What To Do in Machico – The Best Beach Town In Madeira
Madeira is spectacular. The Hawai of Europe – that’s what they call it. Dramatic cliffs, mysterious ancient forests, incredible hikes, and weather that will make everyone happy. But I wouldn’t call Madeira a beach destination.
Although you will find stunning beaches on Madeira, most visitors come for the beauty of nature, hiking, outdoor activities, and a very laid-back atmosphere.
I spent six glorious weeks on Madeira, and it remains one of my favorite places in the world.
After my initial infatuation with its landscapes and hikes, I craved some beach time. I wanted golden sand, crystal-clear waters, seafood restaurants, and a few days of doing nothing. I also had a lot of writing to catch up on, so I chose Machico – one of the few beaches in Madeira not made of black sand, pebbles, or volcanic rocks.
Very soon, I learned that Machico has so much more to offer beyond its lovely golden beach, and that was the moment I decided to do away with just relaxing. I went on some of the most spectacular hikes and day trips. Machico is a fantastic base for those who want to soak up time on a sandy beach but also explore the nearby levadas, hike both Vereda Ponte do São Lourenço and Vereda do Larano, or even take a day trip to Funchal or Canical.
If you’re convinced, in this post you’ll find out what to do in Machico if this is the town you’ve chosen as your base for your Madeira adventure.
What is Machico known for?
Machico is where the story of Madeira begins. It was here that Portuguese explorers, led by Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira, disembarked in 1419 when Madeira was first discovered. This event marks the start of the Portuguese Age of Discoveries and the beginning of Madeira’s story.
Legend has it that Robert Machim and Anna d’Arfet, two lovers who escaped from England, found refuge here a century before this discovery. Machim was a knight in King Edward III’s court and was in love with Anna de Arfert, an English lady. Anna was destined to marry a nobleman, according to her family’s will. Machim and Anna escaped just before the wedding and took a boat to France.
However, they were caught in a storm and drifted all the way to Madeira, where both sadly died. When the Portuguese explorers arrived a century later, they discovered the wooden cross and the inscription left behind. They built a chapel on that site and named the town Machico in honor of Robert Machim and his lover.
Modern Machico, nestled in the heart of a fertile valley, is a charming seaside town very popular among tourists. Although it’s not as lively as Funchal, there are plenty of great things to do here.
If you’re after lively nightlife and shopping promenades, Funchal might be a better choice. But if you’re looking for a relaxed fishing village, with good restaurants, a sandy beach, and excellent hiking opportunities—Machico is the place for you! Just 25 km from Funchal, it’s an excellent escape from the city. There’s so much to see and explore that Machico truly is one of the best areas to stay while visiting Madeira!
Awesome Things to Do in Machico
The Machico beach
The beach of Machico, also known as Praia da Banda d’Além, is very popular for swimming and sunbathing due to its beautiful yellow sand, which was exported from Western Sahara in North Africa. This is one of the very few golden sand beaches in Madeira.
Right next to it, you will find a pebbled beach which is more typical for Madeira. This part is quite popular amongst windsurfers.
Machico Beach also features a boardwalk with small restaurants, beach bars and ice cream stands. Great for an evening stroll, meal or a drink by the beach at the end of the day.
The town of Machico
Machico is a very charming town with a relaxed vibe and many great restaurants. Here, I could experience how humans live in complete harmony with nature. With very few modern hotels and architecture blending into the surrounding mountain slopes, this town reminds us of how we should live and how far we have migrated from this harmony.
Being the oldest town in Madeira, Machico has a bunch of interesting sights to look out for as you stroll around.
There is an old town quarter not far from the beach where you can enjoy a meal or traditional poncha while watching the people pass by. It was my favourite thing to do in Machico after a day of hiking and exploring.
Pico do Facho
Pico do Facho is not only a great point to watch planes landing and taking off from the nearby airport. This spot also offers an excellent view over Machico Valley, stretching to the central part of the island’s peaks and covering Ponta de São Lourenço.
The Madeira Islands used to experience violent attacks by pirates. The cruellest of them all was the one that happened in August 1617, committed by an Algerian fleet. Nine hundred inhabitants were taken hostage and sent to Algiers, leaving only eighteen men and seven women.
Pico do Facho was the only place where surveillance was possible. Signalling was made by day through bundles of branches and at night by burning torches and bonfires. Succeeding fires were then set aflame on peaks all the way to Funchal, giving the capital a good few hours’ warning before the attack. Hence the name – Pico do Facho (‘Peak of the Torch’).
It’s a bit of a steep walk, but really worth taking on. The views are mesmerising and it’s a great photo opportunity.
Miradouro Francisco Alvares Nóbrega
Another great viewpoint in Machico. I was lucky, and maybe unlucky (depending on how you look at it), to stay right next to Miradouro Francisco Alvares Nóbrega, which is located at the top of the hill on the eastern side of Machico. It has a wonderful view over Machico Bay and the São Lourenço peninsula.
But every day I had to walk up and down in order to get the the town, so if you are looking for an accommodation in this area of Machico, keep it in mind.
It takes around 20 minutes of a steep hike to get to this viewpoint, but it’s so very worth it.
Once there, make sure you visit Décio Lounge Bar for a snack or glass of wine (or Poncha) where you can also enjoy lovely views and get some plane spotting.
Incredible hiking trails near Machico
Machico is very well located for people looking to do some hiking, especially if you want to visit Ponta de São Lourenço or Vereda do Larano.
Also, if you are looking to walk some gorgeous hikes in Madeira without having to rent a car, Machico is a great starting point!
Longer hikes near Machico:
Vereda Ponte do São Lourenço is one of the most breathtaking hikes in Madeira and one not to be missed. This trail is located at the easternmost point of Madeira, where you will hike along a long, thin peninsula of dry, sandy land characterised by dramatic cliffs.
The selling point of that hike is definitely the stunning and dramatic views of the ocean combined with unusual land formations. A must-do hike in Madeira!
Vereda do Larano is probably one of the most epic hikes in Madeira and one of the best things to do while in Machico.
This trek takes you all the way to Porto da Cruz. After you reach the Viewpoint of Boca do Risco in the second part of the walk, you will be taking a coastal trail offering a breathtaking view overlooking the vast Atlantic Ocean. This part is not for those with a fear of heights, although it is safe, given that the path is relatively wide.
The route to Porto da Cruz from Boca do Risco is a stunning route from a landscape point of view. Still, it offers inherent risks that deserve extra care. Many guides warn that this route can be dangerous. Therefore, please exercise caution if you decide to take the hike.
Having said that, I am not an athlete and a very casual hiker, and I did it just fine. The hike itself is not challenging. But it’s the slope edge location and the height that you need to be aware of.
The whole hike takes around 4 hours including photo and snack stops. The trek ends at Porto do Cruz, so make sure you leave early enough to be able to enjoy the town before heading back.
Easy levada hikes:
Like anywhere else in Madeira, also in Machico you can enjoy hiking along the levadas.
Levadas are usually easier, and without too much incline, they can be enjoyed by anyone regardless of the level of fitness or age. So if you don’t fancy long hikes but still want to experience hiking in Madeira, this could be a great activity for.
You will walk by the edge of a mountain, following a water channel and be able to enjoy Madeira’s spectacular views. Levadas that can be enjoyed near Machico are Levada do Castelejo, Levada dos Maroços, Levada Nova and Levada do Canical.
Levada walks are not only one of the best things to do in Machico, but one of the best things to do in Madeira! For starting points and exact routes, I like to use the AllTrails app or Maps.me for offline hiking maps. I found it the easiest to navigate around and pretty easy to use. Many trails in Madeira are well-signposted, yet those few times I wasn’t sure, those apps saved me a lot of time and guided me well.
Water Sports and boat trips in Machico
Machico is pretty popular amongst windsurfers and other water sports enthusiasts. By Machico beach, you will find shops and stands offering windsurfing, sea kayaking, scuba diving, paddle boarding, and other water activities.
You can also take a boat trip and see whales in their natural environment. Totally sustainable and respectful towards those beautiful animals.
Sealife and activities are a big and important part of life in Machico. You can find many activities and trips in the area, so you are in for a treat if you are a sea lover.
A day trip to Canical
Suppose you stay in Machico for a little bit longer. In that case, it’s worth visiting the sleepy fishing village of Canical, where a couple of lovely beaches are also located. The village of Canical is famous for its harbour, seafront walks, and Whale Museum. You can visit Praia da Ribeira Natal or nearby Prainha beach, or simply enjoy a seafood meal by the waterfront.
Prainha Beach is a natural black sand beach hidden in a beautiful cove and accessible by a pedestrian path. This beach is definitely worth a visit, but you would have to take a bus or a car (or a taxi) to get to the starting point of the path.
In the centre of Canical, you can enjoy the seaside promenade and visit Praia da Ribeira Natal. This pebbled beach also offers incredible views!
From Canical you can also start the Ponta do São Laurenco hike, so you could make it a whole day trip.
A day trip to Funchal
If Machico is the only town you stay in in Madeira, you need to take a day trip to Funchal. However, I do recommend staying a few days in Funchal to fully experience and enjoy this beautiful capital city of Madeira.
Funchal is only around 25km from Machico centre, and there is a direct bus going from the Machico bus station. Go early and visit the main part of the city as well as the Funchal Old Town, and if time allows, the Monte Palace Tropical Garden. You won’t regret it!
Where to Stay in Machico?
Modern & Recycled Guest House has excellent reviews, and although it’s not the cheapest in the area, I do believe it’s one of the best options in Machico. It’s beautifully decorated, has a lovely shared kitchen and communal area, and the location is just perfect.
If you are a solo traveller, you should consider Amparo, which offers simple but nice single rooms, or if you are looking for a hotel with a pool, Dom Pedro Madeira could be a good option too.
If you are travelling as a couple or family, you should definitely consider renting an apartment or a whole house like a Residencial Familia or Kanela Guest House.
I stayed at Apartamentos Matur, which was a great little apartment. I stayed for 10 days, so I got a good deal at the time, and I really enjoyed my stay.
I highly recommend booking your stay in Machico as soon as you can. Good apartments that offer great value for money get booked up quite early.
Where to next?
If you are looking for easy to follow Madeira itinerary I have you covered in this post.
Be sure to spend some time in the capital of Madeira, Funchal, and here you will find a complete list of great things to do in Funchal, and if you get caught by rain, head to this post.
Looking for a great day trip from Funchal? You can’t miss visiting charming Camara do Lobos!