A getaway in Funchal? Don’t miss the Quinta das Cruzes Museum! We loved discovering this old house, now a museum, with its elegant period furniture. Surrounded by a lush garden overlooking the city, it houses a rich collection ofDecorative Arts and has many other surprises in store for you.
In this article, you’ll find some useful tips to help you prepare for your visit and have a great time!
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
Why visit the Quinta das Cruzes Museum?
Is the museum worth it? Our opinion:
Yes, the Quinta das Cruzes Museum is definitely worth a visit in our opinion. In addition to its collection of furniture and decorative objects, it is surrounded by a verdant garden overlooking the city’s rooftops. We particularly appreciated the many fountains that add character to the site, the archaeological zone, and the cafeteria with its exceptional views over Funchal. This is one of the best museums in Madeira’s capital!
Why is the Quinta das Cruzes Museum famous?
The museum was the last residence of João Gonçalves Zarco, a 15th-century Portuguese navigator and explorer, famous for his discovery of Madeira Island. Located in a privileged area of Funchal on the Calçada do Pico, this property is a perfect example of an authentic Madeira Quinta. You’ll discover a residential villa, a chapel, Casinhas de prazer (summer houses) and a magnificent garden that bear witness to the island’s architectural and historical heritage.
Our favorite moments
When we visited the estate, we loved discovering it:
- the dining room with its long wooden table dominated by a magnificent chandelier,
- the bedroom, with its intimate atmosphere and large four-poster bed,
- the garden with its archaeological zone, small chapel, fountains and panoramic cafeteria.
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History in brief
Here’s what we’ve learned about the museum’s history, summed up in a few key dates:
- 15th century: the Quinta is known as the last residence of João Gonçalves Zarco, the explorer who discovered the island of Madeira.
- December 29, 1949: the Quinta holds its first exhibition and becomes a museum, despite having been privately owned for centuries.
- May 28, 1953: the César Gomes Museum was officially opened to the public, named in honour of its principal patron
- 1966: the collection is enriched by a gift from Austrian João Wetzler, who fled to Madeira around 1939 to escape the Second World War.
- Today: the estate is called the Quinta das Cruzes Museum
Access: Quinta das Cruzes Museum in Funchal (Madeira)
Where is the museum?
- North-west of downtown Funchal
- At nº1 Calçada do Pico
- 3min walk from Frederico de Freitas Museum
- 8-minute walk fromFunchal’s Church of St. John the Evangelist
- 12min walk from Sé Cathedral
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How to get there?
From downtown Funchal, we recommend a direct walk. It’s a pleasant walk through the town’s charming alleyways. However, the path slopes slightly and the streets are paved.
Avoid going by car, as parking will be difficult. If you prefer to take public transport, the “Cota 40 Cruz Vermelha” bus stop (line 50) is just a 5-minute walk from the museum. Find out more here.
Parking
There’s a small parking lot in front of the museum, but residents generally park there, so don’t rely on these spaces. We recommend you avoid driving to the site, preferring to access it on foot from the city center. If you absolutely must use a vehicle, be aware that parking in this area can be tricky, especially in peak tourist season.
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Useful tips: duration, schedules, eating…
Best time to visit
To make the most of your visit, we suggest you avoid the summer months, to avoid the crowds of tourists. Although the Quinta is generally less popular than some of Funchal’s other outdoor activities, it can still attract many visitors during the high season.
Check the weather forecast before you go, as a stroll through the garden is much more pleasant in fine weather. Mornings are often quieter, allowing you to enjoy the collection and the estate’s magnificent setting in complete tranquillity.
Length of visit and main difficulties
Allow between 30min and 1h to visit the museum and its collection, or even longer if you wish to take full advantage of the garden.
The museum is accessible to people with reduced mobility, with toilets and an entrance adapted for wheelchairs. Please note, however, that visiting the garden can be a little tricky as the paths are paved, but there are benches for you to rest on.
Advice on how to visit
On our visit, we started in the house museum to discover the Decorative Arts collection. This approach enabled us to understand the history of the site before exploring the exterior. After this first part, we went outside to discover the garden and strolled through the park’s alleys freely, letting ourselves be guided by our desires. On this walk, you’ll discover fountains, a small chapel and an archaeological mini-park that are well worth a visit. Take the time to stop at the places that inspire you most! Why not round off your visit to La Quinta with a drink on the terrace of the panoramic cafeteria overlooking the rooftops of Funchal?
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Visiting with children
This is an enjoyable visit for the whole family. Although we didn’t notice any facilities specifically dedicated to children, the outdoor spaces offer enough freedom for them to stretch their legs in picturesque surroundings. The fountains and the small archaeological park may also pique their curiosity.
Schedules and rates
The Quinta das Cruzes Museum is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 5:30pm. Please note that it is closed on Mondays and Sundays.
As for prices, expect to pay €3 for full adult admission (cash only), while admission is free for children. More info on the official website here.
Guided tours
The museum does not appear to offer guided tours. However, you can discover this and other highlights of Funchal on a guided tour. – Find out more here!
Catering
On-site cafeteria. We particularly appreciated this architect-designed space. It blends in perfectly with the estate’s natural surroundings, while offering exceptional panoramic views over Funchal. It’s the ideal place to take a relaxing, gourmet break during your visit. Otherwise, check out our selection of the city’s best restaurants for more inspiration!
An authentic Madeira Quinta
We loved discovering this traditional Quinta steeped in history. This term once referred to a colonial estate surrounded by a vast garden. This historic residence, typical of Madeira, is characterized by its charm and the beauty of its setting. You’ll discover all the characteristic features: an elegant residential villa, a small chapel, picturesque Casinhas de prazer (summer houses) and a carefully landscaped park.
The last residence of João Gonçalves Zarco, the navigator who discovered the island, this estate represents over 500 years of island history. The original house was extended by his son, João Gonçalves da Câmara. The estate remained under the aegis of the Câmara family until the 17th century, before passing into the hands of another illustrious Madeiran family, the Lomelinos. They made it their home for around 200 years, until the end of the 19th century. More recently, in the twentieth century, the villa has undergone a number of transformations, testifying to its importance in the cultural and economic life of the island. Between 1929 and 1933, it was home to the Funchal Philharmonic Orchestra, a medical practice and even an embroidery factory in the 1940s. We really enjoyed learning about the history of this historic Quinta!
A rich collection of decorative arts
The Quinta das Cruzes Museum houses an impressive Portuguese and European collection of decorative arts dating from the 15th to the 19th centuries. The majority of the works testify to the English influence on Madeira in the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as the French imprint on island art. As we wandered through the various rooms, we discovered finely chased silver and silverware, elegantly designed furniture, evocative paintings, delicately patterned European and Oriental porcelain, and terracotta sculptures.
This remarkable collection owes much to its 2 main patrons: César Filipe Gomes and Hans Wetzler. During our visit, we observed magnificent glass chandeliers contrasting with the cool, dark wood of the furniture and parquet flooring. The spaciousness of the rooms perfectly showcases these Art Deco treasures. You’ll also appreciate the fact sheets, available in several languages, that explain the history and characteristics of the objects on display. One painting in particular stood out for us: a portrait of a man dating from 1840-1850, remarkable for the fact that he wears glasses, an unusual detail in portraits from this period!
A green garden overlooking Funchal
The museum’s garden is a true haven of peace, well worth a visit in its own right. It’s a vast, romantically-inspired green space, surrounded by century-old trees that line the cobbled paths. It was designed in the 19th century under the regency of the Lomelino family. In fact, it has retained the appearance we know today. After a visit to the museum, you can enjoy this green setting, which offers a breathtaking view of Funchal’s rooftops, and even the ocean!
You’ll discover well-laid-out paths, delicately crafted stone fountains and colorful flowerbeds that perfectly illustrate the romantic conception of green spaces at the time. On the frontispiece of one of the fountains, dating from the late 18th century, we observed a mural fresco. We loved strolling through this charming garden and enjoying the views of Funchal and the ocean it reveals on the horizon. Strategically placed benches invite you to stop and contemplate the scenery and soak up the peaceful atmosphere.
Other treasures of the estate
Beyond the museum and its rich collection, the garden reveals other surprises that make the visit all the more enjoyable. We discovered an archaeological zone, a charming little chapel, multiple ornamental fountains, an orchestrophone and a panoramic cafeteria to top it all off. It was the Lomelino family who built the chapel dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Piedade, which lends a spiritual dimension to the estate. These different elements form a coherent whole that allows you to appreciate the site in all its dimensions: historical, artistic, architectural and landscape.
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