Porto Santo, the island that lies 37 km (23 miles) northeast of Madeira, is
smaller, flatter and drier than its sister island. It also possesses something
that Madeira lacks: a 9-km (6-mile) beach of golden sand, running the entire
length of the island’s south coast. There is a daily ferry service between
Funchal and Porto Santo, which takes 2 hours and 40 minutes. There are also
daily flights, shortening the trip to 15 minutes.

Porto Santo is a popular holiday destination for Madeirans, mainland Portuguese
and growing numbers of foreign tourists. There are five big, but mostly discreet
hotels, and several holiday resorts with villas and apartments. Snorkelling is
good here and bicycles can be hired.

The one historic site of note on the island is the Casa de
Colombo  (house of Christopher Columbus), located behind Nossa Senhora
da Piedade in Vila Baleira. The restored house is built from rough stone, and
contains exhibits that tell Columbus’s story, including maps, paintings and
engravings.