Location: Funchal
Top Things to do in Funchal
Top 10 Gardens in Funchal, Madeira Islands
Funchal, the capital of the Madeira archipelago, was declared a city in the 1500s, and became an important point between the old and new worlds. The laid-back city owes much of its historical prominence to "white gold," Madeiran sugar. Today Funchal is known for its appealing temperatures, wine and crafts. Top spots to visit include the open Worker's Market, Blandy's Wine Lodge and the Sacred Art Museum. Friendly locals, walkable streets and cheap taxis make the city easy to get around.
Restaurants in Funchal
1. Palheiro Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,165 reviews
The gardens at "Quinta do Palheiro" are famous not only for the variety of plants that grow there but for the beauty of their setting in the hills to the east of Funchal, the capital of Madeira. Madeira has long been called the "Garden Isle" and it seems that almost anything will grow in its fertile soil.The Palheiro gardens are situated at about 500 meters above sea level and were started in 1801 by the original owner the Conde de Carvalhal. He introduced Camellias to the Island, hence our vast collection. The gardens, some 14 hectares (with about 650 species of plants),include the Camellia avenue, Main Garden, Sunken Garden, Rose Garden, Long Border and the Ladies' Garden where you find the tea house. There is also the Ribeiro do Inferno, a deep valley with treeferns and indigenous plants.
Reviewed By MarleneB261 - Durham, United Kingdom
Absolutely brilliant from start to finish, so many unusual plants and trees, colours and shapes of leaves, well worth a visit, Entrance fee 11 euros. Has a cafe but we didn’t use it, as our men had gone on ahead as they did not want to walk round. If you love gardens it is worth a visit
2. Monte Palace Madeira
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,480 reviews
Open to the public since 1991, the Monte Palace Madeira occupies an area of 70.000 square meters and houses a huge exotic plant's collection, coming from all over the world, together with swans,duck's and Koi fish. The Monte Palace Museum is an ideal exhibition space nestled within the beautiful surroundings of a tropical garden. There are three floors, two of which are dedicated to sculptures and the third houses a unique mineral collection gathered from the four corners of the world. Monte Palace Madeira, also includes one of the most important tile collections in Portugal. The tiles exhibited amidst the tropical vegetation represent several ages, coming from palaces, churches, chapels and private houses throughout the former Portuguese empire. We are open everyday except 25th of December. Our prices are: Adults - 12,50€ Children younger than 15 years old: Free Entrance as long as they are accompanied by adults. Check our new facebook page montepalacetropicalgarden
Reviewed By amdgriggs - Sheffield, United Kingdom
These are much more than just great tropical gardens: there are sculptures, great displays of tile-work, exhibitions (gem stones and Zimbabwean sculptures, when we were there), koi carp in profusion, a superb display of hundreds of orchids, a romantic Romeo and Juliet balcony and strand, waterfalls and fountains everywhere. A couple of cafes too. Absolutely excellent and really well worth a visit - just remember it’s a lon way above the town and often a fair bit cooler. Thoroughly recommended.
3. Quinta Vigia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
Reviewed By janethW4741PH
This is the President's garden and is generally open on weekdays . It is attached to the Santa Catarinha park and entrance is 1 Euro (bargain) Immaculately kept(well done to the gardeners) and full of interest with lovely views over the port . Not keen on the caged birds,macaws and peacocks which looked sad and bored and needed bigger cages and enrichment or even freedom but the gardens themselves were lovely
4. Municipal Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 633 reviews
Reviewed By cherryJersey
Well maintained and peaceful despite the amount of use this park gets. Peaceful and relaxing despite being only minutes from the centre of Funchal.
5. The British Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By fionad209
We visited here as part of a History Tellers tour, having never made it there on our own, had a lovely wander thro with the guide telling us the history of it and pointing out some notable graves such as god daughter of Queen Victoria and quite a lot of the Blandy family. After that we went back a couple more times to find the Commonwealth War Graves from WW1.. The Cemetery is a hidden gem of a garden, peaceful and tranquil away from the busy areas of Funchal and should be visited for that reason alone. Point to note it's closed on Saturday/Sunday & Public Holidays...
6. Madeira Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 7,798 reviews
A visit to the Botanical gardens provides visitors with the names and origins of the splendid variety of exotic flowers, vegetables, herbs and other useful plants found on Madeira.
Reviewed By piotrm566
this is a very nice garden with plenty of colorful flowers and exotic trees and bushes, very nice and relaxing walk with panoramic view of Funchal, as the garden is located up on a mountain/hill
7. Pregetter's Orchid Garden
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 194 reviews
Due the fires in Funchal the garden is closed in the moment.
8. Quinta da Boa Vista Orchid Garden
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 213 reviews
Reviewed By Jamesh64 - Aberdeen, United Kingdom
We were staying in an apartment very near in Rua da Rochinha and walked over to this lovely orchid nursery one morning. The Estate sits on a hillside and you see signposts leading you to the gates. Before you visit its best to know that this is a proper orchid farm not some Disney type garden. You will see many types of orchid growing in old fashioned terracotta flowerpots and enjoy the fragrance of some and the vibrant colours. The admission charge is very small and if you have any questions the people here will explain how to grow them and how to get them to flower again. We spent quite some time amongst the orchids, there was no hurry and we took so many photographs of orchids in bloom. There’s a small table with plants and cards for sale. We strolled through the orchids and then came upon a very unusual climbing “Jade Vine “in flower hanging from the roof. We met Patrick Garton, the owner who was so enthusiastic about his orchids and told us about how he grows the long trailing tillandsia airplant that drapes either side of the staircase. He was so knowledgeable, Kew trained and a lifetime of plant experience behind him. It was time to sit down and we sat on a rustic wooden balcony overlooking Funchal and had tea and home baked cakes, one chocolate and the other apple and cinnamon, both served with a passion fruit cream. We sat in the shade of a big tree for a couple of hours and felt like we were in a different era. We enjoyed our visit so much we returned the following week for more tea and cake.
9. Jardim Panoramico
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By hetty89 - Liverpool, United Kingdom
Pleasant hour spent walking around this little park and at the bottom you can walk along by the Lido. Nicely planted out and maintained and lots of things for little ones...crazy golf, play area etc. Little bar inside the park and toilets as well.
10. Jardim do Hospicio Princesa D. Maria Amelia
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