Monte Palace Tropical Garden

Monte Palace Tropical Garden is a 70,000 m² garden on the hillside of Monte, above Funchal, overlooking Funchal Bay. It mixes exotic plants from several continents with an area of Madeira's native laurel forest, oriental-style gardens, lakes with koi and a museum. The Funchal cable car arrives right next to its main entrance.

What is there to see?

According to the garden's official site:

• Oriental Gardens inspired by Chinese and Japanese culture, with pagodas, bridges, stone lanterns, Buddha statues and a marble dragon.
• Cycads: a collection of African Encephalartos of more than 500 plants, representing 30 of the 65 known species — described as one of the most complete in Europe.
• Laurissilva: an area recreating Madeira's native laurel forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Lakes: a central lake with two small islands, water jets and a waterfall, home to swans; koi ponds; and the Poço dos Desejos lagoon, decorated with tiled panels, where four pairs of flamingos were introduced in 2023.
• Other plants named on the site include American sequoias, Asian camellias and azaleas, and old olive trees from Alqueva.
• Museum at the highest point of the garden, with modern and contemporary art and a collection of minerals and precious stones; the site cites more than 1,000 sculptures and more than 700 mineral samples across the property.

The palace building itself is not open to the public.

What is its history?

The official history page traces the estate to the 18th century, when British consul Charles Murray turned land around Monte Church into a leisure property later known as Quinta do Prazer. In 1897 Alfredo Guilherme Rodrigues converted it into the Monte Palace Hotel, building a palatial house inspired by palaces on the Rhine. From 1987, art collector José Manuel Rodrigues Berardo shaped it into today's garden, adding the collections of African sculpture and minerals.

Opening hours and tickets

As published on the official site, checked October 2026 (no year is stated on the page, so confirm before you go):

Address: Caminho das Babosas 4-A, 9050-541 Funchal.

How do you get there?

• Cable car from Funchal to the main entrance — see the Funchal cable car.
• Bus: lines 20, 21, 22 or 48 (Horários do Funchal).
• Car or taxi: the site lists both. There are three entrances: next to the cable car, the North Entrance and the East (Belvedere) Entrance.

What do people misjudge?

The garden is on a steep slope. The official site warns that accessibility is limited for people with reduced mobility (accessible toilets are available). Expect many steps and paths going down from the entrance — and back up. Comfortable shoes matter more than the distance suggests.

What to combine it with

Monte has several connected stops. The Monte toboggan runs downhill from the village. From Largo das Babosas, a second cable car descends to the Madeira Botanical Garden, so you can visit both gardens in one day without driving. More in the Funchal region guide.