Portugal (Madeira): Route through the Pearl of the Atlantic and Porto Santo, tailor-made by car

Are you ready to live a few magical days in a subtropical paradise located a stone's throw from the Old Continent?If so, the Madeira Archipelago, located in the Atlantic Ocean just 860 kilometers from Lisbon, is your ideal destination. Our "Route through the Pearl of the Atlantic and Porto Santo" presents the best of this Portuguese autonomous region, home to the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo, the three Desertas Islands (uninhabited cliffs) and the Savage Islands. And with a temperate climate all year round, the Madeira Archipelago lends itself really well to a discovery trip by car. The first stage of the trip will take you to Madeira Island, the most populated and the largest one with 750. 7 km². Enjoy its volcanic beaches and beautiful natural pools by the sea!Its waters let you practice all kinds of water sports and even watch whales, dolphins and seals. You cannot miss the incredible laurisilva (laurel) forest formed 20 million years ago and cataloged by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Nor should you pass by its authentic postcard cliffs, like those of Cabo Girão or the peculiar Punta de São Lourenço, without stopping. Madeira is also home to history and traditions, such as its ancient sugar production or its whaling and volcanic past.

The second stage of the trip takes you to the Island of Porto Santo, aptly described as a beach with a piece of land attached. Up to nine kilometres of fine white sands lapped by turquoise blue waters await you in this small island of 42.17 km², a real jewel in the middle of the ocean. Porto Santo, discovered in 1418 by Portuguese sailors, is famous not only for its spectacular beach, the sands of which are said to cure all sorts of ailments (or so the saying goes), but also for being home to Christopher Columbus after his marriage to Filipa de Moniz. Because there's no need to embark on long and exhausting transcontinental trips to enjoy balmy temperatures and breathtaking beaches, which you can reach after a short two-hour flight from Spain. Enjoy paradise close to home.