Rua de Santa Maria (Santa Maria Street), Funchal

Santa Maria street lies in the parish of Santa Maria Maior, the very first district on the island of Madeira. The street itself dates back to the early settlement of Funchal and was originally little more than a stone path about 1,970 feet long running parallel to the shore. When the area was first settled, a small church known as Saint Mary of the Pebble stood nearby, and a rough square extended to the beach; from that the street gradually grew.

Today the street presents a lively mix of residential houses and commercial establishments. One of its most celebrated features is the series of painted doors on private houses: thanks to the “Art of Open Doors” initiative, more than 200 doors have been transformed into works of art by local and international artists. The result is that ordinary frontages become mini-canvases of color, making the street itself feel like an open-air gallery.

Along the street you’ll find the popular Mariazinha Bakery, offering cream cakes, fruit cakes, croissants, espresso and other tempting baked goods in a five-star cafe atmosphere. The street is also jammed with restaurants and cafe terraces, offering both traditional Madeiran menus and international dishes; there are bars serving poncha, a traditional Madeiran alcoholic drink, and venues where you might hear traditional music.