The island of Porto Santo is a lesser-known island of the archipelago of Madeira in the North Atlantic Ocean.
The tiny island is a lot smaller than Madeira and remains largely unspoilt, having remained somewhat under the tourist radar.
With temperatures peaking at 20C in November and 18C in December, Porto Santo Island might just be the perfect spot for a winter holiday.
The island’s biggest selling point is its beaches, particularly Porto Santo Beach which stretches for an incredible nine kilometres.
One Tripadvisor user claimed the “beach rivals the Caribbean” – and it’s easy to see why. Golden sands, crystal-clear blue waters and warm temperatures make it the perfect spot to relax and unwind without travelling 12 hours to the Caribbean.
The beach has received more than 1,300 five-star reviews on Tripadvisor with the most recent reviews describing it as “beautiful”, “quiet” and “very clean”.
One user, claireypurple, posted in October 2022: “Beautiful long sandy beach, sometimes with big waves. Calheta at the far end is stunning with a good restaurant too. Beach is never crowded. A few nice beach bars and restaurants along the entire stretch.”
Along the north coast of the island, visitors will see the island’s more rugged coastline with sharp cliffs and pebbled coves.
Meanwhile, the centre of the island boasts volcanic peaks with the most famous being Pico do Castelo which has a 437-metre high peak.
The picturesque peak is a great spot for a picnic with panoramic views of the whole island and the ruins of a small fortress that was built in the 16th century.
Vila Baleira is the main city on Porto Santo Island and is located right by the sea on the island’s southern coast.
With a population of just 5,000 people, the city is laid-back and quiet and is the perfect place to explore on foot.
The small city has a traditional Portuguese feel with white-washed houses, cobbled streets and a plethora of tavernas and bars.
The city’s town square Largo do Pelourinho is at the heart of Vila Baleira and is usually where locals and visitors sit and enjoy a leisurely coffee.
At the top end of the square is the Old Town Hall which dates back to the 16th century, and the parish church of Nossa Senhora da Piedade which has a history that dates back to 1430.
Visitors can also take a day trip from Porto Santo Island to Madeira by ferry or boat.
Flights from the UK to Porto Santo Island take between four to six hours with most journeys requiring a stopover in Madeira.