The bay where the Portuguese first came ashore in 1419, and the island's first town.
Madeira's history starts here. João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira landed in this bay in 1419, and when the island was divided between them Machico became the capital of the eastern half.
There is also a legend, older than the discovery. Two English lovers, Robert Machim and Anne d'Arfet, fleeing by ship, are said to have been blown here by a storm and to have died on this shore, and some say the town takes its name from him.
Today it is the island's second town, unhurried, with a wide bay, an old centre around the parish church and a small yellow fort on the seafront. For the view, drive up to Pico do Facho, where fires were once lit to warn of pirates.
A tipMachico is on the way to Ponta de São Lourenço. Walk the peninsula early, then come back here for lunch and a swim.
- From Funchalabout 25 minutes by car
- First landing1419
- Beachyellow sand on one side of the bay, pebbles on the other
At the end of the route, in Funchal, four artists draw whatever you bring back from the island: a place, a flower, a word, a set of coordinates.
The outline of the island
Madeira in a single line.