|
Machico Holidays
Machico, on the south-eastern coast of Madeira, is the oldest town on the island and the second largest. The original capital of Madeira, Machico offers visitors a quieter and more relaxed alternative to Funchal, but with a harbour lined with yachts and fishing boats, and a large population, this working town is always full of life. The shops and restaurants of Machico have a relaxed and traditional atmosphere, and the town is ideally placed to explore all the beauty that Madeira has to offer.
 Search for Machico holidays
Holidays in Machico - A well-equipped resort, and a favourite with the locals
The town of Machico stretches around the wonderful Bay of Zarco for almost 2km, and sprawls inland towards the green hillside of the surrounding countryside. The small pebble beach at Machico, typical of those found on Madeira, offers a wealth of facilities, including places to eat, plenty of beds and loungers, changing rooms and showers, life guards, pedalos and jet-skis - all of which help to make it a favourite beach for locals, and sometimes a little crowded. A pedestrian promenade runs behind the beach at Machico towards the harbour, and the town is full of narrow winding streets and attractive squares. Machico offers a wide range of accommodation, from small family-run guesthouses to large hotels set in lush tropical gardens and boasting extensive facilities.
Holidays in Machico - Plenty of history in the oldest town in Madeira
Machico has a long history, dating back to 1451 and was supposedly the first place be discovered on the island. The 15th century church, the Capela dos Milagres, is the oldest in Madeira, with a beautiful interior filled with traditional glazed tiles and well-preserved old paintings, and the fortress built in the early 1700's to defend the town is still standing. Machico is ideally placed to explore the famous 'levados' (irrigation trails) that snake through the hills and valleys, making it a perfect destination for walkers, hikers and nature-lovers. An 18-hole championship golf course is just 20 minutes away, and diving and sailing can also be enjoyed whilst staying in Machico. The stunning beauty of the island of Madeira can be best seen from a couple of famous spots around the resort - just north of Machico is a great viewing point, Pico de Facho, which offers fantastic views of the Machico valley and the mountains inland, and further east is the wild and rocky Ponta de Sao Lourenco, which is definitely worth experiencing. Close to here is the only sandy beach on the island, Prainha - its' black sand a contrast to the pebbly beaches of the rest of Madeira.
|
Back to Madeira holidays
Cheap flights