For a weekend, the streets of Funchal are transformed, and the city is in a carnival mood for the Madeira Flower Festival. There are parades through the streets in traditional costumes; flower carpets adorn the streets; shop windows are decorated, and traditional music is performed. There are also flower exhibitions, classical music concerts and a number of variety shows. All in all, this is a weekend not to be missed.
Madeira is a perfect choice if you are interested in flowers, walking, or just relaxing in friendly, unhurried surroundings. Known as ‘The Garden Isle’ with innumerable gardens and parks to visit, including the Botanical Garden, which is home to over 2,000 plants from Madeira, the Azores, Canaries and Cape Verde and a Tree Garden with trees from as far away as the Himalayas and the Tropics.
Madeira Flower Festival
Departs 27 April 2023
- Return British Airways Economy flights from Heathrow
- Return private transfers between the airport and your hotel
- 7 nights garden view twin room at Quinta das Vistas, including breakfast
- Seated tickets for the Flower Parade – including return transfers
- Half-day tour to Madeira Wine Lodge – Premium visit and wine tasting
- Full-day tour to Quinta das Cruzes Museum and Monte Palace Garden
- Full-day tour to Santana – including lunch
Photos by Daniele Franchi on Unsplash
Example Itinerary
Day 1
Flights from your chosen airport to Madeira, where you will be met and taken to Quinta das Vistas, your hotel for the next seven nights.
Day 2
Today, we have a premium visit and Madeira wine tasting at a historic Madeira Wine Lodge in Funchal. Madeira wine has been produced here for centuries. You will be given a guided tour of the lodge, explanations of the main types of Madeira wine and a chance to taste them. Evening at leisure.
Day 3
The Flower Festival starts in earnest today. If you wish, head to central Funchal and the many flowers. A new addition in recent years has been the so-called ‘Wall of Hope’– a wall where children place their flowers symbolising the hope for a better and more peaceful world. During the day, you are free to enjoy the attractions of the Flower Festival. Evening at leisure.
Day 4
Sunday is the day when the parades take place. Beautifully decorated carriages and floats pass through the streets of Funchal. We provide our guests with tickets for the grandstands so that you can enjoy the parades in comfort from good vantage points. Evening at leisure.
Day 5
Day at leisure.
Day 6
In the morning, we visit the Quinta das Cruzes museum showcasing aspects of Portuguese history, the gardens around the Quinta are primarily interesting because of the pieces of stonework they play host to. After lunch (own arrangements), we travel to Monte and begin a tour of the magnificent Monte Palace Tropical Gardens. These distinctly exotic gardens cover seven hectares in total and have oriental inspirations with a koi carp pond and oriental garden, add in the rare ferns and plants from around the world, interplanted with indigenous plants, and it is an exciting garden to visit.
Day 7
Full-day Madeira island tour, taking in the island’s dramatic interior, Santana with its famous thatched roofs, vineyards, the equally dramatic East coast and the old capital of Machico. A typical 3-course lunch is included. Evening at leisure.
Day 8
After breakfast, it is time for transfers to the airport for return flights to the UK.
Tour Price
7 nights £1,875 per person, including international flights from the UK, based on two sharing.