Madeira’s smaller neighbour is the island of Porto Santo.

Madeira’s smaller neighbour is the island of Porto Santo. Not quite as well known here in the UK as Madeira, Porto Santo is a short flight or a half-day ferry ride from Funchal.

The island’s 9km long beach is one of Portugal’s best kept secrets – it rarely ever gets busy as there just aren’t enough people on the island to ever fill the beach.

Accommodation is key to a great holiday and the island has its share of all-inclusive hotels. We tend to prefer smaller, Madeiran-style hotels with spacious balcony rooms, quiet terraces, and direct access to the beach where you can spend your days swimming and soaking up some rays.
Wherever you decide to stay, Vila Baleira is never far away – it’s a friendly little town, with a nice selection of café bars and restaurants.
The warm waters off Porto Santo’s east coast are perfect for paddleboarding and for aspiring windsurfers to take a first lesson.
The island’s Porto Santo Golfe course was designed by Seve Ballesteros, and each hole is unique, designed with Seve’s great care and knowledge of the game.

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The peaceful beach island of Porto Santo is relatively unknown outside of Portugal and has an incredible long stretch of sandy beach, with crystal-clear waters and some wonderful water-side restaurants to dine in after a swim
From £1,900 per person
As Porto Santo's a small island, there are only a limited number of hotels. Our favourite place to stay is the family-run Torre Praia Hotel, as it overlooks Praia da Fontainha and Vila Baleira is a five-minute walk away. The larger all-inclusive hotels are a good option if you're looking for a touch of five-star luxury - they're away from Vila on the south-west tip of the island.
If you’d like to break up your beach time a little, you could add a paddle boarding or windsurfing lesson.
Our Guided Tours are the best way to explore the beautiful landscapes of Madeira and Porto Santo.
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