Monte: Gardens, Culture and Special Experiences

Monte combines religious history, exceptional gardens and a special connection to Funchal. Those planning a trip with cultural discoveries, green retreats and distinctive experiences will find various ways to shape their stay here. When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Monte, you can therefore consider whether churches and traditions, gardens and paths, or the connection with Funchal should be the focus for you.

Culture and historical impressions in Monte

The Igreja do Monte is an 18th-century church. Its tiled panels are dedicated to Nossa Senhora do Monte and give the visit a distinctly religious character. The Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte also contains the tomb of Carlos I, Emperor of Austria. Both details make Monte a destination for travellers who wish to combine sacred sites with historical figures.

At the foot of the Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Paz is a rosary made from the chains of ships that sank during the attacks. This detail adds an unusual object with a distinctive history to the visit. The traditional Carrinhos de cesto can also still be experienced in Monte. The range therefore extends from quiet religious impressions to a characteristic local experience.

Gardens, plants and paths

The Monte Palace Madeira - Tropical Garden is characterised by its extensive plant collection. It comprises around 100,000 species and covers 70,000 m². In the garden, you will see Buddhist sculptures, stone lanterns and tiles dating from the 15th to the 20th century. Plants, art and historical design elements therefore come together without the visit being limited to a single theme.

The garden is also home to swans, peacocks and Asian koi fish. The Parque Municipal do Monte has a different character. It covers 26,000 m² and is located between 543 and 586 metres above sea level. Native and exotic plants as well as some centuries-old trees grow there. Footpaths run throughout the grounds and offer you the opportunity to explore the park step by step. If quieter nature experiences play a role in your travel plans, you can include this park as a separate item on your itinerary.

Connection to Funchal and choosing accommodation

The Funchal cable car connects Funchal city centre with the parish of Monte. The journey on the Funchal Cable Car takes 15 minutes and covers a difference in altitude of 560 metres. The system has 39 cabins and a 3,200-metre-long steel cable. This connection is a specific planning factor when choosing your accommodation if you would like to include Monte and Funchal in the same trip. You can focus on the experiences in Monte or combine excursions with the cable-car ride, without limiting the interests of your travel group to a single activity.

Traditions and timing your trip

The festival in honour of Nossa Senhora do Monte begins with novenas on 5 August and ends with the main festival on 14 and 15 August. These dates are particularly interesting for you if religious traditions and local feast days are among your desired travel experiences. As another travel idea, you can also explore São Martinho. This allows you to combine your search for a holiday apartment in Monte with a broader exploration of different destinations.

For the overarching travel overview: Funchal.