Jardim Monte Palace Madeira

Perched on a scenic hilltop  with sweeping views of Funchal, the Monte Palace Madeira Garden is one of the island's most enchanting destinations.

It was the first day of our holiday and we had decided to walk to the gardens instead of taking the cablecar or bus. Foolishly, we expected it to be a walk in the park, but the steep streets of Funchal resulted in a tough walk.

It was the first day of our holiday and we were brimming with excitement - and confidence. Instead of taking the cable car or hopping on a bus, we boldly decided to walk to the Monte Palace Garden. After all, how hard could it be?

Turns out Funchal's steep streets had other plans. What we imagined as a gentle stroll through the charming suburb streets of Funchal quickly became a full-blown uphill battle. The steep roads seemed to defy gravity, luckily for us we had front-row seats to one of Madeira's most thrilling spectacles; the wicker toboggans..

These traditional sleds, steered by two men in straw hats and white uniforms, zoomed past us, their passengers squealing with delight.

​After our hike, we reached ther Monte Palace Garden, a lush sanctuary where exotic flora , historic art and serene landscapes provides you with an unforgettable experience.

The garden spans 70,000 square meter and showcases over 100,000 plant species from around the world. Among those are the ancient cycads, often called living fossils.
As you wander through the garden's winding paths, you'll encounter many ornaments ranging from Buddhist sculptures to stone lanterns.

Also present is a remarkable tile collection dating from the 15th to 20th century. Portugal's legacy of tilework, known as azulejo, comes to life in the garden. As you stroll through the garden, outdoor panel collections emerge from the greenery. The collection is considered one of the most significant in the country, second only to Lisbon's tile museum. Many of the tiles tell stories, the designs reflecting everything from grand religious ceremonies and royal life to everyday scenes and architectural landmarks.

The Oriental gardens at  Monte Palace are a serene homage to the cultures of China and Japan. Winding paths lead through a landscape full of pagodas, Buddhist sculptures and stone lanterns. Beautiful bridges arch over Koi filled ponds, a bamboo water feature tips water at set intervals.

Tucked away in the heart of the garden is a stunning museum where you find African Passion, an exhibition of over 1000 Zimbabwean sculptures. Each of the statues is unique, some being abstracts where others are strikingly lifelike. Downstairs, you find Mother Nature secrets, a colourful display of minerals. 

As you all know, we love to visit these stunning gardens globally, and Monte Palace Garden didn't disappoint at all. Where many visitors to the garden decide to take a toboggan down the mountain, we opted for a hike down.