North East Coast - Rose Garden Tour

Terreiro da Luta

Leaving Funchal via Monte, in the direction of the mountains, passing through a dense forest of mimosas trees, reaching this impressive hillside monument, which overlooks the whole bay of Funchal. It consists of a massive monument of the Virgin Maria, lady of peace. The monument was created in 1927. It is over 5 mts (17 ft) high and weighs 20 ton.

Ribeiro Frio

Heading north towards the thick laurel forest. “Ribeiro Frio” is a delightful spot set among the Laurissilva forest This Forest is classified in the World Heritage by UNESCO in 1999. Here the fresh clean cold water of the Ribeiro Frio ( meaning cold river) are channelled into series of deep pools to create a small trout farm. Ribeiro Frio is also the meeting point of several levada walks..

Teleferico de Santana

After leaving Ribeiro Frio, the madeira tour drivers downhill through lush farmland to the teleferico of Santana. The Abrupt orography and the prominent angles of the high cliffs are breathtaking all the way to the bottom. At the bottom is a plane land covered by vines and from where a small island a few metres away can be seen. The Rocha da Navio islet. The picturesque northern coast can be seen all the way to Ponta de São Lourenço..

Cabanas Viewpoint

From Santana heading North West through a deep ravine and many hairpin bends, we pass through a little picturesque village of “São Jorge” and we reach the cabanas view point. The viewpoint is breathtaking. The houses of “Arco de São Jorge” and the Rose garden, lie small and far below. You can admire the beautiful coast line as far as Porto Moniz.

Rosa Gardens

Leaving the breathtaking views of the Cabanas belvedere and after several hairpin bends we reach the little tiny village, “Arco de São Jorge” which contains one of most attractive roseiral of Portugal. There are more than 1000 different kinds of rosebushes, some very old and some more recent.

Ponta Delgada

Passing through “Boaventura”, where you can absorb the beautiful scenery. The Area is a vivid account of beauty. Then reach Ponta Delgada. Overlooked by walls of forested mountains, quiet traditional fishing village the seafront is dominated by the church “Bom Jesus”. A wooden crucifix, washed ashore in 1470 presumably from a sinking ship can be seen. In 1908 a fire destroyed the rest of the church (now rebuilt