Monte Palace Tropical Garden: What to Expect in 2026

We added Monte Palace Tropical Garden to our plan after seeing it recommended in a few itineraries and backed up by solid Google reviews — and it turned out to be a really refreshing change from Madeira’s usual viewpoints, hikes, and beaches. It felt slower, calmer, and more immersive, which was exactly what we wanted for that day.

Because the garden is becoming more popular, we arrived early to beat the crowds. It sits high above Funchal on a steep hillside, and even getting there feels like part of the experience — either by cable car with views over the city or by driving up yourself.

We chose to drive, and while it was one of the steepest roads we’ve done in Madeira, it was still manageable. If you’re not confident with hill starts or gear changes, renting an automatic car is honestly the easier option.

We spent around three hours exploring the garden on foot, which was enough to see almost everything without rushing. The weather was sunny but comfortable, thanks to all the shade from the trees and plants.

If you’re putting together your Madeira itinerary and looking for something calmer to mix in with the hikes and viewpoints, this works really well alongside the places we list in our best things to do in Madeira guide.

For us, it was an easy yes — and a spot we’d happily recommend adding to your route.

At a Glance

At first glance, Monte Palace Tropical Garden looks like just another pretty botanical garden — but there’s more going on once you start walking through it. The surroundings feel surprisingly wild for something so close to Funchal, with dense greenery, water features, and open viewpoints layered on different levels.

Once inside, the garden feels spacious and calm, especially if you arrive early. We didn’t expect how much walking there would be, or how many different corners it hides — from shaded paths to open terraces and small museums tucked between plants.

This is a place to visit if you want something different than viewpoints and hikes, but still interesting. If you’re hoping for a quick photo stop, it might feel like too much effort. But if you enjoy wandering without rushing, spotting birds and lizards along the paths, and enjoying the views from above Funchal, this is the spot we recommend visiting.

Is it worth it?

For us, Monte Palace Tropical Garden was definitely worth the time — mainly because it felt so different from the rest of our Madeira days. After several days of viewpoints, hikes, and coastal stops, walking through a calm garden for a whole morning felt surprisingly refreshing.

We honestly didn’t expect to stay as long as we did. We thought it would be a quick walk, but we ended up spending almost three hours there without getting bored. What kept it interesting was how the garden changes as you move through it — different levels, different views, hidden corners, and small museums mixed in between plants.

We loved it, but we wouldn’t suggest it for every traveler. If you’re here mainly for the best hikes in Madeira or have limited time, you’ll get more value elsewhere.

But if you want something slower, greener, and more relaxed — especially after a few intense sightseeing days — this was a really good choice for us and something we’d include again.

Where is Monte Palace Tropical Garden

The garden is located in the village of Monte, on the hillside above Funchal. It sits well above the city, which is why you get wide views over the harbor and rooftops from several parts of the garden.

From Funchal city center, it’s about 15 minutes by car or around 20 minutes by cable car, depending on queues and waiting time.

If you’re visiting nearby places like the Funchal Old Town or the cable car base station, it’s an easy addition to your route.

How to get there

Monte Palace Tropical Garden sits high above Funchal, and getting there is part of the experience.

By car

Driving yourself is the fastest way up. It took us about 15 minutes from central Funchal, but the climb is serious. If you’re not confident with steep hills and gear changes, we’d strongly recommend an automatic car. Parking is right by the entrance.

By cable car

If you don’t feel like driving up, the cable car from Funchal is the easiest and most scenic way to reach Monte. A round trip costs €20, while a one-way ticket is €14.50. Children aged 0–6 travel for free, and kids 7–14 get 50% off.

We’d recommend buying your ticket online in advance on the official website — you can go straight to boarding without queuing, and the ticket stays valid for 30 days after purchase, which is handy if your plans change.

By bus

You can also reach Monte by local bus from Funchal. Bus lines 20 and 22 run up to Monte and stop close to the garden area.

It’s the cheapest option, but also the slowest and least flexible — especially if you want to arrive right at opening time or leave whenever you feel like it.

Entrance and parking fees

There’s a parking area right next to the entrance, which is very convenient if you’re coming by car. We didn’t have any trouble finding a spot early in the morning; later in the day, it might be packed.

One thing to be aware of: when we arrived, a man was “helping” to organise cars and asking for tips. He didn’t work for the garden and parking is officially free, so we chose not to pay. Just park normally and go to the ticket desk at the entrance.

Accessing the garden

From the parking area or cable car station, you enter directly through the main gate where tickets are checked. There’s no long walk just to get inside, which is nice after the steep climb up.

Inside the garden, expect a lot of stairs and level changes. Paths go up and down between different sections, viewpoints, and small museums. Walking itself isn’t difficult, but it’s not stroller-friendly and definitely not suitable for wheelchairs.

With our little Ema, we left the stroller in the car and used a baby carrier instead — and that was the right choice. If you’re visiting with kids, a carrier works much better than a stroller.

There are no guides required to visit the garden. You explore on your own at your own pace, and the signs and the map help you find your way between the main areas.

What to expect at Monte Palace Tropical Garden

When we arrived in the morning, the garden felt calm and almost quiet, with only a few other people on the paths. As we were leaving, cable car visitors and tour groups were starting to arrive, and the atmosphere was already changing. If you want a relaxed visit, timing really matters here.

The garden is home to thousands of plant species from all over the world, including collections from Madeira, Asia, Africa, and South America. As we walked through the garden, we moved between themed areas with tropical trees, ornamental flowers, and shaded forest paths, mixed with lakes, waterfalls, and terraces.

We walked for about three hours and managed to cover nearly everything without rushing.

The layout is designed so you’re constantly changing levels and perspectives, which makes the walk feel varied rather than repetitive.

We spotted birds and lizards along the paths, flamingos, and even a peacock wandering around freely. That made the visit feel more alive than a typical botanical garden.

We also stumbled upon a small museum dedicated to stones and minerals.

For us, morning was clearly the best time to visit. It was cooler, quieter, and much easier to enjoy the paths and viewpoints. By midday and afternoon, the garden felt noticeably busier and less peaceful.

Facilities

• Cafes and small snack bars spread across different parts of the garden
• Toilets located in several areas
• Souvenir shop near the entrance
• Benches and shaded resting spots
• Small museums
• Drinking water available at cafes

Where to eat and drink

• Restaurante Alta Vista – A relaxed spot with solid food and a nice setting, ideal for an unhurried dinner after a day of exploring.
• Cantinho dos Petiscos – A Funchal favourite known for its sharing-style dishes and lively atmosphere.
• Rustikus – A cozy, rustic restaurant serving hearty, traditional-style food in the north of the island.

Best time to visit

For us, the best time to visit Monte Palace Tropical Garden was in the morning, right after opening. It was cooler, quieter, and much easier to enjoy the paths and viewpoints without crowds.

We visited Madeira in late June and early July, when flowers all over the island were in full bloom. That made the garden feel especially colourful and lush.

Spring and summer are both great seasons for this visit. Spring brings flowers in their best colors and comfortable temperatures, while summer works well too, thanks to all the shade inside the garden.

If you’re still deciding when to plan your trip, read our full guide to the best time to visit Madeira — it breaks down weather, crowds, and what to expect in each season.

Where to stay in Madeira

After exploring Madeira, we created a where to stay in Madeira guide to help you choose an area and hotel that actually match how you want to travel — not just what looks good on a map.

We’ve handpicked the best hotels based on places we’d genuinely book again ourselves, focusing on location, comfort, and how practical they are as a base for exploring the island.

For those who prefer to base themselves in the city, we’ve put together a selection of the best hotels in Funchal that we’d happily book ourselves.

During busy periods like late spring and summer, prices rise fast and availability drops. Booking early really helps, both with price and with having better options to choose from.

Once you find a place that fits your route, it’s usually best to lock it in. Waiting often means fewer choices or higher prices.

Here are our top picks:

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hotel Porto Mare – PortoBay (our top pick) – We stayed here on our trip and it quickly became one of our favourite bases in Madeira. The tropical gardens give it a calm, spacious feel, the pools are perfect for slow afternoons, and everything from breakfast to service felt genuinely well thought out. Comfortable without feeling over-the-top, and the Funchal location worked perfectly for exploring the island.
⭐️ Best for: Couples or families who want a relaxed, high-comfort stay with resort-style facilities.
👉 Check current deals →

⭐️⭐️ Aqua Natura Bay – We also stayed here and loved waking up right by the ocean. The infinity pool overlooking the Atlantic was a real highlight, and having the natural lava pools just steps away made it easy to enjoy Porto Moniz without any planning. Modern, comfortable, and ideal for exploring the west and north coast.
⭐️ Best for: Ocean views, swimming in natural pools, and exploring western Madeira.
👉 Compare prices →

⭐️ Quinta das Vinhas – A charming countryside stay set among vineyards above Calheta, offering a completely different side of Madeira. It’s peaceful and authentic, with beautiful views and plenty of space to slow down.
⭐️ Best for: Travelers looking for quiet surroundings, nature, and a slower pace away from busy areas.
👉 See latest prices →

FAQ

Final thoughts

Monte Palace Tropical Garden was a really nice surprise for us. It offered something different from Madeira’s usual highlights and worked perfectly as a slower, calmer morning between hikes and coastal days.

We loved how much there was to explore, how the paths kept changing levels and views, and how alive the garden felt with birds and even a peacock walking around.

Visiting early made a big difference, and we’d definitely recommend doing the same if you want to enjoy it without crowds.