Monte Palace Tropical Garden, Madeira: How To Get There & What To Expect
Planning on visiting Monte Palace Tropical Garden in Funchal, Madeira? This is one of the top things that visitors do in Funchal and makes for a pretty great day trip. The Monte Palace Tropical Garden has hundreds of thousands of plants from all over the world!
Along with the plants, check out the local artwork, museum, and sculptures. Dine at the Greenhouse Restaurant or Bluehouse Café and grab a poncha or glass of wine from the bar. Finally, be sure to visit Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte (Monte Church) and take a ride on the wicker toboggans!
Learn more about how to get there, where to park downtown, and what to expect when visiting this amazing garden that overlooks the city of Funchal.
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Webcams In Madeira
As always, check the live webcam each morning before heading out. A quick glance can save you a wasted trip to a hiking trail or viewpoint if clouds, rain, or poor visibility have moved in. That being said, you shouldn’t have too many issues while visiting Funchal.
Things to Know
- Monte Palace Tropical Garden is located up in the hills of Funchal, and it’s best to take the Funchal-Monte cable car to get there.
- There are parking garages located near the cable car and near downtown. Our recommendation is to park at one of the two locations below. Bring cash to park, just in case the card readers are not working.
- Almirante Reis Car Park – this is the closest garage to the cable car. This garage is very narrow and busy, so plan ahead to get there early in order to secure a spot. That being said, this is a great place to park with a 2-minute walk to the cable car and other great spots in downtown Funchal.
- Parking São Tiago – this garage is located a bit farther away from the cable car. This location is less busy but is a quick 10-minute walk to the cable car. This is the garage we used, and it worked out great!
- To save some time, get your tickets online for the Funchal-Monte Cable car before you go and skip the line.
- Go early in the morning to skip the crowds at both the cable car and the gardens. When there is a cruise ship in port, this is a popular activity for cruisers, so keep that in mind as well.
If you are planning on spending more time on Madeira, check out our full 9-day itinerary with the best hikes and things to do on the island!
Funchal Cable Car
To get to Monte Palace, use the Funchal Cable Car. This is a great way to see Funchal from the sky, and the cable cars provide some great views of the island. The cost to take the cable car is:
- €22 round trip
- €16 one-way
- Children ages 7 to 14 are half price, and children 0 to 6 are free.
Depending on when you arrive and the size of your party, you may get a cable car to yourselves, or you might have to share with another group. As you glide up and over the city, enjoy the panoramic views of the city as you make your way to Monte Palace.
Each cabin has 7 seats, and the average travel time is about 20 minutes. This is such a fun ride, so make sure you don’t miss it! Get your tickets online here!
💤 Looking for a place to stay in Funchal or across the island? Check out Expedia and compare prices and options for your trip!
Monte Palace Tropical Garden
As you arrive at the end of the cable car journey, you are just steps away from the entrance of Monte Palace. Head to the entrance and get ready to enjoy this tropical paradise.
Tickets are priced at €18.00 per person, while children aged 0-14 are free with an adult. When you enter, you have a few options. Get a bite to eat or explore? Let’s start by exploring the gardens.
Explore The Gardens
First off, we recommend getting a map. You can pick one up when you pay for entry, and we do recommend doing so, as the gardens are massive and you can easily get turned around. You can also download the app on your phone as well for an interactive map. This is the eco-friendly way to go!
As you explore the garden, you’ll discover tranquil ponds, decorative tile displays, and hidden corners that blend nature, art, and culture into a unique experience. Whether you’re admiring the lush scenery or enjoying the calm atmosphere, Monte Palace Tropical Garden is one of the island’s most memorable places to visit.
Monte Palace dates back to the 18th century and was once a hotel. Finally, a dedicated art collector and philanthropist bought the property and transformed it into what it is today.
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During your adventure, you will encounter vibrant flowers, ancient trees, koi-filled ponds, and graceful flamingos, swans, and ducks. The gardens also feature striking oriental-inspired spaces, complete with pagodas, sculptures, and decorative elements, including traditional tiles.
Visit the central lake for panoramic views over Funchal, while enjoying the sounds of water and the ornate palace in the distance. This is one of the most photographed spots in the garden, and you will find out why!
Below are some photos of the Monte Palace Tropical Garden as we enjoyed our time here exploring the grounds.
Musem
In addition to the expansive gardens, you can also visit the museum, which is located at the highest point in the gardens. Covering three stories, the museum contains collections of minerals, stones, and petrified wood.
You’ll also discover tons of contemporary and modern art in the 200-piece collection on the top two floors of the museum. As you walk the gardens, you’ll come across the on-site restaurants and bars.
Where To Eat and Drink in Monte Palace
Okay, all of that walking up and down the hills of Funchal in the garden is going to make you hungry and thirsty, right?! You bet. There are some options for light meals as well as relaxing full courses.
Right at the top of the gardens near the museum, you’ll find the Greenhouse. Here, you can enjoy freshly roasted specialty coffee alongside a variety of light dishes made with care and high-quality ingredients.
The menu features fresh salads, hearty burgers, comforting soups, gourmet toasts and sandwiches, homemade cakes, cold-pressed juices, frozen yogurt, and a selection of alcoholic drinks. Locally sourced ingredients are used when available, so you know it’s going to be good.
At the Bluehouse Café, located at the other end of the gardens, you can enjoy sandwiches, cakes, salads, and wraps. You can also get refreshing beers, non-alcoholic drinks, coffees, and wines. Take your entry receipt to get a free wine sample here!
Finally, if you are only interested in a nice, refreshing drink, visit the Poncha Bar. If you don’t already know, Poncha is one of Madeira’s most iconic traditional drinks. It was originally made by local fishermen using sugarcane rum, honey, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. It is quite delicious!
Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte (Monte Chuch)
After your time in the gardens comes to an end, check out the nearby Monte Church. Perched high above Funchal, this is one of Madeira’s most important religious landmarks.
Built in the 18th century, the whitewashed church stands at the top of a grand staircase and offers sweeping views over the city and coastline below.
It is best known as the final resting place of Emperor Charles I of Austria and remains a popular destination for visitors exploring the Monte district. The peaceful atmosphere and scenic setting make Monte Church a worthwhile stop.
Monte Toboggan Rides
Finally, check out one of Madeira’s most unique traditions: the wicker toboggan ride. This is a thrilling journey that begins in Monte and descends toward Funchal. The sleds, made from woven wicker and mounted on wooden runners, are expertly guided by Carreiros do Monte, skilled drivers dressed in traditional white clothing and straw hats.
What began as a practical form of transportation in the 19th century has evolved into one of the island’s most famous attractions, offering visitors a memorable blend of history, culture, and excitement!
Tickets are purchased right on site, so just walk right up. The cost is €30 for 1 person, €40 for 2, and €60 for 3. It’s cash only, so come prepared.
Now, you might be wondering, if the toboggan ride ends in Funchal, what about the cable car? If you are planning on doing both activities, just purchase a one-way cable car ticket, and you’re all set!
Don’t Forget Your Rental Car
If you want to make the most of your time on the island of Madeira, be sure to book a rental car and book it early. For the best rates, check the prices and options at DiscoverCars! You really can’t go wrong with DiscoverCars.
If there is one takeaway about rental cars in Madeira, make sure you get the smallest one that fits your party. Roads are narrow, and parking can be tough!
Where to Stay While Visiting Madeira
Madeira has plenty of great hotels and rentals to choose from. We recommend picking one location on the island and using that as your home base. You can get anywhere on the island in about an hour or a bit more.
We chose the warm, scenic, and small town of Ponta do Sol as our home base, and we really loved our rental house! Some choose to stay in Funchal, which has tons of amenities.
Here are a few great places to stay in Ponta do Sol:
- A VRBO! If you are looking for your own place to stay on Madeira, check out the great rental options in Ponta do Sol or across the entire island of Madeira!
- 1905 Zino’s Palace – a beautifully restored pink palace in Ponta do Sol, offering an intimate boutique stay in a historic 19th-century building. With elegant rooms, ocean views, and a peaceful pool area, it blends Madeiran heritage with relaxed, modern comfort. Complete with a pool, an on-site restaurant, and a bar. Check it out now on Expedia or Booking.com.
- Enotel Sunset Bay – a relaxed 4-star hotel in Ponta do Sol, right by the Atlantic with stunning sunset views and easy access to a pebble beach. The property offers a heated pool, sauna, and restaurant serving local cuisine. Book right now on Expedia or Booking.com.
- If you are looking for a place in Funchal, check out your options on Expedia.
Is The Funchal Cable Car and Monte Palace Tropical Garden Worth It?
Absolutely, 100% without a doubt, yes! We ditched the car and avoided the parking hassle near Monte Palace and really loved our experience on the cable car. The peaceful ride up the hills of Funchal was a great experience to relax on our last day in Madeira.
Monte Palace is one of the best gardens we have ever visited. Where else can you see flamingos, towering Sequoias, a Laurissilva forest, oriental gardens, waterfalls, and more? With an epic view of Funchal and the coast, this is a must-do on your itinerary.
Finally, we visited the church, but decided to skip the Monte Toboggan ride back down to Funchal. The line was super long, and we just really didn’t want to wait. We had a date with the pool at our VRBO anyway! 😎
🛌🏽 Looking for a place to stay with an epic view and pool, too? Don’t forget to check out VRBO or Expedia to book your stay now!
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