This was my fourth visit to the Island of Madeira. And ever since the first time, almost 10 years ago, I dreamed of visiting Porto Santo. I always heard about that endless, golden sand beach, almost as if it were the calling card of the so-called 'Golden Island'. A nine-kilometre-long beach with soft sand, clear waters and calm seas – a perfect destination for relaxing by the sea. An idyllic place! I love the beach, but I need for a destination to have more than that. So, I wanted to find out what to do in Porto Santo. And I knew I wouldn't be disappointed!
It was a very smooth trip, and I arrived in a different dimension – very different from mainland Portugal, the Island of Madeira and, indeed, any other place I've ever visited.
The island surprised me in every detail: from the silence of the landscapes to the breathtaking sunsets. I think arriving in the off-season turned out to be the best choice. April is that month when the weather is already great, the days are long and bright, but it doesn't have the crowds that summer has, for example. Porto Santo was at its leisurely pace, unhurried and stress-free. And for me, that made all the difference. Just a few steps away from the hotel lobby, you were on Porto Santo beach, with plenty of space to spread out your towel, go for an endless walk and dive into those deep blue waters.
I've already told you that I wanted to understand what to visit in Porto Santo besides the beach, and to explore as much as possible what this island has to offer. And on an island with such a long sand stretch, I started with the least obvious: a nature trail!
I chose PSPR1 – Pico Branco and Terra Chã Trail, one of the best in Porto Santo. The existence of beautiful routes was obvious, but I wasn't expecting such diversity. And I will admit it: I never thought I'd climb so high! But I'm glad I did.
Right from the start, the landscape invited us to stop and enjoy it. In April, everything was green and alive, with flowers and lush vegetation contrasting with the deep blue of the sea. The view changed at every turn: sometimes to rugged hillsides, sometimes to the endless ocean. It was one of those trails you don’t walk only with your feet, but also with your soul. At this point, the landscapes with the island still green look like a perfect blend between Madeira and the Azores.
Arriving in Terra Chã felt like discovering a secret refuge. Who would have thought that on this island, with its dry weather and volcanic landscape, at a considerable altitude, there would be a small forest?
Before heading back, I stopped to behold the wide views and the waves crashing on the shore below, with the land painting the sea with a unique colour. Porto Santo has it: simplicity and grandeur in one place, a true nature destination.
As a photographer, one of my priorities was to discover the best spots to watch the sunset in Porto Santo, and the Flores Viewpoint was a must. I arrived at the golden hour, when the light changes everything. The sea stretched out like an endless mantle, with the Island of Madeira Island in the background and the Ilhéu da Cal islet in the foreground. All around, the sky exploded with colour. Just me, another photographer, the wind and the perfect setting. I think the photos speak for themselves.
But the place at the top of the list was Porto das Salemas beach – one of the most incredible places on the island. Not only is it perfect for watching the sunset in Porto Santo, but at low tide it also forms natural pools among the black volcanic rock. And we were lucky enough to catch the golden light just then!
The short descent down a dirt track was totally worth it. Down below, the turquoise pools looked like something from another planet. Every step uncovered a new pool, a new angle. The light reflected off the water, creating golden and bluish tones. It looked like a painting, and I just hoped that moment would never end. It was undoubtedly one of the most special moments of the whole trip, and everything I imagined this place would be.
But I did a lot more that can't be left untold: I visited Porto dos Frades and spent an hour chatting with a fisherman; I went diving with dusky groupers – Porto Santo's waters have marvellous visibility; I visited Calheta Beach and, of course, I ate more than I should, because the food is simply wonderful!
And I had to talk about the famous Porto Santo Beach: nine kilometres of therapeutic, fine and soft golden sand, bathed by an ever calm sea. It was our resting point between adventures.
