Machico Beach

Machico's Praia da Banda d'Além is a compact golden sand beach inside the wide, sheltered Machico bay — historically the first landing point of the Portuguese discoverers in 1419. Breakwaters and the bay's shape keep the water flat most of the year.

The beach is 10 minutes from the airport and about 25 from Funchal via the VR1. It has showers, lifeguards in season, and a promenade of fish restaurants behind it — Machico remains a working town rather than a resort strip.

This is the best first-or-last-day beach on Madeira: swim here straight off the plane, or on departure morning before the flight. Families pick it for the gentle entry; locals pick it for lunch afterwards.