The island offers fantastic opportunities for diving among sunken ships.
In Portugal, there is a charming beach known for its long, spacious sandy beaches and blue water, but it is rarely crowded. This is what Express writes about.
We’re talking about Praia do Porto Santo, which has made it onto the list of unexpectedly popular beach destinations for 2026, compiled by Iglu Cruises.
“These are places that usually don’t attract many visitors, but recently they’ve seen a significant increase in interest in search engines. It’s easy to see why people like this Portuguese beach so much,” the publication notes.
In particular, Iglu Cruises emphasized that Praia do Porto Santo beach in Madeira, which has received 81.8 % 5‑star ratings out of more than 1,600 reviews, offers a magnificent 9‑kilometre stretch of golden sand.
Its calm, warm waters and atmosphere, which match the island’s rhythm of life, consistently surpass the more bustling centres on the mainland, earning this beach the top spot in Portugal. The island offers fantastic opportunities for diving among sunken ships off its coast, as well as the chance to visit the former home of Christopher Columbus in the charming main town of Vila‑Baleira. Located in the Madeira archipelago, it underscores that Portugal’s island territories boast some of the calmest and cleanest coastal areas in the Atlantic,” the company said in a statement.
At the same time, the beach located on Porto Santo Island (a smaller neighboring island of Madeira) is unusual. It is the only sandy beach in the entire Madeira archipelago, stretching for 9 kilometers along the southern coast. However, on the main island of Madeira, pebble beaches or beaches with artificial sand predominate. Such a long strip consists of several separate sections, each with its own name.
“These are Penedo, Cabezo da Ponta, Calheta, Fontinha, Pedras Pretas, and Ribeiro Salgado, some of which have the ‘Blue Flag’ status. If you have limited mobility, Praia da Fontinha is the only beach accessible to people with disabilities,” Express adds.
Furthermore, Porto Santo enjoys a warm and dry climate with one of the longest beach seasons in the country, which lasts from late spring to early autumn.
“July and August are the peak season, when the sea is calmest, whereas in June or September the air temperature is the same, but there are fewer people on the beaches. The dry and stable climate ensures plenty of sunshine throughout the year, and the warm, clear, and calm water is ideal for swimming and water sports,” the publication notes.
Konstantin is an acclaimed travel writer, celebrated for transforming ordinary journeys into extraordinary narratives. With years of experience exploring diverse destinations across the globe, his work blends vivid storytelling, cultural insights, and practical advice to inspire wanderlust and guide readers toward unforgettable adventures.
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