommodation might be found at the farm-style ‘Casa Rosário Coelho’ which hosts three separate living areas with ample space for outdoor barbeques and evening parties. The building dates back to 1837 and has been carefully restored to preserve its authentic appeal.

GET RELAXED

Porto Santo tends to be overshadowed by Madeira’s main island but it’s an entirely different experience that is well worth experiencing! Besides the health-enhancing beach, there’s a glow to the entire island that seems to get down into your bones. Even if you stay for a day or two, you’ll come back a whole lot healthier and infinitely more relaxed.

Perfect Porto!