Zona Velha (Old Town), Funchal

The Old Town of Funchal (Zona Velha) offers visitors the opportunity to experience the city's early colonization days. This area played a vital role in Funchal's development and was one of the first to be inhabited. It boasts a wealth of heritage buildings, including churches, facades, and architectural details that transport you back in time to significant historical periods. The Old Town is distinguished by its narrow cobbled streets and old house facades, making it a historic area of immense architectural and heritage value.

At the heart of this district is the Chapel of the Holy Body (Capela do Corpo Santo), one of the few remaining 15th-century buildings in the city. The street where it is located, Santa Maria Street (Rua de Santa Maria), is one of the oldest in Funchal and hosts numerous local businesses, such as the Hat Factory (Fábrica de Hats), which has been operating in the same location for over 60 years, and the Boots Factory (Fábrica de Botas).

As you stroll down the cobbled path of Santa Maria Street, you'll come across the stunning Church of Socorro (Igreja do Socorro). If you venture to the top, you'll find a small viewpoint that offers a breathtaking view of the city.

One of the major draws of the Old Town of Funchal is its vibrant nightlife, where art and entertainment collide. The streets of this area have undergone artistic intervention by both local and foreign artists through the "Art of Open Doors" (Arte de Portas Abertas) project, representing one of the city's cultural and urban art facets.