A body of water with Porto Santo Island in the background

Porto Santo Island Tour

Known as the "Golden Island", due to the colour of the soil, the island has a lot to offer. Join in on this panoramic drive and discover the diversity, history, fauna and flora of this charming island.

  • Great viewpoints
  • Diverse landscape with flora & fauna
  • History & geology
  • Christopher Columbus museum

  • Difficulty level

    Level 2: Suitable for most.

  • Duration

    5h

  • Max. passengers

    150

  • Booking code

    E-PXO3

  • From

    £ 61

  • Notices

    Comfortable walking shoes recommended.

Your comfortable coach will take you to Portela, which overlooks the golden beach and the small town of Vila Baleira below. From here, the tour continues to the summit of Pico do Castelo, one of the highest volcanic peaks on the island, providing great views.

After a short photo stop, you will be driven to Cardina Museum in the village of Camacha. The museum is the product of the personal passion of José Cardina. Fascinated by the artefacts of Porto Santo's past, Cardina began not only to collect them, but to make beautiful working 1:5 scale models of artisan's implements. The museum itself is an octagon, built around a life-size wooden windmill, many of which once were found all over the island. Around the walls you'll find a vast collection of antique tools and farming implements. You'll also have a chance to taste Porto Santo wine.

The tour proceeds to Quinta das Palmeiras, a place that provides a surprising patch of lush greenery in a dry plain to the west of the airport. This mini botanical garden and bird-park is the result of the vision of local Carlos Afonso. His oasis is a haven of shade, with roses, red hot pokers, hibiscus and angel's trumpets aplenty. Swans swim around in the pool of a fountain. There are cooing doves, gorgeous parrots and all manner of other birds.

Your tour will then proceed to Calheta, the western point of the island, where a narrow channel separates the inlet of Baixo from the main island. On a clear day, Madeira is sometimes visible from Calheta, and there are nearly always magnificent views out over the Atlantic Ocean.
Returning to the town, you will visit a small museum in a house where Christopher Columbus once lived. Columbus married the daughter of Bartolomeu Perestrelo, the first governor of Porto Santo, but left the island long before he set out on his voyages of discovery.
Return to the ship.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION


• Hike level: 2
• Included: A glass of Porto Santo wine and one soft drink. Entrance fees.
• Remarks/requirements: Comfortable walking shoes recommended.
• Walking information: In and out of bus, walking at stops.
Total driving time 2h 15m
• Wheelchair accessible: No
• Maximum participants: 200