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Visitors in Funchal often ask where the old part of the city is, expecting a walled quarter on a hill. The Funchal Madeira old town is the Zona Velha, at the eastern end of the seafront: a few narrow streets between the market and the sea, with a yellow fort at the far end.
Its main street, Rua de Santa Maria, is cobbled and lined with old houses, and about 200 of its doors have been painted by artists. Below it are sea pools under the old walls, and at its western edge stand the Mercado dos Lavradores and the lower station of the cable car to Monte. It is a place to walk slowly, in daylight for the doors and after dark for dinner.
The old town with a guide, on foot or by tuk-tuk.
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Tuk-tukRua de Santa Maria and its doors
The common mistake is to walk the seafront and never turn into the street behind it. The doors are the reason to come.
The Funchal Madeira old town streets are few and short, and Rua de Santa Maria is their spine. Under the Arte Portas Abertas project, about 200 doors of abandoned houses, shops and run-down spaces along it have been painted by artists, turning the street into an open-air gallery. Walk it from west to east and back, and look at each door as you pass.
At the eastern end, the street reaches the Socorro viewpoint, at number 276, above the sea.
The Funchal old town restaurants line the same street and the lanes around it: 96 restaurants lie within 450 m of Rua de Santa Maria. Lunch in the old town is easy to find; for dinner on a busy night, book.
- Painted doors
- About 200 on Rua de Santa Maria
- Restaurants within 450 m
- 96
- Fort
- Forte de São Tiago, 1614
- Sea pools
- São Tiago and Barreirinha
- Cable car
- Lower station at the western edge
The fort, the sea pools and the evening
People often see the yellow fort from the seafront and assume they can walk in. Check before you go.
The Forte de São Tiago, the yellow fort at the eastern end, was built in the 17th century against pirate attacks, its construction dated to 1614; it is listed as temporarily closed. Along the Funchal Madeira old town waterfront below it, the Praia de São Tiago is an outdoor sea pool open daily from 09:00 to 20:00, and further east the Praia da Barreirinha, at Largo do Socorro, carries a Blue Flag in 2026.
The Funchal Madeira old town evening belongs to the restaurants and bars of Rua de Santa Maria. The doors are best seen in daylight, so walk the street twice: once in the afternoon for the art, once at night for dinner.
The market at the western edge closes on Sundays, and on Saturdays at 14:00. The Zona Velha guide covers staying in the old town.
The Praia de São Tiago is an outdoor sea pool open daily from 09:00 to 20:00.
Funchal: Guided Tuk Tuk Tour to Toboggan Rides & Old Town
★ 4.9 · 968 reviewsThe old town and the Monte toboggan by tuk-tuk, with a guide.
The evening entertainment in the old town centres on the restaurants and bars of Rua de Santa Maria.
The market at the western edge of the old town closes on Sundays and on Saturdays at 14:00.Common questions
Where is the old town in Funchal?
At the eastern end of the seafront, the Zona Velha, around Rua de Santa Maria, between the market and the Forte de São Tiago.
What are the painted doors of Funchal?
About 200 doors on Rua de Santa Maria painted by artists under the Arte Portas Abertas project.
Can you swim in the old town?
Yes, at the Praia de São Tiago sea pool, open daily from 09:00 to 20:00, or at the Praia da Barreirinha, a Blue Flag beach in 2026.
Is the Forte de São Tiago open?
It is listed as temporarily closed, so check its status on the day.