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Miradouro da Portela Viewpoint On Porto Santo Island

Miradouro da Portela Viewpoint On Porto Santo Island

The Miradouro da Portela (Portela Viewpoint) is one of the most popular viewpoints on Porto Santo Island. Portela Viewpoint has views down the 9-kilometer long sandy beach to the west and all of the sharp, volcanic peaks to the east. It’s accessible by car but if you are like me, take up the challenge and ride your bike to the top!

HOW TO GET TO PORTELA VIEWPOINT

Portela Viewpoint is situated on the south-eastern edge of Port Santo Island. The main road that runs around the exterior of the island passes by this viewpoint, so it’s likely you will come across it even without trying. In my ten days on Porto Santo, I rode past Portela many times. There’s a gravel parking lot at the viewpoint so it’s very easy to access. I’ve added the pin location below so you can plan your route.

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a couple of people sitting in the trunk of a car.

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MY EXPERIENCE AT THE MIRADOURO DA PORTELA VIEWPOINT ON PORTO SANTO

If there is one viewpoint most people visit in Porto Santo it is this one. It has great views of the entire island but you can also drive your car straight up the hill to access it, which is probably why it’s so popular. The other attraction at the viewpoint is the historic windmills, which have been preserved on top of the hill.

The journey for me was a steep one. Throughout my 10 days in Porto Santo, I made the climb up to Portela Viewpoint a number of times on my mountain bike. It’s a slow and steady climb out of the town but when you arrive it’s a beautiful spot to stop and enjoy the view.

The interesting part about Portela Viewpoint is that it’s a great spot for both sunrise and sunset due to it’s positioning. It actually sees both. I made the journey up the viewpoint for sunrise one morning, which was beautiful. The sun rose up over Pico do Maçarico and added a beautiful glow as the sunshine swept over the viewpoint and surrounding hills. Once the sun crept even higher, it began to shine over the long stretch of sandy beach that Porto Santo is so famous for.

If you come for the sunset, you will be able to watch the glow over the entire town as the sun descends directly on the coast opposite the viewpoint when looking back down the island.

There are a number of hikes nearby that I did such as Pico do Maçarico, The Three Peaks hike of Pico Juliana, Pico Castelo, and Pico do Facho, Vereda Pico Branco and Terra Chã hike, Pico de Baixo, and Pico do Concelho. You can check out any of those by clicking one of those links and heading to my blog post about that specific hike.

I hope you enjoyed this little guide and the photos from the Miradouro da Portela Viewpoint on Porto Santo Island.

WHERE TO STAY ON PORTO SANTO

There are a lot of options on Porto Santo Island from big all-inclusive hotels to small Airbnb apartments. I’ve written a huge post about all of the best options when it comes to Porto Santo and you can check it out here: WHERE TO STAY ON PORTO SANTO ISLAND: 11 BEST RESORTS AND HOTELS

I stayed for five days at Vila Baleira Resort and five days at Hotel Porto Santo & Spa but also heard and saw great things about Pestana Porto Santo Beach Resort & Spa. Here’s a quick glimpse at those three, beautiful beachside accommodations.

VILA BALEIRA RESORT

Vila Baleira Porto Santo (Luxury & All-inclusive): THIS IS WHERE I STAYED! Vila Baleira is a 4-star resort situated right on the golden sand beach of Porto Santo. The rooms are on one side of the road and the restaurant and pool area are directly next to the beach. I had the all-inclusive package, which meant we got a wristband when we arrived and then had buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as unlimited coffee and alcohol all day, every day.

Click here to check the best current rates and availability of Vila Baleira Porto Santo.

Pestana Porto Santo Beach Resort & Spa (Luxury): This is a 5-star resort on Porto Santo Island and it is by the largest hotel group in Portugal. The moment you step in the resort you’ll be rewarded with a blissful setting and its world-class amenities. I would’ve liked to stay here and from everything, I heard while on the island, it is a pretty awesome place to stay. It’s the top pick for a hotel on Porto Santo Island if you want luxury!

Click here to check the best current rates and availability of Pestana Porto Santo Beach Resort & Spa.

Hotel Porto Santo & Spa (Luxury): THIS IS WHERE I STAYED! Another classy, 4-star resort is Hotel Porto Santo & Spa where I stayed for my second 5-day period on my 10-day trip to Porto Santo Island. I’d happily recommend this Porto Santo hotel for couples and those looking for beachfront luxury with a very relaxing atmosphere. On top of that, the spa has a Turkish bath, a heated pool, massage rooms, relaxation spots, hot sand therapy, and more. Not to mention the restaurant serves fresh local dishes.

Click here to check the best current rates and availability of Hotel Porto Santo & Spa.

READY TO EXPLORE PORTO SANTO? HERE ARE MY TOP GUIDES