Monte Palace Tropical Garden

High above Funchal, in the hillside district of Monte, the Monte Palace Tropical Garden spreads over terraces of exotic plants, lakes and azulejos. Created on the site of an old hotel estate, it is one of the most visited gardens of Madeira, a world of koi ponds, fountains and collections gathered from several continents.

History and character

The garden was created in the late twentieth century on the estate of the former Monte Palace Hotel, by the collector and businessman José Berardo. Over its terraces he gathered cycads, proteas, azaleas and trees from around the world, and lined its walls and paths with panels of azulejos from the sixteenth to the twentieth centuries.

What to see

• The azulejo collections, lining galleries and walkways.
• The lakes and koi ponds, with their bridges and islands.
• The Japanese and Oriental gardens, and the fern and cycad collections.
• The views over Funchal and the bay, from the garden’s belvederes.

Best time to visit

The garden is open all year round; spring and early summer bring the azaleas and proteas into flower, while clear mornings give the best views over the city and the sea.

Nearby

Monte is reached from Funchal by cable car or bus, and the city’s other great gardens — the Jardim Botânico and the Quinta do Palheiro Ferreiro — are close by.

Visiting

The garden is at Monte, above Funchal, reached by cable car, bus or road. Entry is ticketed and the garden follows daily opening hours; check the official page before your visit.

Information: montepalace.com.

Image credit: Fountain in the Monte Palace Tropical Garden, Funchal, by H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.