Porto Santo GUIDE PORTO SANTO
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Porto Santo GUIDE PORTO SANTO MADEIRA Vila Baleira Funchal 2 Contents 05 Who are we? 35 Museums and monuments 06 Vila Baleira 40 Customs and traditions 40 Feasts and Celebrations 08 Where are we? 09 Climate 42 Folklore 10 A brief history 44 Festivals and events 13 Accommodation 46 Useful information 51 Tourist Information Office 14 Local cuisine 16 Not to be missed 23 Outdoor activities 23 Walking trails 26 Gardens and parks 28 Nature Reserves 30 Beaches and Pools 32 Active Tourism 3 4 Health and well-being go hand in hand Who on this magnificent island as, in addition to the beach’s crystalline waters, its sand also enjoys rare therapeutic properties. Composed mainly of calcium carbonate in the form of calcite, the sand is very soft, are we? light and golden in colour and has unique thermal properties. Surrounded by turquoise waters, the tranquil golden island of Porto Santo The beach on the island of Porto Santo is the smallest inhabited island in the was voted best “dune beach” in the Madeira archipelago. “7 Wonders - Beaches of Portugal” competition, a prize that recognises The island is made up of a single the quality and beauty of this beach. administrative parish, Vila Baleira, The beach, ranked among the top 15 which also serves the islets, Ilhéus de in Europe, has also held the Blue Flag Baixo, Cima, Ferro and Fonte de Areia. accreditation for almost three decades. The hospitality and friendliness of the Other attractions of Porto Santo besides locals, a pleasant climate throughout the the beach include the town of Vila Baleira year, the spectacular natural beauty of its and its natural landscape punctuated unique landscapes and the island’s history by traditional windmills where various and culture are just some of the reasons outdoor activities, festivities and delicious to visit this paradise. local cuisine are offered. The island’s main attraction is its fine golden sand beach which, stretching for 9 km, is perfect for sunbathing and swimming. 5 Vila Baleira The city of Vila Baleira is located on the south coast of the island and, together with its beach, offers a captivating landscape to all those who visit. The city’s various natural settings include the picturesque town centre, the nine kilometres of beach, its seaside walking paths, some small peaks and an endless blue sea. Vila Baleira is a friendly, clean and tranquil city. As the lights come on in the evening so too does the night life begin, with visitors and locals coming out to have a drink or one of our famous “lambecas” or ice creams. 6 The town centre is a place where the local population gathers to celebrate, relax or simply spend time together with family and friends. Regarding entertainment, there are several friendly hotels, restaurants and bars, not only on the beach but also in the town centre. The very safe atmosphere combined with the pleasures of a beautiful fine sand beach make the Vila Baleira a privileged location. This small town is the ideal place to escape from the stress of everyday life while reaping the therapeutic benefits of the iodine, calcium and magnesium rich sands that help to restore mineral shortages in the human body. 7 Where are we? Inhabited by 5,483 people, Porto Santo is the second largest island in the Autonomous Region of Madeira and has an approximate total area of 42 km2. Its capital is Vila Baleira. The island is located in the Atlantic Ocean at the extreme south-west of Europe, 500 km from the African coast (Morocco) and 1000 km from Europe. It is about an hour and a half flight from the city of Lisbon. 8 Climate The climate on the island of Porto Santo is dry and stable with little thermal variation between the seasons, so it is possible to make use of the beach all year round. The beach is bathed by a sea of calm and crystalline waters. In the summer months, the average temperature of the sea water is mild, between 24º C and 25º C, and in the rest of the year it drops by about two to three degrees. 9 A Brief H i sto ry Although previously known, it was not until 1420 that the islands, that now make up the Madeira Archipelago, were recognised and colonized by Portuguese sailors at the service of ‘the Navigator’ Prince Henry of Portugal. Sailors João Gonçalves Zarco, Tristão Vaz Teixeira and Bartolomeu Perestrelo first arrived on a small island after being dragged there by a storm. As it had saved their crew from a tragic fate, they named it Porto Seguro or Porto Santo (’Holy Port’). It is believed that the following year they arrived on the island of Madeira. 10 Bartolomeu Perestrelo was appointed first Two defensive positions were added ‘Captain Donee’ of Porto Santo. to this on Pico Castelo. Between 1479 and 1481, Christopher The main purpose of the attacks was to Columbus resided on this island, capture Christians for their sale as slaves. having married Filipa Moniz, one of the Mainly able-bodied young men were daughters of Bartolomeu Perestrelo. chosen for this, as well as fertile women It was in Porto Santo that Christopher of child-bearing age and children, who Columbus honed his knowledge of represented an easier vehicle for the cartography and navigation. propagation of the faith. The house where he lived is in the centre For decades, Porto Santo suffered of Vila Baleira and is now the Christopher from the combined effects of extreme Columbus House Museum. agricultural poverty due to water shortages and sackings at the hands The island was subject to several fierce of pirates, in addition to the precarious attacks by pirates and other privateers, health conditions that existed at the time. the most cruel of which occurred at the hands of an Algerian fleet Today, the island of Porto Santo is of eight ships between the 16th and the undergoing an exceptional surge in 27th of August 1617. 900 inhabitants of human and economic progress and the island were taken to Algiers, leaving development, strongly focused on only 18 men and 7 women, who hid tourism. in caves in the hills and in grain silos excavated beneath some houses. The island’s military defences have always been limited and its first true bastion, the S. José Fort, was built in the eighteenth century in the era of the Marquis of Pombal. 11 12 Accommodation Porto Santo offers an extremely wide range It offers shower and toilet facilities, a TV of accommodation choices. room, internet, a bar and electricity. Apart from many different hotels, there is 9400-164 Porto Santo also a wide range of boarding houses and Phone: (+351) 291 982 209 holiday cottages. E-mail: [email protected] Rural tourism houses in the mountain or by the sea are also available, not forgetting Youth Hostel the youth hostel and camping site which The Island’s hostel is mainly used by are another alternative to traditional youth groups, associations and the accommodation. general population. The Porto Santo Youth Centre is located in Vila Baleira, Rural tourism about 8 minutes’ walk from the wharf. It Rural Tourism is the perfect choice for those has facilities for people with disabilities. who seek more direct contact with nature 2, Rua Almeida Ribeiro and local traditions, with houses located in 9400-151 Porto Santo rural areas of Porto Santo, especially in the Phone: (+351) 291 982 607 vicinity of Camacha. E-mail: [email protected] Camping site The Island’s camping site is located in Vila Baleira, near Fontinha beach. It is a treed and fenced space with capacity for 800 people. 13 Local cuisine Food in Porto Santo ranges from typical The bread is baked on a preheated regional dishes to international cuisine. stone or ‘caco’ and is eaten hot, with or without garlic butter. With its proximity to the sea, there are delicious fish and seafood dishes available, For lovers of fruit, Porto Santo is a true including black scabbard fillets, shellfish, paradise. Fruits such as table grapes, limpets, caramujo (type of sea mollusc), figs, watermelon, honeydew melon and octopus, amongst others. tomato are abundant on the island in summer. Other typical regional dishes include beef skewers accompanied by fried corn, or the For those with a sweet tooth, Porto famous beef “picado” served with chips and Santo presents typical delights such as a delicious sauce. ‘rosquilhas’ and ‘bolo capela’ or chapel cake, which is traditionally linked to the Bolo do Caco is a signature regional dish Festival of St John. which, despite its name suggesting a type of cake, is actually a type of bread made from wheat flour, moulded into into small flat rounded breads. 14 15 Not to be missed 1. Relax on the beach The beach of Porto Santo stands out for its extensive 9km of golden sand with therapeutic properties and its azure and inviting water. Don’t miss the opportunity to relax in its idyllic scenery bathed by a turquoise sea of indescribable beauty. 2. Admire the panoramic view from the Terra Chã belvedere This belvedere point offers a beautiful panoramic view of the city and some of the most emblematic locations of the island of Porto Santo, such as de Cima Islet and Pico Branco. There is also a path that provides access to the top of Pico Branco, where white urzela lichen (Roccella Sp.) can be found. 16 3. Discover the windmills of the Portela belvedere This belvedere is surrounded by three windmills and offers a view of the entire south coast of the island: to the west, the beach and the Ilhéu da Cal islet; to the east, the conical form of Pico de Baixo, de Cima islet, the harbour and the marina.