Quinta Magnolia, Funchal, Madeira

The Quinta Magnolia park covers over 40,000 square metres of mature trees, shrubs, flowers and lawns.

The green oasis, that was once the British Country Club, is just a short 15 minute walk from Funchal's City Centre.

Once the preserve of affluent British expatriate community and their holiday guests, it is now in the guardianship of the Regional Government and is open to all.

Close by are the Reid's, Savoy and Quinta do Sol hotels. It is also conveniently located close to the Estrada Monumental / Avenida do Infante which is the main route that holiday-makers take when walking from hotels in the Lido district into Funchal City Centre.

So, if you feel up to a game of tennis, or the children want to splash about in the pool, or maybe you just wish to enjoy a lazy stroll around the grounds in the afternoon sunshine - then the Quinta Magnolia is well worth a visit.

Key Facts

Quinta Magnolia has many sports facilities. There is a tennis hard-court, large children's swimming pool, a playground and a rather neglected circuit training track. For tennis and use of the pool, there is a charge payable, ask at the main entrance gate.

There is also a convenient snack bar.

At the bottom of the grounds is an aviary and small pond. Again, this is rather run down and in need of some loving attention.

As of November 2009, the snack bar and swimming pool were undergoing major refurbishment and were closed to the public. We will update you when these are available again for use.

The circuit training track, although neglected, may give over-exuberant children a chance to burn some energy off. To reach it, go to the far end of the park, behind the swimming pool. There you will see some steps leading down. At the bottom are some more tennis courts and the circuit training facilities, along with the aviary.

Quinta Magnolia
Location	Rua do Dr. Pita 15, Funchal 9000
Opening times: Monday to Sunday	8:00am to 8:00pm
Admission Prices	Free
Sports facilities fees	Various - ask at the entrance gate
Telephone	(351) 291 211 902
(Details correct at November 2009)

The under-the-bridge garden path

If you walk into Funchal from the Hotel District near the Lido area, you go along the Estrada Monumental.

Not long after you pass Reid's Hotel, you cross a bridge on the Avenida do Infante. Looking down from this bridge you will see a deep ravine of a dry river, the Ribeira Seca, and an attractive dirt track amongst the vegetation.

Nearly all the new holidaymakers to Madeira that walk across the bridge stop and gaze down, wondering how exactly you get down to this elusive dirt track.

It actually took us three visit to Madeira before we realised that this walk amongst the cascading bougainvillea, the giant cheese plants, the Aloe Vera and Red Hot Poker flowers was part of the Quinta Magnolia grounds. You can gain access to it by making your way to the lower tennis courts and aviary in the garden grounds. From there, you will easily pick up the pathway under the bridge.

Once there, you can enjoy the sunshine and surrounds, and wave at the tourists looking down at you from the bridge above, wondering just how you got down there!

Quinta Magnolia Photos Gallery

Cycad tree with Funchal City in the background

Cycad tree in the Quinta Magnolia against a backdrop of Funchal

Delightful paths in the Quinta Magnolia grounds

Locals use the park for leisure and entertainment

Pathway and plants in the Quinta Magnolia

Bougainvillea, cheese plants and Aloe Vera flowers

Bottom pathway in the Quinta Magnolia

Video of the Gardens

This video introduces you to the gardens in little more than three minutes.
It takes you on a brief tour, giving you just a hint of what the gardens have to offer.

If you want to view another quinta gardens in Funchal, here is the Quinta Palmeira video.

Directions

By Foot:-

The Quinta Magnolia gardens are easily reached on foot.

From Funchal city centre, head westward out of town. Walk up the slight incline of the Avenida do Infante alongside Santa Catarina Park. After about 10 minutes, you cross a road bridge and see the Quinta do Sol hotel on your right.

Turn up into the Rua do Dr. Pita that runs alongside the very 1970s green building of the hotel. The entrance to the Quinta Magnolia is a short distance up the hill on your right.

From the Hotel District of Funchal, near the Lido, head toward the town centre on the Estrada Monumental. You pass the Savoy and Reid's Hotels on your right. Soon after Reid's you can see the green building that is the Quinta do Sol Hotel on your left.

Quinta Magnolia is just up the hill that goes behind the statue of the flying man. The statue is actually suppose to symbolise Peace and Liberty. Liberty is signified by the representation of the man flying free. Whilst, peace is portrayed by the fact that the man is holding a dove in his left hand.

Incidentally, the Portuguese word for dove is pomba. In Brazilian Portuguese pomba is the slang word used for a part of the male anatomy that is below the belt. Rather disparagingly, the locals often refer to the flying man statue as the man with a **** in his hand!