Monte
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)
Island
Madeira Island
Portuguese Atlantic island with rugged cliffs and levadas
Mountain
Pico Ruivo
Madeira's highest peak with panoramic hiking trails
Mountain
Pico do Areeiro
Prominent mountain peak on Madeira with panoramic views
Cliff
Cabo Girão
Sea cliff skywalk on Madeira with dramatic views
Island
Deserta Grande Island
Uninhabited Madeira island and protected nature reserve
Church
Cathedral of Funchal
15th-century cathedral in Funchal, notable Manueline elements
Island
Ilhéu Chão
Small islet near Porto Santo in Madeira
Museum
CR7 Museum
Museum showcasing Cristiano Ronaldo's trophies and memorabilia
Monte (Funchal) Bucket List
Don't Miss
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.
Hidden Gems
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.
Day Trips
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.
Nearby Cities #
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.
Winter
Winter is pleasantly mild with wetter spells-outdoor terraces still usable, and fewer tourists make hiking levadas and botanical gardens more enjoyable.
Spring
Spring is floral and breezy-excellent for levada walks, blooming gardens and pleasant coastal swims before the peak summer crowds arrive.
Summer
Summer is sunny and warm but rarely oppressive-ideal for sunbathing, sea dips, and mountain trails; book ahead for popular viewpoints.
Monte'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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 11° - 16° | 14° | 94 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 5.3 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.1h |
| February | Good | 11° - 16° | 14° | 71 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 5.4 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 10.9h |
| March | Very Good | 11° - 17° | 14° | 65 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 5.4 m/s | 1.3 high | 11.9h |
| April | Very Good | 12° - 17° | 14° | 45 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 5.3 m/s | 1.7 very high | 12.9h |
| May | Very Good | 13° - 18° | 16° | 31 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 4.6 m/s | 2.0 very high | 13.7h |
| June | Excellent | 15° - 20° | 18° | 13 mm | some cloud | 78% | 4.5 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 14.1h |
| July | Ideal | 17° - 23° | 20° | 5 mm | some cloud | 79% | 5.2 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 13.9h |
| August | Ideal | 18° - 24° | 21° | 8 mm | some cloud | 78% | 5.6 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 13.2h |
| September | Excellent | 18° - 23° | 20° | 53 mm | some cloud | 76% | 3.8 m/s | 1.6 very high | 12.2h |
| October | Very Good | 16° - 21° | 19° | 86 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 4.2 m/s | 1.1 high | 11.2h |
| November | Good | 14° - 19° | 17° | 90 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 4.9 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 10.4h |
| December | Good | 13° - 18° | 15° | 108 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 5.2 m/s | 0.5 low | 9.9h |
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)
Budget
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
Mid-Range
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
Luxury
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)
Madeiran & Monte Cafés
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
Cable Car & Viewpoint Dining
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.
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.
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.