TROPICAL GARDEN MONTE PALACE

The Monte Palace was purchased in 1987 by the foundation of Portuguese businessman José Berardo. Nestled beneath Monte Cathedral, spread over seven hectares and boasting more than 10,000 plant species from five continents (some of them endangered), this exuberant park is well worth a visit (some even prefer it to a botanical garden!). Ponds, covered walkways, Japanese gardens, art gardens, azulejos, skilful plant architecture, views over the bay of Funchal, and everywhere a restful calm, you could easily stroll here for hours. Don't miss the large collection of cycads (a cross between a palm tree and a fern, this plant is thought to be even older than the dinosaurs!), or the section devoted to the island's endemic flora (zone E).

Monte Palace Museum. You'll come across it at the start of your visit. This small, modern museum features two temporary exhibitions, one dedicated to Zimbabwean sculptures, the other to a collection of minerals.

Quinta Monte Palace. In the midst of the vegetation, this residence was built at the beginning of the ^20th century by a wealthy merchant, Alfredo Guilherme Rodrigues, who took his inspiration from the Rhine castles he discovered on a trip to Germany. It later became the home of the Monte Palace Hotel, which remained in operation until the 1940s. Today, the estate is home to billionaire José Berardo's social solidarity foundation.