Machico: Madeira's First Settlement and Golden Beach

Machico, on Madeira’s east coast, is where the first Portuguese settlers landed in the 15th century. Today it’s a pleasant town with a golden sand beach in a sheltered bay, a historic church and forts, and easy access to the airport and the Ponta de São Lourenço hike.

Quick answer: Machico is about 10 minutes from Madeira airport and 25 minutes from Funchal. Swim at the sheltered golden beach, see the historic Igreja Matriz and the little forts, and use it as a base for the eastern tip and the PR8 hike. See places to stay in Machico.

Why go

Machico is Madeira’s second town and the place where its story starts. In 1419 the navigators João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira came ashore on this bay, and Machico became the seat of the island’s first captaincy. It’s calmer and more local than Funchal, it has one of the few sandy beaches on the island, and it sits right next to the airport. That makes it a handy first or last night, or a relaxed base for the wild eastern tip.

The town’s name comes with a legend. An English couple, Robert Machim and Anna d’Arfet, are said to have been shipwrecked here in the 14th century, long before the Portuguese arrived, and to have died on the shore. Historians treat the story as folklore, but you’ll see it told around town.

Things to do

• The beach: the pebbles were replaced with sand from Morocco in 2008, and long breakwaters keep the bay calm. It’s good for families and gets busy on summer weekends.
• The Igreja Matriz: the parish church on the main square dates from the 15th century. Look for the carved stone doorway and the statue of Tristão Vaz Teixeira outside.
• Capela dos Milagres: the Chapel of Miracles stands on the spot where the first Mass on Madeira is said to have been held. A flood swept the old chapel away in 1803, and its crucifix was later found floating at sea.
• The forts: the small triangular Forte de Nossa Senhora do Amparo, built in 1706, guarded the bay against pirates. A second fort, São João Baptista, stands on the other side.
• Pico do Facho: a viewpoint high above the town with views over the bay, the airport runway and the Ponta de São Lourenço peninsula. Its name comes from the fires once lit there to warn of pirate ships.
• The seafront: a promenade with cafes and a small fishing harbour.

A walk around town

The centre is compact and flat, so you can see it all on foot in an hour or two. Start at the main square by the Igreja Matriz, walk down to the seafront and the Amparo fort, follow the beach along the bay, then cross the little river to the older fishermen’s quarter on the east side and the Capela dos Milagres. Finish with a drink on the promenade.

Getting there

• From the airport: about 10 minutes by taxi or car.
• From Funchal by car: about 25 minutes on the VR1 expressway. There is parking near the seafront and the beach, but it fills up on sunny weekends.
• By bus: buses run between Funchal and Machico as part of Madeira’s SIGA network, and some also call at the airport. The journey usually takes around 50 minutes to an hour. All routes were given new three-digit numbers in March 2026, so ignore older route numbers you see online and check current times before you travel. See getting around Madeira.

How long to spend

Half a day covers the town, the beach and a coffee on the seafront. For a full day on the east coast, start early with the PR8 walk at Ponta de São Lourenço before the heat, have lunch in Caniçal, then spend the afternoon on Machico beach and finish at Pico do Facho for the view.

Machico as a base

Staying a few nights works well if you want beach time and the east of the island. Santana and its traditional A-frame houses are within easy reach on the north coast, and Funchal is close enough for a day or evening out. If you plan to explore the far west, Funchal or the south-west coast is a more central base. See where to stay in Madeira.

Food

• Fish and seafood: grilled fish of the day, black scabbard fish and limpets are standard on the coast.
• Espetada and bolo do caco: skewered beef and garlic flatbread, found all over the island.
• Poncha: the sugar cane rum, honey and lemon drink. Try it in a local bar.
• Tropical fruit: bananas, passion fruit and custard apples (anona) from the island, sold in local shops and markets.

When to go

• Summer: the best time for the beach.
• Late August: the Festa dos Fachos lights the hills with bonfires, a nod to the old pirate warning fires.
• 8 and 9 October: the Festa do Senhor dos Milagres, one of Madeira’s biggest religious festivals, with a candlelit procession that remembers the 1803 flood.
• Year round: the east coast can be windy, so the beach is best on calm days.

Practical tips

• Plane noise: the airport is next door, so you will hear some flights. They stop overnight.
• Wind: the eastern tip is often breezy. Bring a layer even in summer.
• Hiking: the PR8 has almost no shade. Carry water and start early.
• Trail fee: Madeira’s official trails, including the PR8, need a booking through the SIMplifica system, usually €4.50 per walk. Book online before you go.
• Early flights: Machico is one of the best places to stay before a dawn departure.

Nearby

• Ponta de São Lourenço: see the PR8 hike.
• Caniçal: the whaling museum, the Museu da Baleia, tells the story of the whaling industry that supported this coast into the 20th century. Caniçal also has the Prainha, a small beach of dark sand.
• Santana: see Santana.

FAQ

Is Machico a good place to stay in Madeira?

Yes, especially for a first or last night near the airport, for beach time, or for walking the eastern tip. It is quieter than Funchal, with fewer restaurants and less nightlife.

Does Machico have a sandy beach?

Yes. Its golden sand beach was created in 2008 with sand brought from Morocco, and breakwaters keep the water calm.

How do you get from Machico to Funchal?

It is about 25 minutes by car on the VR1. SIGA buses take around 50 minutes to an hour, so check the current route number and timetable.

More: where to stay in Madeira and getting around Madeira.

See also: the best beaches in Madeira.

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