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Porto Santo has an area of 42.17 sq km and has a population of about 4,500 inhabitants. Porto Santo is known as “Golden Island” due to its dry, sandy landscape and the magnificent golden sandy beach, bathed by the crystal waters of the ocean. Although the proximity of Porto Santo and Madeira, their landscape could not be more different than it is.

It was named after the fact that the island was used as shelter to the navigators João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira, caught in the middle of a terrible storm (Saint Port). While they were exploring the extreme west of the island, they sighted a large shadow in the horizon that look like a sea monster; it was Madeira Island!

According to the chronicles, Cristóvão Colombo lived in Porto Santo and married one of the daughters of his captain Bartolomeu Perestrelo. It was during his stay in Porto Santo that he planned the voyage to America.

Due to its lack of natural defences, the island suffered several pirates’ attacks during its history, and its population and development were affected by the lack of resources; famine situations were recorded until the beginning of the 20th century.

Just as happened in Madeira Island, the autonomy of the region promoted the development, solved the issue of poverty and allowed the increase in tourism with the building of essential infra-structures.

Igreja Matriz

The Mother Church is located in Largo do Pelourinho. Inside, one can admire pieces of art from Martim Conrado and Max Romer.

Casa Colombo

This museum evokes the presence of Cristóvão Colombo in Porto Santo, when he married the daughter of his captain Bartolomeu Perestrelo. It has a reserved area devoted to the exhibition of the marks of Colombo stay and the importance of the archipelago in the preparation of the Portuguese Maritime Voyages, until the discovery of America. Other hall of this museums portraits the sinking of the Sloot ter Hooge  Galleon, nearby the coast of Porto Santo, a ship that belonged to the Dutch East India Company, heading to Batávia, actually the city of Jakarta in Indonesia.

Address – Travessa da Sacristia 2/4, 9400 – 176 Porto Santo

Telephone – 291 983405

E mail –casacolombo.drac.srtc@gov-madeira.pt, casacolombo@ netmadeira.com

Closed on Mondays

Padrão das Descobertas

It is a monument that evokes Prince Henry the Navigator and the Discoveries. The building is located in Alameda do Infante and it was inaugurated in 1960.

Cais da Cidade

The City Wharf is one of the symbols of Porto Santo. The quay was the anchorage place of cargo and transport ships until the construction of the actual Port. Presently, it is the meeting point of the locals and its visitors, especially for those who love fishing during mild summer evenings.

Forte de São José

This fortress was the main defending facility of the island with its eight cannons. Presently, it is private property.

Paços do Concelho

The City Hall was in the past used as prison. It was built in the 16th century and has suffered several remodelling interventions along its life.

Capela de Nossa Senhora da Graça

     The chapel is quite well integrated in the landscape, built in the slope of Ana Ferreira Peak. It is one of the most beautiful places in the island.

Centro Cultural e de Congressos do Porto Santo

The Cultural Centre and Congresses Hall is located in the centre of the whaling village; its auditorium has seats for 300 persons and it is used to meetings, concerts, cinema, exhibitions and conferences.

The golf course of Porto Santo was designed by the Spanish champion Severiano Ballesteros. It has 2 circuits of 9 holes each, with pair 72, plus 9 with pair 3, “Pitch and Put”, and night lights. Its splendid surrounding landscape and the demands of its hard green of large dimensions attract experts and less trained players. Due to these characteristics, this golf course attracts not only experts but also less trained players.

Address - Sítio das Marinhas Apartado 174

9400-162 Porto Santo

Telephone: +351 291 983 778

E mail - msilva.sdps@netmadeira.com

Web – www.portosantogolf.com

Praia do Porto Santo

     Although located only 40 miles distant from Madeira, Porto Santo could not be more different. Known as the golden island, its landscape is arid, with an even relief, and presenting an amazing white sandy beach of 9 kms, bathed by a clear and mild ocean. The beach is not only remarkably beautiful, but also with therapeutic properties to diseases as rheumatism and other similar illnesses.

Pico do Castelo

     This is the second highest peak in the island, with about 430 metres. One can find in the place the ruins of an ancient fortress of the 16th century, used as shelter from pirates‘ attacks. Stoned path sided by pine trees are the only way to reach the top, from where one can admire awesome sights over great part of the island. Almost at the top of the peak, there is a bust of Schiappa de Azevedo, the man who promoted the plantation of trees, once the place was deserted until the first quarter of the 20th century.

Pico da Ana Ferreira

The belvedere of Pedreira is located in the top of this peak, and offers its visitors with sights over the islet of Fora and the peaks of Facho and Castelo. This stone mine is formed by prismatic columns, of irregular shape, commonly known as "piano". From the top, it is possible to admire a panoramic view over the city.

Calheta

There is no better way to admire the whole island of Porto Santo than go until Ponta da Calheta and walk back through along the beach. While contemplating this undescriptive beauty, let the magic sound of the waves rock you. If you do not feel like walking, wait until the night fall, and watch the sunset while the sun beams kiss the golden sand of the beach.

      Located in the extreme west of the island, one can sight Madeira in the horizon in good weather conditions. It is the place where the beach ends, and so, the best way to get there is to walk on the golden sand beach of the best beach of Portugal.

Pico do Facho

It is the highest peak of Porto Santo, with 517 metres of altitude. The name has its origin in the torches (fachos in Portuguese) that were lightened to warn the population in case of danger, generally pirates’ attacks. The lovers of adventure can enter into the forest of Serra de Fora and the large valley of Serra de Dentro, located in the east side of Pico do Facho. The path allows the contact with unique landscapes, small enchanted lagoons and the sea of the north coast.

Fonte da Areia

In Porto Santo, the water supply is strictly controlled and the natural springs are much protected. Once, this fountain had the best and tastier water of the island, and it was also used as a medicine considered by the natives as a sacred fountain.

Nowadays, Fonte da Areia does not have the same flow of water, but the wind leaves its trace in the sandy rocks, offering an amazing mark of erosion. The way to get to this fountain is by exiting Camacha through the road that goes west toward the sea.  

Ilhéu da Cal

Cal Islet was a mine of minerals, explored due to its richness in limestone. Its hillsides are entrance to several caves that access to countless galleries of exploitation. Between this islet and Ponta da Calheta, the 400 metres width area of Boqueirão Baixo is only navigable to small boats only when the sea is flat. 

Morenos

On the west side, between Pico da Ana Ferreira and Ponta da Canavieira, Morenos is a green relaxing area. This part of the island is the ideal place for a picnic and a day spent among quietness. The place was prepared with several barbecues and wood, palm sun shades, wooden benches and tables and also restrooms.

Enjoy the place and take a 20- minute walk until Canavieira belvedere.

Terra Chã

After a pleasant walk of 4 km, about two hours, you will reach Pico Branco, an amazing place to do a picnic and spend a tranquil afternoon in a relaxing atmosphere and a magnificent view over the northeast coast of the island.

São João Feast

This feast in honour to São João is the most celebrated in the island. It takes place in the 23rd July Eve and is integrated in the Municipal Festivities. Worthy of mention is the Popular Parade, where the participants show typical vestments and choreographies in the main streets of the city.

Nossa Senhora da Graça and Nossa Senhora da Piedade Feasts

     These feasts in honour of Nossa Senhora da Graça and Nossa Senhora da Piedade take place on 14-15 of August (the first) and 30-31 of August. They include the traditional procession and the street festival, where of course the food stands are present and gather the religious with the profane celebrations.