Gardens in Funchal & Madeira
Funchal and the island of Madeira are blessed with a number of gardens showcasing the beautiful natural environment and climate of the island.
See a listing of parks and gardens in the city of Funchal and the island of Madeira.
Madeira Botanical Garden
Madeira Botanical Garden (Jardim Botânico da Madeira) is located in the Monte district of Funchal.
The garden was formerly the Bom Sucesso Estate owned by the Reid family (of Reid's Palace Hotel fame). It is now administered by the Regional Government of Madeira and opened in 1960.
There are several separate parts to the garden. These include an area dedicated to indigenous and endemic plants from not only the forests of Madeira but also the Azores, the Canary Islands and Cape Verde. The tree garden (arboretum) has species from around the world including both the Himalayas and the Tropics.
There are also sections of the garden dedicated to succulents, mainly from South America as well as an area with aromatic, cultivated and medicinal plants such as avocado, coffee, mango, papaya and sugarcane. Loiro Park within the garden is an aviary with cockatoos, parrots and parakeets. There is also a small natural history museum.
There are superb views from the garden looking over Funchal and out to sea. The garden can be reached on the spectacular cable car (teléferico).
Monte Palace Tropical Garden
Further north in Monte is the Monte Palace Tropical Garden. This large garden is on several levels and includes ponds and cascades, exotic trees and plants as well as a mineral museum.
The garden was established by the businessman and art collector José Berardo (who also founded the excellent Berardo Collection Museum in the Centro Cultural de Belém in Lisbon).
The garden includes two authentic Oriental gardens, one Chinese and one Japanese with references to the Age of Discovery that took Portuguese adventurers to both countries.
Wildlife in the garden includes koi carp and swans in the ponds, plus wandering peacocks.
It is possible to return to Livramento from Monte on a unique form of transport - a wickerwork sledge (carro de cesto) on wooden runners pushed by two carreiros, or sledge drivers. From Livramento take bus number 19 back to central Faro or it is a 30-minute walk downhill.
Jardim Orquidea (Orchid Garden)
Also in the Monte district, just to the south of the Jardim Botânico, is the Jardim Orquidea (Orchid Garden).
The garden is maintained by the Fundação Josef Pregetter and contains over 50,000 plants of various varieties.
Badly damaged by wildfires in 2016, the garden is now completely restored and is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm.
Municipal Garden
Funchal's Municipal Garden (Jardim Municipal do Funchal) aka the Donna Amélia Garden is laid out in the center of Funchal close to Blandy's Wine Lodge and the Municipal Theatre.
Dating from 1880 the garden was first stocked with exotic plants brought from Paris and Porto. The space was formerly a Franciscan convent and a coat of arms in stone of the Franciscans stands in the garden along with other statues and monuments.
There are cooling ponds and fountains, as well as palms, ferns and other plants to be admired from as far away as Africa, India and Malaysia.
An auditorium and amphitheater in the garden are used for various cultural events.
Santa Catarina Park
The pleasant Santa Catarina Park (Parque de Santa Catarina) is a large green space in Funchal close to the Casino da Madeira. Within the park is the small but beautiful Capela de Santa Catarina.
The Santa Catarina Park contains several aviaries as well as a number of monuments including one that commemorates the arrival of refugees from Gibraltar during World War II.
Among several art works is a statue of Christopher Columbus looking over the tremendous view of Funchal Bay, one of many statues and monuments in Madeira.
The spacious park also has plants from across the world, a cafe, lawn and small lake with fountains.
Palheiro Gardens
The Quinta do Palheiro Ferreiro Gardens aka "Blandy's Garden" have been owned by the Blandy family since 1885. John Blandy purchased the land from the Count of Carvalhal who had begun the first garden here. This small but beautiful garden set in the hills to the east of Funchal is known especially for its camellias. There is also a rose garden, sunken garden and Lady's garden.
The garden is part of the larger Palheiro Estate which includes a golf course, the five-star Casa Velha Do Palheiro, set in an historic manor house and apartments and villas at Palheiro Village.
Buses 36A and 37 leave from Funchal to the gates of the garden, which are open Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm.
Quinta Palmeira
The Quinta Palmeira directly north of Funchal was developed by Harry Hinton. Hinton was a 19th century British businessman who is believed to have introduced football to Madeira. His father William Hinton established the Hinton rum business on the island made from local sugarcane.
The garden covers around 30,000 square meters with many historic trees and exotic plants. The grounds display a Manueline window from the house where Christopher Columbus once resided on Madeira.
Visitors who wish to relax in this beautiful part of Madeira can stay at the nearby Quinta Palmeira Country House Retreat & Spa.
The garden is open from 10 am to 4 pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Jardim de Santa Luzia
Another garden with associations with the Hinton family is the Jardim de Santa Luzia in downtown Funchal. This pleasant public space was created in 2004 on the site of the Hinton's rum and sugar factory. The brick chimney of the factory and various pieces of machinery have been preserved and stand within the multi-themed garden. Specific zones include a water garden, tropical garden and terraced garden. There is also a children's playground, bar/cafe and waterfall.
Quinta das Cruzes
The Museu Quinta das Cruzes in Funchal includes a lovely small garden. The museum is housed in a former manor house once owned by a wealthy wine merchant and was the last residence of João Gonçalves Zarco. Highlights of the garden include Australian eucalyptus, palms and camphor trees as well as a collection of stunning orchids. The one-hectare grounds also have a late 17th-century chapel dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Piedade. There are also two Manueline-style windows that belonged to the Hospital da Santa Casa da Misericórdia in Funchal.
The museum itself has an interesting collection of Portuguese and European decorative arts, especially English. In addition there are also exhibits of Oriental furniture, jewelry and ceramics.
Quinta Vigia
Quinta Vigia is an historic house and garden surrounded by the Santa Catarina Park (see above). The building is now the official residence of the President of the Regional Government of the Autonomous Region of Madeira.
During its history several members of European royal families spent time here, mainly for health reasons, including Adelaide, the wife of King William IV of England, Elizabeth, Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary and Amélie of Leuchtenberg, wife of Pedro IV of Portugal.
The house was originally known as the Quinta das Angústias after a chapel in its grounds and later Quinta Lambert when it was owned by the Russian, Count Lambert. Now open to the public with free admission, the gardens contain many indigenous plants, several aviaries and have spectacular views of Funchal harbour.
Quinta Magnólia
Jardim da Quinta Magnólia was once the grounds of the British Country Club in Madeira. As well as the magnificent flora, the gardens still retain their sports facilities including tennis and squash courts, a pool and jogging track. The space also hosts regular events.
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