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Europe might not be the first destination that comes to mind when you think of a sunny getaway this time of year – it’s a place you normally go for Christmas markets and snowy old towns – but this is a continent more diverse than it gets credit for.
It can be rainy and cold in places like Paris and London, but on this forgotten island in the Atlantic Ocean, where golden beaches are surrounded by turquoise waters and instead of buzzing traffic, it’s pristine, volcanic nature as far as the eye can see. , it averages 68°F in December.
You read that right: if it is this, you can still enjoy balmy winter temperatures across the pond sun-drenched Portuguese island where you are going.
And no, it’s not Madeira, but nice try!
Where is Porto Santo located?
Porto Santo is a small island just 44 kilometers northeast of Madeira, so if you immediately thought of the better-known Portuguese island, you weren’t actually far off: it’s part of the same archipelago, located off the coast of West Africa, and enjoy warmer temperatures all year round.
Winters are quite mild, with an average daily high of 80°F and a low of 57°F. So while you’re unlikely to chatter your teeth taking a late-night stroll or dining al fresco here, it’s still a good idea to pack a light jacket for the evenings.
Oh, and if you think Madeira is small, just wait until you see Porto Santo: while Madeira is in reality quite extensivewith a landmass of 286 square kilometers, its little sister covers an area of just 16.28 square kilometers – it may not sound like much, but you’d be surprised how Nice it could be.
Starting with the beaches: these are host Praia do Porto Santoone of the most beautiful stretches of sand anywhere in Portugal, the Madeira archipelago or the mainland, with soft, warm sand Stretching for more than eight kilometers along an unusually clear Atlantic Ocean.
The main beach is within easy reach best equipped on the island to receive tourists, with sun loungers and parasols for hire and a wide range of water sports, but the rocky Praia do Zimbralinholapped by turquoise waters, and flanked by the cliff Praia da Calheta are just as picturesque.
Porto Santo has beautiful landscapes
Porto Santo doesn’t have the towering peaks of Madeira or the lush green nature. Although they may belong to the same archipelago, Madeira is crisscrossed by subtropical jungles and dotted with volcanoes, while the satellite island is much flatter and arid in comparison.
Think of Gran Canaria in Spain, but without the busy crowds.
That’s not to say the nature here isn’t breathtaking, it’s just different. Moreover, you are not bothered by the crowds, and the landscape is similar Real untouched:
Like Madeira, there are plenty of walks to be had, and its compact size means you can see much of the island on foot:
This has to be the most popular walk on Porto Santo Vereda do Pico do Castelowalking up to the highest peak of the island, rises a proud 516 meters above sea level and it takes 1h30 to the top – and the views at the top are simply breathtaking.
Porto Santo offers budget-friendly activities
But Porto Santo’s greatest asset is undoubtedly its abundance of affordable activities: you can go snorkeling in the Marine Protected Area from just $49.39or even night snorkeling, when the sea creatures glow under the moonlight, from $67.78.
Taking a kayak tour from Calheta Beach is an equally incredible way to interact with the rich marine life with tickets priced at $36.22but in no way is a trip to Porto Santo complete without this 180-minute off-road tour Buggy tour from $82.32:
Finch (almost) all the main attractions of Porto Santos set off in one go with a guided tour of the island’s mountainous interior, sand dunes, winding roads and coastal routes, along countless miradouros (viewpoints) in between, including Miradouro da Portela, Fonte de Areia And Miradouro das Flores.
Other attractions on the island include the capital and largest settlement, Vila Baleira, where a majority of the population lives, the Porto Santo Golf Course, perhaps the most picturesque course in the world as it overlooks the ocean, and the Christopher Columbus House.
Yes, in case you didn’t know, the Columbuswho left for America during the age of discoveries, lived in Porto Santo several years after he married his first wife, a native Portuguese noblewoman, and their house has now been converted into a small museum.
Where to stay and eat in Porto Santo?
If you are looking for hotels in Porto Santo, we can recommend the beach Hotel Praia Douradaequipped with a swimming pool and just a few steps from the beach: this will cost you $51 per night.
For dinner, head to local favorite Panorama Restaurant, just off Carlos Pestana Vasconcelos Road: they serve fresh seafood and the most tender steak you’ll ever try in this part of the world, with prices ranging between $19 and $34.
As for the panorama itself, you can’t put a price on it.
If you are looking for something unique to do, we recommend paying the Porto Santo Salt Pans (Salinas da Fonte da Bica) a visit: they have been active centuriesand the salt produced here is considered a national treasure.
How to get to Porto Santo in winter?
If you’re going to Porto Santo this winter, there are two ways to get there: first fly to Madeira, where there are non-stop flights from America, and then take the 2h30 ferry to Porto Santo, costs $80or fly direct to Porto Santo from selected European hubs.
Porto Santo Airport is served by seasonal flights from Funchal, Madeira itself, Lisbon and Porto in mainland Portugal, Milan-Bergamo in Italy, Frankfurt in Germany and London-Gatwick in England, two popular connecting hubs for Americans reaching off-route destinations . Europe.
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