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Hidden Gem Porto Santo: What Madeira's Neighbor Island Has to Offer
Portugal's Holy Harbor is Porto Santo - which translates to 'holy harbor'. Located 26 miles northeast of Madeira in the Atlantic, the island offers significantly warmer temperatures than the German Heiligenhafen. After all, the average temperatures on Porto Santo range between a mild 63 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.
The little sister island of Madeira is home to many species of animals and plants - although at first glance and especially in contrast to the flower island of Madeira, it seems rather barren. The critically endangered monk seal and the loggerhead sea turtle also make their home on the coast of Porto Santo. This biodiversity is to be even better protected: That is why Porto Santo was officially designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2020.
Porto Santo is seven miles long and about four miles wide, and thus fits into its big sister Madeira around 16 times. The island's capital, Vila Baleira, is small but picturesque, with barely any building taller than three stories, and fortunately, there are no high-rise hotels to be found.
Porto Santo: Beach and sea are said to have healing powers
The nine-kilometer-long sandy beach Campo de Baixo is especially popular - but so far mainly with vacationers who make trips from Madeira. Besides, Porto Santo is still considered a hidden gem.
According to 'Visit Portugal', the sand and water of the island are reputed to have healing powers due to the presence of iodine, calcium, and magnesium, making them particularly beneficial for rheumatism and bone diseases. The island's own thalasso center offers even more wellness.
But the view from one of the 'miradouros' also promises pure relaxation: after all, the sea stretches to the horizon from there. Particularly beautiful is the view from Pico do Facho, the highest point on the island at 1,696 feet. The mountain is of volcanic origin. Volcanic eruptions have also shaped the rest of the island's landscape. For example, the basalt formations on the south slope of Pico de Ana Ferreira in the west of the island are a relic of this time.
The names of the island delicacies may quickly twist German tongues and also require a love of garlic. But they are the perfect refreshment after a relaxing day on the island: 'Espetada de vaca grelhada em pau de louro' is a beef skewer on a laurel stick with garlic butter. The flatbread 'bolo do caco' is baked in a roof tile. And on 'pão com batata-doce' - bread with sweet potatoes - a portion of garlic butter is also added.
Porto Santo has its own airport - the airport can be reached quickly by ferry from Madeira.
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