Machico Gastronomic Week 2026
From 31 July to 9 August, Machico becomes a paradise for lovers of traditional Madeiran cuisine. For ten days by the sea, restaurants and bars serve fresh fish, limpets, beef skewers and the island's finest wines, accompanied by live music.
The Machico Gastronomic Week is one of the most eagerly awaited culinary festivities of the Madeiran summer. Held in the heart of the town, right by the sea, this celebration of flavours runs over ten days, from 31 July to 9 August 2026, and is now in its 39th edition, making it a firmly established highlight of the island's summer festival calendar.
Throughout this period, the Largo da Praça do Machico fills with life as numerous restaurants and bars set up stalls showcasing the very best of traditional Madeiran cuisine. Visitors have the chance to sample a wide selection of local delicacies, with highlights including fresh fish, grilled limpets, crab and the famous beef skewers on bay-leaf sticks, all paired with the region's finest wines and poncha.
More than a simple food fair, the event is a genuine popular festival. Every evening, the atmosphere is enlivened by musical performances from regional and national artists, creating a vibrant, family-friendly mood that draws both locals and tourists. The prime location, with Machico bay and its golden sandy beach as a backdrop, makes the experience all the more memorable.
The Gastronomic Week is the perfect excuse to discover the cultural and culinary roots of Machico, Madeira's first capital. Between tasty bites, music and good company, visitors come to experience the warm hospitality typical of the people of the island's east. It is advisable to arrive in the late afternoon to enjoy the sunset over the bay before dinner.
Entry to the venue is free, with visitors paying only for what they consume. For up-to-date information on the music programme and opening hours, it is best to check with Machico Town Hall or the island's official event pages.