Funchal gardens trail: a port day away from the crowds
Most cruise passengers head for the cable car, the market and Monte in the morning. This route does the opposite: a taxi up to three quiet gardens while the crowd is in town, then a walk downhill through two more and back to the pier. About 6 hours, 3.5 km on foot, all downhill, Tuesday to Friday.
When is the centre busiest on a cruise day?
Most ships arrive between 07:00 and 09:00 and leave between 17:00 and 19:00 (about 7 in 10 calls arrive in that early window). Passengers walk ashore within the hour, so the cable car's base station, the Mercado dos Lavradores and Monte are at their busiest from about 09:00 to 12:00. This trail keeps you out of it: it reaches the centre only after about 14:30. If your departure is at 19:00, you still have plenty of time to head up to Monte via the cable car and do Monte Palace and the toboggan.
The route
Times for a weekday, leaving the ship at 09:30 from the land end of the pier (by the fort). From the outer end, add about 3 minutes to the first taxi and 10 minutes to the last walk.
Driving and walking times are approximate. Allow a few minutes to find each taxi.
The gardens
1. Quinta da Boa Vista orchid garden
The Garton family has run this orchid collection since the 1960s. Rua Lombo da Boa Vista; open Monday to Saturday 09:00–18:00, closed Sundays and public holidays; entry €5 for over-17s. For the curious, the collection in Funchal can be traced back to Sir William Cooke, one of the co-inventors of the electric telegraph. Cooke was an avid collector of orchids and formed the first collection in England, from which many of the Madeiran orchids descend.
Photos and video: Mayke De Freitas Santos. Tap a photo to open it full size.
2. Botanical Garden
This tranquil corner of Funchal is not to be missed. It is particularly difficult and rare to find this combination of views, unique plant species and inner contemplation. Open 09:00–17:30; €10 over 12, €3 ages 6–12 (Portaria 48/2026). Taxis wait at the exits. More in our Botanical Garden guide.
3. Jardins da Quinta do Poço
A quiet municipal garden next to the Imaculado Coração de Maria church, built over the city's 1930s drinking-water reservoir, with a viewpoint over the city and the bay. Its wrought-iron gates once stood in the Municipal Garden. Free; Monday to Friday 09:00–17:30.
4. Quinta das Cruzes
A beautiful museum with an impressive garden at Calçada do Pico 1. The house belonged to one of the discoverers of Madeira. It's full of beautiful paintings and furniture. Several paintings depict Funchal and Câmara de Lobos during the early 18th century. Tuesday to Saturday 10:00–17:30; adult €10, 13–25 and 65+ €5, family €18.
5. Municipal Garden
The garden in the heart of the city, beside the cathedral. It has an impressive collection of exotic trees. You reach it after the morning crowd has gone back to the ships; if you are short of time, walk from Quinta das Cruzes straight to Santa Catarina instead (1.0 km, 13 min).
Ceiba speciosa
6. Santa Catarina park
An impressive park that sits above the harbour, with the chapel of Santa Catarina (1425) and a view over the pier where your ship is moored. Open every day 07:00–20:00 (until 22:00 from late March to late September). From here it is 12 minutes on foot to the land end of the pier.
Which days does it work?
Day
What changes
Tuesday to Friday
The full trail.
Monday
Quinta das Cruzes is closed: walk past it from Quinta do Poço to the Municipal Garden.
Saturday
Quinta do Poço is closed: take the taxi from the Botanical Garden to Quinta das Cruzes and walk down from there.
Sunday and public holidays
Only the Botanical Garden and the two city parks are open: Botanical Garden by taxi, then Santa Catarina and the pier.
What does it cost?
Entry for one adult: orchid garden €5, Botanical Garden €10, Quinta do Poço free, Quinta das Cruzes €10, so €25 in all, plus three short taxi rides. Taxis in Funchal are metered at the official tariff; ask for a quote before you ride.
How do I get the taxis?
From the pier, take a taxi into town (they are metered). At the Botanical Garden, taxis wait at the exits. At the orchid garden, phone for one before you finish: Rádio Táxis Madeira, +351 291 764 476.
Can I add a viewpoint?
Yes: Pico dos Barcelos, 337 m above the west of the city, is a 7-minute taxi ride from Quinta do Poço, and 7 minutes on to Quinta das Cruzes. Allow about 30 minutes more in all. If you prefer, you can do Pico dos Barcelos viewpoint.
Is there a quiet alternative to the cable car on a cruise day?
Yes: do the gardens above the city in the morning by taxi and walk down through the old town in the afternoon, reaching the centre after about 14:30 when most passengers are heading back.
How much walking is the gardens trail?
3.5 km, about 46 minutes on foot, all downhill or flat, plus three short taxi rides.
Does the gardens trail work on a Sunday?
Only in part: the orchid garden, Quinta do Poço and Quinta das Cruzes are closed on Sundays. The Botanical Garden and the city parks are open.
