Perched on the heights of Funchal, the Monte Palace Tropical Garden stands out as an exceptional green sanctuary. Covering an area of 70,000 m², this remarkable garden brings together botanical species from all continents, complemented by two fascinating museums and numerous artistic creations.
Here is my complete guide with photos and tips for planning your getaway to this enchanting place in Madeira!
Why explore the Monte Palace Tropical Garden?
Don’t hesitate to visit! Designed by José Berardo, this garden is one of Madeira’s must-see attractions. Overlooking the island’s capital, it masterfully combines lush vegetation, artistic heritage, and spectacular ocean views.
The space is made up of distinct areas with different atmospheres: Asian sections, an orchid greenhouse, a mysterious cave… Waterfalls and ponds add a pleasant touch to the walk.
What particularly appealed to me:
- The viewpoint near the pagoda offering a magnificent view of the bay
- The tranquil pond inhabited by multicolored koi carp
- The museum’s mineralogical exhibition—an unexpected discovery that is definitely worth a visit!
It is one of the must-see attractions on the island of Madeira and in Funchal.
Practical tips: Monte Palace Tropical Garden
Where is it located?
- Monte district, elevated area of Funchal
- Address: Caminho das Babosas
- Close to the Botanical Garden cable car, Monte Church, and the municipal park
How to get to Monte Palace
- By cable car – The preferred option for visitors: the Funchal cable car connects the city center to the Monte district. The aerial journey takes 15 minutes. From the upper station, it is a short walk to the garden entrance.
- By public transport – Bus routes 20, 21, and 22 serve the area. Check the latest timetables before you travel.
- By car – From the center of Funchal, follow the signs to Monte. Allow 15 minutes, but be prepared for a winding route on sometimes narrow roads.
- Alternative descent – For a unique experience, try the Carreiros do Monte, traditional wicker sleds that take you down the 2 km between the church of Monte and Livramento in 10 minutes. These handcrafted sleds reach speeds of up to 40 km/h – thrills guaranteed!
- Walking up from the town center is not recommended: allow 1.5 hours for the 560 m climb.
- Parking – There is a parking area at the entrance to the garden. Its limited capacity means it fills up quickly in summer. Arrive early in the morning to find a parking space easily.
Need to rent a car in Madeira?
My tips:
- Compare prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
- Choose a car with enough power for the mountain roads
- And choose a car not too big, to easily manoeuver
- Consider their full coverage option – it for peace of mind!
- Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!
Visiting tips
- To enjoy the peace and quiet, avoid the summer tourist rush. Open all year round, the garden is particularly pleasant in fall with its mild temperatures and warm colors.
- In summer, visit before 9:30 a.m. or after 4:30 p.m. to avoid the crowds and heat. Dry weather is best for fully enjoying the artistic and botanical collections.
- Allow at least half a day to properly explore the garden, its two museums, its artistic creations, and its 10,000 plants. A full day allows you to include a visit to the Monte district.
- Accessibility poses some difficulties: cobblestones, uneven ground, and stairs are found throughout the 70,000 m² site. People in wheelchairs or with strollers will encounter obstacles. Summer crowds can also make visiting less comfortable.
- Opening hours: Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (exceptionally closed on December 25)—Museums open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Admission: €15 (free for children under 15)
Check the official website for up-to-date information before your visit.
Eating on site
The Greenhouse Restaurant offers a gourmet break in the garden. The menu features light dishes: mixed salads, fresh soups, homemade quiches, a variety of sandwiches, and more. The green surroundings add to the charm of the place! I enjoyed a quiche with a fresh salad, followed by an authentic Pastel de Nata. A place I highly recommend!
Where to stay in Madeira?
My favorite places:
- Funchal, for a choice of restaurants and if you don’t rent a car – see best-rated accommodations
- Funchal Lido, for luxury resorts – see best-rated hotels
- Machico, for a sandy beach – see best-rated accommodations
- Porto da Cruz, for a quiet village in beautiful scenery – see best-rated accommodations
- Ribeira Brava, for a practical location to explore the island – see best-rated accommodations
- Porto Moniz, to enjoy the natural pools – see best-rated accommodations
The botanical and animal wealth of the site
I was really impressed by the biodiversity of Monte Palace. The garden is home to more than 10,000 plant specimens from every continent!
The tree ferns evoke the primary forests of Madeira, while other tropical and subtropical species create an exotic atmosphere.
The cycad section deserves special attention. These prehistoric plants, true living fossils, bear witness to 200 million years of evolution. The collection presented here is one of the most comprehensive in the world!
The area dedicated to Madeira’s endemic flora is also worth a visit, especially at the beginning of your stay. You will then recognize these species during your hikes on the island.
I was particularly fascinated by the Dracaena draco. Its red resin, known as “dragon’s blood,” was once used by locals for medicinal and dyeing purposes, or as a varnish for musical instruments.
As for wildlife, peacocks, swans, roosters, and herons enliven the paths. The peacocks came from the Belém Tropical Garden in Lisbon and were imported in the late 1990s.
The koi carp are one of the main attractions. These colorful fish, originally from Asia, populate the park’s ponds. Watching their shimmering colors is a real pleasure!
The Oriental Garden and Panoramic Views
The Oriental Garden is a remarkable achievement, offering an unexpected Asian escape in the Madeiran context.
José Berardo designed this space following his travels in the Far East, deeply influenced by Chinese and Japanese cultures and their relationship with Buddhist spirituality.
Traditional statues, pagodas, and religious sculptures punctuate this area. Water features play a central role here: ponds, waterfalls, miniature islands, and decorative bridges create a harmonious picture. And I love red!
An original sound installation featuring hollow bamboo tubes that fill and empty rhythmically in the pools creates a unique meditative atmosphere. This section skillfully blends natural contemplation with a spiritual dimension.
The viewpoints of Monte Palace offer exceptional panoramic views of Funchal Bay and the Atlantic. From an altitude of 500 meters, the park majestically overlooks the capital.
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The museums in the garden
Collection of African sculptures
The “African Passion” exhibition presents more than 1,000 contemporary Zimbabwean sculptures. The original scenography offers two complementary approaches.
The lower level presents the sculptors and their works individually, while the upper floor recreates the original context of creation and exhibition. This perspective truly immerses the visitor.
This Zimbabwean collection is one of the most significant outside Africa. Dating mainly from the 1960s, these works bear witness to the artistic and cultural effervescence of the time.
Mineralogy exhibit “Secrets of Mother Nature”
The ground floor houses a remarkable private mineralogy collection! The specimens come from over 70 countries.
The morphological, chromatic, and dimensional diversity of the minerals on display makes each piece unique. The display in cavities that reproduce the natural geological environment enhances the educational and aesthetic aspects.
Precious and semi-precious stones and fossilized wood complete this fascinating exhibition.
The collection beautifully illustrates the geological richness of the planet, enhanced by the natural setting of Monte Palace.
And since I love it so much, I spent a lot of time there!
Art and azulejos in the walkways
The Monte Palace Tropical Garden harmoniously integrates an important art collection into its vegetation. It’s a real open-air museum!
The hunt for azulejos is exciting! These painted ceramic tiles, produced between the 17th and 20th centuries, adorn the park’s paths. The collection on display here is one of the largest in Portugal! These narrative ceramics illustrate significant social, cultural, and religious scenes from Portuguese history.
The garden holds countless artistic surprises! Beyond the azulejos and thousands of botanical species, you will discover a collection of international works: arches, sculptures, marble or bronze statues, coats of arms, contemporary creations…
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