Essential information for Porto Santo

When to go

Porto Santo is a hot island and the summer months, between May and September, are the warmest to be found here. Temperatures will easily climb beyond 30°C during those months, but even if you’re unable to make it for the summer, you don’t need to worry as there are plenty of Porto Santo holiday deals available year-round.

The climate is wonderful in all seasons, staying above 20°C throughout the year and rarely dropping. The lowest you could expect to see is 15°C, should you choose to head here in January.

Health and safety

Although small, Porto Santo is a modern island where medicine is widely available. As with any holiday, you should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover yourself and family on your trip.

It’s also a good idea to apply for a free European Health Insurance Card, EHIC, before leaving the UK as this entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Portuguese nationals. It won’t, however, cover you for medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment or non-urgent treatment.

If you’re visiting Porto Santo specifically to take part in sports or watersports, including hiking, you should make sure your insurance covers this. See our holiday extras page for more information and for the latest health and safety information visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/portugal/health.

Passports and visas

British citizens don’t need a visa to enter Porto Santo but must have a valid passport. By law, you must carry your passport with you and may need to show it when paying by credit card. For the most up-to-date passport and visa info, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/portugal/entry-requirements.

Getting around

Flights are available direct from the UK to Porto Santo airport. It’s an island so tiny that it’s barely a speck on most maps. That gives it a lovely community feel, but also makes getting to your hotel and travelling around very quick and easy.

The island’s just a few miles across, so you could walk without much hassle, but rest assured that public transport is swift and reliable if you need it. Many hotels provide free shuttle buses to restaurants that aren’t in the main town of Vila Baleira.

Advice for travellers with children

Porto Santo holidays offer plenty of great places to explore and play, and with everything so close by there’s no risk of the little ones getting tired between one destination and the next – unless it’s from playing for so long in the sand. Many restaurants have children’s menus and hotels are used to catering for travellers with kids.

Electricity

Connector type: Two-pin European plug

Voltage Info: 220 AC

Emergency information

To reach the emergency services call 112.

British Consulate

Because Porto Santo is such a small island it doesn’t have its own embassy or consulate, but luckily there’s one close at hand in Madeira. The Honorary UK Consulate in Funchal is available to give support if you’re a victim of crime, affected by a crisis overseas, or if something happens to a relative or partner.

Address: Rua da Alfandega 10, 3C, 9000-059, Funchal

Email: BritCon.Funchal@NetMadeira.com

Phone: (+351) 291 212 860

Hospital

On the outskirts of the capital, Vila Baleira, is a health centre that is equipped with emergency services facilities. More serious cases are often transferred to Madeira’s Cruz de Carvalho Hospital.

Vila Baleira Health Centre Phone: (+351) 291 980 060