There’s something wonderfully easy about arriving in Porto Santo.
Just a short flight or a two-and-a-half-hour ferry from Funchal, Madeira’s busy capital, the tiny Portuguese island feels a world away from the crowds and bustle of its larger neighbour, despite the two being just 81 kilometres apart.
Madeira has long been a favourite alternative to Spain’s Canary Islands, drawing visitors with its dramatic landscapes, hiking trails and subtropical climate. Porto Santo, by comparison, has remained something of a secret.
That may well be set to change, though, after Expedia recently ranked it second in its annual Hot List of European islands to know now.
Porto Santo is pretty diminutive, even for an island. At just 11 kilometres across, it’s small enough to explore without ever feeling as though you need to be anywhere in particular.
That, really, is the appeal.
Rather than cramming your days with sightseeing or meticulously planning an itinerary, you can spend the morning wandering along the coast, stop for a long lunch and still have plenty of time left to find a quiet stretch of sand before sunset.
Head to the beach – and take a dip in the Atlantic
The beach – Praia do Porto Santo – is undoubtedly one of the island’s biggest draws and absolutely a must-see.
It’s a vast sweep of golden sand that stretches for around nine kilometres along the southern coast – nearly the entire length of the island.
The sand is so deep, I felt myself sinking into it as I ran across it in the July heat for a much-needed, cooling dip in the Atlantic Ocean that surrounds the island.
That water is certainly inviting and, even in the height of summer, the beach must be one of quietest in Europe, possibly due to its sheer size. Whatever the reason, there’s a sense that you can find your own little corner of the island here – and relax in peace.
When I’d had enough beach time, it was time for adventure.
Explore the island via buggy
Enter: Porto Santo Buggy Adventures. Run by the charming Tiago, who knows the island inside out, it was a great way to see the sights, while off-roading on exciting terrains.
For someone used to driving a Fiat 500, with an embarrassingly low top speed, I was a little nervous about being put in sole charge of a buggy but, as I strapped on goggles to protect my eyes, I realised I needn’t have worried.
It was genuinely one of the most fun experiences of my life so far.
I’d booked a 90-minute tour, but the excursion ran for much longer, and I felt I’d checked off plenty of must-sees on the island.
First was the Flores viewpoint, where I marvelled over much of the island from above, as well as smaller islets, once used for limestone mining.
Next up, we headed to the Dunas de Porto Santo. The landscape feels surprisingly remote, almost otherworldly, with rolling dunes creating an almost desert-like environment.
It’s made up of the finest of sand and fossils which combine to give the impression of being on the moon or another, unexplored planet – something that contrasts sharply with the sea just beyond.
Porto das Salemas was the next stop, a place where natural pools form among the rocks. At low tide, the water settles into clear, sheltered pools that are ideal for cooling off, particularly on a warm day.
I spotted colourful crabs in their natural habitat and chatted with families who bring picnics to the shore.
Stupidly, I’d forgotten to pack my swimsuit, but couldn’t resist a quick dip in my underwear. Usually, I’d be horribly embarrassed, but this island is so laid back, no one seemed to mind.
By the end of my buggy trip, my hair, skin and clothes were covered in Porto Santo’s notoriously intrusive fine dust but, truly, I was beaming as I hopped in the shower, high on adrenaline.
Clean again, it was time to eat.
Enjoy the local cuisine – and the relaxation
Of course, no trip to an island is complete without eating your way through the local specialities – and that’s certainly the case here.
One dish to look out for is scabbard fish, traditionally served with banana and passionfruit. It might sound like an unusual combination at first, but the sweet fruit works surprisingly well with the delicate fish.
Then there’s poncha, the island’s answer to a holiday cocktail. Made with sugar cane rum, citrus and sugar, it’s fresh and punchy, and best enjoyed slowly as the sun starts to disappear.
That’s perhaps the secret to Porto Santo. It’s not an island that demands much from you. There are no endless lists of attractions to tick off or packed schedules to follow.
For anyone looking to escape the crowds of better-known European beach destinations, it offers a quieter alternative without sacrificing the things that make an island holiday so appealing.
You get long beaches, warm seas, dramatic landscapes and excellent food, all within a place small enough to explore at your own pace.
Sometimes, the best holiday is the one where you have nowhere else to be – and Porto Santo is a perfect example of that.
Saskia O’Donoghue travelled to Porto Santo as a guest of Expedia.
A four-night stay in Porto Santo available to book on Expedia between 19-23 October 2026 starts at £642 (approx €749) per traveller including accommodation at Pestana Porto Santo Beach Resort & Spa and flights from London Heathrow via Lisbon to Porto Santo with TAP. Alternatively, you can bundle up the same accommodation with flights from Luton to Funchal with easyJet on Expedia from £465 per traveller and take a ferry from Funchal to Porto Santo. Ferry sold separately with Porto Santo Line.