Porto Santo Honeymoon, Madeira, Portugal

Discover Porto Santo, a small and unspoiled island in the Madeira archipelago, for a honeymoon holiday or relaxing romantic getaway.

Things to do and see
Blessed with year-round sunshine, friendly locals who maintain age-old traditions, a stunning beach, scenic walking and cycling trails, fine local cuisine and luxury accommodation, Porto Santo Island offers all you need for a tranquil beach honeymoon at any time of year.

Choose your own secluded spot to sunbathe on the pale golden sands of Praia do Porto Santo, then go swimming and enjoy a huge variety of water sports.

Explore the maze of cobbled streets lined with whitewashed houses in the beachfront town of Vila Baleira, home to a host of lively bars, cafes and restaurants. While here, visit the Casa de Cristovão Colombo, a small museum displaying maps and engravings depicting the great explorer who lived here from 1478 to 1480.

Discover the island’s arid interior and rugged coast on foot, horseback or by bike. Venture across a series of narrow pathways that wind through barren hills and along the rugged north coast to reveal a series of black, bush-covered volcanic cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Climb the pine-fringed stone pathway to Pico do Castelo (430m) to see old cannons and the ruins of a 16th century fortress. Admire the Ilhéu da Fora and peaks of Pico do Facho and Pico do Castelo from the lookout of Pico da Ana Ferreira.

Hike up to Pico do Facho, the highest point on the island at 509m above sea level. Follow the coastal road on a bicycle to Ponta da Calheta or walk to the southern end of Praia do Porto Santo for scenic coastal views and magical sunsets over Ilheu de Baixo.

Golfers should check out the 18-hole par-72 Severiano Ballesteros-designed course at Porto Santo Golfe, offering spectacular views and fairways that fringe the Atlantic Ocean. After dark, unwind at a choice of relaxed and informal cafes, bars and restaurants in Vila Baleira.

Accommodation
Porto Santo offers a choice of excellent accommodation including: the Torre Praia Suite Hotel, home to one of the island’s finest restaurants; the Porto Santo, set in a peaceful garden location beside the beach; and the island's premier hotel – the beachfront Vila Baleira, where you can be pampered with a range of therapeutic treatments at Baleira Thalassa & Spa.

Take the two-hour ferry ride to Madeira Island and spend a few days or longer exploring the rich historical sights of Funchal, the São Vicente Caves and the dramatic mountain vistas from the belvederes of the Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo mountain peaks. Read more about Madeira . . .

When to visit Porto Santo?
The best time to honeymoon in Porto Santo is between May and September when the rainfall is low and temperatures average 25°C. Temperatures rarely fall below 20°C; even December has sunny days with a high of 22°C.

Location – The small (42km²) island of Porto Santo is located 40km northeast of Madeira Island, around 850km southwest of mainland Portugal and 560km west of the African coastline.

Getting there – By air, Porto Santo airport is just a 20-minute flight from Madeira Island, with daily flights from Madeira to Lisbon. By ferry, Porto Santo is around two hours from Madeira. How to get to Porto Santo . . .