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Porto Santo: Transportation Tips
Dreaming of a beach holiday? Porto Santo is waiting for you!
There's something for everyone on this island paradise. You can rent a car or scooter, take a taxi or catch the tourist bus. If you want to cycle or hike, you can rent a bike or put on your hiking boots. Or you can just wander the island on foot.
Porto Santo Ranks #2 on 2026 Island Hot List
Porto Santo just made the list of Europe's most-wanted islands (and we're not surprised)
Forget Mallorca. That's more or less what British magazine Cosmopolitan is telling its readers in its latest travel trends piece — and the reason has a name and an address: Porto Santo.
What the article says
Journalist Dusty Baxter-Wright, Cosmopolitan's Entertainment and Lifestyle Director, writes that destinations like Mallorca, Ibiza and Kefalonia have dominated British holiday choices for years — but that Expedia has just released its 2026 Island Hot List, spotlighting a new wave of islands gaining ground. According to Expedia, island searches have risen by an average of 55% over the past year, while social media mentions are up 20%.
Among the ten fastest-rising islands is Porto Santo, which Cosmopolitan singles out as the destination that caught the editorial team's eye. Our island lands in 2nd place on the global list, with an 85% rise in searches, just behind St Lucia, and is presented as the ideal destination for wellness and relaxation.
Why Porto Santo stands out
The article captures exactly what anyone who's been here already knows: nine uninterrupted kilometres of golden sand and turquoise water, perfect for snorkelling, sunbathing, or simply doing nothing at all. Vila Baleira is highlighted as the island's calm, picturesque capital, where the pace of life invites long, unhurried lunches — and where actually finishing a book on holiday stops being a fantasy.
Expedia sums up Porto Santo as a quieter alternative to mainland Europe's busiest beach destinations, thanks precisely to that combination of golden sand and a slower pace of life — the very combination that keeps bringing our guests back, year after year.
What this means if you're planning a Porto Santo holiday
When an international publication like Cosmopolitan puts Porto Santo ahead of established names like Fiji or Vietnam, it's a clear sign that demand for the island will keep growing in the months ahead. If you're thinking about booking your stay at Pé n'Areia, now is the time to secure your dates before peak season fills up — and to discover firsthand what's now, officially, on the world's radar.
Source: Cosmopolitan UK, "Forget Mallorca, because this trending island in Europe is perfect for golden sands and a relaxed pace," 21 July 2026.