Machico, Madeira: Complete Holiday Guide + Where to Stay

Machico is Madeira's most underrated destination — and one of its most historically significant. This small town on the east coast has a proper sandy beach (a rarity on Madeira), a beautifully preserved historic centre, excellent restaurants serving fresh Atlantic fish, and far fewer tourists than Funchal. It is also just 7 minutes from the airport — close enough to be a convenient base, far enough from Funchal to feel completely different.

This guide covers everything you need to know about Machico: its history, beaches, best restaurants, day trips, and — importantly — the best apartment to rent here directly from the owner.

A Brief History of Machico

Machico holds a special place in Madeiran history: it was the first place on the island where the Portuguese explorers João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira landed in 1419. The story goes that a young English couple — Robert Machim and Anne d'Arfet — were shipwrecked here decades earlier, and that Zarco named the bay "Machico" in their memory. Whether legend or fact, the name stuck.

For much of the 15th century, Machico was more important than Funchal — it was the capital of the eastern half of Madeira under the island's original administrative division. The beautiful Manuelite-style Parish Church of Machico (Igreja Matriz de Machico), built in 1499 with a portico donated by Dom Manuel I, survives intact at the centre of the old town and is well worth a visit.

Machico's Beach

One of the things that sets Machico apart from most of Madeira is its beach. Madeira is a volcanic island — most of its coastline is dramatic cliff and black rock. Natural sand beaches are rare. Machico has two:

Praia de Machico is the main beach — a crescent of dark volcanic sand in the sheltered bay below the town. It is calm, swimmable in summer (the enclosed bay keeps the waves gentle), and has cafés, sunbeds and a lifeguard in season. The beach gets busy in August but is rarely uncomfortably crowded — nothing like the packed Airbnb-fuelled resort beaches of the Algarve or the Canaries.

Praia de Banda d'Além is a smaller beach across the Machico river estuary — wilder, less developed, and usually quieter than the main beach. You can walk there from the centre in 15 minutes, crossing the pedestrian bridge over the river.

Things to Do in Machico

The Old Town Centre

Machico's old town is small enough to explore entirely on foot in an hour, but charming enough to spend a morning in. The main square (Praça do Município) has a fountain, cafés and the beautiful Parish Church. The narrow streets around it are lined with traditional stone houses, small shops and bakeries selling bolo de mel (Madeira's dense molasses cake).

Forte de Nossa Senhora do Amparo

The small triangular fort at the southern end of the bay was built in the 17th century to protect against pirate raids — Machico was attacked by Barbary corsairs in 1617. Today it houses a cultural space and gives good views across the bay. Admission is free.

Hiking the Levadas

Machico is a good base for levada walks in eastern Madeira. The Levada do Caniçal trail starts nearby and passes through laurissilva forest (UNESCO-listed ancient laurel forest). The walk to Boca do Risco — a dramatic clifftop viewpoint above the bay — is one of the most spectacular short hikes on the island (about 2.5 hours return).

Day Trip to the Eastern Tip

From Machico, it is a 20-minute drive to Ponta de São Lourenço — Madeira's easternmost peninsula, which looks nothing like the rest of the island. Dry, rocky, almost desert-like, with extraordinary ocean views from the end of the trail. One of Madeira's best hikes (moderate difficulty, about 2 hours return).

Airport Planespotting

Funchal airport's runway extends over the sea on a series of concrete supports — one of the most dramatic airport approaches in the world. From certain points above Machico, you can watch planes landing directly towards you over the water. Unexpectedly spectacular.

Where to Stay in Machico

Machico is a real town, not a resort — accommodation options are fewer than in Funchal, but the one apartment available on madeira.rentals is exactly right:

Where to Eat in Machico

Restaurant O Facho is the local favourite for fresh fish — order the espada (black scabbard fish) grilled with banana and passion fruit, which is the classic Madeiran preparation. Simple, no frills, very good. The owner knows every fisherman by name.

Pastelaria Central near the main square is where the locals have their morning coffee and pastel de nata. Come early. The bifanas (pork rolls) at lunchtime are also excellent.

The seafront cafés along the bay serve grilled limpets (lapas) — the essential Madeiran snack — with cold local beer. Pull up a plastic chair and watch the boats.

Getting to Machico

From Funchal airport: 7–10 minutes by car via the VR1 expressway. Take exit for Machico/Caniçal. There is no direct taxi rank at the airport going to Machico — arrange transfer in advance or rent a car, which is strongly recommended for exploring eastern Madeira. The public bus (SAM line 113 or 156) connects Machico to Funchal and the airport, but takes longer with luggage.

Frequently Asked Questions