Funchal: Toboggan and Old Town Experience with Tukway

Madeira’s most unusual ride begins high above Funchal. This private tuk tuk tour takes you up to Monte, where you can board the famous wicker toboggans and slide downhill to Livramento with two Carreiros steering and braking with their boots. I like that the tuk tuk handles the steep roads and that the guide waits for you at the bottom.

I also like the mix of thrills and local detail: you see Monte’s Church of Our Lady of the Mount, then explore Funchal’s painted doors and old cobbled streets. The main drawback is the toboggan ride’s separate €35 charge for two people, plus possible queues that can take about an hour at busy times.

Key points to know before booking

• The toboggan ride is optional and costs €35 for two people, paid separately at Monte.
• A private tuk tuk suits cruise passengers and short-stay visitors, with pickup from Funchal hotels or the cruise terminal.
• The best guides add local color, with André, Luis, Andrea, Ricardo, Fabio, and Lydia praised for friendly explanations and good sightseeing stops.
• Santa Maria’s painted doors are the Old Town highlight, set among cobblestones and old façades.
• The tour lasts two hours, so it gives you a lively introduction rather than a full museum-and-monument visit.
• The route is not suitable for children under three, wheelchair users, or people with mobility impairments.

Why the Monte toboggan makes this tour different

Many city tours simply point out Funchal’s landmarks from the road. This one gives you a proper Madeira oddity: a downhill ride in a large wicker basket, guided by men known as Carreiros do Monte.

The tradition began around the 1850s, when local people used the steep route as a quick way to get from Monte toward Funchal. Today, the ride is a famous attraction, but it still feels tied to the island’s old transport culture rather than being just another amusement ride.

You sit in the toboggan while two Carreiros steer it down the paved street. They control the speed with their shoes, which gives the ride its theatrical charm. It is quick, lively, and more physical than a normal sightseeing stop.

The tuk tuk is useful here. Monte sits high above central Funchal, and the climb involves steep roads. Your driver handles the uphill journey while pointing out views and local details along the way. Several guides, including André and Luis, are praised for explaining Funchal’s geography and history while keeping the mood light.

The ride itself is not included in the tour price. Allow an extra €35 for two people, and remember that the queue can change the shape of your morning. Early departures are the smart choice, especially when cruise ships are in port. One reported wait around midday lasted about an hour, while other departures reached the toboggans early and avoided a long line.

Starting in Funchal by private tuk tuk

Pickup is available from your Funchal hotel or the cruise ship terminal. This matters if you are visiting Madeira for only one day from a ship, since you do not need to find the operator or make your own way across town.

The group is private, with a price of $91 for up to two people. That makes the cost easier to justify for a couple, friends, or a small family group than for a solo visitor. The price covers the tuk tuk, driver-guide, pickup and drop-off, and a blanket, but not food, drinks, attraction tickets, or the toboggan.

Your first section is a guided drive through Funchal. Expect roughly 20 minutes of sightseeing and scenic views before reaching the Monte portion of the route. The tuk tuk can use streets that are awkward for large coaches, giving you a more direct way to move around the city’s steep and narrow areas.

The open-sided vehicle also makes the drive feel more connected to the city. You will notice road conditions more than you would in a coach, so bring weather-appropriate clothing. The blanket is a useful touch if the air feels cool during the uphill ride.

Guides named in the feedback include André, Luis, Andrea, Ricardo, Fabio, and Lydia. The exact guide depends on the date, but the pattern is clear: this experience works best when your driver talks with you, points out details, and adjusts the pace for photographs.

Monte and the Church of Our Lady of the Mount

Monte is the tour’s first major stop. The tuk tuk takes you uphill for about 10 minutes of guided sightseeing and scenic driving before the church and toboggan area.

The Church of Our Lady of the Mount is the main landmark here. The present structure was completed in 1818, and it remains an important destination for both churchgoers and people visiting Monte for its views and famous ride.

You have time to see the church before deciding on the toboggan. That choice is useful because not everybody wants the ride, and the tour does not force you to pay for an attraction you may not want.

If you do ride, the guide helps direct you to the ticket point and explains what happens next. Your guide does not ride down with you in the tuk tuk. Instead, the experience is arranged so the driver meets you at the bottom, allowing the tour to continue without making you organize another way back.

This is one of the strongest practical features of the outing. After a fast ride downhill, you are not left to locate your vehicle or navigate the streets alone. Guides such as Andrea and Luis are especially praised for making the process clear and waiting at the end.

The Carreiros do Monte ride to Livramento

The toboggan is short, but it packs a lot into a few minutes. You sit in a traditional wicker basket while the Carreiros push, steer, and slow it along the downhill route.

Do not confuse this with a smooth amusement-park ride. The charm comes from the old-fashioned design, the steep street, and the sight of the Carreiros working the basket with their shoes. It is a controlled ride, but you should expect turns, changes in speed, and a firm seat.

This part of the experience may not suit everyone. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users, and children under three cannot take part in the activity. Large bags and luggage are also not allowed, so leave bulky items at your hotel or ship.

The separate cost is the main issue to weigh. At €35 for two people, it is not an enormous addition to the price, but it does mean the advertised tour cost is not the full cost if you want the signature activity. You should also allow some flexibility for the queue.

The timing advice is simple: go early if you can. Several people found that an early visit reduced the wait, while a midday ride can be slowed by demand, particularly when cruise passengers are ashore. Check the starting time when booking and ask about the expected queue on the day.

Returning downhill and finding Funchal’s Old Town

Once you reach Livramento, your guide meets you and drives back toward central Funchal. The return section takes about 20 minutes and may include scenic stops, passing landmarks, and viewpoints.

This is where a good guide adds real value. André is praised for giving time for photographs and explaining Madeira’s geography. Ricardo is noted for pointing out local food and drink, and one tour included a stop connected with traditional poncha. A guide may also suggest places to eat or offer a stop near the farmers market, depending on the route and available time.

These details make the tuk tuk more than a transfer to Monte. You can ask questions as you go, and the private format lets you focus on the parts of Funchal that interest you most. Still, do not expect a long sit-down tasting or a full food tour. Food and drinks are not included.

The final sightseeing section focuses on Rua de Santa Maria in the Old Town. The street is known for its painted doors, each decorated by different artists. The artwork gives the area a strong visual identity, but the setting matters just as much: cobbled floors, old house façades, and narrow streets create a distinctly traditional part of Funchal.

You can walk, take photographs, and hear stories about the street and the city. About 20 minutes is allocated here, which is enough for a look and a guided stroll, but not enough for a slow gallery visit, a full meal, and extensive shopping.

If you want to return later for lunch or more photographs, note where you are. The tour finishes back in Funchal, and the Old Town is a good place to continue exploring on your own.

What the two-hour format really gives you

Two hours is both a strength and a limit. It is long enough to connect Monte, the toboggan, scenic driving, and Rua de Santa Maria without committing your entire day.

For a cruise stop, this is a sensible shape. You get a major Madeira experience and a quick look at central Funchal, with pickup and return arranged around the ship terminal. The guide can also help you judge how much time remains before you need to go back onboard.

For a longer stay, think of the tour as an introduction. You will not have time to cover every museum, church, market, and viewpoint in Funchal. The short walking section also means you may want to return to the Old Town later, especially if you want to eat, shop, or study the painted doors in detail.

The private group makes the two-hour schedule feel more useful. You are not waiting for a large coach to load, and the driver can point out places that a bus might pass too quickly. Several people also liked that the tuk tuk reached areas large vehicles cannot easily access.

Price, group size, and practical value

At $91 per group of up to two, the tour is priced as a private outing rather than a cheap shared city ride. Add €35 for two people if you choose the toboggan, and you have the full cost of the main activity.

I think the value is strongest for a couple arriving by cruise ship or staying in Funchal for a short time. Pickup, transport up to Monte, help with the toboggan, a meeting point at the bottom, and Old Town sightseeing would be awkward to arrange separately in a tight schedule.

The value is less clear if you only want the painted-door street. You could explore Rua de Santa Maria on foot without booking a vehicle, though you would miss the Monte visit, the hill drive, and the guide’s local explanations.

You should also remember what is not included. Food and drinks cost extra, and tickets for other attractions are not covered. There is no need to carry luggage, and large bags are not allowed, so plan this as a sightseeing outing rather than a transfer service.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability and choose an early slot if the toboggan is your priority.

Who will enjoy this Funchal experience most

I would choose this tour if you want to see Funchal with a local driver, dislike large coach groups, and like the idea of combining a quirky activity with city sightseeing.

It also suits first-time visitors who want help with the steep route to Monte. Guides such as André, Andrea, Luis, and Ricardo receive especially strong praise for being friendly, clear, and good at sharing local facts without making the outing feel like a formal lecture.

Families with older children may enjoy the tuk tuk and toboggan, though the minimum age is three and the activity is not suitable for people with mobility limitations. Children and adults alike should be comfortable with an open vehicle, a brisk downhill ride, and walking on cobbled streets.

I would not pick it for a wheelchair user, anyone with significant mobility problems, or someone carrying large luggage. It is also not the right choice if you want a slow, detailed visit to every attraction in central Funchal.

My call: book it for the ride and the guide

Book this tour if the Monte toboggan is on your Madeira wish list and you want the city tour built around it. The private tuk tuk, cruise terminal pickup, meeting point after the ride, and Old Town walk solve several small problems that can otherwise eat into a short visit.

The best practical decision is to choose an early start, bring weather-appropriate clothing, and budget the extra €35 for two. If you would rather avoid queues or do not want the toboggan, you can still use the outing as a compact Monte and Funchal tour, but its special character comes from combining both.

FAQ

How long does the Funchal tuk tuk and toboggan experience last?

The experience lasts two hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when you book.

Where can pickup and drop-off take place?

Pickup and drop-off are available in Funchal or at the cruise ship terminal. Hotel pickup is included when applicable.

Is the Monte toboggan ride included in the price?

No. The toboggan tickets are paid separately and cost €35 for two people.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It is offered as a private group experience, with a local driver-guide and English-language guiding.

What does the tour include?

It includes pickup and drop-off in Funchal or at the cruise terminal, a local driver-guide, and a blanket. Food, drinks, toboggan tickets, and other attraction tickets are not included.

Can children take part?

Children under three are not permitted. The supplied information does not give an upper age limit, but the experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Can I bring a stroller or large bag?

No. Baby strollers, luggage, and large bags are not allowed. Bring only what you can comfortably carry during the outing.