Monte (Funchal) City
Scenic town in Madeira with stunning views
High above Funchal, Monte offers the Monte Palace gardens, toboggan sledges back to town, and access to levada walks; visitors come for subtropical gardens, panoramic views over the bay, and Madeira wine tastings.
Monte (Funchal) at a Glance#
Costs: $90-180 / day - tourist prices high in peak season; cable car and attraction fees add up.
Safety: Very safe - low violent crime; petty theft can occur in busy areas.
Best Time: April-October - mild year-round; spring and summer best for levadas and gardens.
Why Visit Monte (Funchal)?#
Sitting above Funchal, Monte is a leafy hillside retreat prized for gardens, panoramic views and unusual transport traditions. Ride the cable car from Funchal, explore the Monte Palace Tropical Garden and experience the wicker toboggan run down steep streets. Combined with Madeira wine, botanical collections and historic churches, Monte offers a mix of relaxed seaside proximity and cultivated hillside charm.
Best Things to Do in Monte (Funchal)#
Monte (Funchal) Bucket List#
Monte Palace Tropical Garden - Wander Monte Palace Tropical Garden’s exotic plant collections and tile-adorned pathways.
Nossa Senhora do Monte Church - Visit Nossa Senhora do Monte for ornate interiors, historic royal tomb and quiet atmosphere.
Monte Toboggan Ride (Carreiros do Monte) - Glide downhill in wicker toboggans from Monte to Livramento along narrow streets.
Levada dos Tornos walk - Walk Levada dos Tornos for peaceful mountain-to-coastal views and endemic flora.
Monte Palace Museum - Explore Monte Palace’s art and minerals collection within the garden museum.
Palheiro Gardens - Visit Palheiro Gardens on Monte ridge for camellias, scenic golf-course vistas.
Funchal town by cable car - Take the cable car down to Funchal for Mercado dos Lavradores and old town.
Pico do Arieiro - Drive to Pico do Arieiro for sunrise hiking above cloud layer and panoramic peaks.
Best Time to Visit Monte (Funchal)#
Monte (Funchal) enjoys a subtropical climate with mild temperatures year-round; spring through early autumn is ideal for levada hikes and coastal activities. Winters stay mild but can bring more showers.
December - February
15-20°C (59-68°F)
Winter is pleasantly mild with wetter spells-outdoor terraces still usable, and fewer tourists make hiking levadas and botanical gardens more enjoyable.
March - May
16-22°C (61-72°F)
Spring is floral and breezy-excellent for levada walks, blooming gardens and pleasant coastal swims before the peak summer crowds arrive.
June - August
20-26°C (68-79°F)
Summer is sunny and warm but rarely oppressive-ideal for sunbathing, sea dips, and mountain trails; book ahead for popular viewpoints.
Monte (Funchal)'s climate is classified as Warm-Summer Mediterranean - Warm-Summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 11°C to 24°C. Moderate rainfall (669 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 11°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is the coolest month with highs of 16°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (31 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 15°C. Light rainfall.
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July
July is mild with highs of 22°C and lows of 17°C. The driest month with just 5 mm.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 24°C and lows of 18°C. Almost no rain.
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September
September is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm).
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October
October is mild with highs of 21°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 14°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 12°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (108 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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How to Get to Monte (Funchal)#
Monte is a hillside parish above Funchal on Madeira and is reached via Funchal (served by Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira Airport). The town is best accessed from Funchal by the Monte cable car or by short road transfers.
Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira Airport / Funchal Airport (FNC): Madeira’s main airport serves Funchal. From the airport it’s a roughly 20-30 minute drive to Funchal city centre; taxis are common (~€20-€30) and local buses / airport shuttles also connect the airport to the city.
Port connections: Many visitors arrive by cruise ship at Funchal harbour; from there Monte is a short taxi or historic cable car ride up into the hills above Funchal.
Train: There is no rail service on Madeira.
Bus: Local Rodoeste and Horários do Funchal bus services connect Funchal city centre with suburbs; from Funchal centre you can reach Monte easily by the Teleférico do Funchal (cable car) or by local bus/taxi.
How to Get Around Monte (Funchal)#
Monte is reached from Funchal (airport transfers or ferry/cruise arrival) and is most enjoyably accessed by the Teleférico do Funchal or a short taxi. For island-wide exploration, hire a car but be prepared for steep, narrow roads.
- Airport bus / shuttle (€2-€6) - Airport buses and shuttles connect Madeira Airport with Funchal; they are an affordable option into the city, with journey times around 20-30 minutes depending on traffic and route. Timetables align with flight arrivals.
- Taxi / transfer (€20-€35) - Taxis from the airport to Funchal and Monte are widespread and convenient with luggage; fares to central Funchal are typically around €20-€30 depending on time and exact drop-off.
- Teleférico do Funchal (cable car) (€8-€16 (approx.; check current prices)) - The Funchal-Monte cable car is a popular way to reach Monte from the city - it’s scenic and avoids road traffic. One-way and return fares are charged; check the official Teleférico do Funchal site for current ticket prices and opening hours.
- Local bus (Rodoeste / Horários do Funchal) (€1.50-€3) - Local bus operators serve Funchal and nearby suburbs; buses can be the cheapest way to reach stops near Monte if you prefer public transport. Frequency is good in the city and tourist areas but reduced in evening hours.
- Car hire (€25-€60/day) - Renting a car is useful for exploring Madeira’s interior and coastal viewpoints; roads are mountainous with many tight turns and parking in Monte can be limited. Choose a small, nimble car and be comfortable with steep roads.
- Walking - Monte village is compact and pleasant to explore on foot once you arrive - many gardens, viewpoints and historic sites are within short walks of the cable car station.
Where to Stay in Monte (Funchal)#
Monte / Cable Car Access - €30-70/night
Monte itself has a handful of guesthouses and pensions. Budget choices are limited; many visitors stay lower in Funchal and use the cable car up to Monte.
Funchal hostels and guesthouses - Economical stays near Monte cable car
Quinta Penha de França (basic rooms) - Value rooms with garden views
Monte Hill / Near Cable Car - €80-170/night
Mid-range historic quintas and boutique hotels in Monte offer mature gardens and easy access to Funchal via the cable car - ideal for relaxed stays.
Quinta Jardins do Lago - Elegant gardens, close to Monte
Quinta da Bela Vista - Charming rooms with panoramic views
Funchal / Monte Overlook - €200+/night
Luxury guests typically choose grand Funchal hotels and historic quintas that offer high-end dining and ocean views; true large resorts are on the coast below Monte.
Belmond Reid’s Palace (Funchal) - Iconic luxury overlooking the bay
Savoy Saccharum (regional luxury) - Upscale seaside resort, short drive away
Where to Eat in Monte (Funchal)#
Monte (Funchal) mixes traditional Madeiran dishes with garden cafés - poncha, espetadas and local fresh fish featured in relaxed settings.
- Monte Palace Tropical Garden (tea house) - Light meals and teas in garden setting
Restaurants around the Monte cable car and viewpoints offer casual lunches, pastries and regional specialities with views over Funchal bay.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Monte (Funchal)’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Monte (Funchal)#
Shopping in Monte is limited: small souvenir stalls, gardens’ gift shops and a few local craft sellers. For broader shopping - fashion, larger craft stores and markets - head down to Funchal. Monte specialises more in gardens, religious sites and scenic views than in retail therapy.
Nightlife in Monte (Funchal)#
Monte has very limited nightlife - evenings are generally quiet and focused on hotel bars or relaxed dinners. Most of Madeira’s nightlife is in Funchal, a short trip downhill. If you want bars or live music, plan to travel to central Funchal after dusk.
