Top Funchal Gardens and Parks, Funchal, Portugal (B)

The island slopes are covered with verdant trees and tropical fruits, and the Funchal gardens are full of brightly coloured flowers. So it comes as no surprise that Madeira is known as “the floating garden of the Atlantic”.

Madeira has a unique climate, rich volcanic soil and steeply sloping hills and valleys. All of this gives rise to a stunning and varied landscape where all manner of trees, fruit and flowers can, and do, grow.

The capital city of Funchal rises sharply from the coast to the mountains. The whole town is a blaze of colour, with trees lining the main streets and gardens everywhere. I have picked out some of the main Funchal gardens and parks, but you will find many more, outside hotels, churches and anywhere else with a small patch of land.

High up on a hill, its upper entrance more than 300m above sea level, and with steep paths winding downwards, the Madeira Botanical Gardens are quite spectacular. Dating from 1881, they are planted on different levels, with various sections including succulents, water gardens and an arboretum. The centrepiece of the garden is the large formal terrace with planted beds and views across the town and down to the sea. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).