Madeira Botanical Garden

The Madeira Botanical Garden sits on a steep hillside above Funchal, at around 300 metres, on the grounds of a former estate called Quinta do Bom Sucesso. The estate belonged to the Reid family, wine merchants of Scottish origin who also founded the famous Reid's Palace hotel, and it was their private garden before it was opened to the public as a botanical garden in 1960. The setting is spectacular: terraces of plants step down the slope, with the bay of Funchal and the harbour spread out below, and on a clear day, the ocean stretches to the horizon.

The garden covers about eight hectares and holds thousands of plant species from around the world, arranged so that visitors can take a sort of world tour of the plant kingdom in an afternoon. Madeira's mild, frost-free climate allows plants from Africa, Asia, Australia and the Americas to thrive side by side, and some areas are devoted to particular groups. There are collections of orchids, cycads, bromeliads, palms, succulents and cacti, as well as a section devoted to Madeira's own native flora, including the endemic plants of the island's laurel forests, high mountains and coastal cliffs. One of the pleasures is seeing the species that grow naturally nowhere else, shown in their groups so that you can compare them. Formal parterres, topiary of clipped hedges in geometric patterns and a Japanese-style corner add variety.

The estate's old manor house still stands in the grounds, and there is a small natural history museum nearby, which displays collections of Madeiran fauna, with insects, birds, marine life and fossils, as well as exhibits on the island's geology and ecology. The museum is a good complement to the garden for anyone curious about the island's unusual wildlife. A cafe and a shop sit near the entrance, and benches are scattered along the paths so that you can sit and enjoy the views.

The garden is a short taxi or bus ride from the centre, and it is also linked to Monte by a cable car, so many visitors combine it with a trip up to Monte and the Monte Palace Tropical Garden. Paths are steep and some stairs may be tiring, and while parts are accessible, not all areas suit wheelchairs, so check beforehand. It is open daily, with longer hours in the summer months and a closure on 25 December, and tickets are sold at the entrance. Allow two hours or more.

Visit in the morning, when it is cooler and the light is good for photographs, and take a hat, since there is little shade in some terraces. Spring is the best season for flowers, with jacarandas, orchids and many exotic plants in bloom, while the Festival of the Flower in April brings extra colour. The garden suits plant lovers, families and photographers, and anyone who wants a restful break from the city.