Porto Santo Tourist Information Map View Vila Baleira
SPECIFICATION
1: Tourist Office
Tel:351-291-982 361
2: Post Office
3: Bank Office
4: Beach Access to Pier
5: Play Ground for Kids		 SPECIFICATION
6: Super Marcado
7: Taxi&Bus Center
8: Night Club
9: Museu Colombo
10: Church
Nossa Senhora de Piedade
           
ARRANGMENTS

APRIL 03 to 04
International Championship - Formula Windsurfing European Cup 2003. The Overpower Club is holding the Formula Windsurfing European Cup event on the island of Porto Santo, in which the world's top windsurfers will be present.

MAY 06 - 10
Round the Island Cycling The Madeira Sports Association sponsors this event, which takes place in Porto Santo, with about 40 participants.

JUNE 21 - 24
St. John Festival Porto Santo celebrates the start of the summer festival season on the island. It includes many cultural and folk events and there are popular processions.

JULY 16 to 24
International Volleyball Tournament "Porto Santo Beach 2003" This tournament is sponsored by the Madeira Volleyball Association, and various teams (about 300 sportsmen) from Madeira, Continental Portugal and other countries, participate. Takes place in Porto Santo island.

AUGUST 15 to 18
Porto Santo Regatta This is a regatta of sailing vessels usually with 20 boats participating, travelling from Funchal to Porto Santo and back. Aeroclube da Madeira Festival - Porto Santo This festival, organised by the Aeroclube da Madeira, will take place in Madeira and Porto Santo, with a variety of activities such as maiden flights, paragliding, hang-gliding, model aircraft flying, radio-controlled cars, among others.

wine FestivalBy the end of August, the famous grapes of Porto Santo are celebrated. There is a procession inspired by this theme, a wine display, tasting and sales.

SEPTEMBER 25 to 27
Christopher Columbus Week On the last week of September, in Vila Baleira - Porto Santo, a feast is held in honour of Christopher Columbus. It includes many cultural and folk events.

OCTOBER 03 to 05
Island Triangle (Madeira Nature Park) Organised by the Funchal Naval Club this regatta stops in at every island of the Madeira archipelago with the exception of the Selvagens Islands. This year about 50 athletes are expected to take part.

31/10 to 02/11
Madeira Tourism Trophy for Classic Motorcycle This Motorcycling race will take place in Porto Santo and there will be around 150 international and national participants.

Amateur Fishing Madeira Pesca 2002, sponsored by Madeira Autonomous Region's Sport Fishing Association. This event will take place in Porto Santo island, in October.

End of the Year Celebrations include the illuminations in the picturesque town centre of Vila Baleira, a Nativity Scene or crib at Largo das Palmeiras and a fireworks display at Portela.



TREKKING ADVICE AROUND PORTO SANTO
From the top of Castelo peak hikers can take in a wide view that allows us to understand the island’s shape and layout. It is really composed of two volcanic groups separated by a low area on which the airport is built. Castelo peak is part of the main volcanic group occupying the east and northeast of the island. From the top of this peak one can easily notice the huge contrast between the rugged, cliff-strewn coastal strip to the north and east, and the long beach that spreads along most of the South coast. From the top one can also see some islets scattered in the sea as in they were protecting Porto Santo.

On reaching the pass that separates the Gandaia-Facho and Juliana ranges, the path itself divides. One route completes a circuit of Gandaia and Facho peaks, ending at the departure point. The other route leads down to the foot of Juliana peak. If you choose to take the lower route, do be aware that there is no proper path between Juliana peak and the road, so one has to scramble through the vegetation. The terrain, however, is not particularly challenging. From here it is simply a matter of following the road back to the village. It leads through the hamlets of Serra de Dentro and Serra de Fora, which you will already have seen from above. There is no better way to complete this ramble than to climb to the Portela viewpoint and there stop to admire the fantastic view over the village and the beach.

The path circling Facho and Gandaia peaks is mainly flat and with no great cliffs. The main challenge offered by this circular route is the descent from Juliana peak to the Serra de Dentro road. This descent cuts through the scrub without benefit of a path. However, it is not too strenuous.