Santa Maria Street is one of the oldest in Madeira with a length of 650 meters. It is also one of the most colourful streets in the region.
For other tourist spots in Funchal, see Things to do in Funchal in April. For information about the island of Madeira, click Madeira Portugal Islands.
- Coordinates: 32.648077, -16.904110
Location
Nigh the coast, on Funchal’s western side, the street emerges close to the Lavradores Markets and takes us near the Church of Santa Maria Maior.
Address: Rua de Santa Maria 9060-291 Funchal
Its origin dates back to the 15th century when Funchal began to be populated more intensely.
When this part of Funchal began to be populated (Zona Velha do Funchal), the Portuguese built the Church of Santa Maria do Calhau and a small dirt road that gave devotees access to the church.
The old part begins to deteriorate as settlement evolves to the west and north in subsequent centuries.
The Municipal Council had a brilliant plan to revitalize the historic area of Funchal, transforming it into one of the city’s most visited attractions.
The doors of the houses were painted by known and lesser-known artists. The illustrations are very well done and give the impression that the street is full of life and colour.
The signature of Marcos Milewski can be found on the first door to be painted, located at 77 Santa Maria Street (2011).
The street was transformed into a public gallery through the artE pORtas abErtas project (2010). The space encourages artistic discovery, walking through the street and interacting with works of art.
Other plastic artists joined, and the adjacent streets were also revitalized by the presence of art and culture.
Rua de Santa Maria is a charming street: a humble origin, rich in personality and colour. In this sense, it does justice to the Madeirans.
Rua de Santa Maria Restaurants
We find many restaurants and terraces with a diverse regional or international menus.
The welcoming Restaurant Taberna Ruel is the most well-known on the street. The food is delicious, especially the fresh fish. Give the tuna steak a chance. It is of the highest quality. The team is very welcoming!
The price is around 28 € per person.
The well-known bakery Mariazinha is located on Rua de Santa Maria. It is constantly bustling with customers, offering all the delights that Funchal has to offer.
It boasts the best Pasteis de Nata in Madeira, cheap and available all night. The once quiet streets of the old town of Funchal now thrum with activity.
There are various bars where one can drink Poncha and houses where one can listen to fado music.
Things to do nearby:
Santa Maria Street is located in the eastern area of Funchal, the so-called old district. It is very close to the exotic fruits of the Market of the Farmers and the Madeira Story Centre, which narrates the history of Madeira.
A few meters away is the Funchal Cable Car – Monte, which rises to the tropical botanical gardens in the proud Monte parish (Monte Palace Madeira and the Madeira Botanical Garden).
Along the coast, we have more history at São Tiago Fort. Next to a small pebble beach and a beach complex that is a relief in summer. Inside, it houses a restaurant.
