Madeira — Neighborhood Guide
Monte is Funchal's hillside garden suburb — an elevated village 550 metres above the sea, reached by cable car from the Old Town, famous for its botanical gardens, the Church of Our Lady of Monte, the wicker toboggan descent, and the extraordinary quinta estates that make it Madeira's most exclusive residential address.
Quick Answer
Monte is Funchal's hillside garden suburb — an elevated village 550 metres above the sea, reached by cable car from the Old Town, famous for its botanical gardens, the Church of Our Lady of Monte, the wicker toboggan descent, and the extraordinary quinta estates that make it Madeira's most exclusive residential address.
5 hotels reviewed · Price range: $$$, $$$$ · Last updated March 2026
About This Guide
Monte was Madeira's resort destination long before the hotel zone was built — the aristocracy and Madeira wine merchants built their quintas here, taking the mountain air above the harbour heat. The cable car from the Old Town takes 15 minutes and arrives at a landscape of tropical gardens, historic chapels, and grand manor houses. The Jardim Botânico below Monte is one of Europe's finest botanical gardens.
Insider Tips
The best dining in Monte is usually one street back from the main tourist thoroughfare.
Ask your hotel concierge for their personal favourite spots in Monte — they often know hidden gems.
Walking is the best way to experience Monte — most attractions are within a 15-minute stroll.
Our Picks
5 hotels · Updated February 2026
Monte
A beautifully restored 18th-century manor house set in Madeira's finest botanical garden, Jardins do Lago occupies a hilltop position in Monte with views down over Funchal and out to sea. The intimate scale, extraordinary garden setting, and serene atmosphere make it the island's finest country house hotel experience.
Hotel Zone
A 19th-century quinta (estate) preserved within a private botanical garden on the Funchal hillside, Casa Branca offers one of Madeira's most distinctive stays — 44 rooms set within a lush garden paradise, with a garden restaurant, pool, and the sense of staying in a private country house rather than a hotel.
Hotel Zone
Consistently rated among Portugal's finest hotels, The Cliff Bay delivers sophisticated five-star luxury on the edge of the Funchal cliffs — a massive seawater pool complex descending to the Atlantic, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and an exceptional spa. The preferred alternative to Reid's for travellers who want contemporary luxury over Edwardian grandeur.
Hotel Zone
The most famous hotel address in the Atlantic, Reid's Palace has welcomed Winston Churchill, George Bernard Shaw, and generations of discriminating travellers from its clifftop position above Funchal since 1891. The famous afternoon tea service on the terrace, multiple pools descending to the sea, and immaculately preserved Edwardian grandeur make it Europe's finest island hotel.
Funchal Centre
Funchal's most design-forward hotel occupies a striking modernist building above the Funchal market, with a rooftop pool, wine-themed interiors (Madeira's wine culture is woven throughout the design), and an urban energy that stands apart from the cliff-side resort hotels. The most metropolitan hotel experience on the island.
Common Questions
Monte is ideal for travellers who want Madeira's most historic and botanically extraordinary environment — the quinta hotels here offer an entirely different island experience from the cliff-side resort hotels.
Monte is famous for the cable car from Funchal, the Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte, the wicker basket toboggans, the Monte Palace Tropical Garden, and the Jardim Botânico da Madeira.
Monte is reached by cable car from Funchal Old Town (15 minutes, runs daily 9am–6pm) or by bus (Route 20/21, 30 minutes). Taxis are available but the winding road is steep. Return to Funchal by the famous wicker toboggan.
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Prices and availability change daily. Lock in the best rate by booking early — most of our top picks offer free cancellation.
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