The Botanical Garden (Jardim Botânico da Madeira) is set on the hillside east of the city center, with terraced beds arranged by geographic origin. The collection of around 2,000 species includes many plants endemic to Madeira and the Macaronesian archipelagos, along with a Japanese garden, cactus section, and orchid house.
The main reason to come here, beyond the plants themselves, is the view. The gardens face south across the valley of Funchal and the harbor, and on a clear day the panorama extends well out to sea. A cable car connects the Botanical Garden to Monte Palace, so you can visit both in a single afternoon: take the main Teleférico up from the Zona Velha to Monte, walk through Monte Palace, then ride the connecting cable car across to the Botanical Garden, and make your way back down from there.