Recently on a trip to Madeira with a group of friends I wanted to take them to a neighbouring island, Porto Santo. They were thinking Madeira had enough to see and a 2-hour ferry to another island didn't initially appeal. But it ended up being one of the highlights of our trip with the friends regretting that we only did a day trip instead of longer.
Did you know Madeira is actually an archipelago?
Known locally as the Golden Island (Ilha Dourada), Porto Santo is all about warm and clear waters, incredible dive sites, and a long golden sandy beach that covers nearly the entire southern coast.
So where is this secret island that has managed to hide from the world all this time? Madeira's 'other' holiday destination is around 40 kilometres north of the main island. The Porto Santo Ferry takes 2 hours 15 minutes from Funchal (you can get a day return) or take a plane in just 15 minutes. In the summer you can even get direct flights from some larger European airports, such as Lisbon and Gatwick.
The island is small at only around 11 kilometres long and 6 kilometres wide but perfect for a bike ride, jeep adventure, horse ride or - best of all - long barefoot strolls in the softest golden sand, whose characteristics are even known to have healing properties (according to scientists, the mineral content of the sands help with rheumatism). I don't know about you but I don't need a scientist to tell me that soft golden sand and clear turquoise water have healing effects that rejuvenate me.
The pace of life on the island is naturally very calm, perfect if your main goal is just to relax. There is however an 18 hole golf course designed by Seve Ballesteros if golf is your thing, and the views are incredible.
The only town - Vila Baleira is charmingly sleepy. Busier on the weekends with day-trippers from Madeira and locals strolling the little cobbled streets. If you want a bit of nightlife, join the locals and hop in and out of the trendy beach shacks along the main beach. Linens and flip-flops are more the things - this is not the place to bring your Louboutins. Be prepared to be amazed at the cheap, unique cocktails in the local bars (not so much in the hotels).
If you are expecting Maldives-style excess, you might be disappointed. Porto Santo's charm lies in its undiscovered beauty and lack of (over-) development. Luxury accommodation here is little to none and I would warn that the 5-star hotels are more like 4-star. Nevertheless, this is the place to be mesmerised and daydream, while drinking fish-bowl size cocktails and letting the sand warm your bones. You'll feel a sense of smug satisfaction at having discovered a small piece of paradise away from the crowds.
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