An idyllic European island known for its beautiful beaches is becoming a popular destination this summer.
Porto Santo, a quieter and sandier sister island of Madeira, offers a peaceful retreat that larger tourist destinations like Madeira and the Canary Islands lack. While Madeira and Tenerife attract millions of visitors annually, Porto Santo sees only around 50,000 tourists each year.
Accessible by a two and a half hour ferry ride from Funchal, Porto Santo boasts a magnificent 5.5-mile golden sand beach along its south coast. This feature is unique as Madeira mostly has rocky or pebble beaches, making Porto Santo the top choice for a classic beach holiday in the archipelago.
The beach sand on Porto Santo is renowned for its alleged therapeutic properties, particularly beneficial for joint and skin conditions. Visitors often indulge in burying themselves in the sand or taking mud/sand treatments. The island’s calm turquoise waters are perfect for swimming and offer opportunities for watersports like windsurfing, kitesurfing, and diving.
Porto Santo provides a combination of golden beaches, pleasant weather, and a relaxed atmosphere ideal for unwinding. It is gaining popularity as travelers seek tranquil and laid-back vacation spots outside of the typical beach destinations in Europe.
The island has been recognized in Expedia’s Island Hot List, experiencing an 85% surge in interest over the past year.