Our most recommended things to do in Machico

Madeira: Best of the East Tour from Funchal

1. Madeira: Best of the East Tour from Funchal

Discover the diverse landscapes of Madeira on a day-long tour. Wander charming towns, enjoy panoramic views and learn about the area from your expert guide. Depart from the meeting point at Funchal's Lido or take advantage of a free hotel pick-up in selected areas. The first stop is at the beautiful viewpoint of Terreiro da Luta, located a few kilometers outside Funchal. Next, drive toward the mountain of Pico do Arieiro. At an altitude of 1,818 meters, the third highest peak on the island offers breathtaking views. Once you've been to the highest drivable peak in Madeira, head back down through the forest on the way to the coast. Admire some of Madeira's emblematic straw-roof houses, pass pretty villages and get stunning seascape views. Arrive at the very eastern point of the island for some superb panoramas of the north and south coasts. Discover the popular start point for the levada walks, Ribeiro Frio, on the northern slopes of the island. See interesting trout pools and original vegetation. Madeira was once completely covered by laurissilva forest, a relic from prehistoric times. Stop for lunch in Santana, characterized by its small, thatched triangular houses. Past Portela go towards Ponta de São Lourenço, situated in the eastern part of the island. This is a place where a fantastic combination of rocks, sea, and nature combine. The last town to be visited is Machico, a viewpoint where you can look over the bay and the golden sandy beach.

Madeira: Pico Ruivo Guided Sunrise Hike with Hotel Pickup

2. Madeira: Pico Ruivo Guided Sunrise Hike with Hotel Pickup

Admire Madeira's starry night sky on a guided trek up to the jagged Pico Ruivo. Enjoy a warm cup of tea while you catch the first rays of sunlight from the island's highest point and relax with a transfer back to your accommodation at the end of your hike. Start your early-morning adventure with a convenient pickup directly from your accommodation. Then, drive for about 1 hour to Achada do Teixeira, where your trek begins. Take some time to admire the starry sky and gaze up at the Milky Way above before you begin the 260-meter climb up to Pico Ruivo. Reach the dramatic peak, the highest point on Madeira, in time to watch the first rays of sunlight illuminate the island below you. Sip on a cup of tea and refuel with a healthy granola bar while you soak in the magnificent views and take photos. Finally, begin your descent back to the car park where your hike began and enjoy a comfortable journey back to your accommodation to finish your tour.

Madeira: Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Tour from Machico

3. Madeira: Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Tour from Machico

Start you tour with a safety briefing and instructions by a marine biologist on how to swim with dolphins. Receive your safety vests and wind breakers, and start your boat adventure.  From the boat, observe marine wildlife such as whales, dolphins, sea birds, turtles, and jelly fish. If you group spots common or spotted dolphins, and the sea conditions permit it, feel free to take a swim with those adorable creatures. With 29 species, Madeira is one of the best places in the world to observe whales and dolphins and the rate of success is very high.

Funchal: East Madeira Island Guided Tour & Laurissilva Walk

4. Funchal: East Madeira Island Guided Tour & Laurissilva Walk

Pico Areeiro: Start the tour in the magnificent Pico do Areeiro mountain at an altitude of 1818 meters. Ribeiro Frio: Here you will enjoy a small ( 40 - 45 minute) Levada Walk to a beautiful viewpoint. If you are not a walking person, you can enjoy this stop to visit the Trout nursery. Santana: This stop is the bigger one. You can take advantage of this 1.5-hour stop for lunch and visit Santana village. Faial: At the Guindaste viewpoint you can admire the wonderful northeast coast view. Porto da Cruz: At this small village the stop is around 20 to 30 minutes. Here you can visit the North Mills Distillery and taste the local rum. Ponta São Lourenço: The Ponta do Rosto is a must-see viewpoint. It's situated at the easiest part of the Island and gives you astonishing views over the North and South Madeira Sea and sometimes also of Porto Santo Island.

Funchal: Beginners Canyoning Tour in Funchal Ecological Park

5. Funchal: Beginners Canyoning Tour in Funchal Ecological Park

Level I Canyoning is for those that never tried the sport, and for those that, having done it, seek fun without worrying about knowledge about maneuvers with cables. It is usually practiced on the south side of Madeira Island. It’s a very safe sport due to the use of high tech equipment. Emotion and adrenalin are certainly a part of Canyoning, and the fact that one is in permanent contact with nature allows clients unforgettable moments of harmony, freedom and well-being The approach to the Canyoning takes about 5 minutes until the river, and about 15 minutes between the exit to the house to change clothes. •Number of waterfalls: 6 •Number of jumps: 3 (all optional) •Longest abseil: 15 meters •Duration: 3 to 4 hours We provide all the necessary equipment for the activity, from the canyoning suit, harness, helmet, socks, gloves and adidas canyoning boots.

Madeira: West and East Madeira Tour with Snacks and Drinks

6. Madeira: West and East Madeira Tour with Snacks and Drinks

Explore both sides of the island on one day. This tour will allow you to visit both areas of the west and east of the island in a non rushed tour that takes about 9 to 10 hours in order for us to have enough time to properly visit these wonderful areas Madeira has to offer. We start off with the East Side of the island by going to the original Christ Statue, which has a great view to Funchal. Afterwards we head to the tip of the island Ponta de São Lourenço and we do a stop there for about 25 minutes, where you can enjoy some great views to both the south and northeast coast of the island. After we go and visit another viewpoint in Faial, Santana with a skywalk, the viewpoint of Guindaste. We also visit the traditional straw rooftop houses in Santana, and then we make our way to the northwest coast using the scenic roads from the northeast and we stop along the way on a very interesting beach in Calhau de São Jorge where there are some interesting ruins and afterwards we have a little stop in São Vicente and then we make way for our lunch/swimming stop in Porto Moniz. After we enjoyed the natural pools we go to the Western tip of the island, the lighthouse of Ponta do Pargo. Afterwards we visit Paul do Mar, while taking some scenic roads as well and then we head off to a great waterfall in Ponta do Sol , called Cascata dos Anjos and we stop at the skywalk in Cabo Girão at 580 metres of altitude for some great views. If you wish to ask for a specific spot to visit you can request us beforehand and we can see if its possible to incorporate it in our tour

Quinta do Lorde: Kayak Experience to Ponta de São Lourenço

7. Quinta do Lorde: Kayak Experience to Ponta de São Lourenço

Start at Marina Quinta do Lorde with a water taxi to Cais do Sardinha. Your guide will help you with anything you need and share recommendations on the best way to enjoy the kayaks. Then, head off to explore the bay at your own pace by kayak. After kayaking, stay at Cais do Sardinha and enjoy the beach a bit longer before the return boat to Marina Quinta do Lorde. You can also visit the Casa do Sardinha Natur Spot Café to enjoy the views and grab a snack or lunch.

Tour of Eastern Madeira

8. Tour of Eastern Madeira

Start with pick-up from the hotel and drive through Funchal's steep roads. Pass the Eucalyptus and Mimosa forests overlooking the Christmas pines, into the breathtaking mountains of Pico do Arieiro at 1,800 meters. The centenary Forest covered by the old trees (Laurisilva) is a must and a short walk along the Levada Madeiras water channels can be taken as an option. Taking the old road of Faial overlooking the eagles rock mountain, Santana will be the next stop. Visit the town's traditional thatched houses and vines. Make a stop for lunch (not included in the price). After the lunch stop in Santana, continue to Porto Cruz, passing the sugar cane fields. Visit the only steam rum factory in Europe (with rum tasting) and explore the village. See the rough black sandy beach popular for surfers. In July and August, enjoy the chance to swim in the famous saltwater. Then, travel along the North Coast where sugar cane terraces are still visible. See the old capital of Madeira, Machico, where the first Portuguese settlers arrived in the 15th century, before heading to Ponta de São Lourenço, the eastern point cape of the island.  The tour ends with a drop-off at your hotel. 

Madeira: Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour

9. Madeira: Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour

Look for whales and dolphins and discover other marine life off the beautiful Ponta de São Lourenço coast in Madeira on a small-group boat tour with a crew of marine biologists. Climb aboard the 300 hp engine boat with a sleek design and listen to informative commentary about the sea life and places of interest of Madeira as you start the trip. Encounter different groups of dolphins, whales, and turtles in the water. Marvel as the animals breach and splash about in the water and learn amazing facts about them from your marine biologists guide. See endemic marine birds and get up-close to the unique rock formations on the coast as you speed across large distances in little time. If you are visiting in summer, get the chance to snorkel and swim in Ponta de São Lourenço.

Caldeirão Verde Levada: Roundtrip Transfer & Hike

10. Caldeirão Verde Levada: Roundtrip Transfer & Hike

Hike at your own rhythm on a self-guided trek in Caldeirão Verde. Explore the incredible Laurissilva Forest and mystical trail along a water channel, with green views on one side and stunning waterfalls along the other. Observe the waterfalls, ancient endemic trees, the Levada trail, and feel the nature of Queimadas. Get picked up at your accommodation with a shared transfer (up to 8 guests per van). Arrive at your destination and receive your hike instructions with scheduling and map explanation. The hike is a round trip trail totalling 12 km in length. The starting point and ending point are at the same location, Queimadas Park. This hike will take you roughly 5.5-hours to complete. The minimum elevation on this tour is 872-meters whereas the maximum is 1062-meters.

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What people are saying about Machico

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 2,494 reviews

Antonio was an incredible tour guide, he had us laughing throughout our entire trip, so much knowledge about the areas we visited and was able to answer any queries we had. At all time he was chivalrous and had a smile. Despite the weather not being in our favour, the heavy rain added to the appreciation of mother nature. Highlight of this trip was the skilled off road driving and Poncha stop :) many thanks Antonio for starting our year off with adventure and nature, highly recommend when Madeira Carol & Niamh :)

We have visited multiple interesting spots, tasted the local rum and on every corner received valuable information about history, fauna, daily life, the locals and so on. The included lunch was also tasty. Lucy does her job perfectly.

The tour was amazing we had the opportunity to see a lot of the east in one day. Our guide Carlos was perfect couldn't wish for a better guide, we were a small group which was even vetter !

Fantastic tour, knowledgable guide who really made all passengers feel like they were getting a personal service. Even the weather was perfect. Would highly recommend

La ruta es maravillosa. La parte este de Madeira es verdaderamente espectacular y Lucy y Toby han sido unos guías espectaculares. Muy recomendable.