Porto Santo is located 50 Kms. north-east of Funchal.

The island is amazingly different from the island of Madeira. There is almost no vegetation at all. The southern coast is bordered by a 9 Kms. long beach with golden, soft sand.

The temperature in the sea is 18-23 ºC (64,4-73,4 ºF) throughout the year.

 

Tourists seek to Porto Santo to enjoy a relaxing holiday of tranquility. The isolation permits the island to keep some of the old traditions of the first settlers.

 

Porto Santo is only 14 Kms long and 5 Kms wide. It's a lovely island, and while you're in the neighbourhood, a paradise not to be missed.

 

The harbour, Porto de Abrigo, is 4 kms. from the tiny capital Vila Baleira. The airport is 20 minutes by foot, or 5 minutes by car from Vila Baleira.

 

As the Madeira island, Porto Santo is of volcanic origin. Compared to Madeira, Porto Santo seems flat. The highest point is Pico de Facho at 507 meters.

 

The climate is drier than it is on Madeira. For periods in the summer very little water can be a problem. This affects the agriculture which includes corn, wheat, wine, figs and farm animals.

 

Speaking of wine, the Porto Santo wine is sweet and powerful. Only tablewine is produced.

 

Almost 80% of the island's 5000 souls live in Vila Baleira.

There's a recommendable campground near the beach, and excellent hotel accommodation.

 

The hotels offer a series of leisure activities such as tennis, mini-golf, windsurfing and island-tours.

 

The church was founded as a small chapel (1420-46) of which nothing is left. A 16th century painting serves as altarpiece.

The town hall was also built in the 14th century, but has been rebuilt and enlarged several times.

 

Christopher Columbus came to Porto Santo in 1478, just to buy sugar. He married Felipa Moniz Perestrelo, the governor's daughter.

 

Columbus's house is located just behind the church. After a major restoration The Columbus Museum (Casa Colombo) opened in 1989.

 

After a couple of years at Porto Santo, Columbus moved to Madeira where he studied navigation and prepared for what became the most famous discovery of all times.