Botanical Garden, Monte & Eira

Funchal is the largest city, the municipal seat and the capital of Portugal's Autonomous Region of Madeira, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. The city has a population of 111,892, making it the sixth-largest city in Portugal, and has been the capital of Madeira for more than five centuries. Because of its high cultural and historical value, Funchal is one of Portugal's main tourist attractions. It is also popular as a destination for New Year's Eve, and it is the leading Portuguese port on cruise liner dockings. The name is from the Portuguese word "funcho" (fennel) and the suffix "-al", to denote "a plantation of fennel". The Funchal city of today is very different from its fennel growing, pirate days of old. It is in fact a modern, cosmopolitan, rejuvenated city, well known for its many top class restaurants, stunning new 4 & 5-star hotels, warm all year round climate, incomparable natural beauty and, of course, its most famous ‘export’, world-class footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. In short, it is known for its style as well as its substance.

One of the most beautiful gardens in the region, with marvellous views overlooking the city of Funchal, the Madeira Botanical Garden is located on one of the most peculiar estates in the city, the Bom Sucesso Estate. The estate dates from 1881 and was created by the Reid family as their private park. Today the property is open to the public. The garden covers an area of 80,000 m² and is home to a fascinating collection of a wide variety of plants. It also has an area dedicated to research and conservation. In addition to all these attractions, the Botanical Garden also has a Museum of Natural History, and there is a cable car that connects it to Monte Parish.