Madeira: Monte Sightseeing Tour & Toboggan Sled Ride

Monte’s toboggan sled is more than a quick thrill ride: it was once a way for local residents to travel downhill from Monte to Funchal. This private, three-hour tour gives you a short walking introduction to the parish before you climb aboard for the ride and city views.

I like two things in particular: the chance to connect the sled with its 19th-century use, and the combination of a guided walk with the downhill ride. The guide also drives you between locations, with pickup and drop-off available, so you don’t have to arrange each part yourself.

One consideration: the sleds may not operate in rain, and this tour is not wheelchair accessible. At $117 per person, it makes most sense if you want both the Monte visit and the sled ride, rather than only the ride.

• The sled has a practical past: Local residents used it as public transportation in the 19th century.
• Monte gets a proper introduction: Walk around Largo da Fonte, its gardens, the old train station viewpoint, and Monte church.
• The ride ends in Funchal: The downhill trip is the tour’s lively finale, with views over the city.
• It’s a private group: You can book with your own party and speak with a guide in English, Spanish, or Portuguese.
• Transport is part of the deal: A private vehicle, driver and local guide, onboard Wi-Fi, and hotel or apartment pickup and drop-off are included.
• Weather and seating matter: Rain may stop the sleds, and the largest sled requires at least three passengers.

Monte before the downhill ride

The tour starts in Monte, a hill parish above Funchal. Instead of heading straight to the sled queue, you first walk around the area with a local guide. That short introduction helps make the ride feel less like a stand-alone amusement and more like a piece of Madeira’s transport story.

One early stop is Largo da Fonte, a square with gardens and a view of the old train station. The gardens offer a gentler start than the high-energy ride to come, while the station view points to earlier ways people moved around the island. The tour does not promise a visit inside the station, so think of it as a stop for context and a look around rather than a full attraction visit.

Your guide can add local detail as you walk. Past participants have singled out guides Marco and Duarte for clear explanations, and one guide was praised for adjusting the pace to suit someone with limited mobility. That personal attention is one advantage of a private tour: you can ask questions and share preferences without keeping step with a large mixed group. It does not, however, make the route wheelchair accessible.

The walk also gives you time to settle into Monte before the sled ride. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes, as advised. The provided details do not specify the walking distance or terrain, so if walking is a concern, ask the operator what to expect before booking.

Monte church and the story of the sled

Monte church is a key stop on the walking portion. Its connection to the last Austro-Hungarian emperor, whose tomb is located there, makes it more than a quick photo stop. If you enjoy places where local life and wider European history meet, this is likely to be one of the most distinctive parts of the tour.

The guide can also explain how the toboggan became a form of public transport in the 19th century. That background matters: without it, the sled may seem like a novelty built for a short burst of excitement. Knowing that local residents once used it to travel from the hills toward Funchal gives the ride a more grounded connection to the place.

The walking portion is not a full historical tour of Madeira, and the visit is focused on Monte. But it gives you a useful frame for the ride ahead: you see the parish, learn about the sled’s former role, and then experience the route downhill yourself.

The toboggan ride down to Funchal

The finale is the sled ride from Monte down to Funchal. The tour describes it as an emotional, adrenaline-filled ride, with splendid views over the city. Expect the contrast to be part of the fun: you start with a calm walk and a bit of history, then switch to a fast-moving ride that brings you back toward town.

This is the activity’s main draw, especially if you want something more memorable than another drive between sights. It also suits a family or group of friends looking for a shared experience, although children must be accompanied by an adult and unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

A practical detail to check before setting out is the sled size. The largest sled requires at least three passengers. If your party is smaller, confirm what arrangement is available rather than assuming you can use the largest one. The tour information does not specify ride duration, seating arrangements, or other operating details, so ask the guide if those points matter to you.

Weather can affect the ride. If it rains, the sleds might not operate, so don’t treat the downhill trip as guaranteed in wet conditions. The tour is three hours overall, but the exact starting times depend on availability. If the sled ride is the main reason you’re booking, check the forecast and the operator’s plan before you go.

What the private format adds

The tour is sold as a private group, which gives you a guide and vehicle for your own party rather than a shared group experience. That can make a short excursion easier to manage: you can ask questions, discuss what interests you, and potentially adjust the pace. One participant described a guide being flexible with timing and personal preferences, while another appreciated local suggestions for restaurants, cafés, and sights.

The guide is also your driver between pickup and the tour, with private transport included. Hotel or apartment pickup and drop-off are offered, and pickup can be arranged from hotels in Calheta, Ponta do Sol, and Ribeira Brava. Cruise passengers can meet outside on the pier beside their ship at Funchal Cruise Ship Port, at Gare Marítima do Porto do Funchal.

Languages offered are English, Spanish, and Portuguese. If you have a preference, confirm it when arranging the tour. Onboard Wi-Fi is included, a small convenience if you need to check messages or plans during the drive.

Is $117 per person good value?

At $117 per person, this is not the cheapest way to take the toboggan ride. The price includes more than the sled itself: you get a local guide and driver, private vehicle transport, pickup and drop-off, onboard Wi-Fi, a guided walk in Monte, and the ride. If you were already planning to visit Monte and wanted a guide to explain the area, those elements make the price easier to justify.

The private format is especially relevant to value. You are paying for a tour designed for your own group, not just a seat on a shared shuttle. That can be worthwhile for a family, friends, or a small party that prefers a flexible pace. The value may feel less compelling if your only goal is the sled ride and you are comfortable organizing your own transport.

Food, drinks, and pictures are not included. Plan to buy refreshments separately, and don’t assume a photographer is part of the activity. Food and drinks are also not allowed in the vehicle, along with smoking and vaping.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I’d consider this tour if you want the ride but also care about what it means locally. The brief walk, the church, and the story of the sled give you context that a ride alone would miss. It’s also a practical choice if you want transport arranged from your accommodation or cruise ship, rather than piecing together the outing yourself.

It fits groups who enjoy a mix of light sightseeing and a lively activity. Families can take part, provided children are accompanied by an adult. The private format may also suit anyone who values a guide’s personal attention, though anyone with mobility concerns should ask about the walking route and access before booking.

It’s a weaker fit if you need wheelchair access, if rain would spoil the main event, or if you are looking for a long, detailed tour of Madeira. The experience focuses on Monte and the sled ride, not a broad island itinerary.

A few practical details before you book

Bring comfortable shoes and clothes. The activity is not wheelchair accessible, and the walking portion may be a consideration if you have limited mobility. Children must be accompanied by an adult; unaccompanied minors are not accepted.

The tour lasts three hours, with starting times shown when you check availability. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. That flexibility is useful if your plans are still taking shape, but it does not remove the weather uncertainty around the sled ride.

Should you book the Monte sled tour?

Book it if you want a guided introduction to Monte followed by the classic downhill ride, and if private transport and a guide are worth paying for. The mix of local history, church visit, and adrenaline makes for a well-rounded half-day outing rather than a ride with no context.

Think twice if you want only the lowest-cost way to reach the sled, need wheelchair access, or would be disappointed if rain stopped the ride. Before confirming, check your pickup point, preferred guide language, and the sled arrangement for your group, especially if you need the largest sled.

FAQ

How long is the Monte sightseeing and sled tour?

The tour lasts three hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes a driver and local guide, private vehicle transport, hotel or apartment pickup and drop-off, onboard Wi-Fi, and the toboggan sled ride.

Are food, drinks, and pictures included?

No. Food, drinks, and pictures are not included.

Where is the meeting point for cruise passengers?

Meet outside on the pier beside your cruise ship at Funchal Cruise Ship Port, Gare Marítima do Porto do Funchal.

Which languages can the guide speak?

Guides are available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Can the tour pick me up outside Funchal?

Pickup is offered from hotels in Calheta, Ponta do Sol, and Ribeira Brava, as well as hotel or apartment pickup and drop-off.

What happens if it rains?

The sleds might not operate in rainy weather.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users and children?

The activity is not wheelchair accessible. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and unaccompanied minors are not allowed.