Key Benefits
- Visit two of Madeira’s most iconic gardens: the Madeira Botanical Garden and Monte Palace Tropical Garden.
- Explore exotic plants, rare species, outdoor sculptures and one of Europe’s largest private mineral collections.
- Wander through oriental-inspired gardens with lakes, bridges and decorative features.
- Admire panoramic views over Funchal and the Atlantic Ocean.
- Enjoy a tasting of Portuguese fortified wine, included in your visit.
- End with a scenic cable car ride down to Funchal Old Town, where restaurants, cafés, and shops await.
- Price per person decreases as your group grows — for 7 adults, only €85 each; solo travellers and smaller groups welcome.
Overview
This private half-day tour blends nature, culture and unforgettable scenery. Begin at the Madeira Botanical Garden, originally conceived in the 19th century to acclimatise species from around the world. Today it is a living museum of flora, with terraces overlooking the bay of Funchal.
Continue to Monte Palace Tropical Garden, ranked among the 13 most beautiful gardens in the world. Here you’ll find oriental-style landscapes with ornamental lakes, exotic plants, African stone sculptures, and an impressive mineral museum.
The experience concludes with a cable car ride from Monte down to Funchal Old Town, offering spectacular views of the city and sea. The tour ends here, leaving you free to explore the historic centre at your own pace.
Included & Excluded
- Professional guide
- Hotel pick-up in Funchal or Caniço (one-way only)
- Entrance ticket to Madeira Botanical Garden
- Entrance ticket to Monte Palace Tropical Garden and museums
- One-way cable car ticket (Monte → Funchal Old Town)
- Portuguese fortified wine tasting
- Taxes and handling fees
- Return transport to hotel (available on request at extra cost)
- Meals and drinks not mentioned
- Pick-up outside Funchal & Caniço (available on request at extra cost)
- Internal tram transport at Monte Palace (available on-site at extra cost)
Additional Notes
This private excursion has a fixed guide/vehicle fee shared among participants. The more people in your group, the lower the cost per person. For example, 7 adults pay €85 each, with one-way hotel pick-up, entrance tickets and cable car included. Solo travellers and smaller groups are always welcome.
Use the booking form on this page to calculate the exact price for your group.
Other Information
Quick FactsShedule & Details
- Days available: Monday to Saturday (mornings and afternoons; except public holidays)
- Duration: approx. 4.5 hours
- Pick-up: 09:00 or 14:00*
- Drop-off: Funchal Old Town after the cable car ride
- Languages: Portuguese, English, French
- Requirement: punctuality is essential
*To help protect the environment, we do not require printed tickets — simply show your electronic voucher to the guide.
What do you need to bring?Don’t Forget
- Comfortable walking shoes (garden paths and steps)
- Light jacket or jumper (Monte is cooler at altitude)
- Camera or smartphone for photos
- Water bottle
- Raincoat or poncho if rain is forecast
Good to KnowActivity level & Useful Info
- Some paths include steps and uneven ground; comfortable shoes recommended
- Visitors with reduced mobility may find certain areas challenging; a round-trip tram from the entrance is available on-site at extra cost
- The tour normally ends in Funchal Old Town after the cable car ride. If the service is suspended due to weather or maintenance, a suitable alternative transfer will be provided to Funchal Old Town or back to your hotel, at no extra cost
- Return to your hotel after the tour (from Old Town) is at your own expense, unless the above alternative applies
Our ExpertiseWhy us?
At Lux Madeira, we design tours that combine culture, nature and comfort. Our itineraries highlight the island’s most beautiful gardens and landscapes, always supported by reliable logistics and professional guides. We focus on what matters most: your safety, flexibility, and the chance to enjoy Madeira with peace of mind. With us, you book easily, travel comfortably, and experience the island in a way that feels authentic and memorable.
Please Note The order of visits may change due to local conditions. Cable car service is subject to weather or maintenance; if suspended, an alternative transfer will be arranged at no extra cost.
Behind the TourWhat travellers say after they’ve done it
I wanted to visit the famous gardens in Funchal but didn’t want to deal with buses or figuring out tickets. This tour turned out to be the perfect way to do it — everything was organised, and I could just enjoy the day.
We started at the Madeira Botanical Garden, which has incredible views over the city. I didn’t expect to see so many different plants from all over the world, especially organised in themed areas. You can walk through cactus gardens, tropical sections and more — and it’s all on different levels, like a big green terrace above Funchal.
After that, we went to the Monte Palace Tropical Garden, which was even more impressive than I expected. It felt like walking through several gardens in one — there were oriental-style bridges, koi ponds, and a mix of sculptures, waterfalls, and exotic plants everywhere. One surprise was the mineral collection in the museum — I’m not usually into that, but it was stunning. There’s also a wine tasting included, so we got to try a sample of Portugal’s fortified wine before heading back.
The cable car ride down to Funchal Old Town was the best way to finish — the views are really something. You glide right above the rooftops and can see the sea and marina as you come in. The tour ends there, so I stayed and walked through the Old Town a bit, grabbed a coffee, and made my way back to the hotel later.
If you want a relaxed but well-organised way to explore Madeira’s best gardens with some culture and views included, this is it. No stress, no queues, and lots of great photos.
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