Santa Maria Street
Santa Maria Street
4.5
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- laczkozsuDebrecen, Hungary2,522 contributionsIt's worth walking down this street to see the many colourfully painted doors, the work of local artists. The first time we were there in the morning, it was quiet, almost empty, and we could have a good look and take photos of the unique works. Other times we returned in the evening. Then it was lively, with many people eating and drinking in the restaurants and cafes there.Visited December 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten January 25, 2025
- HegeNilsenLillestrom, Norway408 contributionsCosy street with many painted doors. It was told that this was previously a working class that they were trying to get more popular. The people got artists who painted all the doors in the street, and it became a successful project. Now there are plenty of small restaurants and tourist shops there. Cozy to walk through the street at least.Visited March 2025Traveled as a coupleWritten March 12, 2025
- kormoran_63Wiesloch, Germany53 contributionsAfter the storm disaster in 2010, in which the street to the first floor of the houses sank in mud, local artists participated in the reconstruction by imaginatively painting the front doors. This door gallery is worth considering. Not all motifs please me, but every motif is special. In the houses of this old street you can find restaurants, shops, but also residential buildings.Visited November 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten November 28, 2024
- Jorge Sousa BritoPraia, Cape Verde2,257 contributionsWe leave the Lavradores Market and enter this street, the famous Santa Maria Street. Famous because it has been a must visit for visitors to Funchal. Should interesting the paintings (naive art?) on the doors of the houses along the long street, elected "street art".Visited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten August 21, 2024
- John MLurgan, United Kingdom2,333 contributionsI found this street in Funchal when I was exploring the city and it's a very colourful place to visit. Lots of shops and restaurants up and down the street and it's close to the marina area of town. It's famous for all the painted doors and it's a nice place to visitVisited December 2024Traveled soloWritten December 29, 2024
- Joasi23South Yorkshire, United Kingdom2,108 contributionsThis area exceeded our expectations. From the faded old glamour of the once fabulous buildings to the varied art works on the door. We visited around 9pm so was busy with people eating and drinking , still possible to get good photos .Visited May 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten May 4, 2024
- Thomas VOakland, California19,410 contributionsOne of the major streets in the center of Funchal. You will finds places to eat here plus some shopping. We bought a few souvenirs for the folks at home. Can get quite crowded, especially if several cruise ships are in town.Visited December 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten December 8, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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Klockala
Stuttgart, Germany341 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
I was already very excited and full of anticipation. However, this was soon dampened because we were 1) full and 2) walking through at lunchtime. And people approach you in front of every restaurant and it's not nice to always have to say "no, thank you". I also don't have the time to look at the door next to a restaurant that I don't want to go to.

Written June 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ilze H
Roskilde, Denmark127 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
We went there for the paintings, but left because it was so overwhelming with all the restaurant traps! You couldn't stand still for a second without some restaurant worker hadn't sneaked up on you trying to get you in their empty, overpriced restaurants.
Very narrow street and all those paintings are hidden behind some restaurant 'tables'. Such a shame, cause it could be nice, even romantic attraction. In stead we felt abused by all the 'restaurant' workers!
Very narrow street and all those paintings are hidden behind some restaurant 'tables'. Such a shame, cause it could be nice, even romantic attraction. In stead we felt abused by all the 'restaurant' workers!
Written February 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gardengel-IoW
West Sussex, UK1,009 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
Among the ‘must dos’ of Madeira. Lovely long lane full of cafes, restaurants and the famous painted doors, a few shops too. We have been before but still like to wander through. I think some of the paintings were new since our last visit but may be some places were closed this time making it easier to see the doors.
This is essentially at street of eateries trying to make a living, they happen to have painted their doors. If you only want to see the doors it is best to go early before everything opens.
If you walk all the way through, you will walk under the cable car. SO, from cable car walk straight across and down any lane to get into the painted street.
This time were were here mid afternoon and was very pleasantly quiet. Still a good few places open though.
This is essentially at street of eateries trying to make a living, they happen to have painted their doors. If you only want to see the doors it is best to go early before everything opens.
If you walk all the way through, you will walk under the cable car. SO, from cable car walk straight across and down any lane to get into the painted street.
This time were were here mid afternoon and was very pleasantly quiet. Still a good few places open though.
Written March 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura T
Middlesbrough, UK7,677 contributions
Apr 2022
On Santa Maria Street nearly every other door is painted with a different design. They’re all unique and very colourful, I've included photos of a few of my favourites. They are a hundred or more different ones to find, some down side alleys and just off the main street. You can easily explore for half an hour or more, before stopping to enjoy a meal at one of the many restaurants you'll find along the way.
There are many many restaurants here in old town (reviewed separately). We enjoyed all our meals especially at Basmati Indian restaurant. Most of the street is pedestrianised and some restaurants are set up outside right in the middle of the street, so it can get a little crowded in these places where the street becomes much more narrow.
We visited on 2 separate occasions; earlier on the morning is much quieter, before the restaurants open up, but later on there is more atmosphere if it does get a little too crowded.
A short couple of minutes walk from the seafront and the Avenida do Mar. The main bus stops and the cable car terminal is also just a couple of minutes walk away, so a very central location. There are public toilets near to the main bus stops.
There are many many restaurants here in old town (reviewed separately). We enjoyed all our meals especially at Basmati Indian restaurant. Most of the street is pedestrianised and some restaurants are set up outside right in the middle of the street, so it can get a little crowded in these places where the street becomes much more narrow.
We visited on 2 separate occasions; earlier on the morning is much quieter, before the restaurants open up, but later on there is more atmosphere if it does get a little too crowded.
A short couple of minutes walk from the seafront and the Avenida do Mar. The main bus stops and the cable car terminal is also just a couple of minutes walk away, so a very central location. There are public toilets near to the main bus stops.
Written November 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Manuela R
Kaltenkirchen, Germany2,767 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Rua Santa Maria is in the middle of the old town of Funchal.
You walk through the sometimes quite narrow alley and on both sides the many front doors are painted with well and less well preserved motifs. It is fun to discover them.
There are also many restaurants lining the alley.
You walk through the sometimes quite narrow alley and on both sides the many front doors are painted with well and less well preserved motifs. It is fun to discover them.
There are also many restaurants lining the alley.

Written November 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
johnnymac2017
Kilmacolm, UK1,329 contributions
May 2022
Really like this street. Started at the end with the oxen statue and meandered all the way to the fort.
The doorways are very informative, and, some of the paintings are very good, others less so.
Regardless this is a must see must do when in Funchal.
Just be wary of all the restaurants trying to drag innocent passers-by into their establishments, although it is safe before 11.30.
The doorways are very informative, and, some of the paintings are very good, others less so.
Regardless this is a must see must do when in Funchal.
Just be wary of all the restaurants trying to drag innocent passers-by into their establishments, although it is safe before 11.30.
Written May 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul H
Bournemouth, UK1,892 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
It is located a 5 minute walk south east of the farmers market (Mercado dos Lavradores). All the door paintings are different, and to a high standard. It is best to go early in the morning before the opening of the restaurants, and before other visitors start to do the same walk. Also, the lighting is better in the early morning. 30 mins. max is all it takes. And it is free of course.
Written April 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John1010uk
Warwick, UK406 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
While some of the doors are interesting, overall I would say don’t bother to visit this attraction, as there simply isn’t much to see! It’s like some of the traders said let’s paint a few doors and get the tourists down here so we can hustle them into the restaurants which line the street. I wouldn’t go out of your way to see this.
Written October 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MerseysideTinkerbell
Merseyside, UK5,254 contributions
Sep 2022
This is very interesting to see the different painted doors of these properties, some are a lot better than others. I dont know if the residents themselves paint them or are there artists that just come and do it for them. But interesting to see and wander down this street. It is called Rua de Santa Maria.
Written August 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LeeJJS
Birmingham, UK37 contributions
Apr 2022
If you come to Funchal, I think this is a must see before you go back home.
Best to come early before the restaurants on this narrow street open up for trade. Maybe 10:00am. We arrived around 11:15 am and some restaurants/ cafes were opening up so you so it was difficult to see some of the paintings on the doors.
Best to come early before the restaurants on this narrow street open up for trade. Maybe 10:00am. We arrived around 11:15 am and some restaurants/ cafes were opening up so you so it was difficult to see some of the paintings on the doors.
Written April 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We went to the snug restaurant which was excellent. Are there any other similar restaurants in that area please?
Written December 2, 2019
Venna da Donna Maria and Taberna Ruel are two good eateries in Santa Maria Street. But also check out Gruta Cafe Restaurant on the roundabout across from the Ronaldo Museum
Written December 8, 2019
Gostaria de saber mais sobre o Santa Maria Studio. É um hostel, hotel ou apartamento? Como faço para saber os valores das diárias?
Written March 15, 2018
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