The best part is the drink lineup. You’ll work your way through Funchal’s old streets on a Nikita cocktail and tastings crawl, starting at Blandy’s Wine Lodges and finishing with a traditional Poncha moment. I like that the tour isn’t just one bar stop; it stacks multiple tastings (local beer, wine, ginjinha, Nikita) so you actually learn what Madeira drinks are about, one sip at a time. I also like that it’s paired with a poncha workshop component, not just a random sip-and-go. One thing to consider: the activity name promises a workshop where you make poncha, but some people felt the poncha part leaned more toward tasting than true hands-on making—so if that’s your main goal, ask ahead about how involved you’ll be.

This is a 3-hour, 6-stop style tour with an English-speaking guide. It’s adults-only, and it starts in the late afternoon at Blandy’s, which is a great time to mix daytime wine knowledge with early evening bar energy.

Key points to know before you go

• Blandy’s Wine Lodges start: you kick off with a still wine tasting at a famous Madeira wine address
• Nikita cocktail: you’ll try the beer–ice cream–tropical fruits mix that defines one local classic
• 3 artisanal beers: more than one sip—three different brews with local ingredients
• Ginjinha in chocolate: Portuguese cherry liqueur served in an edible cup
• Madeira wine tasting: a chance to taste the fortified style Madeira is known for
• Poncha session: the tour includes a poncha workshop and tasting, but confirm how hands-on it is

Setting out from Blandy’s Wine Lodges in Funchal

Your tour starts at Blandy’s Wine Lodges (entrance) on Avenida Arriaga, right in the center of Funchal. Plan to arrive about 15 minutes early so you’re not rushed. The scheduled start is 4:30 p.m., and it runs for about 3 hours, ending back at the meeting point.

This timing matters. Early evening is when Funchal feels social without being chaotic, and you’re not trying to do a bar crawl in the hottest part of the day. It’s also a solid way to experience Madeira’s drinking culture in a guided, low-stress format—especially if you don’t want to gamble on which bar will be best.

No food is listed as included, so think about eating earlier. If you’re arriving right after a late lunch or snack, you’ll enjoy the tastings more instead of feeling overly full—or overly hungry.

Stop 1: a still wine tasting that sets the Madeira tone

You begin at a Madeira wine landmark: Blandy’s. The tour includes a tasting of a white still Madeiran wine here. This first stop is smart because it gives you a baseline before the fortified Madeira wine later on.

Even if you’re not a wine person, the value is that you learn the vocabulary for what Madeira tastes like. Still white wines in Madeira tend to be a lighter starting point. They can help you spot how flavors shift later when you switch styles.

Also, starting with a winery address helps you get oriented fast. You’re not wandering blind before your first sip—you’re starting from a clear, recognizable anchor.

The beer stop: three local artisanal brews in one go

Next you’ll hit a local bar for an organized tasting of three artisanal beers. The description emphasizes that each brew uses local ingredients and delivers distinct flavors, so you’re not just sampling the same beer three ways.

For me, this is one of the best parts of the tour’s structure: you get variety within one stop. Instead of hopping to three separate bars (more time spent walking and waiting), you stay put long enough to compare what’s in your glass.

Practical tip: take a slow sip during the tasting and pay attention to texture and finish—because beer notes can be easier to pick up when you’re comparing them back-to-back. If one beer is sweet, bitter, crisp, or more aromatic, you’ll likely notice it quickly.

Ginjinha and the chocolate cup: a sweet-sour Madeira moment

After the beers, you’ll taste ginjinha, also known as ginjinha in an edible chocolate cup. Ginjinha is a Portuguese liqueur made from sour cherries (ginjas), plus alcohol and sugar (and other ingredients).

The chocolate cup is the point. It turns what could be a plain liqueur tasting into a dessert-like experience. If you like the idea of pairing sweet and sour flavors, this stop will feel like a treat, not just another alcohol sample.

One small caution: the liqueur is sweet, and the tour includes multiple drinks afterward. If you’re sensitive to sugary liqueurs, pace yourself here. A half sip can be enough to enjoy the flavor without turning the rest of the evening into a sugar overload.

Madeira wine tasting: where the fortified style shows its personality

Then comes the Madeira wine tasting. Madeira wine is a fortified wine made in Madeira and known for longevity, complexity, and versatility. Translation: it’s not just a one-note drink, and it often tastes different from the wines most people expect.

This stop matters because it ties the whole night together. You’ve already had still wine from Blandy’s and you’ve had beer. Now you get to try the classic Madeira identity—the fortified style that made the island’s exports famous.

What I like about guided tastings like this is that you don’t need to know everything upfront. You’re tasting, comparing, and getting context so the flavors make sense as you go.

The Nikita cocktail: the creamy beer-fruit classic

Next up: the Nikita. This cocktail is described as a refreshing blend of beer, ice cream, and tropical fruits, and it’s a must-try when you’re in Madeira.

This is one of those drinks that sounds odd until you try it. The reason it works is the contrast: cold creaminess from ice cream, beer character instead of soda-like fizz, and fruity notes for sweetness and aroma. It’s definitely not a drink you’ll find everywhere, and that’s exactly why it earns a place on a bar hopping tour.

If you don’t like beer flavors, you might worry about the mix. But the ice cream and fruit are part of the balance, so you’re not swallowing straight beer. Still, you should treat it like a dessert cocktail and pace it, especially after ginjinha.

Final stop: poncha workshop and tasting (know what you’re signing up for)

The tour ends back at the meeting point with the Poncha workshop and tasting. Poncha is one of Madeira’s iconic drinks, and you’ll learn how it’s made as part of the session.

Here’s the key thing to get straight before you book: the tour title promises a poncha workshop where you make your own poncha. But at least some people reported that the poncha portion felt more like a tasting than a hands-on making session. I’d handle that like a smart traveler:

• If making poncha is your top priority, confirm how much mixing you’ll do yourself.
• If you’re happy with learning the basics and tasting the finished drink, you’re more likely to feel satisfied with the experience.

Either way, using poncha as the ending drink makes sense. It’s a local signature, it ties together the island’s flavors, and it gives the night a clear finale instead of fading out after another cocktail.

Price and value: what $91 buys you in real tasting time

At $91 per person for a 3-hour tour, you’re paying for guided pacing and multiple included tastings—at six stops. Based on what’s listed, you’re not just doing one drink. The included portion covers:

• White still Madeiran wine tasting
• Local artisanal beer tasting (three beers)
• Ginjinha in an edible chocolate cup
• Madeira wine tasting (fortified style)
• Nikita cocktail
• Poncha workshop and tasting

Value here comes from two places:

1. Variety without decision fatigue. You don’t have to choose what to drink next or worry you picked the wrong bar.
2. Time efficiency. Six stops, but organized in a way that keeps you moving with a guide.

The main mismatch risk is expectations. If you want a full cooking-style workshop where you’re fully hands-on, make sure you’re aligned with what the session actually involves. If you want to taste Madeira classics and learn what they are, this price can feel fair fast.

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

This tour is a cultural and fun drinking experience focused on Madeira flavors. It’s not suitable for children under 18, not suitable for pregnant women, and not suitable for people over 95. It’s also an English-speaking guide experience.

You’ll get the most out of it if you:

• Want a guided introduction to Madeira drinks without doing research
• Like trying several local classics in one evening
• Prefer tastings that are organized rather than random bar hopping
• Are in Funchal in the late afternoon and want a structured plan

If you’re the type who wants a quiet night, deep food pairings, or a heavy focus on spirits education, you might find the pace a bit drink-forward.

A few practical tips to make the night smoother

You’re walking between stops in historic streets, so wear shoes you trust. Also, consider bringing a light layer—the evening can feel cooler once the sun drops, especially near waterfront breezes.

Because the tour doesn’t include food, treat it like a tasting itinerary: eat earlier, then enjoy the drinks. And pace yourself. With beer, liqueur, wine, a cocktail, and poncha in the mix, you’ll feel different after the halfway mark.

If you’re particularly interested in one specific drink—Nikita or poncha—aim to slow down at that stop. You’ll remember the details more, and you’ll enjoy it more than trying to rush the entire sequence.

Should you book this bar hopping tour with poncha in Funchal?

I’d book it if you want a structured way to sample Madeira through classic drinks: wine (still and fortified), three artisanal beers, ginjinha in chocolate, the Nikita cocktail, and a poncha finale. The guide-led flow makes it easy, and the selection feels designed to show you the island’s drinking culture in one evening.

I would pause and confirm details first if you’re booking mainly for a hands-on poncha-making workshop. The description says a workshop, but the reality may be more tasting-focused for some groups. If you’re clear on that, you’ll likely enjoy the night more and avoid disappointment.

FAQ

FAQ

What is the duration of the Funchal bar hopping tour with poncha?

It lasts about 3 hours.

Where does the tour start?

You start at Blandy’s Wine Lodges (entrance) on Avenida Arriaga 28, 9000-064 Funchal.

What time does the tour begin?

The meeting point check-in is at 4:15 p.m., and the tour starts at 4:30 p.m.

How many stops are included?

The tour includes 6 stops through Funchal.

What drinks and tastings are included?

Included tastings are local artisanal beer (three beers), white still Madeiran wine, ginjinha in a chocolate cup, Madeira wine, the Nikita cocktail, and a poncha workshop and tasting.

Is transportation included?

No. Transportation to and from the meeting point is not included.

Is food included?

Food and drinks not mentioned as included are not included.

Is the tour suitable for children or teens?

No. It is not suitable for children under 18.

What languages are available?

The guide is English speaking.

Is poncha making guaranteed to be hands-on?

The experience includes a poncha workshop and tasting, but the level of hands-on making may vary. If making poncha yourself is essential, ask ahead to confirm how involved you’ll be.