Vila Do Maio

Vila do Maio can be explored through three distinctive themes: its protected salt-pan landscape, the coast, and the history of Porto Inglês. There are also cultural sites and activities around the water. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, you can plan your trip around which of these sides of the town you would like to get to know better.

Salt-Pan Landscape and the Island’s History

The Paisagem Protegida das Salinas do Porto Inglês is located in Cidade do Porto Inglês. The Salinas de Porto Inglês are also among the area’s landscape features. The protected landscape is associated with the salt pans at the end of Avenida—a clear point of reference for the history of salt production on Maio.

The “Salinas e Cidade de Porto Inglês” walking route passes through the town of Porto Inglês and continues to the salt pans. At the same time, it introduces Porto Inglês as the island’s centre and explores the history of livestock farming and salt production. The route thus brings together themes of the town and its landscape, without requiring you to consider them separately.

The former name of Vila do Maio also tells a story of salt: when the town was called Porto Inglês, British ships took on salt there. The name and the salt pans therefore point to two different sides of the same local history—the historical name and salt production.

Cultural Sites and Historical Interpretations

The Centro Interpretativo das Salinas de Porto Inglês presents the cultural and natural heritage of Maio Island. Other major tourist attractions in Vila do Maio include the Igreja Matriz, the Farol de S. José, and the Castelo do Maio. They are considered reminders of a time when areas had to be protected from pirate attacks. If you are interested in history, these three sites offer a historical perspective alongside the history of salt production.

Beaches and Activities Around the Water

The beaches of Vila Porto Inglês include Praia de Beach Rotcha, Praia de Ponta Preta, Praia de Porto Inglês, and Praia do Maio. When choosing the focus of your trip, you can consider the beaches as a coastal theme alongside the salt pans and local history.

Snorkelling and windsurfing are listed as activities in Vila Porto Inglês. Traditional fishing is also listed for Vila Porto Inglês, Calheta, Ribeira de João, and Barreiro. This brings together different interests: water sports and snorkelling on the one hand, and the tradition of fishing in several of the places named on the other.

Local Cuisine Along the Avenida

Food is also part of the described route through Porto Inglês. Along the Avenida, you can sample traditional snacks, including queijo di Maio in various dishes. This is a specific culinary touch to consider when planning your trip: alongside the landscape and local history, you can also discover a local speciality. When planning an itinerary together, you can decide whether to focus more on the salt-pan route, the cultural sites, the coast, or this culinary side of the town.

Choose a Holiday Apartment Based on Your Trip

When looking for a holiday apartment in Vila do Maio, it helps to first decide what you want your holiday to focus on. Would you like to learn more about the salt pans, local history, and cultural sites, or would you rather focus on beaches and activities such as snorkelling and windsurfing? For families with different interests, this question can be a useful starting point for planning together.

Discover more destinations: Calheta.

For the main travel overview: Maio.