Portugal, a captivating coastal nation in western Europe near the tip of the Iberian Peninsula, is not just renowned for its mainland beauty. Its true allure lies beyond the coast, within the turquoise embrace of the Atlantic Ocean. The islands off the coast of Portugal are dispersed like hidden jewels, each with its own unique spirit, culture, and unparalleled beauty.
Bordered by Spain for a distance of 1,214 kilometers (754 miles) to its north and east, this country offers much more than what meets the eye on the mainland.
Portugal is a dream trip for many because of its fascinating landscapes, rich heritage, and sun-kissed beaches. Portugal’s genuine charm, nevertheless, can be found in the Atlantic Ocean’s turquoise depths, far from its mainland.
Portugal’s islands are located here, dispersed like undiscovered pearls, and each one is a different paradise just waiting to be discovered.
These stunning islands, ranging from the Azores and Madeira archipelagos to the peaceful retreats off the Algarve coast, provide a broad range of experiences.
Portugal’s islands have something to offer everyone, whether you’re an adventure seeker looking to ride the waves, a nature lover keen to explore lush forests and volcanic landscapes, or a history enthusiast eager to learn about centuries-old customs.
Islands off the coast of Portugal, has its own particular culture, spirit, and magnificent beauty. Imagine enjoying exquisite regional cuisine while relaxing on immaculate sandy beaches.
Imagine exploring historical sites or simply taking in the breathtaking scenery while being surrounded by the unending ocean. That, my friends, is what I mean by a fantasy getaway.
In this article, we’ll take a virtual trip to some of most beautiful Islands off the coast of Portugal. We’ll explore what makes each of these islands, from the well-known Sao Miguel and Madeira to the lesser-known Ilha De Armona and Flores, a must-visit location.
Therefore, gather your belongings and let’s set sail to discover the enchantment of Portugal’s islands.
5 Beautiful Islands Off The Coast Of Portugal
- Azores Islands
- Madeira Islands
- Porto Santo Island
- Berlengas Islands
- Desertas Island
Azores Islands
Portugal is home to the interesting island archipelago known as the Azores Islands. The islands, which are in the Atlantic and have less than five hours of flight time from the U.S. East Coast and two hours from Lisbon, are a good starting point for Americans who dislike long journeys.
The tropical weather that you encounter in the Azores could surprise you. On the island of San Miguel, there are tea plantations as well as small, much-flavored pineapples. There are flowers everywhere, especially in the spring.
The environment and even the food of the islands bear clear signs of their volcanic heritage. Steaming hot springs abound, and the famous calderas of Furnas, a village located between Villa Franca and Nordeste on the map, are where the distinctive Azorean meal Cozido, a stew, is prepared.
Oranges used to be mostly imported from the Azores to the mainland. Tea and pineapples were added after a disease destroyed the crop. On the island of San Miguel, two tea farms with tasting rooms are open for tours today. Visiting a pineapple plantation is another option.
The Azores have included pineapple into their cuisine; most people enjoy a large slice after dinner, but it is also frequently served as an appetiser with a little, grilled blood sausage. Cheeses, milk, and cows are all well-known.
The islands of the Azores are the best places to travel during the off or shoulder seasons due to their consistent, subtropical temperature. Additionally, it’s perfect for people who want to have a summer vacation but don’t like the harsh heat. For the blooms, go in the spring.
Islands Part Of Azores
- São Miguel
- Terceira
- Faial
- Pico
- São Jorge
- Santa Maria
- Graciosa
- Corvo
- Flores
How To Get There?
Azores Airlines offers service to all nine of the Azores Islands. On the largest island of the Azores, So Miguel or San Miguel, the important municipality of Ponta Delgada is where international planes land.
Azores Airlines operates flights to the Azores from Boston, Oakland, Toronto, Montreal, Porto, Lisbon, Frankfurt, and Las Palmas during the peak travel period.
You may take direct flights from Lisbon to Horta, Terceira, Santa Maria, as well as Ponta Delgada if you’re traveling to the Azores. Check Azores Airlines for the most recent information during the off-season as these departures are subject to regular modification.
- Visit Azores: The official tourism site for the Azores. Offers information on what to do, where to stay, and how to get around.
- Azores Travel Guide by Lonely Planet: A comprehensive guide on the Azores from one of the most renowned travel guide publishers.
Madeira Islands
Madeira Island is one of the islands off the coast of Portugal. It is the largest island (740.7 km2) in the Madeira Archipelago, which also includes Porto Santo Island (42,48 km2), Desert Island (non-habitable), and Selvagens Island (non-habitable).
It is located in the Atlantic Ocean southwest of the Portuguese coast. The city of Funchal serves as both the island’s and the autonomous region’s capital. The island of Madeira was formed by volcanic activity, has a subtropical climate, and a diverse array of exotic plants. Its economy is mostly based on tourism.
Off the coast of Portugal, the Madeira Islands are a favorite vacation spot thanks to their breathtaking scenery, pleasant weather, and fantastic beaches. The islands provide a range of activities and sights, including hidden beaches, spectacular cliffs, and lush rainforests and steep mountain routes.
Madeira is a historical and recreational destination. The area is a popular place for hiking, and many of the trails offer breathtaking views from the mountain tops. If you go, take some time to appreciate Funchal’s magnificent Sé Cathedral, a wooden cathedral that dates back to the 15th century.
The pleasant climate of Madeira, combined with its unique position, makes it an ideal destination for outdoor sports. Numerous hiking routes on the islands provide views of the adjacent islands and the Atlantic Ocean.
In the numerous natural reserves and protected areas on the islands, visitors can also discover the diverse flora and animals. The islands are a fantastic location for water sports, and there are many nice beaches for swimming, tanning, and surfing.
The seas of the Atlantic are perfect for sailing, deep-sea fishing, and scuba diving, and the area around Madeira is also known for these activities.
How To Get There?
The best method to get to Madeira is to take a 90-minute flight from Lisbon. There are several cities in and around Portugal, as well as a few, specific regions of Europe, that are pretty well connected to Madeira Airport. The airport is situated in Funchal, the nation’s capital.
- Visit Madeira: The official tourism site for Madeira. Includes information on attractions, accommodations, events, and more.
- Madeira Island News Blog: A blog with news and events related to Madeira.
Porto Santo Island
Discover this ocean’s hidden treasure, from its paradisaical beach to its historical legacy and geological splendor. Porto Santo is like traveling to a golden island known for its long, nine-kilometer beach.
In the far southwest of Europe, just one hour and a half of flight time separates Lisbon from the smallest inhabited island of the Madeira Archipelago, which is 500 kilometres from the African coast and 1000 kilometres from the European mainland.
Porto Santo is within a 30-minute plane trip from Madeira Island, making it ideal for island hopping. It is one of the nicest islands to visit and has some of Portugal’s best beaches.
More than four miles of its coast are available for water recreation, including diving and snorkeling in its stunningly blue waters. Golfing and hiking are a couple of the other well-liked activities that may be done on the island.
There are several historical sites in Porto Santo that you might enjoy seeing if you have a strong interest in history. The Christopher Columbus Museum, the 16th-century Paços do Concelho (the City Hall), and the 15th-century Matriz Church are a few of the historical sites in the area.
This Atlantic sanctuary is enticing due to the friendliness of the people, the moderate climate throughout the year, the smooth golden sand beach with known therapeutic benefits, and the pleasant temperature of the blue seas.
The island’s historical significance goes hand in hand with its magnificence. In Porto Santo, there are always activities available.
It was first settled 600 years ago, and as a result, it has a distinctive historical history and cultural wealth that transport us to the era of maritime expansion, particularly the imprint left by Christopher Columbus.
Wellness
The therapeutic characteristics of Porto Santo’s fine, warm sands and its crystal-clear, blue seas are key ingredients in the therapies offered at the island’s spas. You can have a rejuvenating experience for your body and mind by travelling here.
How To Get There?
From the Island of Madeira, it takes around 15 minutes by plane or 2 hours and 30 minutes by boat to get reach the Island of Porto Santo. One kilometre separates the City of Vila Baleira from the Porto Santo Airport.
TAP and SATA airlines offer several daily flights between Madeira and Porto Santo. Unscheduled air links are added to these, particularly during the summer. Visit the Aeroportos do Madeira website for more precise details on flights and departure times.
From October to June, the Porto Santo Line company’s “Lobo Marinho” vehicle ferry offers daily service (aside from Tuesdays) between Madeira and Porto Santo.
- Porto Santo Tourist Guide: A dedicated site for Porto Santo, with details about its beaches, activities, accommodations, and more.
- Porto Santo Page on Visit Madeira: Information about Porto Santo from the official Madeira tourism site.
Berlengas Islands
The Berlengas Islands are a group of islands off the west coast of Portugal. It consists of many types of scenery, wildlife, and a distinctively Portuguese experience. Many attempts are undertaken to preserve the native flora and fauna of the island, which is entirely designated as a nature reserve.
During the summer, it is feasible to travel to and explore Berlenga Grande, the largest of the three islands. Visitors come for the area’s stunning scenery, hiking routes, diving opportunities, and numerous other outdoor pursuits.
The Berlengas are located 10-15 kilometres west of the Portuguese surf town of Peniche. Only the island of “Berlenga Grande” is habitable, albeit there isn’t a permanent settlement there at the moment. The Estelas Islets and the Farilhes-Forcados Islets are made up of the remaining islands.
Unique forms of animal and plant species, as well as lush scenery, can be found on these islands. The bocage lizard and other lizard species, the common mure, the shearwater, and the maritime crow are among the threatened species that call the island, which is categorized as a Nature Reserve, home.
The major threat to the island’s species is the enormous number of seagulls that live there and this is the reason for the island’s fame. There are also several fascinating plant species to find, such as Lobularia poppies, marigolds, and others.
Things to do on Berlengas Island
Carreiro do Mosteiro Beach – On Berlengas Grande, there is a small cove where the ferry boats dock. This tiny beach enchants everyone who visits with its tranquil, clear waves and stunning, silky white sand.
Snorkeling/Diving: The Peniche-based G3 Store offers snorkeling and diving courses for people of all levels. They take visitors to discover Berlengas’s stunning underwater world. Discover more details here.
Trekking – With a circumference of 4,000 metres and a length of roughly 1,500 metres, Berlenga Grande has a variety of trekking routes to discover the island’s natural surroundings. Bring your hiking boots because not all of these routes are well-paved, and stay on the paths at all times. To protect the native flora and fauna, they are there for a reason.
Kayak- One of the most beautiful and interesting ways to explore the archipelago is by kayak.
- Berlenga Island Natural Reserve: Official page for the Berlenga Island Nature Reserve.
- Berlengas Ferry Information: For ferry timings and bookings to Berlengas from Peniche.
Desertas Island
The Desertas are three rocky outcroppings that are a part of the Madeiran archipelago and are situated about 26 kilometres southeast of Madeira. Deserta Grande, the longest, is 12 kilometres long.
Towering red and grey cliffs covered in thorny plants are its defining feature. The volcanic trio, which also includes the flat Ilhéu Chó and hump-backed Bugio, is frequently referred to as the Galapagos of Europe. Rare and endangered creatures can find refuge there.
The Mediterranean monk seals, which may grow to a maximum length and weight of 3 metres and 300 kg, are the most amazing. The islands serve as a crucial haven for seals. Only a few hundred remain in the world, and a colony of about 25—whose size has increased fourfold since 1988—find refuge here.
Not all of the island’s unique inhabitants are seals. The Mediterranean slipper lobster barred hogfish, and many turtle species are among the fascinating marine life.
Rich birdlife can be seen in the skies, including arguably the largest Bulwer’s petrel colony in the Atlantic, as well as kestrels, canaries, and buzzards. However, you must first travel there.
For the trip, get onboard a stunning Princess V50 yacht that can accommodate up to eight passengers. Two different itineraries leave from Belmond Reid’s Palace.
In the first, a 30-minute limousine ride will transport you to the marina in Caniçal, where you will board a yacht for a 45-minute sail to the islands. The second one begins with a 90-minute outbound journey from Funchal Marina.
After that, disembark and embark on a guided tour of Deserta Grande. Zarco might be at home, but he and his companions can be difficult to find.
Discover more about the island’s extraordinary natural heritage while spotting other wildlife. Set sail homewards after an engaging hour, with the chance to see dolphins or pilot whales along the way.
- Desertas Islands Nature Reserve: Information about the nature reserve on Desertas Islands.
- Trip to Desertas from Madeira: Guided tours or trips to Desertas Islands from Madeira.
Conclusion
The Islands off the Coast of Portugal are like undiscovered treasures. But not everyone is aware that Portugal is home to some of the most stunning and interesting islands on the planet.
These Portuguese islands each have a distinctive culture and character. Nearly a dozen inhabited islands are located between the Madeira archipelago (an island off the coast of Africa) and the Azores (850 miles west of mainland Portugal), and they provide some of the most distinctive and gratifying experiences for tourists.
The mainland of Portugal is rich in historical buildings and cultural attractions, but the islands off the coast of Portugal deserve some recognition as well. Therefore we created this list of the top islands off the coast of Portugal.