 Porto Santo - View of the beach from the north | |
| Porto Santo | |
| circle | Porto Santo |
|---|---|
| Residents | 5.500 (2011) |
other value for residents on Wikidata: 5483   | |
| Tourist information Tel | 351 291 985 189 |
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | |
Porto Santo is part of the Atlantic archipelago of Madeira.
background
The island Porto Santo is about 42 km northeast of the main island in the Atlantic. It extends over a length of approx. 11 km and a width of approx. 6 km. It is also of tourist interest for the residents of the main island because of the 9 km long sandy beach Campo de Baixo in the southeast of the island. Apart from the artificial lagoon in Calheta Beach it is the only sandy beach in the entire archipelago
The landscape, especially compared to the main island Madeira is rather barren, which is due to the dry climate and the extensive clearing of the original dragon tree population. Efforts to reforest are still in their infancy. The slightly mountainous side is concentrated in the northwest of the island, while the sparsely populated west coast is steep and rough in places. Most vacationers will settle along the sandy beach on the southeast coast.
Porto Santo is well suited for a beach holiday with occasional activities on the island. Excursions to the main island are rather difficult or expensive because of the two-hour ship passage to Funchal (flight to Santa Cruz on Madeira 15 minutes).
getting there
For excursions from Madeira Island, day passes for flight-ship combinations are offered, sometimes for several days
By plane
Connections from Madeira Santa Cruz Airport several times a day for approx. 25 minutes Binter canarias also direct connections from Lisbon and Porto (TAP). Direct flights by package tour operators are offered sporadically. The airport of Porto Santo is almost on the outskirts of Vila Baleira in the center of the island.
By boat
2 hours 15 minutes by boat from Funchal to Vila BaleiraPorto Santo LineTelephone: (351) 291 210 300
places
- The main town Vila Baleira is located at the northern end of the long sandy beach of Campo de Baixo.
- The villages are located along the road that goes around the northern peaks of the island Serra de Fora and Serra de Dentro
- The locality Camacha(not to be confused with Camacha in Madeira) is at the western end of the airport runway, set back from the coast
- Pedras Pretas, Lapeiras and the place Campo de Baixo mark roughly the middle part of the eastern course of the beach
- Ponta da Calheta marks the southern tip of the island (also not to be confused with Calheta on the main island)
mobility
The short distances from the main town Via Baleira from the port are made easier by a bus connection, which is based on the departure times of the ships. From there there is a daily connection to Camacha and Serra de Dentro. In summer, buses also run along the 9 km long eastern beach road.
Given the manageable distances, you hardly need your own vehicle. A rental on site is possible via four companies, presumably also via corresponding portals from Germany.
Renting bicycles or scooters should be a good alternative, for example at
- Auto Acessórios Colombo, Av. Vieira de Castro, nº 64 9400-179 Porto Santo. Tel.: 351 291 984 438, Email: [email protected].
Taxis can be reached on tel. 351 291 982 334.
Tourist Attractions
see also Vila Baleira
- In the small town of Camacha there is still a small private museum with collections of historical tools and equipment as well as miniatures of windmills, which would like to give an insight into the original water supply of the island:
- Cardina Museum, Estrada Domingos de Ornelas Sítio da Camacha.
- Near Camacha offers the enclosed fresh water source Fonte da Areia a former fountain of youth, if one likes to follow popular belief. Right next to it, bizarre rock formations offer a contrast to the pleasant east side of the island. More recent reports complain about the deplorable deterioration of the plants.
- Lookout point Pico das Flores on the southern tip of the island with a view of the offshore, deserted island of Ilhéu de Baixo. On the north flank of the Pico de Ana Ferreira interesting basalt formations.
- Restored Windmills on the Portela Plateau.
activities
- Diving
- Baleira Diving Center. Tel.: 351 291 980 809. Wreck of the freighter "Madeirense" 1.6 km off the island at a depth of 34 m, reefs and archaeological dives.
- Golf course with tennis courts and riding facilities
- Swimming
- According to the main attraction, the 9 km long sandy beach. Around Vila Baleira there is a partially paid infrastructure with showers, snack bars and security. The further south you venture, the more lonely the beach life becomes. Porto Santo beach also serves as a leisure destination of choice for the residents of the main island of Madeira, so the number of days off increases in line with their days off.
- hike
- The hiking path PR1 Vereda de Pico Branco e Terra Cha leads from the regional road E.R. 111 on the Pico Branco (White Mountain). The distance is 2.7 kilometers in each direction, the hike takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. The starting point is at 180 meters above sea level, the highest point at 450 meters above sea level.
- The hiking path PR2 Vereda de Pico Castelo leads from the village Moledo on a forest road around the Pico de Facho on the Pico Castelo to the Belvedere of Canhao. Depending on the route chosen, the distance is 3.2 or 4.6 kilometers, the hike takes 1 hour 30 minutes or 2 hours 15 minutes. The lowest point is 225 meters above sea level, the highest point at 435 meters above sea level.
Festivities and events
- As in Madeira, the carnival celebrated in February / March with parades, street festivals and public dance parties.
- Around the local holiday on June 24th, this also takes place in addition to the community weeks Festival São João instead of. For a few days there are sporting competitions and public appearances by local music and folklore groups are organized, i.e. a multi-day street festival with parades.
- The annual takes place in the last week of August Wine festival instead of.
- The Columbus festival in the third week of September there will again be street festivals, market bustle and exhibitions.
kitchen
Good restaurants are not only found in Vila Baleira. Country inns or farms with attached restaurants can be found all over the island. Lots of restaurants just outside Vila Baleiras offer a free pick-up and delivery service if you register in advance.
- Adegas das Levadas restaurant, Subida do Miradouro das Flores, Porto Santo. Tel.: 351 291 982 557. Open: Summer 1pm - 3pm / 7.30pm - 10.30pm, Winter 8pm - 10.30pm.Price: medium price category.
- Restaurante O Torres, Camacha. Tel.: 351 291 984 373.
accommodation
There is a wide range of accommodation options on Porto Santo, not only, but largely, along the Campo de Baixo beach. Some holiday apartments are also available.
- Vila Baleira Thalassa Beach & Conference Resort hotel. Tel.: 351 291 980 800, Fax: 351 291 980 80, Email: [email protected].
nightlife
In the district Penedo do Sono At the seaside end of the old town of Vila Baleira, some bars and restaurants also try to provide entertainment, especially during the summer months. Often mentioned are:
- Music room Challenger, Rua Estêvão Alencastre, Vila Baleira. Open: daily from 10 p.m. until morning, only in summer.
- Zarco Pub, Rua João Gonçalves Zarco, Vila Baleira. rustic cult pub.Open: Daily starting 18 O 'clock.
security
The emergency number 112 is also available on Porto Santo and, if necessary, organizes rescue flights to the main island.
It is responsible for medical emergencies on the island Centro da Saude, Rua Dr José D. Lima on the road from Vila Baleira to the port.
climate
Porto Santo has a very temperate climate, with temperatures of 13-19 degrees in the winter months, which increase to peaks of 20-25 degrees in August / September. The sparse amounts of precipitation fall mainly between November and February and even then rarely exceed 50 mm / month.
literature
Web links
- offz. Tourism portal Madeira
