There is something effortlessly appealing about Porto Santo. A short flight or a two-and-a-half-hour ferry from Funchal, Madeira's bustling capital, this small Portuguese island feels a world apart from its larger neighbour, despite being just 81 kilometres away.
Madeira has long been a favourite alternative to Spain's Canary Islands, drawing visitors with its dramatic peaks, hiking trails and subtropical climate. Porto Santo, by contrast, has stayed under the radar. That may be about to change: Expedia recently placed it second on its annual Hot List of European islands to know now.
The island is genuinely small – only 11 kilometres across – which is precisely its charm. There is no pressure to pack your days with sightseeing or follow a strict itinerary. You can spend a morning wandering the coast, stop for a long lunch, and still have time to find a quiet stretch of sand before sunset.
A beach that rivals the best in Europe
The main draw is Praia do Porto Santo, a vast sweep of golden sand that runs for roughly nine kilometres along the southern coast – nearly the entire length of the island. The sand is so deep that you sink into it as you run towards the Atlantic for a cooling dip. Even in July, the beach feels remarkably uncrowded, perhaps because of its sheer size. There is a sense that you can claim your own corner and relax in peace.
When you've had enough beach time, adventure awaits. Porto Santo Buggy Adventures, run by the affable Tiago, offers a thrilling way to see the island. Off-roading across rugged terrain, you can reach viewpoints like Flores, which overlooks the island and its smaller islets once used for limestone mining. The Dunas de Porto Santo are another highlight – rolling dunes of fine sand and fossils that feel almost lunar, a stark contrast to the sea just beyond.
At Porto das Salemas, natural pools form among the rocks, filling with clear water at low tide. Families picnic on the shore, and colourful crabs scuttle about. It's the kind of place where you can't resist a quick swim – even if you've forgotten your swimsuit, as I did. The island's laidback spirit means no one bats an eye.
By the end of the buggy tour, my hair, skin and clothes were coated in Porto Santo's famously fine dust, but I was beaming. After a shower, it was time to eat.
Local flavours and a slower pace
No visit to an island is complete without sampling its cuisine. Look out for scabbard fish, traditionally served with banana and passionfruit – an unusual combination that works surprisingly well. And don't miss poncha, the island's signature cocktail made with sugar cane rum, citrus and sugar. It's fresh and punchy, best enjoyed slowly as the sun sets.
Porto Santo doesn't demand much from you. There are no endless checklists or packed schedules. For travellers seeking an alternative to Europe's crowded beach destinations, it offers a quieter experience without sacrificing what makes an island holiday special: long beaches, warm seas, dramatic landscapes and excellent food, all in a place small enough to explore at your own pace.
Sometimes the best holiday is the one where you have nowhere else to be – and Porto Santo is a perfect example of that.
Saskia O'Donoghue travelled to Porto Santo as a guest of Expedia.
