Monte Palace Tropical Garden is the most spectacular garden on Madeira — which is saying something on an island where things grow with subtropical enthusiasm at every altitude. The garden covers 70,000 square meters on steep terraced hillsides above Funchal, and contains plants from five continents, 100,000 cycads and tree ferns, a collection of azulejo panels depicting Portuguese history, an African art museum, and a mineral and gem collection of unlikely size.
The route winds up and down through different climate zones, and the views from the upper terraces back down to Funchal and the harbor are worth the visit on their own. Allow at least two hours — more if you intend to see the museum collections. The garden can be combined with a visit to the Madeira Botanical Garden; a cable car connects the two sites, making it possible to see both in an afternoon.