If you’re passing through Machico to enjoy its beautiful golden sandy beach, you can take the opportunity to tour the town and its miradouros.
Here’s our guide to the must-see places in Machico, Madeira, and useful tips for planning your visit.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
1. Praia de Machico
Praia de Machico is one of the few sandy beaches on Madeira Island. Even though the sand is imported, the effect is very natural and the beach pleasant.
It’s a beautiful crescent-shaped cove. But sand is not natural to the island; it was imported to create the beach.
A breakwater has been built to break the waves, allowing the whole family to swim in calm waters.
- Supervised beach
- Parking nearby but fills up quickly during the day.
- toilets, showers
- Volleyball court, pedal boat rental
- Paddle, Kayak
- Restaurants along the promenade
- There are few hotels in Machico, and you’ll find mostly apartment and house rentals.
2. Fort de Notre-Dame du Bon Secours
Close to the seafront, the Forte de Nossa Senhora do Amparo is an eye-catching yellow building. It was built in 1706, on the orders of Captain Francisco Dias Franco, to protect the town from pirate attacks. But with the tall trees that surround it, it doesn’t have the same function these days…
It once housed a border post, the tourist office and other town facilities.
You can walk around this triangular-shaped stone building (which is quite surprising). But you should know that it’s very small.
- Price: Free
- Free access
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR AT Madeira
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Take a car with a good engine for hilly roads, but not too big for manoeuvring.
- There’s plenty of demand and few cars, so book early.
3. Boat tours and dolphin watching
Madeira is an ideal destination for whale and dolphin watching.
Most boat tours depart from Funchal, but there are also a few options departing from Machico marina.
The town has two marinas, and it was here that Portuguese navigators Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira landed in the 15th century.
4. Stroll through the historic city
Machico is a relaxed town with very few hotels.
The architecture is more discreet and partly historical, as Machico is one of Madeira’s oldest towns.
We recommend taking the time to stroll through the old town center to admire some of the oldest buildings:
- The Chapel of Saint Roque (Capela De São Roque): founded in 1400, and restored in the 18th century with the addition of azulejos.
- Igreja Matriz de Machico: one of Madeira’s oldest monuments, with 15th-century Gothic architecture.
- Solar do Ribeirinho – small museum with artifacts found in Madeira’s colonial town 400 years ago (pottery, coins, horseshoes, sugar…).
WHERE TO STAY IN Madeira
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
5. Miradouro Francisco Alvares Nobrega
In our opinion, the best view of Machico is from the Miradouro Francisco Alvares Nobrega. It’s worth making the detour by car
Situated in the hills south of Machico, you can enjoy views over the town of Machico and its beach, the inhabited valley to the west, and the Ponta de Sao Louranço nature reserve in the distance to the east.
It is dedicated to Francisco Alvares Nobrega, with a small sculpture on the esplanade. He was a Madeiran poet and historian born in Machico in the 18th century.
- Opening hours: free access
- Price: free of charge
- Easy-access parking and observation platform
6. Praia de Sao Roque
Praia de Sao Roque is the natural beach of Machico Bay. It’s a long beach with grey pebbles (like most of Madeira’s beaches).
OUR GUIDE TO PLANNING A Dream trip
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7. Machico bridge and river
Between the sandy beach and the pebble beach, a modern bridge spans the river.
It is curved with a surprising shape.
This is a semi-fan cable-stayed bridge, with a single reinforced concrete tower.
It was built in 2003 over a length of 290m. The tower is 92m high.
Built to improve accessibility, it has become a modern landmark, often photographed.
Below us runs the Ribeira de Machico, a river whose flow can vary enormously according to weather conditions.
8. Miradouro de Machico
If you’re arriving by car from the south, don’t miss the Machico viewpoint parking lot along the expressway. It’s a quick and easy stop that you can’t make in the other direction…
From here you have a view of the Machico valley and the port opposite.
- Exit area with easy parking
- Insertion path a little short to get going again
OUR FAVORITE ACTIVITY IN Madeira
Catamaran tour to see dolphins and Madeira’s giant cliffs.
9. Miradouro da Queimada
A little higher than the Miradouro Francisco Alvares Nobrega, the Miradouro da Quiemada offers a view of the back of the valley. You no longer have a view of the waterfront. But in the background, you can also see the “tail of Madeira” with the Ponta de Sao Louranço area.
However, if you don’t have much time, we advise you to climb only to the other viewpoint.
- Easy stop
- Several parking spaces
10. Miradouro Pico do Facho
If you like watching planes land, there’s a viewpoint to the north of Machico, offering a panoramic view with the Machico valley in the foreground and the airport in the background.
Other activities around Machico
Caniçal and the Whale Museum
Caniçal is a tiny town not far from Machico. We really enjoyed discovering it, with its beautiful views of the cliffs and its whale museum.
Find out more about Caniçal’s attractions.
From Machico = 10 min drive
Ponta de Sao Louranço
Machico is the large town that is the gateway to Ponta de Sao Louranço, a peninsula that is one of Madeira’s most beautiful places.
You can:
- admire the view from Ponto do Rosto
- admire the view from the parking lot at the end of the road
- enjoy the magnificent PR8 hike that takes you to the heart of these cliffs: 6.4km round trip to Café Sardinha
From Machico = 15 min drive
Miradouro da Portela
At Miradouro da Portela, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the east coast without being stuck to the cliffs.
Here you can see the end of the Porto da Cruz valley, and one of the island’s most recognizable mountains: Penha de Aguia.
Once again, we marveled at the island’s lush nature and contrasting colors.
From Machico = 15 min drive
This is one of Madeira’s most beautiful viewpoints.
Hiking
If you like hiking, there’s a lot to do around the town:
- Levada do Caniçal hike (around Machico): 3 to 4 hours one way
- Levada dos Marocos, flat and on a mountainside (not for those afraid of heights), 6km
- Levada Nova, easy to moderate level
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Is a visit to Machico worthwhile?
It’s not Madeira’s most interesting town, but it’s well worth a visit to discover its fort and enjoy its beautiful sandy beach.
See our list of Madeira’s most beautiful towns.
Access and useful tips
Where to find Machico
- North of Madeira’s east coast
- From Funchal = 30 min drive
- From Porto Moniz = 1h10 drive
- Here’s a map to help you find your way.
How to get there and park
The town lies along a major expressway. It’s very easy to get to.
In town, you can park along the streets and in a parking lot near the beach.
Pay parking is available.
Many people come to enjoy the beach and it can become difficult to park in the afternoon.
How and how long
The city is fairly flat and easy to explore on foot.
Allow 1 to 2 hours if you don’t stay at the beach.
The bay is well oriented for sunrise viewing.
Restaurants
The town offers many restaurants.
We haven’t had a chance to test them yet, so we don’t have any recommendations.
PLAN YOUR STAY IN Madeira
Best of
Things to do in Madeira
Most beautiful viewpoints
Madeira’s most beautiful beaches
Most beautiful gardens
Natural pools
Most beautiful hikes
Most beautiful roads
Secret places
Practical advice
Getting around Madeira
Rent a car in Madeira
Driving in Madeira
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