October 13, 2025, 8:26 am | Read time: 5 minutes
Porto Santo was discovered by Portuguese sailors in 1418. Today, the Ilha Dourada, the Golden Island, is perfect for a relaxing dream vacation–also because of its nine-kilometer-long beach, whose sand is said to be good for health.
Porto Santo is also referred to as Madeira’s little sister. Siblings whose landscapes could hardly be more contrasting. While the flower island of Madeira luxuriates in lush greenery, Porto Santo, located about 42 kilometers northeast, features barren rock formations with no significant tree cover.
As soon as the sun shines on the bare mountains, the rocky cliffs shimmer in yellow-gold. Porto Santo is aptly named Ilha Dourada, which also applies to the golden-yellow sandy beach, attracting most vacationers as bathers to the volcanic island. Stretching nine kilometers long and up to 50 meters wide, the Campo de Baixo runs along the southern coast–sand as far as the eye can see, with a gently sloping surf zone. The Atlantic shimmers azure blue, warming up to about 75 degrees Fahrenheit in the height of summer.
In the past, there were about 40 grain mills on the island, but only a few remain: Three extend their wings into the blue sky at the windy Portela viewpoint. There are no ostentatious hotel complexes on the island. High-rises? Not a chance; no one is allowed to build higher than three stories. What else there is to know about Porto Santo, we have summarized here.
Overview
How was the island discovered?
About 14 million years ago, the island was formed, with its volcanic origins visible on the slopes of Pico de Ana Ferreira. In ancient times, glowing hot lava bubbled to the surface here. Later, the mass cooled and left behind peculiar stone columns.
The Portuguese sailors João Gonçalves Zarco, Tristão Vaz Teixeira, and Bartolomeu Perestrelo reached the island in 1418, a year before the discovery of Madeira. According to legend, they originally intended to explore the African west coast. However, strong winds drove their sailing ships far out into the Atlantic during a storm to the saving island, which was then named Holy Harbor, Porto Santo.
The sand grains of the beach have healing effects
Scientists from the universities in Aveiro, Portugal, and Oslo have found a healing effect of the fine sand grains, which are rich in calcium, magnesium, strontium, phosphorus, and sulfur. Due to this special composition, the sand is said to alleviate the symptoms of rheumatic joint, muscle, and skin diseases.
Most of the 5,500 islanders live in the tranquil main town of Vila Baleira. Here, the most famous resident once settled: Christopher Columbus lived on Porto Santo over 500 years ago. In 1479, the Genoese sailor married Dona Filipa de Perestrelo e Moniz, the daughter of the island’s governor. Hidden behind the snow-white parish church of Nossa Senhora da Piedade lies the small estate where the explorer is said to have lived. This is not confirmed, but the building dates back to the 15th century. It houses the Columbus Museum, one of the island’s attractions.
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High season on Porto Santo is from June to August. The island is a popular vacation destination for the Portuguese themselves, who travel from the mainland and from the nearly beachless neighboring island of Madeira. Thousands of vacationers flock to the bathing beach. During these few weeks, the much-praised tranquility is over, but otherwise, Porto Santo is what it seems to be: an island of peace–and with plenty of nature.
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Where exactly is Porto Santo located?
The island is located about 42 kilometers northeast of Madeira.
What is the weather like on the island?
In the height of summer, temperatures are over 77 degrees Fahrenheit with high humidity. In the evening, it cools down to about 68 degrees. In winter, it is relatively mild at around 63 degrees, but there is an increased risk of storms.
How big is Porto Santo?
The Atlantic island of Porto Santo is only seven miles long and four miles wide.
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How many inhabitants does the island have?
There are 5,500 people living on the island, more than 4,000 of them in the main town of Vila Baleira.
How to best get to Porto Santo?
Flights from Germany first go to Lisbon. From there, continue to Porto Santo. An alternative is direct flights from Germany to Funchal on Madeira. From there, take the ferry to Porto Santo or fly from Funchal to Porto Santo.