Machico Holidays 2025/2026 | Cheap Holidays to Machico

According to legend Madeira's second town, Machico, takes its name from a 14th Century English merchant called Robert Machin. Machin and his aristocratic lover Anne d'Arfet eloped and headed to Portugal but were blown off course and shipwrecked on Madeira. The couple died and were buried at the site of town, and the story inspired the first Portuguese explorers to seek out the island. In 1451 Machico became Madeira's first settlement, and was the capital of the island's east until unification with Funchal and the rest of the island.

Today the town is an idyllic destination for Madeira holidays, situated in a beautiful natural bay, surrounded by lush terraced slopes and a nice seafront promenade. Madeira's magnificent climate constant sun and warm Atlantic waters make Machico holidays perfect at anytime of year. The island's airport is just ten minutes drive away so the town is easy to get to, and On The Beach has the best deals on Machico holidays for your convenience. If you're planning a holiday in Madeira, Machico makes an excellent base to explore this island paradise!

Popular Machico hotels

Weather in Machico

JAN

16^°C

FEB

16^°C

MAR

16^°C

APR

17^°C

MAY

19^°C

JUN

21^°C

JUL

22^°C

AUG

23^°C

SEP

23^°C

OCT

21^°C

NOV

19^°C

DEC

18^°C

Machico, like the rest of Madeira, enjoys a wonderful sub-tropical climate due to its location and mountainous landscape. The sun shines all year and temperatures range from a low of 16°; Celsius in the winter to about 25°; Celsius in the summer. Outside the summer you should expect some rainfall, but these showers rarely last very long. It doesn't matter when you want to take your Machico holidays, the sun will be waiting for your arrival.

Reviews

At On the Beach, we’ve sent many satisfied customers on Machico Holidays for a bit of sunshine. But don't just take our word for it, read some of their 5-star reviews below.

The centre of Machico is focused on Largo Dr Antonio Jardim d'Oliviera, a cobbled square whose northern side is dominated by the Igreja Matriz. The church contains some fine Manueline masonry and a painted ceiling. On the other side of the River Machico is the Capela dos Milagres (Chapel of the Miracles), apparently built over the graves of Robert Machin and Anne d'Arfet. Floods destroyed the original 15th Century church, which was replaced by today's structure that dates from 1815.

Near to the church is an old-fashioned area of fishermen's houses and a quiet, shaded square and where you can relax and take in typically laid-back lifestyle. There's no shortage of things to see and do on holidays to Machico.

Culture
The last Sunday in August sees the Festa do Santissimo Sacramento (Festival of the Holy Sacrament) in Machico, a carnival style procession through the town ending with an enormous bonfire at the site of the old beacon on Pico do Facho.
When floods destroyed the original church at the Chapel of Miracles a wooden crucifix was washed out to sea but was 'miraculously' found by a passing ship. This miracle is marked by a torchlit procession on October 8th each year, and public holiday the day after.
Nightlife
There's plenty of ways to spend an evening on holidays in Machico, with a choice of cafes and restaurants to enjoy a meal. O Casco serves good food at reasonable prices, while the Bar Azul Central da Cidre is a traditional-style bar. There is one disco in the town, La Barca Discoteca, which stays open late at weekends but retains a chilled and friendly ambience. Make the short journey south to Garajau for a different setting at night.

Machico Holidays

Popular Machico hotels

Weather in Machico

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

View destination on a map

Reviews

Culture

Nightlife