Funchal: Toboggan and Old Town Experience with Tukway

The Monte toboggan is the memorable twist on this private Funchal tour: you ride a traditional wicker sled down the hill, steered by two carreiros, then meet your guide for more city sightseeing. It turns a straightforward drive to Monte into a lively outing with a bit of local history under your feet.

I like two things in particular: the private tuk tuk can reach places larger tour vehicles cannot, and the guide links the toboggan ride with Funchal’s painted doors, old streets, and viewpoints. Guides such as André, Luis, Ricardo, Andrea, and Fabio are praised for their friendly manner, local stories, and practical tips.

One thing to plan for is the extra €35 toboggan fare for two, which is not part of the $91 tour price. The ride can also draw a queue, so a two-hour tour may run longer if you wait. If you need step-free access, this is not a suitable choice.

• Monte by tuk tuk: A private ride takes you from Funchal up to the hill village.
• Church visit: See the Church of Our Lady of the Mount, completed in 1818.
• Historic toboggan: Ride from Monte down to Livramento, with tickets paid separately.
• Painted doors: Walk Rua de Santa Maria in Funchal’s Old Town and see its artist-decorated doorways.
• Local commentary: Your English-speaking driver-guide shares stories about Funchal and Madeira.
• Pickup included: Arrange pickup in Funchal or at the cruise ship terminal.

A Monte toboggan ride, with Funchal on either side

The tour combines three things that work well together: a ride up to Monte, a traditional descent by toboggan, and a tuk tuk tour through Funchal. You get a dash of adventure, a church visit, and a closer look at the capital’s older streets without arranging separate transport for each part.

The toboggan ride is the headline act. These wicker sleds, known as Carreiros do Monte, began as a quick way for local people to travel from Monte toward Funchal in the 1850s. They remain in use today, with two carreiros guiding each sled down the route to Livramento. It’s an old form of transport that still feels wonderfully unusual beside the city’s modern traffic.

The tour is private, so you travel with your own group rather than joining a large coach party. That matters in Funchal, where a tuk tuk can move through streets and viewpoints that larger vehicles cannot reach. You also have a guide to explain what you are seeing and help make the route feel connected, rather than just a collection of stops.

Monte’s church and hillside setting

The route heads from Funchal up to Monte, a hill village above the city. The drive is part of the appeal: you leave the central streets behind and gain views over Funchal along the way. The tuk tuk is open to the weather, so bring clothing suited to the day rather than assuming the ride will be sheltered.

At Monte, you visit the Church of Our Lady of the Mount. The structure seen today was completed in 1818, and it is an important stop for both worshippers and sightseers. The visit gives you a pause before the faster part of the outing, and a chance to take in the village rather than treating Monte only as the starting point for the sled ride.

The church itself is a meaningful landmark, but the tour does not describe a long interior visit or a detailed church-focused program. Think of it as a guided stop within a broader outing. If you want an extended visit to the church or other Monte attractions, check how much time your departure slot allows and discuss your priorities with the guide.

The downhill ride to Livramento

After Monte, you can choose to ride the toboggan downhill. The ride costs €35 for two people, paid separately from the tour. If you do not take it, the tuk tuk outing still includes the Monte visit and Funchal sightseeing, but you will miss the signature activity that gives this tour its character.

The ride follows the historic route toward Livramento. The carreiros steer the sled, and your tour guide meets you at the bottom before continuing the city tour. That arrangement makes the experience easier to manage than finding your own way back to the group, especially if this is your first visit to Funchal.

Allow for a wait. The toboggan tickets cannot be booked in advance according to the tour information, and queues can form. Some departures have found the wait short, while one midday outing involved about an hour in line. Going earlier may help avoid the larger crowds that can arrive later, particularly when cruise ships are in port, but there is no fixed wait time. If you have a tight schedule, ask about the likely queue before you set off.

The ride is not included in the stated two-hour duration in any guaranteed way. The tour is listed as two hours, but a long queue can change the pace or finish time. If you are on a cruise stop or have another timed activity afterward, leave a buffer rather than planning the rest of your day down to the minute.

Painted doors and old Funchal streets

After the toboggan, the tour returns to Funchal for sightseeing, including a visit to Rua de Santa Maria in the Santa Maria area. The street is known for doors painted by different artists. Look closely as you walk: the artwork gives the old street a distinctive character, while the cobbled paving and façades show another side of the city’s older architecture.

This is where the tuk tuk format earns its keep. You can cover ground between the hillside and central Funchal without spending the whole outing on foot, then take a short walk through the old streets. The listed stop on Rua de Santa Maria allows about 20 minutes, so expect an introduction and time for photos rather than an unhurried wander through every lane.

The guided element helps make this walk more than a photo stop. Guides explain local history and point out details you might pass by on your own. They may also share recommendations for food and drink; guides have suggested local dishes and drinks such as poncha, and one tour included a stop to see poncha being made at a bar. Treat recommendations as helpful leads, not a promise that every tour follows the same route.

What the tuk tuk adds to the tour

A tuk tuk is small, open, and well suited to a city where narrow streets and steep routes can make a larger vehicle feel clumsy. You get a close view of the streets and a guide beside you, rather than a distant view through a bus window. The trade-off is that you are exposed to the weather and road bumps. One guide was praised for warning passengers about small bumps, but you should still expect a lively ride rather than a smooth coach trip.

The tour includes scenic drives and viewpoints as well as the Old Town walk. The exact stops can vary, but guides are praised for sharing local history, explaining the geography of Funchal, and allowing time for photos at viewpoints. This personal commentary is one of the main reasons to choose a private tour over simply taking a taxi to Monte and back.

Pickup and drop-off are included in Funchal or at the cruise ship terminal. That makes the tour especially practical if you have only a few hours in port. Several guides have been praised for meeting passengers at the ship or hotel on time and for adapting pickup and drop-off arrangements. Confirm your exact meeting point when you book, since the tour needs to know where to collect you.

Price, timing, and who gets the best value

The advertised price is $91 per private group of up to two, with the toboggan ride adding €35 for two people. Food, drinks, and tickets for other tourist attractions are not included. For two people, the tour’s value comes from having a private guide and transport, plus the toboggan ride, rather than from the base price alone. If you are travelling solo, the group price may feel less appealing; with two people sharing it, the private format makes more sense.

The tour lasts about two hours, but the toboggan queue is the variable that matters most. The listed route includes several sightseeing and driving segments, plus around 20 minutes for the Rua de Santa Maria stop. If you want to linger at the church, viewpoints, or Old Town, tell your guide what matters most and be prepared for some stops to be brief.

This is a good fit if you want an active introduction to Funchal without committing to a full-day excursion. It also suits cruise passengers who want pickup at the terminal and a simple way to combine Monte with the city centre. Families with children aged three or older may enjoy the mix of transport and sled ride, though the tour is not suitable for children under three. It is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users.

Bring weather-appropriate clothing. Baby strollers and luggage or large bags are not allowed, so this is not a good choice if you need to carry bulky gear or bring a pram along.

Should you book the Funchal toboggan and Old Town tour?

Book it if the toboggan ride is high on your Madeira wish list and you want a guide to connect it with Monte and Funchal’s older streets. The private tuk tuk, included pickup, and local commentary make the outing more convenient than piecing the route together yourself. Guides such as André, Luis, Ricardo, and Andrea are known for friendly explanations and useful local tips, though you cannot assume which guide will lead your tour.

Skip it if you need wheelchair access, want a quiet and predictable schedule, or are unwilling to pay extra for the sled ride. The queue can eat into your time, and the base price does not include food, drinks, or other attraction tickets. If you can allow for that uncertainty, this is a lively way to see more than just the toboggan track.

FAQ

How much does the toboggan ride cost?

The toboggan ticket costs €35 for two people and is paid separately from the tour price.

Where does the toboggan ride go?

The ride starts in Monte and travels downhill to Livramento, where your guide meets you before the city tour continues.

How long is the tour?

The tour is listed as two hours. A wait for the toboggan can extend the outing, so allow extra time if you have another commitment afterward.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included in Funchal or at the cruise ship terminal.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes a private tuk tuk tour, an English-speaking local driver-guide, pickup and drop-off, and a blanket. Food, drinks, toboggan tickets, and tickets for other attractions are not included.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users or young children?

No. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or children under three. Baby strollers are also not allowed.