Porto Santo: the golden beach of the Madeira archipelago

The Porto Santo beach, roughly nine kilometers of unbroken golden sand, remains unique in the entire Madeira archipelago, predominantly rocky.

A few steps away, the House of Christopher Columbus, where the explorer lived before embarking for the Americas, today a museum, preserves objects linked to the Portuguese period of his life.

Heading inland one climbs Pico do Castelo, an ancient fortification from which one observes the entire island and the coast of Madeira on the horizon.

As evening falls, sand therapy treatments on the beach, a local tradition dating to the nineteenth century, remain popular among visitors seeking relaxation.

Porto Santo's golden sand, rich in mineral and organic components, has been used since the Nineteenth century for therapeutic treatments against joint pain and rheumatism, a tradition still practiced today.

Christopher Columbus lived in Porto Santo for some years after marrying the daughter of the Portuguese island governor, a period that according to some historians influenced his theories about Atlantic routes westward.