Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How this works
Families looking for sand in Madeira often hear two names: Calheta in the west and Machico in the east. The Machico sandy beach Madeira visitors know is one of the island's few sand beaches, sheltered in the bay of a town with history: this is where Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira landed in 1419, and Machico was Madeira's first capital.
Machico is 21.8 km from Funchal by road, about 23 minutes, on the dry east coast, with about 710 mm of rain a year. It is a municipality of about 20,000 people, and three of its beaches carry a Blue Flag in 2026.
The east of the island from Funchal, with Machico on the way.
East
Most reviewedMadeira: PR8 -Ponta de São Lourenço Natural Reserve Transfer
The walk at the eastern tip, near Machico
The beaches
The common mistake is to expect all Madeira beaches to be pebble. Machico's main beach is sand.
Most of Madeira's beaches are pebble or rock, with lidos and ladders into the sea, and the sand beaches are few; Machico's is one of them, with soft imported sand, sheltered in the bay. That makes it the obvious Machico beach Madeira family visitors can plan a day around with young children.
Three Machico Madeira beach areas carry a Blue Flag in 2026: Banda d'Além, the main beach of the town, Prainha and Ribeira do Natal. The east coast is the dry end of the island, with far less rain than the north side.
The sea is warmest from June to October, above 20 °C at Funchal, and at its peak, about 22.9 °C, in September.
- From Funchal
- 21.8 km, about 23 minutes by road
- Blue Flags 2026
- Banda d'Além, Prainha, Ribeira do Natal
- History
- Landing place of 1419, the first capital
- Rain
- About 710 mm a year, the dry east
- Nearby
- PR8 on the Ponta de São Lourenço
A day in Machico
People often pass Machico on the way to the airport without stopping. It is worth a morning or a whole day.
For Machico beach Madeira families, a day can mix the sand, the town and a short outing. The town is where the island's history began: the navigators Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira landed here in 1419, and it served as the first capital. In June, the Sixteenth Century Market in the Largo da Praça recreates the time of the discovery, with products, handicrafts, food and games; in 2026 it opened the Atlantic Festival, with a pyromusical show in Machico Bay on 5 June. On New Year's Eve, the Largo da Praça holds a concert.
For walkers, the Ponta de São Lourenço is close: PR8 starts at Baía d'Abra, about 34 minutes from Funchal, with bus 113, and runs about 4 km each way with views of both coasts.
A Machico Madeira sandy beach family day works by bus or car; the Ponta de São Lourenço guide covers the walk, and the 2026 Blue Flag list the beaches.
Machico has imported sand beaches which are considered the easiest for families on the main island.Common questions
Does Machico have a sandy beach?
Yes. Machico's beach is one of Madeira's few sand beaches, sheltered in the bay.
How far is Machico from Funchal?
21.8 km, about 23 minutes by road.
Which Machico beaches have a Blue Flag?
Banda d'Além, Prainha and Ribeira do Natal in 2026.
Why is Machico important?
It is where Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira landed in 1419, and it was Madeira's first capital.