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Car Hire in Machico
Machico
From an historical point of view, Machico is quite possibly the most interesting town on the small Portuguese island of Madeira. The landing point of the discoverers, it boasts the oldest church on the island as well as two magnificent forts. The small chapel of Sao Roque dates from the 16th century and is located on the old quay which served the community for centuries. A beautiful new marina now carries on the boating and fishing tradition.
With wonderful facilities for tourists and a superb beach (even though it is pebbly and volcanic) tourists can swim and sunbathe to their hearts content. As you travel up the river, the fertile banks, laden with vegetation, provide a stunning backdrop for the amazing scenery in this part of Madeira yet it is not a remote area; Funchal is only 15 minutes away and the airport is within a few kilometres.
Historically, Machico is a wealthy town. The Fort of Santa Amaro (which was built in 1706 following a series of pirate attacks) now houses the tourist office. The centre of the town is overflowing with charm and character and the commercial area has a good selection of shops and restaurants. There is a holiday resort in close proximity and a number of really nice forays into the unspoilt countryside start from here.