Porto Santo, situated 40 km northeast of Madeira, is the second largest island of the archipelago and the first to be discovered in 1418. It measures 11 km in length and 6 km in width with its highest point only 517m above sea level at pico do Facho. Porto Santo’s main attraction is the 9 km long beach that thanks to the favourable dry and mild climate can be enjoyed all year round.
Vila Balera is the only inhabited village and was once the home of Christopher Columbus whose house has been converted into a Museum open to visitors Monday to Friday from 10-12 and 14-17.30.