Avenida Arriaga (Arriaga Avenue), Funchal

Arriaga Avenue (Avenida Arriaga) is one of the liveliest streets in the city of Funchal. It is a cultural, historical, and commercial hub that is an essential part of daily life in the capital of Madeira and, therefore, well worth a stroll.

The construction of this avenue started in 1914, and it would later become central to life in Funchal. The road begins at Largo Dom Manuel I Square, also known as Largo da Sé, and ends at Rotunda do Infante. The entire length of this pedestrian walkway is paved with the noble Portuguese calçada, a traditional-style pavement used for many pedestrian areas in Portugal, consisting of small flat pieces of stones arranged in a pattern or image, like a mosaic. Arriaga Avenue stands out for being lined with majestic large trees, along with its valuable historical and architectural heritage.

It is the area where visitors can find some of Funchal's most outstanding museums and monuments, such as the statue of João Gonçalves Zarco, one of the island's discoverers, or the Cathedral of Funchal, the archipelago's main religious temple, built in the 15th century.

From emblematic cafés to the Municipal Theatre, traditional shopping areas, or the Municipal Garden, strolling along Arriaga Avenue is an experience not to be missed.