Jardim Botânico da Madeira

With stunning ocean views and eight hectares of cultivated grounds, it’s no surprise that the Madeira Botanical Gardens is listed as one of the big sites to hit while visiting Funchal. Located about 3 kilometers up the hill from the city, most people take the cable car, and very few walk. We opted for the cheaper bus option which dropped us off right across the street. Originally an estate, it opened to the public in 1960.

Let’s start with a map. They are no longer given out in paper form at the entrance gates. We made our own digital format to refer back to and avoid getting lost (and I think we still missed some sections).

A map is great to identify all of the gardens to hit, but what it doesn’t prepare you for is the high elevation and the ocean view that you get while strolling through.

The first garden we found was the succulent garden.

One of the highlights of the succulent garden is this narrow walkway through towering cacti.

We took so many cacti close ups…

…it was hard to pick just two.

Next up, the carefully and beautifully maintained topiary garden.

We went near the beginning of March, but even at this time, things were in bloom.

This wide expanse is called the “Choreographed Gardens” and is just as stunning up close. A small café is built nearby to enjoy the views while sipping a beverage or munching on a snack.

Marked on the map simply as “Lakes”, the water here was very very green…

Towards the cable car area was an entire garden dedicated to camellias. Originating in Asia, these beauties were brought to Madeira as early as the 1800’s.

There are thousands of plant species here, so this blog barely scratches the surface of what can be seen. But even the little unnamed ones are pretty.

Romantically called Lover’s Cave, it felt way less cozy as there was a small trickle of water running into a pool along the back wall, and I just couldn’t stop imagining whether or not there was anything living beneath those waters.

The cable car is on the opposite end of the grounds from the bus. Even though we didn’t take the cable car from Funchal to the Botanical Gardens. The cable car is the easiest way to connect between the Madeira Botanical Gardens and our next destination Monte Palace.

The view from the cable car going up, up, up!