Funchal: Toboggan and Old Town Experience with Tukway

Monte’s famous wicker toboggan ride is the star here. Two carreiros in white trousers and straw hats steer the basket sled down the steep road toward Livramento, using their rubber-soled shoes as brakes. It is fast, old-fashioned, and much more fun than simply taking a taxi uphill.

I like two things especially: your private tuk tuk gets up narrow roads that large buses cannot use, and the guide stays with you through the toboggan setup before meeting you at the bottom. I also like the mix of sights, from Monte’s church to the painted doors of Rua de Santa Maria.

The main catch is timing. The toboggan costs an extra €35 for two people, and the queue can reach an hour or more. If you want a calm, detailed Old Town walk, the ride and waiting time may leave less room for it.

Key points at a glance

• Monte first can save time: Morning departures may help you avoid the larger cruise-ship crowds at the toboggan station.
• The ride is not included: Allow €35 for two people, paid separately at Monte.
• Private tuk tuk access: The small vehicle can use streets and viewpoints that big tour buses cannot reach.
• Santa Maria’s painted doors: Rua de Santa Maria turns old house fronts into an open-air art walk.
• Cruise-friendly pickup: Tukway can collect you from a Funchal hotel or the cruise ship terminal.
• A guide-led tour: André, Luis, Andrea, Ricardo, Fabio, and Lydia are among the guides praised for local stories, humor, and practical help.

Why Monte’s toboggan ride makes a good Funchal opener

Funchal is built on a steep slope above the sea, and Monte sits much higher up. The old toboggan route turns that geography into an attraction. Local people began using these wicker sleds in the 1850s as a quick way to get from Monte toward Funchal. Today, the trip is a piece of Madeira’s transport history with a good dose of controlled chaos.

You sit in a two-person basket, then slide downhill while two carreiros guide and slow it. The ride ends in Livramento, not in the center of Funchal, so the tuk tuk pickup afterward matters. Your guide meets you at the bottom and continues the sightseeing by road.

I like the way this tour links the ride to the rest of the city. You are not paying for a toboggan ticket and then left to arrange your own way back. The tuk tuk makes the experience feel like one connected outing.

Still, keep your expectations straight. This is not a private downhill run. The carreiros operate a popular public attraction, and you may need to queue before your turn. One practical tip is to choose an early start when possible. Several visitors found that going to Monte first helped avoid the heavier queues later in the day.

The climb to Monte by private tuk tuk

Pickup is available in Funchal or at the cruise ship terminal. For cruise passengers, this is a useful arrangement because the tour can begin close to the ship instead of requiring a separate taxi into town. The tuk tuk then climbs toward Monte, giving you changing views over Funchal as the road rises.

The drive is part sightseeing, part transport. Guides point out landmarks, explain the geography of Madeira, and share local facts along the way. André was repeatedly praised for making the drive humorous and informative, while Luis was noted for explaining Funchal’s culture and past in an easy, friendly way.

A tuk tuk is also a practical choice on Funchal’s steep, narrow roads. Large coaches are limited in where they can go, while this small vehicle can reach places a bus cannot. You get a closer look at the city rather than spending the whole transfer on a broad main road.

The ride can be lively and bumpy. One guide, Ricardo, made a point of warning passengers about small speed bumps. That sort of warning is useful, especially if you prefer a smooth ride or are carrying fragile items. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, so bring only what you need for the two-hour outing.

Our Lady of the Mount Church in Monte

At Monte, the tour includes a visit to the Church of Our Lady of the Mount. The present structure was completed in 1818, and its position makes it one of the most visited religious sites in Madeira.

The church gives the Monte stop some substance beyond the toboggan station. You have time to look at the building and hear why it matters to local worshippers and visitors. The stop also gives you a quieter pause before the more physical part of the outing.

Do not expect a long church-focused tour. The experience is designed to combine Monte, the toboggan, and Funchal Old Town within about two hours. If religious art and architecture are your main interests, you may want more time here on your own.

The order of the stops can matter. Going to Monte early lets you handle the ride before spending time in central Funchal. It also means your guide can meet you at Livramento and continue the route without making you solve the return journey yourself.

What to expect at the Carreiros do Monte

The toboggan tickets are separate from the tour price. The stated cost is €35 for two people, so two passengers can share one basket. Confirm the current price when booking or at the station, since attraction fees can change.

The wait is the biggest variable. One person reported waiting about an hour at midday, while other outings had shorter waits when the group arrived early. Your two-hour tour can therefore feel different depending on the day, cruise-ship schedule, and queue at Monte.

The ride itself is brief compared with the full tour, but it is the most memorable part for many people. The carreiros use their shoes to steer and slow the basket, and the route follows the steep road downhill. You get a very different view of Madeira’s slopes than you would from a cable car or taxi.

Wear weather-appropriate clothes. A light layer is sensible because Monte can feel different from lower Funchal, and the open tuk tuk leaves you exposed to the weather. Secure loose belongings, and do not bring a stroller or large bag. Children under three cannot take part, and the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users.

Returning downhill and seeing Funchal from street level

After the toboggan ride, you meet the guide in Livramento and continue by tuk tuk. The return route includes scenic driving, viewpoints, and passing sights in central Funchal. Guides use the journey to explain the city rather than treating it as dead time between stops.

This is where the private format earns its keep. You can ask questions, request a photo stop when the schedule allows, and hear recommendations for food or drinks. Ricardo was especially appreciated for suggesting local things to try, while one guide included a stop connected with traditional poncha.

Poncha is Madeira’s traditional sugar-cane spirit drink, usually mixed with citrus and honey or sugar. The tour information does not promise a tasting at every departure, so treat that stop as something your guide may offer, not a guaranteed inclusion. Food and drinks are not included.

The tuk tuk also helps you cover more ground than you could comfortably walk in two hours. Funchal’s hills can be tiring, and this route gives you an overview before you decide which areas deserve a longer return visit.

Rua de Santa Maria and Funchal’s painted doors

The Old Town portion centers on Rua de Santa Maria, in the Santa Maria district. Its old house fronts and cobblestone paving give you a clear sense of Funchal’s older street pattern, while the painted doors add a modern art layer.

Different artists decorated doors along the street, turning ordinary entrances into individual works. Some are colorful, some are playful, and others blend into the worn stone and plaster around them. Your guide points out the details, so you are not simply walking past them without context.

Allow time for photographs here. The tour description gives roughly 20 minutes for the Old Town stop, which is enough for a guided look and pictures but not a full museum visit or leisurely meal. If you want to examine every door, browse shops, or stop for lunch, return later without the group.

The cobblestones and old façades are part of the appeal, but they also call for sensible footwear. Comfortable shoes with a good grip will make the walking section easier. The route is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments, and strollers are not allowed.

How the two-hour schedule works in practice

The advertised duration is two hours, with several short sightseeing and driving sections. The broad pattern is pickup in Funchal, a drive to Monte, the church and toboggan experience, a meeting point in Livramento, then a tuk tuk tour through Funchal and the Old Town.

The written timing gives about 20 minutes for one Funchal sightseeing section, 10 minutes around Monte, another 20-minute drive, 20 minutes in Rua de Santa Maria, and a final 20-minute return segment. In real use, the toboggan queue can change the balance. A long line may reduce the time available for other stops, while a quick queue leaves more room for viewpoints and Old Town details.

That tradeoff is worth understanding before you book. You are buying a lively overview, not a slow walking tour with extended time at every monument. The private vehicle gives the guide some flexibility, but the total duration remains short.

Cruise passengers should pay close attention to the pickup plan and departure time. Tukway collects from the cruise terminal, and direct ship pickup was a major convenience for people with limited time in port. Still, you should choose a start time that leaves a safe buffer before your ship’s departure.

The guide can shape the whole experience

Tukway uses English-speaking local guides, and the human side of the tour is one of its strongest features. André is often described as friendly, funny, and good at explaining Madeira’s geography. Luis is praised for his calm manner and local stories. Andrea is noted for helping with the toboggan process and showing less obvious viewpoints.

Other named guides include Ricardo, Fabio, and Lydia. Ricardo’s warnings about road bumps and food suggestions add practical value. Fabio is described as easy to talk to and well informed, while Luis and Lydia have been praised for bringing energy to the outing.

You should not assume a specific guide unless Tukway confirms one for your date. The important point is that the tour depends heavily on the guide’s commentary. A good guide turns the tuk tuk into a moving introduction to Funchal, explaining what you are seeing and helping with the transitions between stops.

The private group format helps here. The price is $91 per group of up to two people, rather than a per-person fare. Add the €35 toboggan ticket for two, and the combined cost is reasonable if you value direct pickup, a private vehicle, and local guiding. For a solo visitor, the group price is less attractive, since you pay the same base amount alone.

What the price includes, and what it does not

The tour price covers pickup and drop-off in Funchal or at the cruise terminal, the local driver-guide, and a blanket. The blanket is a small but useful touch in an open vehicle, especially on the higher road to Monte.

You pay separately for the toboggan, at €35 for two people. You also pay for any food, drinks, or other attraction tickets. The church visit is included as part of the sightseeing, but the package does not promise entry to additional paid sights.

For two people, the value is strongest when you want several services in one booking. A taxi to Monte, separate help at the toboggan station, and a second ride around Funchal would take more planning. Here, the guide handles the route and meets you at the bottom.

The value is weaker if you want only the toboggan ride. You could focus on that attraction separately, but you would lose the Old Town tour, painted doors, viewpoints, and local commentary. This experience makes most sense when you want an overview of Funchal with one unusual ride built in.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later make the booking less rigid. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date.

Who should book this Funchal tour?

I would choose this for a first visit, a short cruise stop, or a couple who wants to cover Funchal without committing to a full-day excursion. It also suits families with children aged three or older, provided everyone can manage the tuk tuk and toboggan setup.

It is a good match if you like short guided stops, local stories, scenic driving, and a little harmless nerve. The ride adds a clear sense of occasion, while the Old Town keeps the tour connected to everyday Funchal.

I would think twice if you dislike queues, have difficulty with steep roads or uneven cobblestones, or need wheelchair access. The outing is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or children under three.

You should also avoid packing for the day during this tour. Large bags, luggage, and baby strollers are not allowed, so leave those at your hotel or ship when possible.

Should you book the Toboggan and Old Town Experience?

Book it if you want a private, cruise-friendly introduction to Funchal with the city’s classic toboggan ride included as an option. The combination of Monte, Our Lady of the Mount Church, Livramento, viewpoints, and Rua de Santa Maria gives you a useful first look at Madeira’s capital.

The strongest reason to choose it is the guide support. You get collected at your hotel or ship, driven uphill, helped toward the toboggan station, met again at the bottom, and shown around the Old Town by tuk tuk. Guides such as André, Luis, Andrea, and Ricardo add the local detail that a simple taxi transfer cannot provide.

Skip it if your priority is a long, unhurried Old Town visit or if waiting in line would spoil the day. For everyone else, choose an early departure, budget the extra €35 for two, wear practical clothes and shoes, and enjoy one of Funchal’s most distinctive rides.

FAQ

Is the toboggan ride included in the tour price?

No. The toboggan tickets are paid separately and cost €35 for two people according to the provided tour information.

Where can pickup and drop-off take place?

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

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts about two hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for your chosen date.

Is the tour private?

Yes. The experience is offered for a private group, with the listed price covering up to two people.

What language does the guide speak?

The live tour guide speaks English. Named guides associated with the experience include André, Luis, Andrea, Ricardo, Fabio, and Lydia, though a specific guide is not guaranteed.

Is the experience suitable for children and wheelchair users?

Children under three are not permitted. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users, and baby strollers are not allowed.