We knew that Madeira’s sister island, Porto Santo, had a different vibe, but we weren’t expecting it to feel like a completely different world! Here, Madeira’s dramatic peaks are swapped for 9 kilometers of golden sand, turquoise water, and beachside living. Best of all, it’s just 2.5 hours away by ferry from Funchal, so it was the perfect add‑on to our Madeira trip.
We spent 4 days in Porto Santo, and in this first part of our Porto Santo itinerary, we’ll share how we arrived, our favorite spots along the coastline, as well as activities we tried like paddleboarding and hiking.
Getting to Porto Santo by Ferry
We started our adventure first thing in the morning, boarding the Porto Santo Line ferry from Funchal. The trip takes about 2.5 hours and is such a great experience; the ferry is comfortable, with restaurants and even outdoor seating to take in the views.
We sat on the top deck for the entire crossing, watching Madeira fade into the distance and Porto Santo slowly come into view. We were lucky that the weather was clear, so we were able to get an excellent view of the long sandy beach framed by rugged hills on arrival.
Tip: You can bring your rental car on this ferry, which is a game-changer! Porto Santo is small, but you definitely need a car to get to the most remote spots. Make sure to book your ferry tickets online in advance, as car spots are limited in peak season.
What to do in Porto Santo
There are so many amazing places to see on your Porto Santo itinerary, and you can see them all easily, as the driving time from one side of the island to the other is just 25 minutes. Here are some of our favorites:
Porto Santo Beach
The star attraction of the island is Praia do Porto Santo, a 9‑kilometer ribbon of soft, golden sand, backed by beautiful dunes. While you’ll find a few hotels and beach bars nearby, the beach itself is completely wild and unspoiled, and the ocean was calm, shallow, and crystal clear, which was perfect for swimming!
Paddleboarding Along Porto Santo’s Beaches
We first headed to the most peaceful eastern end of the beach for the first activity on our Porto Santo itinerary. On this part of the coast, cliffs and rocky headlands form the backdrop, making the beach feel extra secluded.
We rented our boards from Porto Santo SUP, Scuba, and Freedive Center and paddled out into the most enticing turquoise water, so clear we could see fish darting below us. The water in Porto Santo is really calm, with only the occasional gentle wave, making it ideal for paddleboarding!
Mornings are best for calm water, so head to the rental store as soon as you arrive. Bring sunscreen and a hat, as there’s no shade out on the board. Lunch Tip: La Siesta is a laid‑back beach restaurant close to where you can hire paddleboards. It’s ideal for a post‑SUP lunch or visit at sunset for beautiful dusky ocean views.
Sunset at Portela Viewpoint
After an active day, we drove to Portela Viewpoint for sundown, one of Porto Santo’s most famous viewpoints. The view totally blew us away; you can see the entire curve of Praia do Porto Santo, bordered by the shimmering ocean. Locals told us that on clear days, you can even see Madeira from here.
Our favorite part of this viewpoint, though, was the three white‑and‑red windmills on the hillside. We took some beautiful golden hour photos in this spot!
Hiking PRPS1: Highlight of Our 4 Days in Porto Santo
On day two, our goal was to tick off one of the island’s most scenic hikes: PRPS1 (Vereda do Pico Branco e Terra Chã). We drove to the northeast of the island, arriving at around 9 AM, where we found the start of the 5 km round‑trip trail.
Hiking PRPS1 this early in the morning meant we didn’t see another person until the top! It felt like we were the only people on the island, as we followed the winding path through rocky hills dotted with wildflowers, native plants, and chirping birds. This trail isn’t too challenging; it’s just a gentle incline and a few more challenging steps at the end (there and back took us 2-3 hours).
Once you’re at the top, it’s all worth it! You’ll see that the path forks, with one trail going to Pico Branco and the other to Terra Chã, both beautiful viewpoints with slightly different perspectives of the coastline. We brought sandwiches and sat at the picnic tables, enjoying one of the best accompanying views!
Relax at Ponta da Calheta: Must-see Beach in Porto Santo
After the hike, we headed to another of Porto Santo’s beaches: Ponta da Calheta. This stretch of golden sand sits on the southwest tip and is framed by volcanic rock formations. While it feels a bit more rugged, the water is still wonderfully calm for swimming. In fact, we thought it felt quite tropical, particularly as you can see the uninhabited island of Ilhéu da Cal from the beach.
Tip: Com fome? Hungry? Restaurante Ponta da Calheta sits right on the edge of the warm, golden sand, so you can enjoy a refreshing drink or a bite to eat after your swim.
Why We Loved the First Half of Our Porto Santo Itinerary
While we spent 4 days in Porto Santo, our first two days gave us the best representation of small island life. We thoroughly enjoyed the pristine golden beaches, paddling in the crystal clear waters, and getting our first taste of the hiking trails and viewpoints. Because it’s such a small island, and everything is close, you don’t have to rush anywhere — just soak up the perfect mixture of adventure and relaxation. Stay tuned for part 2 of our trip, where we’ll share more ideas for what to do in Porto Santo.
