Housed in the renovated São João Baptista Fort the Madeira Aquarium is the perfect place to get to know some of the sea creatures that are local to the waters surrounding the archipelago.
Originally built in 1730’s to protect the important harbor town of Porto Moniz from pirate attack, it was acquired by the municipality in 1998 suffering then a enormous renovation project.
The interior was redesigned to hold the aquarium which opened to the public in 2005.
The Madeira Aquarium houses 12 themed display thank that contain around 70 species original from the different habitats existing in Madeira Archipelago.
The main display was built in way that visitors can afford and relax on a seating area.
Souvenirs can be bought in the aquarium shop, or maybe just sit down and enjoy a cafe and the internet access available at the local.

One of the best wine cellars in Madeira, in the city center, , there is a well organized quided tour showing you the preparation process of the Madeira wine. In addition to tasting the wine, they are still available for sale arts and craft articles, for those who want a little souvenir.

Known as one of the highest capes in Europe, the Cabo Girao is well worth a visit. The views are dramatic and the recent observatory made of glass an excellent add-on to the whole experience. Once on the promontory one can look down, through the reinforced glass floor, to the Faja, 560m below!

Tour around the city of Funchal where Zona Velha will be the main destination; going along the sea shore of the city on the most commonly known streets of Funchal. This ride includes the fish market (Mercado dos Lavradores) and the toy Store Museum.

The Botanical Garden is one of the most famous of these gardens and is at Quinta do Bom Sucesso with wonderful views over the city of Funchal. This farm was built in 1881 by the Reid family who created the garden as their private parking. Today the property belongs to the Regional Government and is open to the public. The garden covers an area of 80,000 square meters and houses a fascinating collection of plant species, exotic flowers and birds and a research and conservation area. Apart from all these attractive features the Botanical Gardens also has a Natural History Museum and a cable car that connects the Mount, which is another major tourist attraction.

Quinta Vigia is a historical site that over the years served as housing for many important people. Nowadays (since 1984) it is the official residence of the President of the Regional Government of Madeira. This farm is located in the city center but has privileged views of the harbor and bay and is surrounded by a beautiful garden with huge trees, a large Variety of flora and exotic birds.

The Jardim de Santa Luzia is a public garden within the city of Funchal. It has an area of 17,000 square meters and was once the location of the Hinton factory (Sugar Industry of Madeira) of which there remains only the old chimney. This park was tansformado into five beautiful gardens with plenty of green space, tropical plants and trees of the laurel forest. It also has a playground and cafe with terrace.

Jardim do Almirante Reis is an interesting public garden located in the historic district of St. Mary Major (Old Town) near the ski lifts. This garden presents a new concept with platforms in the form of waves that come pre-plant trees and cut by walks in wood or stone to symbolize the valleys of the island. One of the great attractions of this area is the cable car that serves as the connection between Funchal and Monte.

The Madeira Magic Garden at Children's City by the promenade, offers a beautiful spectacle of flowers, plants and flora from Madeira and many other species from around the world. Here, visitors can see and identify several native plants of Madeira, tropical endemic species, including representatives of floreste Laurel. Beside this wonderful themed garden there is Madeira Magic with a science center, planetarium, interactive modules and regular fun activities. There is also a special area designed for children's birthday parties, a grill and a top health club with flexible programs for everyone.
For a nice afternoon tea, visit the teahouse with access from the promenade and the garden.

The Farmers' Market, inaugurated in 1940, features New State architecture, including large tile panels that decorate the facade, the entrance and the fishmonger.
The Farmers' Market, in the Funchal’s city center, was dedicated on 24th November 1940. This project designed by Edmundo Tavares (1892-1983), features New State architecture, and reflects the intention to make it the major supply point of the city.
Large Batisttini Faience tile panels of Maria de Portugal, dated 1940 and painted with regional themes by João Rodrigues, adorn the facade, the main entrance and the fishmonger.
Today, this venue still carries out the functions for which it was created. Here all kinds of products are sold, mixing colours, sounds, smells and multiple nationalities.

Again a viewpoint that beautifies our souls with an immense view of almost the entire city of Funchal, with the downhills and climbs. It is a charm and so close to the centre of the city. Pico dos Barcelos has a little square and playground where you can relax and enjoy the scenery , pretty cool to visit .

The Monte Palace Tropical Garden is one of the most attractive and beautiful gardens of Madeira Island. It is an unique place of great cultural, artistic, botanical and landscape interest, where you can have magnificent views of Funchal bay.

The whole garden is rich in exuberant vegetation, which has been increased with plants brought in all over the world. Here you can find proteas and cycads from South Africa, azaleas from Belgium, heather from Scotland, acacias from Australia, and two thousand-year-old olive trees from Portugal. It also has an area dedicated to the endemic flora of Madeira where can be appreciated plants characteristic of the island, including typical plants of the Laurissilva Forest, which was classified by UNESCO as a World Nature Heritage. The northern part of the garden has the Oriental Garden decorated with dragons, Buddha's, Foo dogs, lanterns, bridges, pagodas, waterfalls, fountains and birds.

Walking through the Monte Palace Tropical Garden, visitors may come across with beautiful peacocks, wild white swans, blackbirds, wild roosters and hundreds of birds. The many lakes of the garden are populated by Koy fishes of various sizes and colours.

Near the north entrance we can visit the Monte Palace Museum, which opened in 2004 and has three floors of permanent exhibitions. On the ground floor is a vast mineral collection with more than 1000 mineral specimens, mostly from Brazil but also from Portugal, South Africa, Zambia, Peru, Argentina and North America. On this floor there's also an exhibition of precious stones, including diamonds from South Africa, Ruby's from India, and Aquamarines from Brazil. The first and second floors of the Monte Palace Museum exhibit an extraordinary collection of stone sculpture from Zimbabwe.

The paths of this garden also presented several collections, including coats of arms, stonework, windows, sculptures and the biggest private collection of Portuguese tiles that portray social, cultural and religious events from the 16th to the 20th centuries. A special mention should be given to the tallest ceramic vase in the world (according to the Guinness Book of Records) that stands beside the central Lagoon.

Monte Palace Tropical Garden is the heart of a very typical village of Madeira, placed in the top of Funchal amphitheatre.

Visiting Madeira you should not miss the Monte Palace Tropical Garden, one of the highlights that this island has to offer.

The Municipal Garden, also known as Queen Amélia Garden, it is in the heart of Funchal. It is a lovely garden with lots of beautiful flowers and ancient trees native to Madeira as well as many other parts of the world (many have a label with the species and origin). It has an outdoor amphitheater that serves as a stage to many concerts, shows, exhibitions and book fairs that take place during the holiday season and throughout the rest of the year.

Palheiro Golf is situated in the hills of Funchal, near Quinta do Palheiro, and with magnificient views of the sea, Funchal Bay and the Desertas Islands.
This 18 hole, 6000 metre plus course was designed in 1993 by Cabel Robinson, well integrated in the beautiful property of Quinta do Palheiro Ferreiro.
Boasting tight fairways, fast greens, and judicious use of the beautiful trees that once covered the hillside, the course is a great challenge for all handicap levels.

The Parque Santa Catarina is one of the most popular parks in Funchal. It's has nice garden area with beautiful views of the bay of Funchal with many trees a big pond and a wide variety of flowers. It also has a children's playground, snack bar and a charming chapel dedicated to St. Catherine. This small chapel was first built in 1425 entirely of wood and only in the seventeenth century that was rebuilt in stone. The chapel was dedicated to St. Catherine by Dona Constance, João Gonçalves Zarco woman who had it built.

The Pico do Arieiro is the third highest peak of Madeira with an altitude of 1818 meters . The views are fabulous , with clouds hovering over the fantastic rock formations - a scenario impossible to describe. When the sky is clear , one can see the south coast of Madeira , the Curral das Freiras Valley and even the island of Porto Santo.

On the way to Pico do Arieiro you can admire a unique stone well , similar to an igloo , known as " Well of Snow " which was built by an English family to store ice, snow and hail from the mountains. In 2011 an air defense radar at the peak of the summit was installed. The Pico do Areeiro is one of the most visited places on the island thanks to its easy access , the sweeping views and the famous hiking trails leading to Pico das Torres and Pico Ruivo .

This peak is 49m higher than Arieiro and, is served by a government hostel - Casa do Abrigo - where you can purchase refreshments and use the washrooms. At a triple junction of walking trails the view point is exceptional. We were lucky to have a cloudless day so could see for miles. The geology and flora are magnificent. Paradise!

The natural pools of Porto Moniz are the highlight of the village of Porto Moniz.The natural swimming pools at Porto Moniz are formed by volcanic lava, naturally filled with crystal-clear sea water.

The natural salt water swimming pools are made up of volcanic rock, into which the sea flows naturally.
This space, with a surface area of 3800 m², has also a children’s swimming pool, a children’s play area and disabled access.

In addition, the beach has a car park, changing rooms and bathrooms with lockers for storing personal items, a snack bar open during the summer months, first aid, sun loungers and sunshades for hire.

One of the best experiences on the island. It's a rocky but not dusty path, full of ups and downs, and with a breathtaking scenery of the east coast of Madeira.

The new Port of Funchal International Maritime Passenger Terminal is a 15-minute walk from the city centre. It lies in a magnificent bay nestling between the blue of the sea and green of the mountains, an enterprise which provided both Funchal and the Autonomous Region of Madeira with a important infrastructure dedicated to the Cruise market segment.

Porto Moniz is on the north coast of Madeira. It has a pleasant sea front, which has further enhanced this area was already so popular with tourists thanks to its natural swimming pools.
Porto Moniz harbour is protected by a 120-metre breakwater and also has a heliport, which can be used not only for tourist purposes but also for emergencies requiring immediate air transport.

This small northern town has a small harbour with docking facilities for fishing boats and other small vessels.
The Seixal Yacht Club will later be built here to encourage a number of nautical activities

Quinta Jardim dos Imperadores Gardens was built on Monte in the eighteenth century by James Gordon who created the garden and also a Malakoff tower known as Quinta do Monte. In 1899 the property was bought by banker Rocha Machado, who in 1921 offered temporary residence to Emperor Charles I of Austria and his family. Today this property belongs to the regional government and is named after the Emperor. Quinta dos Emperor Gardens has the magnificent architecture of the Malakoff tower a ringed coffee trees and a colorful rose garden, an idyllic landscape overlooking Funchal.

Quinta Palmeira is a beautiful manor house with gardens located in the parish of Santa Luzia in Funchal. Here you can see exotic flowers, old trees and different endemic plants Madeira. This lovely garden belongs to Henrique Jaime Welsh one of the descedants of Henry Hinton , the first owner of Quinta da Palmeira.

Quinta Pedagógica is a project of enhancement of rural areas promoted by the parish of Prazeres, in Calheta, situated on the south western part of the island. Here you get to know and see a magnificent agricultural space; garden herbs ; a variety of exotic animals ... as well as a series of activities undertaken by the Quinta linked to the rural world. Enjoy a lovely walk through the best that nature offers you .

The Cathedral of Funchal, in Madeira , is one of the few buildings that survived virtually intact since the times of colonization. In the sixteenth century , King Manuel I ordered the architect Gil Eanes to work on the cathedral drawing Funchal , which was completed in 1514. However in 1508 , when Funchal was elevated to city status , masses were already celebrated in the temple . However, the spire of the bell tower and some details only came to be finalized around the years 1517-1518 .
Highlights go to the chapel seats that display saints, prophets and apostles in costumes of the sixteenth century. In the decorative details of the seats and armrests you can see aspects of life in Madeira , like a cherub carries a bunch of bananas and bottles of wine .

Treat yourself to a magnificent and unique experience. From the cable car, hovering over the city, where buildings rise alongside gardens and kitchen-gardens, you can enjoy Funchal's amphitheatre and bay in a scenario of blues, greens and oranges.
The city of Funchal is commonly classified as a Garden City, due to its abundance of green spaces and wealth of flowers amid its rows of houses, in a symbiosis between rural and urban life. It is this harmony of landscape and the environment that makes the experience of a cable car ride so pleasant.

Watch the city approach, hover and withdraw. Gaze over the steep hillside, framed by the blue Atlantic. From the city up to the lofty parish of Monte, you can also see Madeira's natural beauty, its relief and geology.

The visit to the caves is well organised, lasting about 30 minutes under the orientation of specialised guides. In the caves you will explore a route that is mysterious, suitably lighted, having a well-chosen musical background and special magically architected lighting.

If you’re visiting Madeira Island, one of its main attractions is definetly the sea. VMT Madeira is proud to provide its visitors, leisure trips along the south coast of the island, where you will be dazzled with its beauty, and have the chance to watch dolphins and whales in their natural habitat while contemplating their full magnitude. In the summer months, you will have the chance to dive in the cristal clear waters of Cabo Girão and Desertas Islands.