Madeira is home to lush botanical gardens and serene nature parks, offering a blend of exotic flora, scenic landscapes, and peaceful retreats. From vibrant tropical gardens in Funchal to misty laurel forests in the mountains, explore the island’s breathtaking green spaces. Whether you’re strolling through flower-filled paths or admiring rare plant species, these parks and gardens provide a true escape into nature. Discover the best places to reconnect with Madeira’s natural beauty.
Monte Palace Madeira
Nestled in the heart of Madeira’s lush landscapes, Monte Palace stands as a testament to the island’s rich history and natural beauty. This 70,000m² tropical garden features exotic plants from several continents, enormous koi-filled ponds, and paths adorned with 17th to 20th century Portuguese tiles. The garden showcases cultural elements including sculptures, pagodas, and Buddhas, creating a harmonious blend of nature and art.
Visitors can also explore two permanent museum collections: African Passion and Secrets of Mother Nature. Easily accessible via cable car from Funchal, Monte Palace offers breathtaking views of the city coastline during your ascent.
Entry: €15 (free for children up to 15 years old).
Madeira Botanical Garden
Opened to the public in 1960, the Madeira Botanical Garden spans 8 hectares and welcomes over 345,000 visitors annually. This scientific wonder is thoughtfully divided into six specialized sections: Madeiran indigenous and endemic species, an arboretum, succulent plants, agro-industrial plants, medicinal and aromatic plants, and palm trees and cycads.
The garden showcases the island’s rich botanical heritage, including rare Laurissilva tree species like Madeira Mahogany and endangered endemics such as the Yellow Jasmine. It also features Louro Bird Park with around 300 exotic birds and a Natural History Museum, making it both an educational and visually stunning experience.
Entry: €10 (12+ years) · €3 (ages 6–12) · Free for children under 6
Palheiro Gardens
Famous not only for their diverse plant collections but also for their magnificent hillside setting overlooking Funchal, Palheiro Gardens offer a year-round family-friendly destination. Water features prominently throughout, flowing from mountain springs through a rustic grotto into bubbling brills and lozenge-shaped pools.
The gardens boast impressive centennial trees, including a splendid Brazilian candelabra tree (Araucaria angustifolia), a 38-meter-tall Norfolk Island pine, and massive Californian redwoods. Visitors can explore the Sunken Garden, Rose Garden, and Jardim da Senhora, while enjoying refreshments at the Tea House with panoramic views over Funchal bay.
Entry: €11 (adults) · €6 (ages 15–17) · Free for children under 15
Santa Catarina Park
Created in 1966, Santa Catarina Park offers one of the most spectacular viewpoints over Funchal bay, making it one of the city’s most frequented green spaces. Spanning 36,000m² between Avenida do Infante and Avenida Sá Carneiro, this central park features expansive lawns surrounded by flowerbeds showcasing countless species from around the world.
A charming small pond with an island provides sanctuary for local birds. The park is adorned with statues commemorating Prince Henry the Navigator and Christopher Columbus and houses the Chapel of Santa Catarina. With a play area and views from Funchal bay to Ponta do Garajau, it’s ideal for relaxation in the capital.
Entry: Free
Quinta do Santo da Serra
Built in the late 19th century by the Blandy family in English colonial style, Quinta do Santo da Serra is a verdant public park on Madeira’s east coast. Acquired in 1975 by the Autonomous District of Madeira, it became known as ‘Quinta da Junta’ and served as the holiday residence for the Regional Government President.
Today, this rural retreat offers unique attractions including peacocks, fallow deer, and Garrano horses roaming the grounds. Visitors can enjoy mini-golf, tennis, picnic areas, and a viewpoint over Machico, Ponta de São Lourenço, and even Porto Santo Island, surrounded by vibrant azaleas, rhododendrons, and camellias.
Entry: Free
Funchal Municipal Garden
Located in the heart of downtown Funchal, the Municipal Garden (also known as Dona Amélia Garden) occupies the former site of a Franciscan Convent. This 8,300m² botanical haven showcases diverse flora from Madeira and around the world, with plants meticulously labeled by species and origin.
The garden features a tranquil lake and stream with fish, ducks, and swans. An amphitheater hosts concerts and cultural events year-round, while a café offers a quiet place to rest. During the holidays, the garden glows with festive lights, making it a charming spot for locals and visitors alike.
Entry: Free
Monte Municipal Park
Constructed between 1894 and 1892, Monte Municipal Park (Leite Monteiro Park) is Madeira’s highest municipal garden, situated between 543 and 586 meters above sea level. Covering 26,000m², this vibrant retreat offers diverse flora and endless shades of green painting the landscape.
The park includes indigenous and exotic species, centuries-old trees, a bandstand, and a marble fountain of Nossa Senhora do Monte. At the center lies a lake featuring a carved stone map of the island. Visitors can wander through basalt-paved paths and enjoy the peaceful highland setting.
Entry: Free
Funchal Ecological Park
Spanning an impressive 1,000 hectares north of Funchal, the Ecological Park serves as a protected sanctuary for Madeira’s rich fauna and flora. It functions as an outdoor classroom for geomorphological and biological education and supports important reforestation projects of native Lauraceae species.
Alongside its ecological mission, the park offers recreational opportunities such as biking, canyoning, and outdoor activities. It reflects Madeira’s commitment to preserving its unique ecosystems while providing immersive nature experiences just minutes from the city.
Entry: Free
Quinta Vigia
Originally known as Quinta das Angústias due to its 17th-century chapel dedicated to Nossa Senhora das Angústias, this historic estate has hosted many notable figures. In 1849, Maximiliano, Duke of Leuchtenberg, stayed here, followed later by Empress Amélia and her daughter Princess Maria Amélia.
After changing hands several times, the estate became Quinta Vigia and was purchased by the Regional Government in 1979. Inaugurated as the official residence of the Government President in 1984, its lush gardens are now open to the public, offering sweeping views over Funchal bay.
Entry: €1 (gardens) · €5 (guided mansion tour)
Quinta do Arco in São Jorge
Located in Arco de São Jorge, this magnificent rose garden is one of Madeira’s most fragrant treasures. Created by Miguel Albuquerque — politician and rose enthusiast — it features over 1,550 types of roses and around 17,000 specimens in total.
Open from April to December, it showcases rare and indigenous species like Rosa mandonii. Now owned by the Pestana group, the garden continues Albuquerque’s legacy, even including his own cultivated varieties like the Lagoa rose. A true living museum for rose lovers.
Entry: €7.50
Queimadas Forest Park
We’ve saved our favorite for last: Queimadas Forest Park, a verdant paradise nestled in Santana on Madeira’s north coast. This enchanting park offers a glimpse into the island’s UNESCO-listed Laurissilva forest, a living relic from the Tertiary period. At 850 meters altitude, it’s an ideal starting point for the famous PR9 trail to Caldeirão Verde waterfall.
The park showcases Madeira’s rich biodiversity, featuring endemic species like Madeira firecrest and laurel pigeon. Visitors can explore well-maintained trails, picnic areas, and the iconic thatched-roof shelter house, reminiscent of traditional Santana architecture. Whether you’re an avid hiker tackling the levada walks or simply seeking tranquility amidst ancient trees, Queimadas Forest Park offers an unforgettable immersion in Madeira’s natural splendor.
Entry: Free
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