Visiting
Beach and waterfront
Machico beach
Enjoy a wide sandy bay perfect for swimming, sunbathing and morning walks, just 1 minute from The Surf Nest. The calm waters and gentle slope make it a great choice for families, beginner swimmers and relaxed dips in the Atlantic.
Promenade and viewpoints
Walk along the waterfront promenade for sunrise or sunset views of the bay and surrounding hills, with plenty of benches to sit and enjoy the scenery. From here you can easily access cafés, ice‑cream shops and kids playgrounds, making it a nice stroll at any time of day..
Water activities
Try stand‑up paddle, kayak, beginner surfing sessions or simply relax by the sea – local schools and activity companies often operate around Machico and nearby Porto da Cruz. On calmer days, snorkeling close to the rocks will reveal small fish and interesting underwater formations. Several companies in Machico’s harbour are also providing diving around Madeira and whale or dolphin watching tours.
Visiting
Coastal hikes and nature
Ponta de São Lourenço
A must‑do hike on Madeira’s eastern tip, offering volcanic cliffs and panoramic views of the north and south coasts. The trail is relatively exposed, with a lot of steps, so start early, bring water, sun protection and a light jacket as the wind can be strong. The start is located 15min drive away from the Surf Nest.
Distance:3 ~ km (point to point).
Duration: 2.5 hours of walking time.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Prainha (Caniçal)
A beautiful, small black‑sand beach between cliffs, ideal for a quiet swim and snorkeling. Located halfway between Ponta de São Lourenço and Machico, its access is via a 5min downhill path from the parking area; wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for the climb back up.
Distance: 800m.
Duration: 5 min.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Vereda do Larano
A stunning coastal trail between Machico and Porto da Cruz, with dramatic Atlantic views and lush vegetation. It’s a moderate hike with some exposed sections, so it’s best attempted in good weather and with proper footwear. There are a few portions by the cliff, which are not suited for people with vertigo.
Distance: 12~ km.
Duration: 4 hours of walking time.
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Parque da Quinta do Santo da Serra
A green public park in Santo António da Serra, perfect for picnics and easy walks, a short drive from Machico. You’ll find lawns, trees, viewpoints and even animals, making it a great half‑day trip for couples, families and anyone needing a break from the coast.
Distance: ~1 km.
Duration: 30 min of walking time.
Difficulty: Flat grounds, suitable for all ages.
Levada dos Maroços – Machico Valley Walk
Easy, family-friendly levada walk through the Machico valley with views over agricultural terraces, mimosa trees, and the bay.
Distance: ~6 km.
Duration: 2–2.5 hours walking time.
Difficulty: Easy; flat path, suitable for all ages.
Levada do Caniçal – Machico Walk
A beautiful levada walk linking Caniçal and Machico with great ocean views in the background and local agriculture. This walk has its beginning near the tunnel of the old road that links Caniçal and Machico, and goes through a portion of the southern part of the Island between these two locations.
Distance: 5.2~ km (point to point).
Duration: 2.5 hours walking time.
Difficulty: Easy
Pico do Facho to Caniçal Hike
The Pico do Facho hike is a great coastal trail on Madeira, starting in Machicho and reaching its end in Caniçal. This lightly trafficked trail is highlighted by the viewpoint over Machico and the beautiful coastal views all the way to Sao Lourenco.
Distance: 7.6~ km (point to point).
Duration: 2 ~ 2.5 hours walking time.
Difficulty: Moderate. No real dangers or drop-offs. There is a bit of a steady incline, so you need to be in decent shape.
Visiting
Food and local life
Restaurants
Machico has a bit of everything for everyone. Expect fresh fish, espetada (beef on skewers), homemade desserts and generous portions typical of Madeira’s traditional restaurants.
Sample local cuisine at the O Gala bakery & Restaurant, or head to the very local A Casa da Ines Restaurant. For fish specialties, our personal recommendation is O Pescador, while for meat O Grelhador and Mercado Velho are fantastic. If you prefer international cuisine, O Screta has burgers, Ikura has great sushi and other Japanese specialties – all in Machico.
Vegetarian & vegan
While vegan dishes are still relatively hard to find in Madeira, many traditional restaurants are also happy to adapt side dishes and salads if you ask politely.
In Machico, O Secreta has a couple of plant‑based burgers, a good option if you’re looking for something lighter or different from classic meat and fish plates.
Slightly outside of Machico, in Santa Cruz (which is a 5min car ride from the Surf Nest) Pimpinellas is a vegetarian restaurant that serves a good selection of vegan dishes as well, with new “dishes of the day” specials every day.
Bakeries & markets
Start your day at O Gala bakery or other local pastelarias for fresh bread and pastries. Pick up fruits and vegetables from neighborhood shops in Machico, visit the small Machico vegetable market happening every saturday and sunday between 8am and 2pm next to the yellow fort, or plan a Sunday visit to the Santo da Serra farmers’ market (10min drive away from the Surf Nest) for seasonal produce, local specialties and crafts.
Everyday conveniences
Within walking distance, you’ll find supermarkets like Continente and Pingo Doce, laundrettes, pharmacies and convenience stores, so you can easily combine holiday time with practical errands when needed.
Visiting
Culture and local traditions
Historical Machico
Machico is considered the historical birthplace of Madeira, linked to the arrival of the first Portuguese navigators in the early 15th century. From this original landing and early settlement grew a small coastal town that preserved much of its maritime character, with fishing, agriculture, and later tourism shaping local life over the centuries. A stroll through the town center will reveal churches, small squares and several references to the first Portuguese landings on the island.
Festa dos Fachos
Every year during the last week of August, Machico hosts the Festa dos Fachos, a festival that commemorates the old fire‑signal system used to warn of pirate attacks. At night, torches and fire sculptures light up the hills and town, creating a magical, deeply local atmosphere, and a procession takes place, where participants run down the hill and end with a jump in the water and a swim in the Machico Bay.
Mercado Quinhentista
This Sixteenth Century Market evokes the historical period of the discovery of the island, and has gained a prominent cultural status. It features a reconstruction of the arrival of the first Portuguese families on the island, on a traditional sailing ship, followed by a costumed procession throughout the city center of Machico, and ends up with concerts and a number of cultural and musical activities.
Depending on your travel dates, you may also encounter other local religious and cultural celebrations around the parish churches, often with music, food and drink stalls and fireworks. We recommend you check the free app, Madeira Unlocked, to see all the events happening around you and to discover local hidden gems.
Visiting
Day trips from Machico
Funchal
Visit Madeira’s capital for museums, markets and gardens, easily reached by bus from Machico’s main station on Rua 9 de Outubro. In a single day, you can explore the old town, ride the cable car, visit the farmers’ market and return to the quieter pace of Machico in the evening.
Porto da Cruz
A charming seaside village with surf beaches, a seawater pool, and a traditional rum distillery, about 15 minutes by car. It’s ideal for a day of surfing at Alagoa or Maiata, relaxing by the natural pool and tasting local poncha or rum‑based drinks.
East coast viewpoints and miradouros
Use Machico as your base to explore scenic viewpoints and miradouros along the east and north coasts, stopping at lookouts over cliffs, terraced fields and small villages. Many of these stops can be combined with routes to Santana, Porto da Cruz or Ponta de São Lourenço for a full day of exploring.
Our printed information booklet in the apartment includes maps, bus details and updated recommendations to help you plan your days in Machico, and we are one phone call away.