Full-day East Madeira tour from Funchal, about 8 hours
A long day for visitors who want to cover the eastern part of the island in one go, starting from Funchal. Plan on about 8 hours.
- 8 h
from €43 per person
Check availabilityvia GetYourGuide
Machico
Machico, in a bay on the east coast, is where the Portuguese navigators first landed in the 15th century. Today it is a relaxed town with one of the island's few golden-sand beaches, close to the airport.
What to do
Swim at the sheltered golden-sand beach, walk the promenade and visit the old chapels and the main church in the historic centre. Nearby Caniçal has the small black-sand beach of Prainha and is the gateway to the Ponta de São Lourenço trail.
Machico is a convenient base for the east of the island and for early flights. See Madeira beaches and the airport guide.
Frequently asked questions
Does Machico have a sandy beach?
Yes, a sheltered beach with golden sand brought in to create calm swimming conditions.
Tours that go here
Northeast Meet-the-Locals 4x4 Tour: Santana and Caniçal
About eight hours in an open 4x4 through rural villages, native forest and old terraces, with a multilingual guide. Stops feature a water mill and a rum factory.
- Easy
from €69 per person
Check availabilityvia Viator
Funchal: Caniçal and São Lourenço hike with transfer
Suits walkers who want a longer day out on the eastern tip of Madeira. It lasts about 6 hours and includes a transfer, so you do not need your own car.
- 6 h
- Hotel pickup
from €37 per person
Check availabilityvia GetYourGuide
Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8) Hiking Tour in Madeira
For nature lovers who enjoy dry, rugged scenery: a walk through a protected reserve at Madeira's eastern tip, with views over both the north and south coasts.
from €48 per person
Check availabilityvia Viator
Machico boat trip to spot whales and dolphins, 2 hours
A two-hour outing at sea from Machico to look for whales and dolphins. Suits anyone curious about marine wildlife, though sightings are never certain.
- 2 h
from €54 per person
Check availabilityvia GetYourGuide
Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço Trail Walking Tour
Suits walkers curious about how Madeira took shape: the trail passes distinctive rock formations and local plants and wildlife inside a natural park.
from €48 per person
Check availabilityvia Viator
Ponta de São Lourenço Walk
For nature lovers: a treeless, semi-arid peninsula where 31 of 138 recorded plant species are endemic, with seabirds, and views towards the Desertas and Porto Santo.
from €48 per person
Check availabilityvia Viator
Prices are indicative and may change. The final price is shown by the booking platform. Prices checked: October 16, 2026.
Keep planning
-
Porto Moniz Natural lava pools on the north-west tip. -
Seixal Black-sand beach, natural rock pools and terraced vineyards on the north coast. -
Fanal forest Ancient laurel trees in the fog on the Paul da Serra plateau. -
Cabo Girão A glass skywalk on one of Europe's highest sea cliffs. -
Curral das Freiras (Nuns' Valley) A village deep in a ring of mountains, with a dramatic viewpoint. -
Ponta do Pargo The lighthouse at Madeira's westernmost point, famous for sunsets.