Looking for a peaceful place in Madeira where children can enjoy nature, see animals and explore without the pressure of a packed itinerary? Quinta da Junta in Santo da Serra is a family-friendly green space with gardens, picnic areas, animals and panoramic views — an easy nature escape on Madeira’s east coast.

Quinta da Junta in Santo da Serra with Kids: A Peaceful Family Escape into Nature in Madeira

Sometimes the best family days in Madeira are not the ones filled with attractions, queues and carefully timed activities.

Sometimes, families simply need space.

Space for children to walk around, observe animals, explore nature and slow down. Space for parents to sit under the trees, enjoy the fresh air and spend a few hours away from the busier tourist areas of the island.

That is exactly what makes Quinta do Santo da Serra, also widely known as Quinta da Junta, such an interesting place to visit with children.

Located in Santo António da Serra, in the municipality of Machico, on Madeira’s east coast, this historic public estate combines gardens, animals, picnic areas, recreational spaces and viewpoints in a relaxed natural setting. It is also a place regularly enjoyed by local families, school groups and visitors.

If you are wondering what to do in Madeira with kids when you want something calm, outdoors and different from the usual tourist attractions, Quinta da Junta is worth adding to your list.

Why Visit Quinta da Junta with Kids?

One of the biggest advantages of Quinta da Junta is that you do not need a complicated plan to enjoy it.

There is no need to rush from one attraction to another.

Families can simply arrive, walk through the gardens, look for animals, find a peaceful place to sit and let children enjoy being outdoors.

For families travelling around Madeira, this makes Santo da Serra particularly useful as a slower family stop between more structured activities.

It can work especially well when you are looking for:

a nature-based family activity;
somewhere with plenty of green space;
a quieter alternative to central Funchal;
a picnic location;
an outdoor activity for children;
a place to spend a relaxed morning or afternoon;
somewhere different to include in a Madeira family itinerary.

The atmosphere is one of the main attractions.

Santo da Serra sits on an elevated plateau of around 700 metres, surrounded by mountain landscapes and abundant vegetation, which gives this part of Madeira a noticeably rural and green character.

Animals Children Can Discover

For many children, the animals will probably be one of the highlights of the visit.

Quinta do Santo da Serra is home to animals including:

peacocks;
fallow deer;
Garrano horses.

Seeing animals while walking through a large garden makes the experience feel more like an exploration than a conventional park visit.

Rather than arriving for one specific attraction, children can move through the estate looking to see what they discover next.

That can be particularly enjoyable for younger children who are naturally interested in animals and nature.

Family Tip

Turn the visit into a simple nature scavenger hunt.

Ask the children to look for:

a peacock;
a deer;
different coloured flowers;
the tallest tree they can find;
an interesting leaf;
a viewpoint;
three different bird sounds.

You do not need to bring anything special — it simply gives children a small mission while exploring.

More Than Just a Park

Quinta da Junta is not only a green space.

The estate has several recreational areas that make it possible to spend longer here than you might initially expect.

Facilities include:

a picnic area;
a mini-golf course;
a tennis court;
extensive gardens;
viewpoints.

There is also the Macaronesia Forest Centre inside the estate. It was created to explain and promote the conservation of Madeira’s forest resources and provides an educational dimension to the visit, particularly relevant for school-age children interested in nature and Madeira’s environment.

This combination is one of the reasons the Quinta works well for families with children of different ages.

A toddler may simply enjoy walking through the garden and looking at animals, while an older child may be more interested in the plants, landscape, history or forest interpretation.

A Good Place for a Family Picnic

If your family prefers relaxed outdoor activities, consider taking a picnic.

The estate includes a designated picnic area, so you can combine a walk around the gardens with lunch or a snack surrounded by greenery.

This can also make the outing more affordable for families travelling around Madeira.

A simple family plan could be:

Morning: explore Santo da Serra

Late morning: visit Quinta da Junta

Lunch: family picnic

Afternoon: continue exploring Madeira’s east coast

For families living in Madeira, it can just as easily become an uncomplicated weekend activity.

The Viewpoint: One of the Highlights

Do not leave without exploring the viewpoint.

From Quinta do Santo da Serra, visitors can enjoy views towards Machico, Ponta de São Lourenço and, when visibility is good, even Porto Santo Island.

This is also one of the reasons your visit may feel completely different depending on the weather.

On a clear day, the landscape opens dramatically towards Madeira’s east coast.

On a cloudier day, Santo da Serra can feel quieter and almost atmospheric, surrounded by trees and mountain air.

Gardens, Flowers and Madeira's Forest Heritage

Families who enjoy plants will find much more than open grass.

The gardens combine indigenous Madeiran vegetation with exotic species.

Flowers found in the estate include:

azaleas;
rhododendrons;
camellias.

Native Madeiran species can also be found within the property, including Madeira laurel species and other vegetation associated with the island's natural heritage.

For children, this can turn a simple walk into a gentle introduction to Madeira's biodiversity.

You do not need to make the visit educational, but families interested in nature can use the opportunity to talk about how Madeira's vegetation changes between the coast, mountains and higher-altitude areas.

Is Quinta da Junta Good for Young Children?

For many families, yes.

The appeal is not based on adrenaline rides or a tightly structured programme. It is primarily about:

nature + space + animals + walking + family time.

That makes it particularly useful for families who want a break from busy sightseeing.

However, this is still an outdoor estate rather than a controlled indoor attraction.

Parents should supervise young children around animals, paths and viewpoint areas and choose footwear appropriate for walking outdoors.

Weather conditions in Santo da Serra can also differ considerably from coastal Madeira, so bringing an extra layer is sensible even when Funchal feels warm.

Is It Worth Visiting with Older Children or Teens?

It depends on the child.

A teenager looking for a major attraction may find the experience relatively quiet.

But for families who enjoy:

photography;
nature;
animals;
walking;
drone landscapes;
peaceful outdoor locations;

it can be an enjoyable stop.

It also works well when combined with another activity rather than being treated as a full-day attraction.

How Long Should Families Spend Here?

Most families can comfortably spend around 1.5–3 hours here, depending on whether they stop for a picnic, explore the gardens slowly or spend extra time watching the animals.

That gives enough time to:

walk through the gardens;
see the animals;
visit the viewpoint;
stop for a snack or picnic;
let children explore without rushing.

Families who enjoy very slow nature days could stay longer.

If you are fitting Santo da Serra into a wider east-coast itinerary, even a shorter stop can still be worthwhile.

How Much Does Quinta da Junta Cost?

This is particularly useful for families.

Children aged 12 and under: Free

Visitors over 12: €3

Madeira residents are exempt when they meet the applicable residency requirements, and certain visitors with qualifying disabilities and accompanying tutors may also be exempt under the official rules.

For visitors who need to pay, access is managed through the Madeira Government's SIMplifica platform.

Because fees and access rules can change, check the latest official information shortly before your visit.

Opening Days

Quinta do Santo da Serra is currently listed as open to the public every day of the week.

Opening hours can change depending on season, maintenance or temporary restrictions. Check the latest official information before travelling to Santo da Serra.

Before You Go

Check the latest official information, particularly following:

severe weather;
strong winds;
forest-fire risk;
temporary maintenance;
regional safety restrictions.

Where Is Quinta da Junta?

Quinta do Santo da Serra is located in Santo António da Serra, in the municipality of Machico, on Madeira's east side.

It is a particularly useful stop for families exploring the eastern part of Madeira.

You could combine it with places around:

Machico;
Santa Cruz;
Camacha;
Ponta de São Lourenço;
other east-coast viewpoints.

Rather than trying to visit everything in one day, Quinta da Junta can be the quieter part of your itinerary.

Watch Quinta do Santo da Serra from Above

Want to see what the park and surrounding landscape look like before visiting?

We explored Quinta do Santo da Serra from above with our drone, showing the green landscape and peaceful surroundings of this part of Madeira.

Quinta do Santo da Serra from above — Madeira Kids

What to Bring

You do not need much for this outing, but these can make the visit easier:

comfortable walking shoes;
water;
snacks or a picnic;
a light jacket;
sun protection;
a camera or phone;
an extra layer for children.

Santo da Serra is higher and often feels different from Madeira's coastal areas, so do not assume the weather will be identical to Funchal.

Who Is This Place Best For?

Families with young children

Animals and open space provide simple entertainment without requiring a complicated activity.

Families who love nature

The gardens, large trees, native vegetation and rural environment are the main attraction.

Families looking for quieter places in Madeira

This is a very different experience from Madeira's busiest attractions.

Budget-conscious families

Children aged 12 and under are currently exempt from the entrance fee.

Local families looking for a weekend idea

The picnic areas and natural setting make it useful beyond tourism.

Tourist families exploring Madeira's east coast

It fits naturally into a Machico and Santo da Serra itinerary.

Madeira Kids Verdict

If your children need constant entertainment, Quinta da Junta may not be the kind of place where you spend an entire day.

But that is also exactly why we like places like this.

Not every family outing has to be an attraction.

Sometimes children need somewhere they can simply walk, observe, discover animals, breathe fresh air and spend time outside.

And parents sometimes need exactly the same thing.

Quinta da Junta in Santo da Serra offers a quieter side of Madeira — green, spacious, simple and connected to nature.

If your family is looking for something different to do in Madeira, particularly on the east side of the island, this is one of those places worth saving for a relaxed morning or afternoon.

Quick Family Guide

Place	Quinta do Santo da Serra / Quinta da Junta
Location	Santo António da Serra, Machico, Madeira
Best for	Families, nature lovers, younger children, relaxed outings
Animals	Peacocks, fallow deer and Garrano horses
Picnic area	Yes
Viewpoint	Yes
Indoor or outdoor?	Mainly outdoor
Children ≤12	Free
Visitors >12	€3
Suggested visit	Around 1.5–3 hours
Best weather	Dry or mild weather
Good for tourists?	Yes
Good for locals?	Yes

Current admission, opening conditions and access information can change. Check the latest official information before your visit.