Machico Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Machico showing a garden
Madeira’s second-largest town is home to a beautiful swimming beach and a lovely old quarter, as well as a network of numerous scenic walks. 

Machico is set in a graceful crescent-shaped bay, surrounded by green terraced slopes. Enjoy a few days of relaxed sightseeing in Machico’s idyllic setting and explore the pleasant seafront promenade that borders a town of narrow cobbled streets and whitewashed houses.

According to local legend, Machico was discovered in the 14th century by a pair of lovers who eloped from their home in Bristol. The couple were shipwrecked in the Bay of Machico after their ship was thrown off course during a storm. Both lovers died, but the ship’s crew managed to escape on a raft and brought news of the island to Portugal. The explorer João Gonçalves Zarco then claimed Madeira in 1420. 

Be sure to see the Capela dos Milagres (Chapel of the Miracles). The original church, supposedly founded on the site of the lovers’ graves in the 15th century, was destroyed in a flood. The current structure, built in 1815, features a lovely rose window within its façade and a nave decorated with frescoes.

Take a look at the beautiful blue-and-white tiling found inside the Capela de São Roque. This small chapel was built in the 16th century to honour St. Roch, who is said to have saved the people of Machico from a plague. 

Go for a swim at Praia de Machico, one of Madeira’s most popular beaches. Arrange a diving excursion to the nearby marine reserve or just relax in the warm sands. Go for a walk down the lively promenade and stop for a drink at a beachfront bar. 

Don’t miss Miradouro Francisco Alvares Nobrega, a belvedere with panoramic views over Machico Valley and Ponta de São Lourenço. Enjoy more scenic vistas at Pico do Facho, another well-known viewpoint named for the beacon (facho), which was once lit here to warn the city of approaching pirates. 

Machico is located in the eastern part of Madeira. It’s easily accessed by bus from Funchal, which is located 19 miles (30 kilometres) away.

Dom Pedro Madeira
Dom Pedro Madeira
4 out of 5
Estrada de Sao Roque, Machico
The price is ₹13,084 per night from 3 Jun to 4 Jun
₹13,084
per night
3 Jun - 4 Jun
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a beach locale. Our guests praise the breakfast in their reviews.
7.8/10 Good! (412 reviews)
"Great break would do it again"

Reviewed on 31 Mar 2024

Dom Pedro Madeira
Enotel Santo da Serra
Enotel Santo da Serra
Sitio Dos Casais Proximos, Santo Antonio da Serra, Machico
Stay at this golf hotel in Machico. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking and room service. Popular attractions Quinta Da Junta and Santo da Serra Market are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (132 reviews)
"Generaly an old hotel could need some refurbishments. Our room was really humid, we notified the reception but noting was done, no working ventilation in the bathroom. Some spots of the hotel are not cleaned, dust and spiders found. The swimming pool had some rust patches. The breakfast was good ..."

Reviewed on 10 Feb 2020

Enotel Santo da Serra
Turim Santa Maria Hotel
Turim Santa Maria Hotel
4 out of 5
Rua João de Deus, 24, Funchal
The price is ₹31,720 per night from 19 May to 20 May
₹31,720
per night
19 May - 20 May
Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews.
9.2/10 Wonderful! (255 reviews)
"The location was nice, quiet, safe and close to reaturants and shops"

Reviewed on 6 May 2024

Turim Santa Maria Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Florasol Residence Hotel
Florasol Residence Hotel
3 out of 5
Estrada Monumental 306, Funchal
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and on-site spa services.
8.2/10 Very Good! (139 reviews)
"Just love this place!"

Reviewed on 9 Feb 2024

Florasol Residence Hotel
Terrace Mar
Terrace Mar
3 out of 5
Travessa do Valente 7, Funchal
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and room service.
9/10 Wonderful! (76 reviews)
"Great place to stay. Accessible area and the rooms were good. Terrace has good views, a nice pool, and breakfast has lots of options."

Reviewed on 16 Apr 2024

Terrace Mar
Village Cabo Girao
Village Cabo Girao
4 out of 5
Rua 1º de Julho, nº 2, Camara de Lobos
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the property condition in their reviews.
9.2/10 Wonderful! (142 reviews)
"The views were incredible. The drive up was always interesting, it would have been easier if I had put Cabo Girao into my GPS from the start."

Reviewed on 18 Feb 2024

Village Cabo Girao
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Machico

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
2
" "5 - Excellent 25%
4 - Good
4
" "4 - Good 50%
3 - Okay
2
" "3 - Okay 25%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
7 Nov 2019

Nice town

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
31 Mar 2019

It's a nice town to walk around, but there is much more to see at Funchal. The bus runs every half hour and costs just over 3 Euro.

4/5 - Good

ROSA
25 Feb 2019

It was very windy some days.

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