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Gardens & Parks

Madeira’s sumptuous and varied landscape make the island a real paradise. Its volcanic origins are the reason for a diversity of sights that delight people from all over the world. Get ready to experience different types of landscapes and climates from one municipality to another.

The archipelago of Madeira, whose capital is Funchal, is divided into municipalities. On the East Coast, the main municipalities are Machico and Santa Cruz - where the tourist hub of Caniço is located. In these places, scuba diving and snorkeling in the clear waters is popular, especially in Caniço, with its natural reserves. On the other hand, the West Coast hosts the municipalities of Câmara de Lobos, a small fishing village, Ribeira Brava, Ponta do Sol, and Calheta, where fine beaches can be found. The North Coast includes Porto Moniz, known for its natural pools, São Vicente, and Santana. One must also highlight the magnificent island of Porto Santo, with its 9 kilometer-long sand beach.

"The sea on one side, mountains on the other, and between those two majestic splendors, the city smiles like a child sleeping, safe and snug between its parents." This is how the Portuguese writer, Júlio Dinis, described Funchal. He and other artists, such as Nobel Prize in Literature Tomas Transtroemer, cannot resist the beauty of Funchal.

Whether it is for the great weather, the exotic fruits on sale at the Farmers Market, the friendliness of the people, or for the breathtaking amphitheater carved between mountains, sea and volcanic peaks, this beautiful city continues to attract visitors from all over the world.

Funchal is a garden of flowers that one can see in glamorous local gardens. Take a boat trip to watch the dolphins, visit the magnificent tropical gardens, dive in the clear waters or relax in one of the fantastic rural manors. These are some of the unique and diverse experiences that the city offers. Notice the posters announcing events throughout the year that enliven the capital, such the Flower Festival, the Feast of the Harvest on Avenida Arriaga, the Carnival parade, the Festivals of the Cathedral or the Altars of São João.

To get to know the capital of Madeira, there is nothing better than to walk along the seaside between the Piornais area and the historic center. Also not to be missed is the view over Funchal from the cable cars that depart to Monte from the Zona Velha (Old City) station.

A city with 500 years of history, Funchal is named after fennel, which is still grown by the locals who use it as a tea with relaxing properties. The capital of Madeira is divided into 10 parishes: Imaculado Coração de Maria, Monte, Santa Luzia, Santa Maria Maior, Santo António, São Gonçalo, São Martinho, São Pedro, São Roque, and Sé. All have unique characteristics and features.

Câmara de Lobos, the town immortalised in the paintings of Winston Churchill, still preserves a special beauty. Very close to the capital of Madeira, the centre of Câmara de Lobos presents a colourful picture with its fishing boats, cobblestone streets, and seasonal flowers hanging over the verandas.

The islet – a cliff overlooking the sea – is where most of the fishermen's homes were located. Today, after being repurposed, it is a magnificent landscaped garden and a beautiful lookout point.

Visit the Pico da Torre lookout point where you can enjoy a special view of the city centre. Câmara de Lobos has other important lookout points, such as the Salão Ideal cliff, which offers a magnificent view of the Câmara de Lobos bay. The Winston Churchill lookout point, also known as the "Miradouro do Espírito Santo e Calçada", is where it is said that Winston Churchil painted a picture as he enjoyed the scenery. The Cabo Girão lookout point, 580 meters above sea level, is the highest cliff in Europe and the second highest in the world, offering a magnificent view of the Atlantic Ocean and the whole coastline, from Câmara de Lobos to Funchal.

We recommend visiting Fajã dos Padres, Boca dos Namorados, and Boca da Corrida. Also enjoy a stroll along the beautiful promenade that connects Câmara de Lobos to the Lido area in Funchal. It is a 2.2 km pleasant walk by the seafront.

Câmara de Lobos is a residential and agricultural county, with agriculture one of the predominant sectors in the local economy. Its land has banana plantations and vineyards which produce much of the wine from Madeira. It is also the county with the island’s highest production of cherry and chestnut.

The county of Câmara de Lobos, comprising the parishes of Câmara de Lobos, Quinta Grande, Estreito, Jardim da Serra, and Curral das Freiras, is a land known for the friendliness of locals towards visitors and the quality of the local cuisine, a highlight of which is the regional Espetada (skewered meat), which can be enjoyed in the local restaurants. It was in Câmara de Lobos that the Poncha was created, a popular drink in the island of Madeira.

Ribeira Brava is located on the south coast of Madeira Island and agriculture is its main economic activity.

This is a very touristic municipality that boasts of a beach and inviting landscapes. Its beautiful footpaths are particularly sought after. One of the best known is the ‘Caminho do Pináculo e Folhadal’, which begins near the EE 110 road, in Lombo do Mouro.

On the way to the the town, stop by the Cruz Viewpoint (Miradouro da Cruz) situated on the road coming from Campanário and with views over the hills of Campanário and up to Fajã da Ovelha.

When it comes to monuments and cultural heritage, the church of St. Bento stands out, as well as the Ethnographic Museum of Madeira, and the fortress of São Bento.

In June, Ribeira Brava celebrates one of the most popular festivals of the island in honor of São Pedro featuring a procession of boats.

The municipality of Ribeira Brava is comprised of the civil parishes of Campanário, Ribeira Brava, Serra de Água and Tabua.

The municipality of São Vicente is in the North, in one of the most beautiful valleys of Madeira, land of the Laurissilva Forest, wild sea, surf, important volcanic attractions and the stage for a great summer festival: the Festival of St. Vicente in August.

On the way there, stop at the viewpoint of Encumeada and delight yourself with the magnificent panoramic view of the mountain range. Once in São Vicente, you can’t miss a visit to the local caves, underground lava channels resulting from a volcanic eruption, or a visit to the Museum Centre Rota da Cal (Lime Route) composed of a 30 minutes walking tour through limestone quarries.

Enjoy the beautiful landscape by stopping at the viewpoint of Chão dos Louros or by going to the beach area and enjoying the regional cuisine. The center of the town, with its rustic atmosphere, is a great place to relax. The parishes of Boaventura, São Vicente and Ponta Delgada all belong to the municipality of São Vicente.

Madeira Botanical gardens - Engenheiro Rui Vieira
Madeira Botanical gardens - Engenheiro Rui Vieira

Caminho do meio, Bom Sucesso

Santa Maria Maior, Funchal

Monte Palace Tropical gardens
Monte Palace Tropical gardens

Caminho do Monte 174

Monte, Funchal

Santa Catarina park
Free access
Santa Catarina park

Avenida do Infante

Sé, Funchal

Ilhéu gardens
Free access
Ilhéu gardens

Caminho do Ilheú

Câmara de Lobos, Câmara de Lobos

Garden of Indigenous Plants of Madeira
Garden of Indigenous Plants of Madeira

Rua Doutor António Jardim de Oliveira

São Vicente, São Vicente

Quinta do Arco Rose Garden
Quinta do Arco Rose Garden

Sítio da Lagoa

Arco de São Jorge, Santana

Quinta da Junta Garden
Quinta da Junta Garden

ER  207

Santo António da Serra, Machico

Calheta Municipal Garden
Free access
Calheta Municipal Garden

Avenida D. Manuel I

Calheta, Calheta

Calheta Municipal park
Free access
Calheta Municipal park

Avenida D. Manuel I

Calheta, Calheta

Square June 24th
Free access
Square June 24th

Avenida D. Manuel I

Calheta, Calheta

Webmoment - LDA

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