Poncha or pastel de nata: which Funchal workshop should you book?
Updated October 10, 2026 · 5 min read
For most visitors: book the Pastel de Nata Workshop at Confeitaria Felisberta. It costs €40, lasts 2 hours and has 5 stars from 21 reviews; it is the shortest, cheapest and best-supported hands-on choice. If Poncha is the point: the Poncha Class and Tasting Tour runs for 4 hours at €75. The Bar Hopping and Poncha Workshop is €90 and combines beer, Nikita and Poncha rather than concentrating on one recipe.
The workshops compared
| Workshop | Duration | From | Rating | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pastel de Nata Workshop at Confeitaria Felisberta | 2 hours | €40 | 5 (21) | Bakers, families and visitors avoiding an alcohol-led activity |
| Poncha Class and Tasting Tour | 4 hours | €75 | 5 (5) | Adults who want several local bars and Poncha culture |
| Bar Hopping and Poncha Workshop | 3 hours | €90 | 4.6 (8) | Groups wanting beer, Nikita and Poncha in one outing |
Pastel de nata: the focused lesson
The bakery workshop covers the pastry’s history and secrets, then adds a tasting. That narrow promise is its strength: two hours are devoted to one technique rather than transport between venues. It also has more reviews than the two drinking workshops combined. It is not a general Madeiran cooking class and the booking description does not promise a full meal, so come for pastry rather than lunch.
Check availability for the pastel de nata workshop
The four-hour Poncha class: bars are part of the lesson
This tour stops at 3 bars that the operator says most visitors would not find independently. The experience treats Poncha as social culture as much as a mixed drink, so half the value lies in moving between local places and meeting people. Its 5-star rating rests on 5 reviews, and the four-hour commitment is excessive if you only want to learn the recipe.
See dates for the Poncha class and tasting tour
The €90 workshop is really a bar-hopping night
Local beer and a Nikita cocktail sit alongside the Poncha workshop. That variety can justify the highest price for friends who want an organised night out, but it makes this the least focused class. Its three-hour duration is convenient, yet a 4.6 score from 8 reviews gives less reassurance than the pastry workshop. Do not pay the premium if you dislike either beer or cocktails.
View prices for the bar hopping and Poncha workshop
A family distinction that matters
The pastry option is the natural first place to look with children, but no shared minimum age can be verified from these listings; the operators set their own limits, shown on the booking page. The two Poncha products are alcohol-centred and should not be presented as children’s workshops. Adults who do not drink also get substantially more from the bakery format.
Our recommendation
Choose the Pastel de Nata Workshop at Confeitaria Felisberta. It gives most travellers a clearer skill to take home, costs less and has the strongest review base. Book the four-hour Poncha class only when exploring local bars is as important as mixing the drink.
