Monte Palace Madeira (jardin tropical et musée)

On the hill of Monte, with a view over the bay, the estate bought in the 18th century by the English consul Charles Murray, then in 1897 by Alfredo Guilherme Rodrigues, who built the palatial residence that became the Monte Palace Hotel. The tropical garden covers 70,000 m² and shows some 100,000 plants from around the world, including centuries-old cycads, "living fossils", among lakes, worked stone, Buddhist sculptures, stone lanterns and a famous collection of tiles from the 15th to the 20th century. At the highest point, the museum shows José Berardo's collection: more than 700 minerals and more than 1,000 African sculptures. Caminho das Babosas 4-A, next to the cable-car station; paid entry (fee on the operator's site).