| PORTO
SANTO |
The peaceful island of Porto Santo, located 46 km north-east
of Madeira, is an idyllic Atlantic hideaway with a 9-km stretch
of golden, sandy beach.
Two mountains mark each end of the island which was, in fact,
the first landfall of the discoverer João Gonçalves
Zarco, who named it Porto Santo (Holy Port) in gratitude for
being blown there during a storm in 1418.
What to see. Its main town, Vila Baleira, is no more
than a small village in comparison to Madeira's capital, Funchal.
Apart from the beach, visitors to Porto Santo should visit the
house of Christopher Columbus, located behind the town's church
of Nossa Senhora da Piedade. The explorer arrived in Madeira
in 1478 and went to live on the neighbouring island after marrying
the governor's daughter. His house, built from rough stone,
was carefully restored for the 500th anniversary of the explorer's
landing in America and contains an account of his life, along
with rare maps, paintings and engravings. Behind the town is
the fortress of Pico do Castelo, which served to protect the
island from pirates and the French. The lookout point at Portela
on the hillside, north of Vila Baleira, offers spectacular ocean
views and an island-wide panorama.
Nearby. No stay on Porto Santo is complete without a
visit to the neighbouring island of Madeira. Full-day round-trips
can be made by ferry: a regular service linking Funchal and
Vila Baleira is subject to cancellations during winter because
of rough seas. The faster but more expensive option is by plane
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| © 2007 Maisturismo |
