January 4, 2025, 6:13 am | Read time: 6 minutes
The small island of Porto Santo is just 40 kilometers from the coast of Madeira. As a unique vacation destination, it offers beautiful bays and fantastic beaches along the coastline. One of them is a whopping nine kilometers long! But there are also numerous places for the perfect beach day in Portugal, away from Porto Santo’s most famous beach. TRAVELBOOK shows five of the most beautiful beaches on Porto Santo.
In the middle of the Madeira archipelago is the small neighboring island of Porto Santo. The Portuguese vacation paradise attracts visitors with a multitude of beautiful beaches, and yet one of them in particular is responsible for the fact that many vacationers specifically choose Porto Santo as their destination. This is because the most famous beach on the island measures an incredible nine kilometers and, therefore, offers enough space for everyone who wants to spend a day by the sea here. In 2010, Porto Santo beach was even named one of the “Seven Natural Wonders of Portugal”. TRAVELBOOK shows you what to expect on this beach and where to find the five most beautiful beaches on Porto Santo.
Overview
1. Praia Do Penedo
The largest beach on the island of Porto Santo is divided into several beach areas. One of them is Praia Do Penedo, which is located on the south coast of the island. The beach section here is rather narrow but stretches along the entire south coast of the island and is ideal for long walks. The charming little houses of the former fishing village are particularly characteristic here. Some of them are used as beach restaurants, and the Old Pier of Porto Santo is right next door. The old pier leads a few meters out to sea and is a popular meeting place, especially in the evening hours.
Our tip: After a long day on the beach, stop at one of the many beach bars and round off the evening with a drink on the pier.
2. Praia Do Combro
Praia Do Combro is part of Porto Santo’s incredibly long beach coast in the south, and there is probably no place on the entire island where the beach is wider than here. What’s more, it is pleasantly calm here; the water is crystal clear and somewhat reminiscent of the Caribbean. It is particularly quiet here because there are no noisy hotel resorts in the immediate vicinity. These often play music throughout the day. Therefore, the beach is mostly frequented by people who appreciate peace and quiet and have no interest in disturbing it.
Our tip: One disadvantage of the lack of infrastructure on this stretch of beach is the lack of restaurants. It is a long way to the nearest kiosk, so make sure you have enough water and provisions.
3. Porto Das Salemas
The beach Porto Das Salemas is located off the island’s nine-kilometer stretch of beach and can only be reached on foot. Located close to the village of Salemas, it is a natural paradise that is particularly beautiful at low tide. This is when the water exposes the natural pools that have formed from stone over the years and provide a home for many marine animals. To get to the beach, follow the signs to Porto das Salemas from Fonte da Areia. The last stretch is a dirt road, with parking spaces available on site. From there, the last stretch must be covered on foot, making this beach anything but barrier-free. In addition, you’ll see nothing but nature on site, so you should take care of provisions in advance. For those who don’t want to miss out on a hot meal, there are several barbecue areas and picnic tables on site.
Our tip: There is hardly a beach on Porto Santo that is better suited to snorkeling than this one. So make sure you bring a snorkel and swimming goggles!
4. Praia da Calheta
Located in the southwest of the island of Porto Santo, Praia da Calheta marks the end of Porto Santo’s long beach. It is characterized by spectacular rock formations that set it apart from other beaches on the Portuguese island. Due to its location, it is anything but crowded and also impresses with its breathtaking atmosphere. This is particularly noticeable at sunset, as its location gives you the best view of the setting sun! Praia da Calheta is therefore the perfect place to switch off. And because it is located at the end of the long stretch of beach, it is the perfect destination for a long walk on the beach to end the day. In addition, a small ramp leads down to the beach from the adjacent parking lots, making it barrier-free. Sanitary facilities are also provided.
Our tip: the small Ponta da Calheta restaurant! Here you can enjoy freshly caught fish with a view of the sea and the tiny neighboring island of Ilhéu de Baixo.
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5. Praia do Porto Santo
Praia do Porto Santo is a minor celebrity—and no wonder, as it stretches over nine kilometers! What’s more, it is the only sandy beach on the island of Porto Santo and it is actually made up of many small stretches of beach, each with its own name. The soft, fine sand that can be found here made the neighboring island of Madeira famous and is the primary reason for many people to spend their vacations on Porto Santo.
You can’t blame them, because the island’s main beach really is something very special. Numerous dragon trees used to grow here, but today a bizarre landscape surrounds the beach. Although some plants still persist between the crevices and dunes, a large part of the island is now almost treeless. What’s more, there are no rivers on Porto Santo. So, in some places, it feels as if you have landed on another planet. This illusion could be one of the main reasons for the great relaxation factor. After all, where else can you find a greater escape from daily life than on a different planet?
Our tip: A hike to the peaks of the Vereda de Pico Branco and Pico Castelo mountains. Both hiking trails can be completed in around two hours and end at breathtaking viewpoints with views over the entire island and the sea.