After the Funchal Marathon: Machico

The Route: Funchal → Machico → Funchal (or on to Madeira Airport, FNC) Logistics: SAM bus from central Funchal, about 45 minutes; taxi about 30 minutes. The airport is about 10 minutes from Machico. Marathon Month: January Duration: Day trip

Funchal ──(45 mins SAM bus / 30 mins taxi)──> Machico ──(10 mins taxi)──> Madeira Airport (FNC)
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After a Funchal Marathon that climbs and drops through the city, Machico offers something rare on Madeira: level ground. The town lies at the mouth of a valley on the east coast, around a bay, and its seafront is flat from one end to the other. It is also where Madeira's written history starts. The Portuguese navigators João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira landed here in 1419, and Machico was one of the island's first two captaincies.

January in Machico is similar to Funchal: mild, often in the high teens, with passing showers. The east coast can be windier. The beach is not for swimming in winter for most people, but the promenade is pleasant in any weather.

SAM runs the bus services east of Funchal, with several routes stopping in Machico. The trip takes about 45 minutes; check the timetable at the SAM stops on Funchal's waterfront. A taxi takes about 30 minutes. Machico is also 10 minutes from the airport, so the day works as a last outing before an evening flight, with luggage left at a café or in the car.

The bay

The seafront promenade runs around the bay and is flat and paved for its whole length, with benches. The beach is sandy, a rarity on this coast of dark stones. Walk the promenade end to end at an easy pace in about 30 minutes.

The small Forte de Nossa Senhora do Amparo, a yellow-walled fort from the seventeenth century, stands on the seafront, built to protect the town from pirates. On the far side of the river, the Capela dos Milagres is said to stand on the site of the settlers' first chapel. The main church in the town square, the Igreja Matriz, dates from the fifteenth century and has a Manueline doorway. All three are on level ground within a short walk of each other. Check opening times, which are irregular outside services.

Lunch and the return

Cafés and fish restaurants line the seafront. Espada, the black scabbardfish, and grilled limpets (lapas) with garlic butter are standard. Allow time for the bus back, or take a taxi straight to the airport if you are flying out.