Machico Holidays

A relaxed and traditional atmosphere
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.

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.

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.

All inclusive Machico holidays
Set in a traditional working town, all inclusive Machico holidays present visitors with a slice of authentic island life, with the added bonus of convenient tourist facilities, and a lovely coastal setting. The historic resort has a pebble beach and plenty of shops, with all-inclusive Machico holidays enabling guests to enjoy the charm and character of the resort, and relax in well-equipped hotels where everything they need has been taken care of. Thanks to a comprehensive dining plan, where all meals are covered, all inclusive holidays to Machico can often save money, eliminating the need for pricy restaurant bills, and providing guests with a gentle routine each day on their stay. As well as all food and drinks, hotels offer selected facilities and activities for those indulging in all-inclusive Machico holidays, with guests able to choose to take advantage of the sports and recreational activities on offer, or just lie back and relax - the price is the same.

Machico weather
The lively harbour town of Machico boasts a sub tropical climate with an abundance of year round sunshine. Machico has a close to perfect climate. The ocean does moderate the temperature so that it is never too hot or too cold. The average annual temperature in Machico is a warm 24C and even winter temperatures will stay around the 20C mark. Sunshine levels are high with eight hours per day during the summer and five hours per day during the winter. The winter season will see some rain but from May until September the skies are usually cloudless with very little rain.