This Under-the-radar Island Was Just Named the Best Beach Destination in Europe

Madeira, Portugal, is best known for its namesake wine, cable cars, and lush scenery. And while most people hunker down on the archipelago’s eponymous largest island, there are hidden treasures to uncover nearby. Situated about 26 miles northeast of Madeira is the small island of Porto Santo, which very much flies under most visitors’ radars.

However, it’s not completely unknown. With sandy beaches on par with those found in Turks and Caicos and Thailand, it was only a matter of time before word got out. In what will come as no surprise to anyone who has visited (or seen unfiltered photos on Instagram), Porto Santo Island was just named Europe’s leading beach destination in the 2024 World Travel Awards. The sunny speck in the North Atlantic Ocean beat Portugal’s popular southern coast, the Algarve, which has clinched the title on 10 separate, previous occasions.

While Porto Santo may be small in size, it’s big on beaches. There’s the golden sands of Porto Santo Beach, which is part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that protects several species of terrestrial and marine animals including the world’s rarest seal, the Mediterranean monk seal. Another pretty spot to unroll a towel and go for a swim in warm, turquoise waters is Ponta da Calheta, known for its photogenic, rocky outcroppings. And if you’re hungry, there’s a nice, casual restaurant nearby, Restaurante O Calhetas, for easy-going lunches of fresh-caught seafood.

Besides its stunning shoreline, “The Golden Island” offers plentiful off-shore dive sites as well as a unique, arid landscape that contrasts with its more verdant neighbor, Madeira. On the drive between beaches, simply stop at the island’s many scenic lookouts to take it all in.

Porto Santo can be accessed by a cruise ship-style ferry that takes about two and a half hours or a 20-minute, Binter-operated flight.