Vila Baleira Holidays

Vila Baleira's the capital of Porto Santo – a tiny island that bobs off the coast of Madeira. Whitewashed houses, cobbled streets and a quiet main square show off the small town’s peaceful side, while a handful of tavernas and bars add a modern feel near the port. As for the waterfront, it’s backed by a long ribbon of cushion-soft sand.

Vila Baleira might be on the small side, but it comes with a beach that could tough it out with the big boys. It stretches for 10 kilometres to Ponta de Calheta in the island's southern reaches, so space is never an issue. It’s split into parcels of sand, and the nearest to town's backed by bars and restaurants. There’s a gentle shelf into the Atlantic Ocean, where the clear waters make for great snorkelling and diving.

The heart of Vila Baleira's the town square, or Largo do Pelourinho. Locals come here for a quiet coffee at one of the cafés, before popping into the 16th-century town hall or the church of Nossa Senhora da Piedade. The Christopher Columbus Musuem's another must-see. It's near a palm-lined avenue that runs to the Infante Gardens – a peaceful space dotted with sculptures and statues.

A leisurely 20-minute walk inland takes you to the Tanque pond, a popular birding place where you’ll see red-legged partridges and spectacled warblers. Or, for something up-tempo, you can take a two-hour ferry ride across to Madeira’s capital, Funchal. Highlights here include the modern shopping malls and pristine lawns, especially the Madeira Botanical Gardens, where you can spot parakeets among the thousands of plants. No visit's complete without a stop at one of the age-old wine cellar's, either.