Funchal Downtown

The place where the city's first settlement is thought to have emerged is deeply cherished by the entire population. Of course we are referring to Funchal Downtown, an iconic place that must be visited both by day and by night. Besides being a place of great historical value for the archipelago, this is where some of the most bustling bars in Madeira are currently concentrated.

It is virtually impossible to talk about the city's nightlife without mentioning this very special area: this is its undisputed epicentre. In Funchal Downtown, among the typical narrow cobblestone streets, you can find a large number of nightlife venues. In any one of them, there are two elements that are never missing: fun and the emblematic 'poncha' (regional drink made from the traditional sugar cane brandy).

Besides accommodating some of the best-known bars in Madeira, Funchal Downtown became also an important artistic hub in the municipality. With the implementation of the 'Portas Pintadas' project, this historical urban scenario gained more cosmopolitan outlines. The artistic community was invited to make interventions on buildings' doors and façades, turning this area into an alfresco art gallery.