What to do in Porto Santo (besides going to the beach)
You’ve probably booked your holiday in Porto Santo dreaming about the long, sandy beach with turquoise waters. But now it’s cloudy, the wind doesn’t stop, and you’ve already made the sightseeing tour. So what’s left for you to do on this small island? Here are some activities you can enjoy in Porto Santo – besides going to the beach or waiting for the Sun to appear.
Visit the lighthouse islet
On the Eastern side of Porto Santo’s beach there’s a small islet, Ilhéu de Cima. You can see clearly all the rock’s strata and, if you look closely, you can probably spot a lighthouse on top of it too. And how cool would it be to visit that islet? I have good news, because you can do it. Every morning, there’s a small guided tour to visit the islet, where you’ll hike all the way to the lighthouse and discover all the regional fauna and flora.
These tours usually include a transfer from your hotel to the marina, as well as small degustation of local products. If the weather improves in the meantime, you can also dive and snorkel close to the islet – tour operators will usually provide glasses and snorkels. You only need to bring your towel, sunscreen, and bathing suit.
Hit the golf Course
Porto Santo has always suffered from seasonality. The exception, with visitors all year round, is the golf court designed by Spanish pro Seve Ballesteros in 2004. The court has two sides. The North side is on top of impossible basalt cliffs, and you need to shoot over a gorge to reach the cliff-top green. On the South side, which overlooks the island, there are several small lakes and you need to make long, precise shots to hit the holes.
Finally, there was a small 9-hole route for those who want to improve their aim and technique. So, whether you’re a keen golfer or just an amateur, I’m sure you’ll find a route that works for you. You won’t even miss the beach! And if golfing is not enough, there are also some tennis courts on the premises, which are considered the best in Madeira.
Horse riding in Morenos
Speaking of the equestrian centre, another activity you can do in Porto Santo is horse riding. At the bottom of Pico de Ana Ferreira (the one with the organ-pipe looking rocks), there is a small centre that provides classes to people from all ages and levels of expertise. There are classes for beginners, routes to famous viewpoints, and even hippotherapy, allowing you to experience Porto Santo in a whole different way.
Buggy tour
Okay, if it’s windy, this may not be the best idea. But if you’re staying away from the beach simply because it’s March and the sea is still cold, taking a buggy tour through Porto Santo’s dunes will surely cheer you up. Although buggy tours are very safe, it’s a thrill to ride over the dunes and venture off road in Porto Santo. It’s perhaps not the chill holiday at the beach you were hoping for, but extremely fun nonetheless.
Trails and hikes
When it comes to trails and hikes, it’s darn hard to compete with Madeira. But Porto Santo also has some nice trails to offer, as long as you have the appropriate shoes. (If you didn’t bring comfortable sneakers, there are a couple of outerwear shops on the island, near the road that leads to Fontinha Beach.)
One of the easiest trails is a 5 km (round-trip) hike to Pico Branco (PR 1), the second highest peak on the island, culminating at the Vila Chã viewpoint. Another hike (known as PR 2), slightly more strenuous, goes to the peak at Pico do Castelo. Finally, if you’re willing to crawl, the most famous hike on the whole island is at Pico de Ana Ferreira, from where you can see the sunrise from a small cave.
Cycling
Visitors to Porto Santo often rent urban bikes to get from their lodgings to the beach or to the supermarket. However, most rent-a-bikes also have mountain bikes, e-bikes and even scooters available, allowing you to discover the hikes and trails comfortably on two wheels. If you’re a fan of cycling, this a great way to spend a day in Porto Santo away from the beach – and it’s cheaper than the other alternatives too.
Quinta das Palmeiras
Quinta das Palmeiras is a small (micro) tropical bird zoo and (micro) botanical park in Porto Santo, which emerges as an oasis in the middle of the desert. While I’m not a fan of seeing birds in cages, the garden is well-kept, you can feed the kois, and it’s a nice family activity. If you need to entertain your children for a little while, this should be on top of your priority list. The whole visit takes about an hour.
Mini-golf and gym
Speaking of children-friendly activities, I was absolutely puzzled to find a free mini-golf and outdoor gym in Porto Santo the first time I visited. (The island is so safe that nobody steals the cubs and the balls!) The park is very well-kept, and the little course is filled with homages to Porto Santo. In one hole, you need to get your ball over a mock-up of Porto Santo’s pier. In another, you need to overcome a windmill.
Visit the Casa Colombo Museum
Absolutely nobody, nil, comes to Porto Santo to visit a museum. However, if it’s raining, it’s good to have some alternatives that are not outdoors. In that case, there aren’t many options besides Casa Colombo, where Christopher Columbus briefly lived. Columbus was married to Porto Santo’s first governor’s daughter, and he stayed in Porto Santo before she passed and he set sail to the Americas.
Porto Santo celebrates his stay to this day with a “Columbus festival” every September, which sports a 16th century market, cosplays, dance and music performances. Now, the house itself has very little to see – it’s basically a room – but the museum does offer a nice historical perspective of the island’s settlement, which was challenging from the very beginning due to the lack of water and pirate attacks, and the Age of Discovery overall.
Go Shopping
As I came across this blog post, I realised I’m not the only one who enjoys shopping in Porto Santo. The truth is that I never come back from Porto Santo empty-handed! Despite having a small selection of stores, there are always a couple of finds and great, casual beachwear. Because, as I’ve previously said, Porto Santo is a whole mindset.
Coming to Porto Santo and dealing with cooler weather than you expected can be a bummer. Still, there are plenty of options to have a fun holiday and make the most of your time on the island!
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