Explore the best places
Forte de São João Baptista / Forte do Desembarcadouro
- heritage
Rua do Leiria
9200-107, Machico
The São João Baptista fort, next to the recreational port of Machico, was built by order of the Governor of Madeira, Captain-General Duarte Sodré Pereira, in 1708. It is also called Forte do Desembarcadouro because the discoverers disembarked nearby the island, Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira. It defended the bay of Machico, doing crossfire with the fort of Nossa Senhora do Amparo. Inside there is a neo-Gothic chapel, dedicated to the saint after whom the fortress is named.
Ponta de São Lourenço
- country
ER109
9200, Machico
Ponta de São Lourenço is a peninsula classified as a Partial Natural Reserve, and the islet of Desembarcadouro as an Integral Natural Reserve, both integrated into the Madeira Natural Park and on the list of Sites of Community Interest in the Natura 2000 Network. It consists of some volcanic hills of recent origin and steep and very high rocky cliffs that fall steeply into the sea, featuring some caves and pebble coves. Along the coast there are two main islets: Desembarcadouro and Farol. There are some endemic plants and protected animal species such as the sea lion.
Engenho de Cana-de-açúcar no Sítio das Casas Próximas
- heritage
Rua do Cais
9225-050, Porto da Cruz
It is a 19th century sugar cane mill, classified as a Property of Local Cultural Value. Belonging to Companhia de Engenhos do Norte, which still manufactures cane spirits there, it is the only sugar mill operating according to the original 19th century technology, constituting a museum center of great heritage importance.
Miradouro da Ponta de São Lourenço
- country
- leisure
Ponta de São Lourenço
9200, Machico
Viewpoint that offers a magnificent view of the sea and the green slopes of the island. It is the closest place to the São Lourenço Peninsula, a Partial Natural Reserve in the Madeira Natural Park and part of the list of Sites of Community Interest in the Natura 2000 Network.
Miradouro de Gambão
- country
- leisure
ER108
9225, Porto da Cruz
Viewpoint offering a magnificent view of the sea and the green slopes of the island. Highlights include Penha da Águia, on the horizon, a huge rocky cliff that rises 580 meters above sea level. Although difficult to access, the top of the rock offers impressive views.
Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição / Igreja Matriz de Machico
- heritage
Alameda Dr. António Teixeira de Oliveira, 1
9200-107, Machico
Temple ordered to be built by Branca Teixeira, daughter of the first Captain-Donatário Tristão Vaz Teixeira, based on the 14th century Capela dos Reis Magos, remodeled and expanded in the second half of the 15th century and becoming the Main Church of Machico.
Núcleo Museológico de Machico
- heritage
Rua do Ribeirinho, 15
9200-102, Machico
The Machico Museum Center is a cultural institution created by the Machico City Council, after the restoration of the Solar do Ribeirinho property (built in the 17th century). In this museum you can find, in an interactive way, stories and characters that made up the current City of Machico throughout its almost 600 years of history, distributed across the four thematic areas on display.
Miradouro do Pico do Facho
- country
- leisure
Caminho do Pico do Facho - ER109
9200-132, Machico
Viewpoint offering a wonderful view over the Machico valley, covering the peaks of the central area of the island, Ponta de São Lourenço and also the immensity of the sea, creating a beautiful effect of contrast between the colors of the houses, the colors of nature and the blue tones of the ocean.
Museu da Baleia da Madeira
- heritage
Rua Garcia Moniz, 1
9200-031, Caniçal
This space provides information about the history of whaling, the biological aspects of these animals and the protection actions they are currently targeted. In the Madeira archipelago, 24 species of cetaceans have been confirmed to date, frequently or occasionally.