Center & Botanical Garden Tour

Pico dos Barcelos

The Center & Botanical Garden Tour starts with the pickup from Funchal Cruiseship port.

High above the hotel zone is a tree topped belvedere. Pico dos Barcelos has an observation point on the edge of Funchal, it is 355m (1165 ft). There’s a magnificent view across Funchal from the top of the viewpoint. We then take the winding road, up through the eucalyptus forest until Eira do Serrado, absorbing the picturesque view of the peaks

Eira do Serrado

This belvedere at Eira do Serrado has a spectacular and hair-raising rock ledge, overlooking “Curral das Freiras” a horse shoe shaped valley far below. This valley has three sheer sides that cut into the serrated peaks of Madeira. Here, Madeira’s highest mountain was mistakably believed during many years, to have been a volcanic crater. It is now known that its dramatic geographical shape was created by the river itself. From here you can admire the tiny terraced fields which grow wine, fruit and vegetables and the slopes far below with sweet chestnut tree

Camara de Lobos

A small fishing village. It is one of the island’s most atmospheric fishing villages. The village was named after monk seals which frequent visitors to the harbour. The centre of the village, with its whitewashed houses, shops and bar where you can taste the local drink poncha, remains instantly likeable. The stony beach is filled with colourful beached fishing boats .Winston Church choose this village to paint in 1949.

Cabo Girao

After visiting Camara de Lobos, we drive further up to the worlds second highest and Europe’s highest (580m) – (1775 ft).The name Cabo Girão comes from Zarco first exploration of Madeira coast because he got as far as this point and did an about-turned (girão) back to Funchal. You can enjoy the magnificent views of Camara de Lobos and Funchal. At the foot of the cliff the locals made little plots, of vines and vegetables, forming an incredible landscape.

Botanical Gardens

Surrounded by the mountains in the North and the ocean in the south in Funchal amphitheatre, the botanical garden of Madeira is about 3km (1.86 miles) from the city centre. It has 8 hectares in area, 5 of which are gardens where you can admire about 3000 species of plants from several places in the world. 200 of these, being endemic species from macaronesea and some growing exclusively in Madeira. It has a rich collection from different floras containing in total over 15000 specimens. At the end of the Madeira Boticanal garden there is an area devoted to exotic birds with a collection of 300 rare birds.The excursion ends in front of your Cruiseship.