A quick guide to Machico, Madeira

To me, Machico isn’t just any coastal town in Madeira.

My dad comes from there and with many of his side of our family still living there today, it’s where we’ve always based ourselves when travelling to Madeira.

We’ve watched it change a lot over recent years, from a much quieter town without its now-famous sandy beach, to a still laid-back but undoubtedly recognised tourist destination.

It hasn’t yet lost its local feel as it’s grown; men in checked shirts sit chatting the day away next to their line of yellow taxis, restaurants and cafes that are deep-rooted in the community and it’s still near-impossible to walk around without recognising someone you know.

This guide to Machico brings together everything I know and genuinely recommend about the town: what to do, where it works best as a base, how it compares to Funchal and how to make the most of staying here.

Where is Machico in Madeira?

Machico sits on Madeira’s east coast, just a five-minute drive from the airport. It’s one of the island’s most historically significant towns – the place where Portuguese explorers first landed – but today it feels relaxed, residential and refreshingly unhurried.

Its location close to the highway makes it an excellent base if you’re planning to explore the whole island. With a car, you can reach Funchal, the north coast, central mountains and eastern hikes without feeling tied to long daily drives. It’s about an hour to reach the furthest attractions, like Porto Moniz on the north west coast, so tying those into one day helps to maximise your time in Madeira.

How to get to Machico

It couldn’t be any easier to get to Machico as, aside from Santa Cruz where the airport is actually located, it’s the closest major town. If you’re hiring a car, it’s straight onto the highway to the east and basically, straight off again when you enter the nearby tunnel.

Not planning to hire a car? Public transport, transfers, tours and taxis are readily available to help you reach Machico and the spots you most want to visit across Madeira during your trip.

Is Machico worth visiting?

For a lived-in, convenient and easy to navigate base in Madeira, Machico is definitely worth visiting. If comparing Machico vs Funchal, the town is calmer and cheaper: it has fewer restaurant options, but most offer great, traditional food at reasonable prices. It’s the kind of place you can really slow down.

Machico is definitely worth considering if:

If you’re looking for lots of nightlife or shopping, Machico probably isn’t the best fit. While there are a couple of later evening options, especially when one of the town’s many festivals is on, you’re generally better off in Funchal for those elements.

Where to stay in Machico

The most common accommodation option in Machico is apartments, perfect for families, couples or groups who want flexibility and a home-from-home feel.

If you’re after a guaranteed parking spot, some apartments we’ve stayed in before include VIP Baia and Grannie’s House. Or, if a hotel stay is more your vibe, the White Waters Hotel is a great boutique option with breakfast included.

Want to know more? Read my complete guide on where to stay in Madeira or get a quick snapshot below.

The best things to do in Machico

Now you’ve decided where to stay, you need to know what to do in Machico! Here are my top picks:

Relax on Machico beach

Machico beach is one of the town’s biggest draws. Even though it’s an artificially created golden sand beach, it transformed the waterfront and the sheltered bay makes it absolutely perfect for swimming.

If you’re lucky in the summer, you might see the lady who brings a basket of doughnuts onto the sand…listen out for the bell!

Wander through the old town

Machico is made for a gentle wander. With its flat promenade and relaxed cobbled streets, it still feels local rather than touristy. It’s never too busy and while honestly, it’s not packed full of attractions, there’s great view of the surrounding hills from the whole of Machico old town.

While you won’t see a great sunset from Machico – that’s reserved for the other side of the island – I’ll tell you the best spot around sunrise if you’re an early riser.

Pico do Facho viewpoint

It’s my favourite view over Machico and in the last few years, it’s become a tradition for us to do the early morning hike to Pico do Facho viewpoint.

On a clear, sunny day, you can see the entire town and the airport beyond where you’ll often be lucky enough to see planes taking off and landing, with the Atlantic Ocean stretching out beyond.

Don’t want to walk the 45 – 60 minutes uphill or limited on mobility? You can cheat and drive up to the newly-created picnic spot at the top!

I cover more detail on the hike in my quick guide to Madeira’s hikes and waterfalls.

Explore Machico’s history

Of all the things to do in Machico, this is probably what I’ve done the least of.

As mentioned earlier, Machico was the site of Madeira’s first Portuguese landing. While it’s not full of grand museums, there’s a quiet history in the vibrant yellow Forte de Nossa Senhora do Amparo which you can walk in and take a look at.

If you’re visiting Machico old town during one of their festivals, it really comes to life. For example, during Facho Festival, fires are lit up the nearby hills to signify the pirate attacks or a food festival takes place each August. We also visited during the 16th Century Market a few years ago – a crazy experience where the locals dress up in period costumes, the food and drink stalls are all consistently themed and performances like jousting take place!

When you’re planning your trip to Machico, Madeira, it’s great to consider the timing of your visit to make the most of the celebratory atmosphere around events like these.

Hiking Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8)

Easiest if you have a car, but not impossible without, Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8) is the nearest of Madeira’s most famous hikes. This dramatic peninsula is like something out of a sci-fi film and, for the majority of it, isn’t super difficult if you’re in fairly good shape.

Avoid the middle of the day in summer as the hiking trail is very exposed with little shade but with it being at the eastern tip of the island, you have the chance to see an amazing sunrise if you set off early.

For more details on everything you need to know, read my full guide to hiking Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço.

Hiking Rota da Boca do Risco – Levada do Canical

I’ve also done sections of this hike separately and it’s well worth a go if you’re up for a longer exploration. Parts are like a traditional levada – very flat and sheltered, with great views of Machico, then winding around to the coastline for epic views over ocean and north east of the island.

If you’re interested in other hikes on the island, you may be interested in the famous Pico do Arierio to Pico Ruivo hike.

Whale and dolphin watching

Madeira is well known for the possibilities to spot different marine life throughout the year and in Machico whale watching and dolphin spotting trips depart regularly from the prom near the beach.

We went on a RIB boat whale watching tour from Machico and were lucky enough to spot several pods of pilot whales, including babies, as well as a brief stop at a swimming spot off Canical’s coast.

It’s possible to book when you arrive, although you may want to secure your spot a few days beforehand in peak season. Or, if there’s a specific tour you’re interested in, you can choose on in advance from suppliers like Get Your Guide.

Book your day trips from Machico

As well as what to do in Machico town itself, taking a few day trips from Machico is an awesome and easy way to explore more of Madeira’s highlights.

If it’s your first time in Madeira, I’d recommend visiting a few towns including a day in the capital Funchal, a day at the natural pools in Porto Moniz and a morning exploring Porta da Cruz, Faial and Santana.

One thing I’d highly recommend doing in Funchal is enjoying the famous afternoon tea at Reid’s Palace.

Honestly, there are so many things to do in Madeira that I can’t cover it in a single guide, but I will create a full article on the best day trips in Madeira soon! There are tons of tours that combine different activities like off-roading, canyoning and guided hikes – I always use Get Your Guide to find recommendations.

Where to eat in Machico

It wouldn’t be a guide to Machico if I didn’t include some of my top food recommendations. While it’s not got the abundance of restaurants compared to a bigger city, you can eat very well here without having to repeat restaurants over a week.

I won’t go into huge detail on each recommendation but you can be confident that we’ve tried and tested each place multiple times over the years! In general, expect relaxed, unfussy meals with a local feel – sharing is often on the cards here, particularly with starters and sides.

Breakfast

Deus do Sol: a spot mainly frequented by locals, Deus do Sol is our usual haunt for a simple breakfast sarnie and coffee. Ask for the sweet potato bread! They do a decent cake too.

O Galã: We always head here multiple times at different times of day – you really can’t go wrong – but their menu is one of the more decent if you’re looking for a traditional brunch. P.S. O Galã is also great for lunch and is our go-to spot for an afternoon coffee & cake (specifically xadrez, bolo de arroz and guardanapo).

Lunch

Portas Verdes: One of our go-to restaurants for a chilled out lunch, I’d recommend the picado from here. With individual and sharing portions, it’s a super easy option that’ll fill you up for an afternoon of exploring or lounging alike.

Baía Beach Club: If you’re after a prego (effectively Madeira’s answer to a steak sandwich), this is the spot to choose. Located in a fab spot near the beach, it’s got great vibes from lunch until late and the cocktails are alright too!

Talhadas: I’ve only headed here once with my cousins but they did a great espada (white fish) sandwich that’s always stuck with me!

Dinner

O Casco: This is one of our go-to spots for large family meals. Kids will love the novelty if you can get sat inside one of the giant barrels and they do a great bolo de caco (Madeira’s excellent garlic bread).

O Pescador: So while I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this restaurant, I can’t find the name of the restaurant underneath it! As another traditional spot, it doesn’t look like much but serves a delicious espetada and picado.

MaréAlta: Located right on the waterfront, fish here is excellent – snapper in the oven is a family legend. They also own Restaurante Pico Da MaréAlta a short drive away: we’ve had lots of family celebrations there over the years and the view over Machico is beautiful.

Ikura Sake: It’s the only dinner spot in the region I’ve not tried, as we’re always too busy rotating around our old favourites, but if you’re in the market for sushi, Ikura Sake is always busy and gets rave reviews.

Secreta: If you’re after a more classic burger or – contradicting that completely – are seeking out a decent veggie option, Secreta is an underrated choice. They do a great offer on a platter and bottle of wine!

O Forno: Forno is a five minute drive (or 30 minute walk) from town and offers more classic Madeira cuisine. Their milho frito is great and if they still serve the black tequila, definitely give that a try too.

Practical tips for visiting Machico

If you’d like tips on visiting Madeira at a specific time, check out my guides on New Year’s Eve in Madeira and what it’s like to visit Madeira in January.

Wrapping up this guide to Machico

Whether you’re in Madeira for hiking, a coastal retreat or a bit of everything, I genuinely believe Machico is a great base for a variety of travellers.

Sure, it won’t suit everyone, but I think that’s part of its appeal.

Laura x