Excursion Funchal highlights and monte palace gardens tour at Funchal

Make your way up to Monte during this half-day excursion by coach. This picturesque city is set perfectly on the sunny south coast of Madeira; it's backdrop a protective ring of green mountains; a huge natural amphitheatre that faces the balmy blue Atlantic Ocean.

Monte

Perched on a hill 1,677 feet (511 metres) above Funchal, the village is renowned for its lovely setting and landmark twin-towered church. Monte has been a favourite destination for visitors to Madeira since the late-19th century, when a rack and pinion railway was built to haul cruise-ship passengers up from Funchal. Once at the village of MONTE (1,677 ft.,550m), a path leads up to the church of Our Lady of the Monte, which holds the tomb of Karl I, the last Emperor of Austria, who died here in exile in 1922.

Monte Palace Madeira Garden

From here is a short walk to Monte Palace Madeira Garden, one of the most unique places on the Island of Madeira, marked by its exotic flora and the art that surrounds it.
Its History takes us back to the 18th century, when Charles Murray, English consul, bought the property, located south of Monte Church, and converted it into an estate. In 1897, it was bought by Alfredo Guilherme Rodrigues, who built a palatial residence here, later transformed into a hotel named 'Monte Palace Hotel'.
The Monte Palace Madeira Garden now displays some 100,000 plant species from all over the world. Standing out from this vast collection, spread over an area of 70,000 m, are the centenary cycads, considered living fossils.

You will be surprised by the ornamentation that punctuates the various areas, between the dense vegetation and the lakes. From different eras and geographic locations, this space displays stonework, several Buddhist sculptures, stone lanterns or a famous collection of tiles (15th-20th century). In addition, the Monte Palace Madeira Garden is home to a rich fauna, with majestic swans, peacocks and the Asian Koi fish.
The tour then continues to Pico dos Barcelos, which offers a fantastic panorama of the whole of Funchal city, the bay, including the harbor, and the surrounding hills before returning back to port.

Note

Please note: This tour requires an extensive amount of walking over uneven ground, cobblestones, and a short walk from the cable car station in Monte to the toboggan departure point. Approximate distance walked will be 1.5km (1 mile) including 75 steps to reach the Church and 100 staps at Monte Palace Gardens. This tour is not recommended to guests with limited mobility, and guests who utilize a wheelchair. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing, closed walking shoes and sun protection. Public toilets use are usually at a 0.50 Euros cost.