Machico was where Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira, the official discoverers of Madeira, first came ashore in 1419. But, according to local legend, Robert Machim and his true love, Ana d'Arfet, had already found shelter here a century before. Whether this is true or not, the fact is that the name of this municipality seems to come from the name Machim.
Let’s get to know some more about the places here.
Caniçal, a well-known fishing village, has the only golden‑sanded beach in Madeira, Prainha, which is very popular with bathers.
This town was once known for its whaling and there are still traces of this activity at the Museu da Baleia, or Whaling Museum.
To the east of Caniçal is Ponta de São Lourenço, with its tall cliffs and deep valleys heading into the ocean in the form of small islets.
This is where the Madeira Tax‑Free Zone is located.
In Santo António da Serra is the region’s oldest golf course, Clube de Golfe do Santo da Serra and some examples of beautiful old quintas, or estates, some of which have been converted for tourism.
Porto da Cruz also belongs to the municipality of Machico, but is located on Madeira’s north coast.

Miradouro do Pico do Facho

North of Machico, before reaching the tunnel leading to Ponta de São Lourenço in Caniçal, there is a path leading up to the top of Pico do Facho. Here there is a belvedere affording a panoramic view of the Machico Valley, reaching as far as the island’s central peaks and including Ponta de São Lourenço.

Miradouro da Portela

Between Porto da Cruz and Machico is this belvedere overlooking Porto da Cruz and Penha d'Águia, from where you can see one of Madeira’s loveliest landscapes and the mountains seem to flow down a valley towards the sea.

Penha d'Águia

This rocky outcrop shaped like a truncated pyramid rises beside the sea between Porto da Cruz and Faial. There are fields on its upper slopes and its highest point is 580 metres above sea level. It can be reached along a track.

Population: 21,747
Bathing areas: Machico Nautical Complex