Machico: Madeira’s first capital and its golden beach

Machico is Madeira’s historic first settlement, a relaxed east-coast town where the island’s discovery story meets one of its rare golden-sand beaches. It is an excellent choice for travellers who want sea, history and everyday Madeiran life without staying in busy Funchal. In this updated guide: discover where Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira landed in 1419, what to see around the old town, why the sand is golden, and how Machico works as a practical base for the airport, Caniçal and Ponta de São Lourenço.

Why visit Machico, Madeira?

Machico holds a special place in the island’s story. Portuguese navigators João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira came ashore on this bay in 1419, and the town developed around one of Madeira’s earliest settled areas. Its historical importance is why it is often described as Madeira’s first capital, although Funchal later became the island’s principal city.

There is another, older tale attached to the name. Local tradition links Machico to Robert Machim, an English knight, and Anne of Arfet, who were said to have reached the bay a century before the Portuguese arrival. Whether legend or history, the story gives the town a romantic extra layer and explains why Machico feels different from a purpose-built resort.

Today, Machico is a lived-in town rather than a museum piece. The broad bay, riverside paths, cafés, small shops and compact centre make it easy to explore on foot. It is especially appealing for families, first-time visitors and travellers who prefer a quieter overnight base within easy reach of Madeira Airport.

The golden beach: Banda d’Além

Machico’s famous beach is Praia da Banda d’Além, on the eastern side of the Ribeira de Machico mouth. Its yellow sand is imported from Morocco, a striking contrast with the black volcanic sand and pebbles found on much of Madeira’s coastline. The beach is set inside the town’s sheltered bay, making it one of the island’s most convenient places for a straightforward swim and a lazy beach afternoon.

The beach has changing cabins, showers, toilets, parking and accessible infrastructure, with lifeguard supervision during the official bathing season. The gently enclosed setting is a major advantage for visitors travelling with children, though the Atlantic is still the Atlantic: check the flags and sea conditions before entering the water.

On the opposite side of the stream, Praia de São Roque has a more traditional pebble surface. Walk the seafront between the two sides of the bay at sunset, when the light softens over the water and the town’s mountains. For a wider comparison of swimming spots across the island, see our guide to the best beaches in Madeira.

Walk the historic centre and its churches

Allow at least an hour for the old centre, or longer if you stop for coffee and lunch. Begin near the waterfront and wander inland through the streets around the river. The historical area brings together religious buildings, civic architecture and reminders of the earliest settlement.

The Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Conceição is the essential stop. Dating from the late 15th or early 16th century, it has late-Gothic and Manueline features, including an impressive pointed portal with white marble columns. Inside are three chapels and important 16th-century paintings.

Also seek out the Capela do Senhor dos Milagres. It stands on the site associated with Madeira’s first mass, held the day after the 1419 landing. The present chapel was rebuilt after the devastating 1803 flood, and its annual religious procession remains a powerful expression of local devotion. Nearby, the 18th-century Forte de Nossa Senhora do Amparo and the old aqueduct add further interest to an unhurried walk.

Use Machico as a base for the east coast

Machico is one of the most sensible places to stay if you have an early flight, arrive late, or want to focus on the east of Madeira. The airport is a short drive away, while the expressway makes Funchal manageable for a day or evening out. Accommodation is generally more low-key than in the capital, with apartments, guesthouses and small hotels rather than large resort strips. Read our wider guide to onde se hospedar na Madeira before choosing your base.

It is also well positioned for Caniçal and the dramatic eastern peninsula. The Madeira Whale Museum in Caniçal is worthwhile on a windy, cloudy or non-beach day: it explains the island’s whaling past alongside cetacean conservation and marine research. From Machico, continue to Prainha for a small natural-sand cove, or head to Baía d’Abra for the start of the unforgettable Ponta de São Lourenço hike.

Insider tips for a better visit

• Go early in summer: Banda d’Além is popular with local families and can feel busy later in the day, particularly at weekends.
• Choose the right side of the bay: Head to Banda d’Além for sand; choose São Roque if you prefer a quieter pebble beach and open sea views.
• Check the beach flag: The bay is sheltered, but conditions can still change quickly. Swim only when the sea and safety flags allow it.
• Combine history with lunch: Visit the parish church and Miracles Chapel before settling into one of the town-centre cafés or restaurants.
• Keep a car for the east: Machico is easy without one, but a rental car makes it far simpler to visit Prainha, Caniçal and Ponta de São Lourenço at your own pace.
• Stay for the evening: The promenade is most pleasant after the hottest part of the day, when the bay quietens and locals come out for a walk.

Watch Madeira’s essential places before you go

Machico is only one part of Madeira’s varied landscape. Watch this visual guide for a useful introduction to the island’s mountains, levadas, villages, volcanic pools and eastern coastline, then use it to shape a route that suits your own pace.

Perguntas frequentes

Is Machico worth visiting?
Yes. Machico is one of the best places in Madeira to combine a proper beach day with historical sights, a walkable centre and easy access to the east coast.

Is the sand at Machico Beach natural?
No. The yellow sand at Praia da Banda d’Além was imported from Morocco. Madeira’s natural beaches are more commonly black sand, dark volcanic sand or pebbles.

Can you swim at Machico Beach?
Yes, when conditions permit. The bay is comparatively sheltered and has facilities for bathers, but always follow lifeguard instructions and the displayed beach flags.

Is Machico a good alternative to staying in Funchal?
Yes, particularly for a quieter stay near the airport and eastern sights. Choose Funchal for the largest choice of restaurants, nightlife and city attractions; choose Machico for a more local pace and beach access.

Facts and prices verified in August 2026. Continue planning with our guides to the best things to do in Madeira, O Funchal em um dia e how to get to Madeira from Lisbon.