Funchal turns into your personal drink map on this bar hopping night. I like how the tour mixes classic Madeiran staples with a few playful twists, like the Nikita cocktail, while still giving real context for what you’re tasting. My other favorite part is the Poncha finale, where you get a structured Poncha workshop/tasting instead of just being handed a drink.

One thing to consider: the Poncha portion can feel more like a demonstration than full hands-on making, depending on how your group experience runs.

Key highlights you’ll feel in real life

• 6 stops through the historic center, with multiple tastings rather than just one drink
• Blandy’s Wine Lodges start, where you ease into the night with a still wine tasting
• Three artisanal beers at a local bar, each explained and made with local ingredients
• Ginjinha (ginjinha) in a chocolate cup, an iconic sour-cherry liqueur moment
• Nikita cocktail served with the classic mix of beer, ice cream, and tropical fruits
• Poncha workshop/tasting to end with Madeira’s signature spirit drink

Why this Funchal bar-hopping tour feels like a win

This tour is built for people who want to taste their way through Funchal without doing the planning math. You get a guided route with a set rhythm: taste, learn, walk, repeat. It’s the kind of night where you leave with a clearer sense of what makes Madeira drinks different from the rest of Portugal.

I especially like the mix of styles. You’re not stuck in one lane, like only wine or only cocktails. You bounce from still wine to fortified Madeira wine, then into liqueur, beer, and the sweet-creamy weirdness of the Nikita.

The other strong point is the human factor. Guides like Matt and Duarte have been mentioned as friendly and story-driven, which matters because drink tastings are more fun when someone explains the why, not just the what.

Starting at Blandy’s Wine Lodges, with a still-wine warm-up

Your tour begins at Blandy’s Wine Lodges, right by the entrance on Avenida Arriaga. You’ll want to arrive early because the tour starts promptly, and this one is 3 hours long, so there’s no time to wander once the group forms.

The first stop is a still wine tasting at the winery. This is a smart opener because it sets a baseline before you start meeting heavier flavors later in the route. If you’re new to Madeira wine culture, this start also helps you calibrate your palate.

Stop-by-stop: what you’ll taste and why it matters

Stop 1: White still Madeiran wine tasting

You’ll taste a white still Madeiran wine, which is a lighter entry point compared with fortified Madeira wine. Think of this as your warm-up round: refreshing, approachable, and good for noticing acidity and fruit before the evening turns richer.

This matters because the later stops include stronger, more complex flavors. Starting with something steadier makes the differences easier to catch.

Stop 2: Three artisanal beers with local ingredients

Next comes a bar stop focused on three artisanal beers. Each brew has its own flavor profile, and the guide explains what’s in the glass and what to notice as you sip.

This is a fun change of pace in a Madeira tour, where wine usually dominates the conversation. If you’re the type who likes tasting menus in food form, this part scratches the same itch—small pours, variety, and clear explanations.

Stop 3: Ginjinha in an edible chocolate cup

Then you get to one of Portugal’s most playful liqueur traditions: ginjinha, served in an edible chocolate cup. Ginjinha is made from sour cherries (ginjas), plus alcohol and sugar, and you’ll taste it as a sweet-tart liqueur moment.

The chocolate cup isn’t just a gimmick. It softens the sharpness of the cherry and gives you a dessert-like finish while the liqueur does its warming thing.

Stop 4: Madeira wine tasting for fortified-wine fans

After that, it’s time for Madeira wine. Madeira is fortified, and it’s known for staying power—longevity and complexity are part of its identity. You’ll sample it with the goal of spotting the flavors that make it different from typical European table wines.

This is where the tour earns its keep if you’re curious about why wine lovers get excited about Madeira. You’re tasting something built for change over time, not just something meant to be drunk immediately.

Stop 5: The iconic Nikita cocktail

Now you hit one of Madeira’s most recognizable “only here” drinks: Nikita. It’s a refreshing blend of beer, ice cream, and tropical fruits.

If that sounds unusual, that’s the point. Nikita is sweet and creamy, but still has that beer backbone, so it doesn’t feel like a milkshake with a costume. You’ll get a clearer sense of the balance as you sip, especially with the guide’s context.

Stop 6: Poncha workshop and tasting (the finale)

You finish with Poncha—the classic Madeiran drink—and the tour includes a Poncha workshop plus tasting. This is the big send-off, usually paired with a nice setting and a relaxed end to the route.

Here’s the practical truth: some people expected to make Poncha themselves, but found it closer to a Poncha demonstration. So if hands-on mixing is your main goal, I’d ask ahead of time whether you’ll actively prepare it or mostly observe.

Even with that note, the end works well because Poncha is meant to be experienced in place, as a local ritual. After multiple tastings, it gives your evening a sense of closure: warm, familiar, and unmistakably Madeira.

Price and value: what $106 really buys you

At $106 per person for about 3 hours, you’re paying for more than “a few sips.” You’re getting an organized route through Funchal plus a sequence of tastings: white still wine, three artisanal beers, ginjinha, Madeira wine, Nikita cocktail, and the Poncha portion.

That adds up in real terms because you’re not responsible for finding venues, negotiating what to order, or trying to build a balanced tasting lineup yourself. Also, the inclusion of an English-speaking guide matters here; drink tours work best when you get the story behind each glass.

Two quick value checks before you book:

• Transportation isn’t included, so you’ll want to plan how you’ll get back to your hotel after the last stop.
• The Poncha part might not be fully hands-on, based on how the activity has been described and experienced.

Who this tour is for (and who should skip it)

This is a cultural and fun drinks tour through Funchal’s historic streets. It’s best for adults who enjoy guided tasting experiences and want variety without doing homework.

It’s not suitable for pregnant women, children under 18, or people over 95. If you’re traveling with kids, you’ll need a different plan.

Tips to make the most of the night

• Pace yourself. With multiple tastings, you’ll enjoy it more if you sip slowly and let the guide finish the explanation before each new drink.
• Ask about the Poncha format when you arrive. If you care about hands-on making, this is the moment to clarify.
• Wear comfortable shoes. Even though it’s a curated route, you’re still walking between six stops.

Should you book it?

I think you should book this tour if you want a guided, drink-focused introduction to Madeira—beer, wine, liqueur, and the signature cocktails that define Funchal nights. The price feels fair for the number of included tastings and the time-saving routing, especially if you’re the kind of traveler who likes learning as you taste.

I’d hesitate only if Poncha-making hands-on is a deal-breaker for you. In that case, message the operator before booking and confirm whether you’ll actively make Poncha or mainly watch a demonstration. If you’re flexible, the rest of the lineup is strong enough to make the evening worthwhile.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is Blandy’s Wine Lodges (at the entrance), Avenida Arriaga 28, 9000-064 Funchal.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 4:00 p.m., and you should attend 15 minutes earlier.

How long is the experience?

The duration is 3 hours.

How much does it cost?

The price is $106 per person.

What’s included in the tour?

It includes an English-speaking guide, local artisanal beer tasting, white still Madeiran wine, ginjinha in a chocolate cup, Madeira wine tasting, Nikita cocktail, and a Poncha workshop and tasting.

Is food included?

Food and drinks not mentioned in the inclusions are not included, so plan around drinks only unless the operator states otherwise.

Does it include transportation to and from your hotel?

No, transportation to/from the meeting point is not included.

Is the guide available in English?

Yes, the guide is English-speaking.

Who can’t join this tour?

It’s not suitable for pregnant women, children under 18 years, and people over 95 years.