Machico is a historic city and the second most populated of the Madeira Island, situated on the east, having been the first capital of Madeira, between 1440 and 1496, (The Funchal only became the capital of Madeira in 1508), under the captaincy of Tristão Vaz Teixeira.

It was on Machico that landed for the first time, in 1420, the discoverers of Madeira, the Captain Tristão Vaz Teixeira and the Captain João Gonçalves Zarco, being this, a zone of Madeira, with a great natural beauty and great historical weight.

With the colonization of Madeira, which was effected dividing it into two parts, Machico, belonging to the East zone, was delivered to the Captain Tristão Vaz Teixeira, who stood also with the North and who ordered the construction of the first buildings and the first cultivation in the island, being that the South and the West of the island were granted to the Captain João Gonçalves Zarco.

Together with the settlers, there were the Franciscan friars who were responsible for the construction of chapels and that left their presence on Machico. The oldest place of religious worship on Machico, is the Chapel of Milagres, of the 15th century and also date from this time, the Forts of São João Baptista and of Nossa Senhora do Amparo, used in the defense against the pirates, during the attack to the city of Machico.

There is also the Chapel of São Roque, located on the wharf, built on the 18Th century, to replace the former chapel in ruins, which had been built in the mid of the 15Th century, that was in the same place and in which, it highlights the precious paintings on the glass of the windows.

It was on Machico, that in April 1931, it took place the confrontation which ended the “Revolt of Madeira,” a military uprising started in Madeira against the then Government of the National Dictatorship (1926-1933), which it had it origins in the dawn of 4 April 1931.

The modern zone of Machico is expressed by its beach where it is present the pebble and the sand, as well, by its contiguous zone. There is also a marine reserve on the coast, popular on the divers. The margins of the Machico Riverside are covered by an exuberant vegetation and are mottled of white little houses.

The municipality of Machico, lives from the agriculture and fishing, being that the fishing ports, are located in Machico and on the Caniçal, where the fishing fleet, it is constituted essentially by of tuna and by skipjack.

To enjoy unusual views, it is possible to make a walk until the Pico do Facho, a popular viewpoint and place of historical importance, since it was on the same that were lit the torches to warn the population of the approach of the pirates.
The Viewpoint, situated at 323 meters altitude, offers a fabulous view over the bay of Machico, which extends until the central peaks of the central zone of the island and covers the Ponta de São Lourenço. Its name is due to the fact that, in time, it was lit some fire torches in this peak, to warn people of possible attacks by pirates or corsairs.

There is also on Machico, the Porto da Cruz Viewpoint, near the center of the parish, which offers an unusual view of the sea since the beach of the Porto da Cruz until the Ponta de São Lourenço, passing by the green hills that embrace this locality, which owes its name at the time of the recognition and exploration of the northern coast, when the first explorers did in the port of this locality, a cross made of sticks collected from the river.

Porto da Cruz is famous for its wine, to which it dedicates a festival every year. This tranquil village, has excellent residential and restaurants, besides being the indicated place to realize walks.