Key Benefits
- Visit two of Funchal’s most iconic landmarks: the Convent of Santa Clara and the Museu da Quinta das Cruzes.
- Step back in time and discover the aristocratic heritage of Madeira through centuries of art, history, and architecture.
- Pause for a relaxing break in a tranquil garden café, enjoying a drink and cake.
- Wander at a leisurely pace through serene Funchal gardens, surrounded by history and lush vegetation.
- Price per person decreases as your group grows — for example, 7 adults pay €73 each. Solo travellers and smaller groups are welcome. Use the booking form to calculate your price instantly.
Overview
Discover the aristocratic side of Funchal on this private cultural tour.
Your journey begins at the Convent of Santa Clara, founded in the late 15th century and one of Madeira’s most remarkable religious landmarks. Admire the Gothic and Manueline architecture, serene cloisters, and centuries-old chapels where noble families once sought spiritual retreat. This convent, still inhabited by nuns, is a treasure of Madeiran history and faith.
After exploring the convent, enjoy a relaxing break in a garden café, where tea, coffee, or a soft drink with cake will be served. You may sit indoors or outdoors as you wish, and afterwards take a short stroll through the peaceful gardens, admiring features such as the Manueline windows and the lush garden with its variety of ornamental plants.
The tour then continues to the Museu da Quinta das Cruzes, once the residence of João Gonçalves Zarco’s and his descendants and later of noble Madeiran families. Today it is one of the most important Madeira museums, displaying decorative arts, furniture, jewellery, and the private collection of César Gomes.
With the insights of your private guide, this experience becomes more than a simple Funchal city tour — it is a cultural immersion into the island’s aristocratic past.
Included & Excluded
- Qualified Tourist Guide
- Taxes and entrance fees to the Convent of Santa Clara and the Museu da Quinta das Cruzes
- A refreshing break with a drink (tea, coffee, or soft drink) and cake
- Meals and drinks not mentioned in the inclusions
- Hotel Transfers from hotels in Funchal or Caniço (Optional):
- One-way (pick-up or drop-off)
- Round-trip (pick-up and drop-off)
- Other areas – on request, subject to availability
Additional Notes
Private Tour Pricing (shared among participants). For example, a group of 7 adults pays:
- €73 per person – guided tour only
- €78 per person – guided tour with one-way hotel transfer
- €88 per person – guided tour with round-trip transfers
Solo travellers and smaller groups are welcome. Use the booking form to instantly calculate your group’s exact price.
Other Information
Quick FactsShedule & Details
- Days Available: Tuesday to Saturday (except public holidays)
- Duration: Approx. 3 hours
- Hotel Pick-up Time: Confirmed by email (if transfer selected)
- Meeting Time and point: 10:00 or 14:00 – Convent of Santa Clara reception (if no transfers booked)
- End Location: At the museum or your hotel (depending on transfer option)
- Requirements: Basic punctuality is appreciated
- No printed tickets required – electronic voucher accepted
What do you need to bring?Don’t Forget
- Comfortable walking shoes
- A camera (if permitted inside the museum; no flash allowed)
Good to KnowActivity level
This private guided tour is divided into four gentle parts:
- Convent of Santa Clara: some stairs, but visited at a relaxed pace.
- Garden Café: enjoy your break sitting indoors or outdoors (you choose).
- Gardens: easy walking on gentle slopes and pathways.
- Quinta das Cruzes Museum: explore the former noble residence and its decorative arts collection at a comfortable pace.
Suitable for children, though they must be accompanied and supervised by adults at all times.
Why us? Our Expertise
Our Madeira cultural tours combine comfort, authenticity, and insight. With the guidance of certified experts, you step into the aristocratic heritage of Funchal. From Gothic convents still inhabited by nuns to noble residences transformed into museums, we reveal places that shaped Madeira’s identity. Balanced storytelling and a relaxed pace ensure you enjoy both the culture and tranquillity of these landmarks.
Please NoteThe order of visits may change due to local conditions, including temporary museum closures.
When possible, a comparable alternative will be provided.
Behind the TourWhat travellers say after they’ve done it
I booked the Santa Clara Convent and Museum tour because I wanted to learn something about Madeira beyond the usual tourist spots. It turned out to be one of the calmest and most enriching mornings I had on the island.
We started at the Convent of Santa Clara, and it felt like stepping into another century. The cloisters were peaceful, and the guide shared just the right amount of detail — stories about the nuns who once lived there, the architecture, and the historical context. You could see original tiles and old wooden features that made it clear this wasn’t just a building, but a living piece of history.
Afterwards, we had a short break in a garden café nearby. Tea and cake were included, and we could choose from a few options. I sat with my drink and looked around the garden — it was quiet, green, and felt like a little escape inside the city. No rush, no crowds.
Then we walked to the Quinta das Cruzes Museum, which was once a private home. The furniture, objects, and artworks gave a real sense of how the upper classes lived in Madeira in past centuries. The guide also pointed out a few details I would have missed on my own — small carvings, hidden inscriptions, and even some personal stories behind the collection.
What I appreciated most was the pace. It wasn’t tiring, and there was time to really absorb the surroundings. Even the gardens of the museum were worth a look, with their old stone features and views over the city.
If you’re interested in Madeira’s history and prefer quieter experiences, this is definitely worth doing. No queues, no noise — just thoughtful, well-paced discovery.
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