A TINY island in the Atlantic Ocean has been labelled one of Europe’s best hidden gems and we bet you’ve never heard of it.
The Portuguese gem is nicknamed “the golden oasis,” thanks to it’s huge golden beaches said to cure sickness, excellent diving and party feasts.
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Studying the number of searches and Instagram hashtags different destinations gained, Avis, found Porto Santo as the second most underrated island in Europe.
Dubbed a “golden oasis suspended in the Atlantic Ocean” by Visit Madeira, Porto Santo boasts sprawling sandy beaches along its coasts despite being the smallest inhabited island in the Madeira Archipelago.
Its biggest is the five and a half-mile-long Porto Santo Beach, which features such calm and crystal-clear waters that it was named the best beach in Europe by the European Best Destinations, back in 2022.
But what is particularly unusual about this spot is that the sands are said to have healing qualities.
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High levels of calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, sulphur and strontium are found in the sand, and are thought to help regenerate skin and boost red blood cell growth.
So, a wander along the beach may be more beneficial than getting some fresh air and vitamin D.
Away from the destination’s flagship beach, the island has many more stunning coves to explore.
At Cabeço da Ponta Beach along the south east coast, holidaymakers can expect a more touristy vibe with numerous restaurants and bars to explore.
João do Cabeço Restaurant, for example, serves traditional Madeiran dishes such as picado, which translates as chopped meat, and is beef cut into small cubes and fired up with garlic and pepper then eaten using either forks or toothpicks.
Make sure to grab a poncha as well, a Madeiran cocktail made with sugar cane brandy, lemon or orange juice and honey.
Then there’s Calheta Beach on the west coast, which is described as the “perfect playground for children,” thanks to its mix of clear waters, sand dunes and rock pools, which are home to octopus and crabs.
The beach is edged by a small selection of shops, bars and restaurants, including the hugely popular Onda Azul, which is famous for its ‘bolo do caco’, – a type of Madeiran bread with garlic butter, that the chef makes by hand.
On a clear day, visitors can catch a glimpse of the neighbouring island of Madeira from the beach.
Over on the east coast of the island, travellers will find Cotrim Beach – an often deserted bay, carved out of the rocks of by millions of years of wind and sea erosion.
Marine life flourishes in this spot, making it great for snorkelling.
For a Blue Flag-awarded beach, head to Fontinha Beach, which is one of the most popular spots among locals and tourists, and is situated in one of the island’s busiest areas as it fronts the island’s capital of Vila Baleira.
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The waters around the entire island provide great diving opportunities.
Even at depths of 40 metres, conditions are usually quite clear, allowing explorers to see sunken ships and an abundance of marine life like sea spiders, rays, moray eels and barracudas.
Two ships were purposely sunk off the coast in 2000 and 2016 to create artificial reefs – they sit around 30 metres below the ocean’s surface and are home to numerous different species.
Other outdoor activities popular on the island include watersports such as windsurfing and also mountain biking, golf, horse riding and fishing.
Porto Santo is known as the ‘Golden Island’ for more than just its beaches.
There is also The Porto Santo Biosphere Nature Reserve, home to more than 2,110 species – with some existing only on the island.
And the island has a long history as well, as centuries ago in 1418, the island provided explorers with safety from the rough seas.
Having been sent off course by strong winds, Portuguese navigators João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira discovered the island and named it Porto Santo meaning ‘Blessed Harbour’.
Then, around 28 years later, a navigator named Henry appointed Bartolomeu Perestrelo as Governor of the island and his daughter eventually married Christopher Columbus.
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The Italian explorer and navigator is then believed to have spent quite some time on the island, preparing for his trip where he discovered America.
Travellers can visit the 15th century house, called ‘Christopher Columbus House Museum’ where the explorer is believed to have lived in the capital of Vila Baleria, which is full of portraits of Columbus and maps.
Vila Baleira sits around a main square and is home to the stunning 17th century Church of Nossa Senhora da Piedade.
Whilst the outside of the church blends in with the surrounding white-washed and terracotta-tiled buildings, inside visitors will find an ornate Gothic chapel.
Many festivals take place in the capital throughout the year as well including Festas de São João towards the end of June.
Locals gather in honour of St.John, the island’s patron saint, to watch a fireworks display, dance and enjoy traditional food and drinks such as ginger cake and hot wine.
And to honour the famous explorer, Columbus Festival takes place at the end of September with concerts, performances and even a realistic 16th century market.
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For foodies, there is Nossa Senhora da Graça Feast – a religious festival where locals gather at a chapel by the same name, to have a banquet before heading off on a procession and having a party.
If you can’t make the feast in mid-August, the check out Casa d’Avo, which is the best rated restaurant on the island with one guest saying it was “one of the best steaks” they’ve ever had.
Another claims it to be “the best place on Porto Santo to get a great meal”.
As for things to do with kids, Quinta das Palmeiras features a mini-botanical garden, spanning across 5,000 square metres.
It is a great spot for kids to explore and spot a number of different bird species including parrots and macaws.
If you wish to visit the island, the quickest way to get there is to fly from Lisbon – which takes just under two hours.
Or if you are staying on Madeira, then you can opt for a day trip via the two-and-a-half-hour long ferry from Funchal, typically costing around £100.
For holidaymakers wishing to stay on the island itself, there are several hotels and aparthotels – many of which are all-inclusive and sit close to beaches.
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One option is Vila Baleira Village, which is referred to as “an oasis of endless beauty” according to Visit Madeira.
The hotel features a minimalist vibe, with an outdoor pool, bar and restaurant – all just five minutes from Porto Santo beach.
TUI also offers bookings at a couple of hotels on the island – Hotel Pestana and Pestana Ilha Dourada Hotel and Villas.
At Hotel Pestana, there is a child-friendly outdoor pool and indoor adults-only pool, a reading room and Turkish baths.
Pestana Ilha Dourada Hotel and Villas offers similar facilities and is a five-minute walk from Combro Beach.
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Portugal’s lesser-visited areas including Algarve-alternative beaches
A SUN reporter recently headed to Portugal’s lesser-visited areas – here’s what they thought…
Portugal has so much more to offer than the sun-kissed beaches of the south, especially if you like your vitamin D fix mixed in with a healthy dose of adventure and a side of culture.
Our first port of call was Portugal’s only national park, the strikingly beautiful Peneda-Geres, where a week of hiking, cycling and traditional cuisine awaited us.
It’s not just an army that marches on its stomach, but small children, too, and thus with every walk came the chance to sample local mountain cuisine.
Our route from the tranquillity of the mountains would not take us to the coast, at least not yet, but instead to the Douro Valley.
Famed for its terraced hills where the vineyards produce some of the world’s finest port wine, it also benefits from a Mediterranean climate.
The station walls at Pinhao are adorned with beautiful blue and white azulejos — traditional Portuguese tiles — depicting scenes from the region.
Situated on the Silver Coast, which is a great alternative to the Algarve, Nazare has thankfully retained its charm, despite the rising number of visitors coming to see the waves and daring surfers.
But as we discovered, for those wanting a little more variety and adventure in their winter break, Portugal has an abundance of alternatives waiting to be explored.
A Portuguese expert has also shared the top hidden places for families – from secret wild islands to hidden caves.
Plus, there is a secret side to Portugal that has been crowned one of the best places in Europe to visit this year.
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