Old Pier of Porto Santo

Old Pier of Porto Santo (Cais Velho) is a concrete jetty in Vila Baleira, right where the island's main beach begins. Locals treat it as a symbol of the town, and for visitors it is the easiest starting point for a walk along the waterfront.

What is the Old Pier and why was it built?

Construction began on 19 March 1929. For decades, passengers and cargo travelling between Porto Santo and Madeira passed over this landing. Ships now berth elsewhere, and the pier has become a heritage promenade. It was restored in the 1990s. It measures roughly 102 metres in length and 4 metres in width, resting on evenly spaced pillars. Island guidebooks count it among Porto Santo's icons.

What can you see from the pier?

Walk to the far end and you look back at all of Vila Baleira from the sea. In front of you lies the golden beach, with green hills rising behind it. It is a good place to grasp the scale of a beach that runs nearly the whole length of the island, about 9 km. Anglers fish here regularly, and Komoot users recommend it as a viewpoint.

Right beside it stands the Padrão dos Descobrimentos, a monument to the Age of Discovery. The seafront promenade along the dunes starts from this spot.

How do you build a walk around it?

• Short town loop. From the pier, head to the main square of Vila Baleira. You will find the Nossa Senhora da Piedade church, the town hall and Casa Colombo, a museum about the island's maritime past. The whole centre takes about an hour.
• Promenade and beach. Follow the promenade beside the dunes. Beach bars and cafés sit just behind the dunes, a few minutes from the centre.
• Longer outing. Komoot describes a loop of around 15 km from Vila Baleira to the Pico do Castelo viewpoint and back to the pier, with about 470 m of climbing.

When should you go?

The pier is public and free. Morning and sunset give the best light on the beach and the town. Midday is the hottest period because the deck has no shade. Summer is the busiest time of year.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? No. The pier is an open public walkway in the town centre.

Can you fish from it? Yes. Anglers use it regularly, so keep to the walkway and watch for lines.

Where should you start exploring Vila Baleira? At the pier. The main square, the Piedade church and Casa Colombo are a few minutes' walk away.

Is it suitable for families? Yes. The walk is flat and short, and the sandy beach begins right next to it.