Machico Beach lies beside the town of Machico on Madeira, Portugal. It is one of the few sandy beaches on the island: the sand was imported from North Africa, from Western Sahara, and the imports drew criticism as a breach of international law. The beach curves between two stone and cement piers, backed by a brick boardwalk and eateries, with the marina at one end. The water inside the piers is calm, with room to sit, swim and walk the promenade. Across the stream and wall that split the bay lies the natural pebble and cobble beach.
Machico Beach
Local name: Praia de Machico
The golden sand was shipped in from Western Sahara in North Africa — imports criticised as a violation of international law.
- Parking
- Paid; the ticket machines take coins only. Nearest car park about 15 m from the sand, a second about 160 m away. Spaces run out.
- Transport
- Nearest bus stop about 350 m from the beach; the Centro de Machico stop is about 500 m away.
What makes it special
Two stone piers hold the bay, and the water inside them stays calm. Golden sand, a brick boardwalk behind it, and the centre of Machico right there — swim, dry off, and lunch is a walk across the front. The beach is far more developed than Madeira's natural swimming spots, and that is the appeal: room to sit, a promenade to walk, cafés and restaurants at the back.
The stream and sea wall that split the bay make the story plain. On one side the imported sand; on the other, the pebble and cobble the coast made itself. Machico is quieter than the busier parts of the island, and the marina at the end of the beach sells dolphin and whale watching trips.
Good to know
- Parking: paid, and the ticket machines take coins only. Bring change; spaces near the beach run out.
- No sunbeds or umbrellas on the beach — bring your own shade if you want any.
- Toilets, changing rooms and showers serve the beach, and the public toilets nearby are free to use.
- Restaurants nearby turn away wet clothes and swimwear. Pack something dry, or eat at the fast-food vans instead.
- The sea runs cold, still bitingly so in mid-June, whatever the air temperature is doing.
Getting there
The beach sits right beside the centre of Machico, and that is the whole approach: leave the car, cross the boardwalk, and you are on the sand. The nearer of the two car parks is metres from the beach, the second set back along the front. Arriving by bus, it is a few hundred metres along the seafront from the stop to the promenade.
Best time to visit
Better: outside high season, when the beach is clean, quiet and uncrowded.
Avoid: midsummer, when hunting for a parking space can swallow 40 minutes.
Weather decides more than the month here. On a clear day this works as a full beach day; in the rain there is nothing to do but eat. The sea stays cold into mid-June even when the air is warm.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the sand at Machico Beach natural?
No. The sand was brought in from North Africa — from Western Sahara, which made the imports controversial, since exploiting the territory's resources without the consent of its people is held to breach international law. Across the stream and wall that divide the bay, the beach is natural pebble and cobble.Is there parking at the beach?
Yes — the nearest car park is about 15 m from the sand and a second about 160 m away. Parking is paid, the ticket machines accept coins only, and spaces run out, so bring change and allow time.Are there toilets and showers?
Yes. The beach has toilets, changing rooms and showers, and it is kept well maintained. Public toilets within about 160 m are free.Can you hire a sunbed or a parasol?
No. There are no sunbeds or umbrellas on the beach — bring your own shade.Is the water good for swimming?
The two piers shelter the bay and the water inside stays calm, which makes this one of the easiest places on Madeira for a swim. Temperature is the catch: in mid-June the sea was still extremely cold.