The Neighborhood: Parque de Santa Catarina & The Marina
Exiting the eastern pedestrian gates of Pestana Casino Park places visitors immediately into Parque de Santa Catarina, one of Funchal's grandest public gardens. Spanning over 36,000 square metres, the park features a swan lake, manicured flowerbeds, and a 15th-century chapel (Capela de Santa Catarina). The park’s stone balustrades provide postcard perspectives looking directly down onto the cruise terminal and the Marina do Funchal.
A gentle five-minute downhill walk from the park leads to Avenida Arriaga, the tree-lined ceremonial spine of the capital. Here, travelers encounter the 16th-century Sé Cathedral of Funchal with its intricate mudéjar cedar ceiling, the Blandy’s Wine Lodge cellars, and the Municipal Theatres.
Connecting Funchal to Monte and the Mountain Ridges
Board the Teleférico do Funchal near the marina to ascend to the cloudline gardens of Monte Palace Tropical Garden.
Must-Visit Destinations from Pestana Casino Park
Whether navigating on foot or hiring a rental vehicle, prioritize these key destinations during your stay:
1. Zona Velha (Funchal Old Town)
Located approximately 15 to 20 minutes on foot along the seaside promenade, Zona Velha is renowned for Rua de Santa Maria, where hundreds of historic doorway panels have been converted into public canvases by regional artists (Projecto Portas Pintadas). Visit the Mercado dos Lavradores to inspect fresh catches of scabbard fish and tuna, alongside vendors offering samples of passionfruit hybrids (banana passionfruit, lemon passionfruit).
2. Monte Palace & The Wicker Toboggan Sledges
Take the cable car from the seafront terminal up to the mountain village of Monte (elevation 550m). Tour the world-renowned Monte Palace Tropical Garden, featuring Japanese zen gardens, stone pagodas, and mineral collections. For your descent, experience the legendary Carreiros do Monte: two-seated wicker toboggans steered by traditional white-clad guides using rubber-soled boots down steep, winding public roads.
3. Levada Walks: Ribeiro Frio & Caldeirão Verde
Madeira’s UNESCO-recognized levada network consists of over 2,000 kilometers of hand-carved stone irrigation aqueducts that channel rainwater from the wet northern slopes to southern agricultural terraces. For accessible walking, head to Ribeiro Frio to Balcões (PR11), an easy 3 km round-trip that finishes at a breathtaking amphitheatre overlooking the jagged peaks of Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo. For more experienced hikers, Levada do Caldeirão Verde (PR9) offers a deep rainforest journey through tunnels into a colossal vertical waterfall bowl.
4. Cabo Girão Skywalk
Located just 12 km west of the hotel via the VR1 expressway, Cabo Girão stands as one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe (589 metres above sea level). A cantilevered glass-bottom skywalk allows travelers to look straight down through transparent panels onto the pounding Atlantic surf and isolated terraced fields below (Fajãs do Cabo Girão).
| Attraction / Site | Distance from Hotel | Transit Method | Estimated Time Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parque de Santa Catarina | 150 metres | Walking (Direct gate) | 45 minutes – 1 hour |
| Marina do Funchal & Ferry Pier | 600 metres | Walking (8 minutes downhill) | Half day (if boating) |
| Zona Velha (Old Town) & Market | 1.4 km | Walking or City Bus #1 / #2 | 2 – 3 hours |
| Monte Cable Car Base Station | 1.2 km | Walking along waterfront | Half day |
| Cabo Girão Skywalk | 12 km | Taxi, rental car, or Rodoeste bus | 2 hours |
| Pico do Arieiro Peak (1,818m) | 21 km | Rental car or mountain transfer | 3 – 4 hours |
Marine Wildlife Excursions
From the marina at the base of the resort hill, catamarans and vintage wooden schooners depart daily into the Atlantic. Because Madeira’s submarine volcanic slopes drop steeply to depths exceeding 3,000 metres within just a few nautical miles of shore, the coastal waters are populated year-round by pods of short-finned pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic spotted dolphins, and loggerhead sea turtles. Reputable tour operators adhere to the International Whaling Commission guidelines, ensuring non-invasive observational encounters.