The first thing many people think of when they hear 'Monte Palace' in Madeira is the crazy wooden toboggan. Yes, it's true that the “local transportation” from the top of the hill all the way down to the city is a great way to get around, but don't just think of this area of Monte as a photo op, a little slide and then go. The Monte Palace Tropical Garden at the top of the hill is really worth spending half a day looking at, it's a place that's “Buddhist on the outside, but stunning on the inside”. The seven-hectare garden combines oriental aesthetics, Portuguese nostalgia, natural wonders and sculpture into a space with no limits. Some say it's like a dream, others say it's like traveling through several cultures, but the only consensus is that if you don't plan your route in advance, it's all too easy to go off the beaten path and miss out on the treasures. Don't worry, the following route suggestions will help you avoid the pitfalls of “entering the park and walking around without remembering anything”. Monte Palace is not big, but to have a good stroll, take pictures and walk easily - the order is very critical.
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The location of the Palacio de Monte is at the top of Monte Hill above downtown Funchal, and the most recommended way to get up the hill is to take the cable car, which rises gently from the old town to the top of the hill, overlooking the harbor and the red-domed rooftops along the way, making it a journey worth taking your time and enjoying. The main entrance to the gardens is a 5-minute walk from the end of the cable car.
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Many people will make the mistake of entering the park through the side gate (also known as the hillside end) and accidentally start from the center and go around, only to either miss the main flower paths or get to the densely populated areas of attractions when they are at their most tired. The correct way is to start at the main entrance and work your way down. This route follows the terrain and is not only easy, but also follows the rhythm of the landscape setting “section of the surprise”.
We recommend that you take a map at the reception desk and memorize a few key words: Oriental Garden, Ore Museum, Lakes, Japanese Bridge, African Sculpture. Route according to the map on the “Recommended Path” to go basic will not go wrong.
Soon after walking through the Welcome Corridor, you will see a piece of sudden but stunning area - East Asian style pavilions, arched bridges, stone lions, bamboo forests, as well as a huge koi pond. This area is known as the “Oriental Garden” and is the most eye-catching photo backdrop in the whole park.
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It is like Kyoto and Jiangnan Gardens have been brought to Madeira. Pavilions with red pillars, stone lanterns, and paths around corners are all carefully composed with symmetrical aesthetics. The pond is swarming with koi carp, and a statue of Buddha and oriental beasts stand on the bank, matching the background mountain forest and misty climate with a trance-like feeling.
Next to it is an extra-long wall of tiles spliced with stories of Portuguese voyages during the Age of Exploration, telling the history of Western navigation in the style of Chinese porcelain, an unobtrusive mix of cultures.
Here we recommend two photo spots: one is the red double-decker arch bridge, shot from above, behind the mountains and bamboo forests; the second is the platform above the long staircase, facing the pond and pavilion, the morning light is very soft out of the movie.
Continuing down the road, you will enter the core area of the middle section of the park, several attractions are concentrated together, remember to leave time to stroll slowly.
The first stop is the man-made lakes area, which is a small lake made of water from a mountain spring, with fountains, waterfalls, and a small white palace (the original site of the Monte Palace, which is now closed to the public). The lake is particularly tranquil, with swans and ducks gliding across the water and the occasional peacock emerging from the grassy edge. There are a couple of oddly shaped sculpture bridges in the lake area, artwork collected from Africa and Asia, which are very ornamental.
Immediately after that is the Monte Palace Museum, a collection of underrated treasures. On the first floor is an exhibition of African stone sculptures, many of which are original works by contemporary Simbawi artists, with their raw, bold lines; downstairs is an exhibition of ores and gems, with mineral crystals from around the world displayed in black showcases, like entering an interdimensional treasure trove.
It's worth it the longer you spend this time, and if you come in summer, the shade is thick and the walk is cool. We recommend finding a bench near the lake area and sitting for ten minutes watching the sky change, it's very vacation-like.
When you follow the main path to the very bottom, you will enter a forested area dominated by native vegetation, not much artificial sculpture, more of a display of trees, vines, flowers and plants themselves.
This is actually the most neglected section of the garden, but also the most suitable for relaxation and contemplation. Depending on the season, different kinds of flowers bloom in this section, such as blue and purple hydrangeas, orange and yellow lilies, and unknown tropical shrubs. There is also a wide variety of trees, from the Canary Pine to the Dragon's Blood Tree, which are ecological samples unique to Madeira.
If you're not in a hurry, we recommend taking a short “forest detour”, which gives you a view of the city from the cliffs. If the fog rises, the whole park will be covered in a white veil of mist, as if you've wandered into a lost world.
After exiting the park at the bottom, you can take the gondola back to the city or go down the hill on a toboggan ride to experience the fun of “speed and bumps”.
While some attractions are good for a quick visit, Monte Palace Madeira is a good place to slow down and open your mind. It's not your idea of a palace, or a tropical garden in the standard sense, but rather an exotic notebook - a little bit of Asia, Africa, Europe, and a few blank pages of nature. If you happen to stay in Madeira for two or three days, don't think of this place as a randomly passing “garden on the hill”, it's worth spending half a day to walk slowly and look carefully. It's worth half a day of walking and looking, especially for those who want to take photos, see exhibitions and have some peace and quiet.
