Jardim Municipal do Funchal

In the middle of Funchal, a few steps from the seafront avenue, the Jardim Municipal is a shaded garden of exotic trees, flowerbeds and a quiet pond. It is one of the oldest public gardens of the city, a green pause between the shops and the marina, and a good introduction to the plants of Madeira.

History and character

Laid out in the nineteenth century as the city’s public garden, it gathers the flora of the island and of warmer climates — palms, flowering trees, shrubs and climbing plants — around lawns, paths and water. Its central position has made it a meeting place for generations of Funchal residents.

What to see

• The pond and its waterfowl, at the centre of the garden.
• The palms, flowering trees and beds of subtropical plants.
• The shaded benches and quiet paths of the garden.
• The garden’s setting in the middle of the city, near the marina.

Best time to visit

Funchal’s mild climate keeps the garden pleasant all year, with flowering through the seasons; spring brings the brightest displays, and the shade of the trees is welcome in summer.

Nearby

The garden is in the centre of Funchal, a short walk from the Mercado dos Lavradores and the marina.

Visiting

The garden is in central Funchal, reached on foot from the main squares, and it is open to the public daily, free of charge.

Information: cm-funchal.pt.

Image credit: Jardim Municipal do Funchal, by H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.