Avenida Arriaga

Avenida Arriaga is Funchal's main boulevard, a broad avenue that runs between the old town and the commercial centre, a few steps from the harbour. It is named after Manuel de Arriaga, the first president of the Portuguese Republic after the fall of the monarchy in 1910, who was born in Horta, on the island of Faial in the Azores. The avenue is lined with trees, and in late spring many of them are covered in the purple blossom of jacarandas, which colour the whole street and are one of the sights of Funchal at that time of year.

The street is where the city meets and parades. It forms the setting for the annual Flower Festival in spring, when floral floats and processions fill the road, and it is decorated with lights and ornaments at the end of the year, when Madeira's Christmas and New Year celebrations are among the most spectacular in Europe. At other times it is a place for an unhurried stroll, with benches under the trees, a municipal garden at one end and a line of cafes and shops along the length.

Several of the city's landmarks are on or near the avenue. The Teatro Baltazar Dias, a neoclassical theatre of the late 19th century named after a blind 16th-century Madeiran playwright, stands on the avenue and still hosts performances, concerts and events. Blandy's Wine Lodge, the base of one of the island's oldest Madeira wine houses, is also here, and visitors can take a tour of the cellars and taste wines of different ages. The tourist information office is also located along the avenue. A short walk away lie the old cathedral, the Sé, the Jesuit church on the Praça do Município, and the town hall with its cobbled square.

The avenue also acts as a starting point for exploring the city. In one direction, a few minutes' walk takes you to the Zona Velha, with its painted doors and restaurants, and to the Mercado dos Lavradores. In the other, the seafront promenade and the cable car station for the ride up to Monte are within easy reach. The marina and the port, where cruise ships dock, lie just across the road. Buses and taxis gather around the avenue, and it is easy to find transport.

Visit in the morning, when the street is calm and the light is gentle, or in the evening, when the lights come on and the cafes fill. Spring is the best season for the jacarandas and the flowers, but the avenue is pleasant all year. The area is free to walk, and it is easy for visitors of all ages and mobility. It suits anyone who wants a gentle introduction to Funchal, with a coffee and some people-watching.