Funchal: Toboggan and Old Town Experience with Tukway

Monte’s famous wicker toboggan ride is the star here. You are pushed and steered downhill by the Carreiros do Monte, then reunited with your guide for a tuk tuk tour through Funchal’s old streets. The private vehicle can reach places large buses cannot, and guides such as André, Luis, Ricardo, Andrea, and Fabio add local stories along the way.

I especially like two things: the cruise-port pickup, which makes this a smart shore excursion, and the timing advice to visit the toboggans early, before queues grow. The main catch is that the ride costs extra, €35 for two people, and waiting times can be long. This is also not suitable for children under 3, wheelchair users, or people with mobility limitations.

Key points at a glance

• Monte’s toboggan ride is optional: Buy the €35 ticket for two people separately at the site.
• The tuk tuk waits below: After your downhill ride, the guide continues the tour rather than leaving you to find your way back.
• Rua de Santa Maria brings Funchal’s art to street level: Painted doors, old façades, and cobbled paving give this walk its character.
• Pickup is practical: You can be collected from a Funchal hotel or the cruise ship terminal.
• Private means flexible: The tour is for your group, with an English-speaking local driver and guide.
• Allow for queues: Going early can help, though the toboggan wait is not guaranteed to be short.

Why this Funchal tour works so well

Funchal spreads out on steep hills above the Atlantic, so a tuk tuk is a useful way to connect places that would otherwise require uphill walking, taxis, or separate bookings. This two-hour trip combines three very different slices of Madeira: Monte’s church, the old-fashioned downhill sledge, and Funchal’s oldest central streets.

You are not simply driven around and shown a few landmarks from the road. The guide takes you to Monte, explains what you are seeing, helps point you toward the toboggan ticket area, and waits at the lower end of the ride. From there, you return toward the center and explore the Old Town on foot.

That format suits you if you want a quick first look at Funchal without spending half a day on a large coach. It also works well for a cruise stop, since pickup and drop-off at the terminal are included.

The tour has earned a 4.8 rating from 126 ratings, and the strongest praise centers on the guides. André is often singled out for friendly explanations, good viewpoints, and a light touch of humor. Luis is praised for making cruise-port pickup easy and for explaining Madeira’s culture. Ricardo is noted for warning about speed bumps and suggesting local food and drink. Andrea receives particular credit for helping with the toboggan arrangements and keeping the day relaxed.

Those details matter. A short city tour depends less on a long list of sights than on a guide who can use the time well.

From Funchal to Monte by tuk tuk

The drive up to Monte is part of the experience. The itinerary allows about 20 minutes for the first Funchal section and about 10 minutes for the Monte portion, with scenic views along the way. Your guide points out sights and shares local facts while the tuk tuk handles streets that can be awkward for a larger vehicle.

A tuk tuk gives you more open views than a standard car, though it also exposes you to the weather. Bring a jacket or other weather-appropriate clothing. Madeira can feel mild in the sun and cooler higher up, and the ride itself is open-sided.

This is a private group experience, so you are not packed in with strangers. That makes it easier to ask for a short photo stop or clarification, although the supplied information does not promise a fully custom route. The driver remains in charge of the timing, especially if the toboggan queue is growing.

One small practical point: large bags and luggage are not allowed, and baby strollers are not suitable. If you are coming directly from a cruise ship, leave bulky items on board or at your accommodation.

Monte and the Church of Our Lady of the Mount

Monte sits above Funchal and is best known for its church and toboggan run. The Church of Our Lady of the Mount is the main sight here. The building you see today was completed in 1818 and remains an important place for both worship and sightseeing.

Your stop is not designed as a long church visit with an extended interior tour. Instead, you get a guided look at the site as part of the route, along with time to see the setting and take photographs. The hilltop position also gives you a sense of how sharply Funchal rises from the coast.

I like this stop because it gives the toboggan ride a proper setting. You see Monte as a village and religious site first, rather than treating it as nothing more than a launch point for a tourist attraction.

Do not expect the church visit to fill the whole two hours. The tour is built around movement, short stops, and the Old Town walk. If you want a slow, detailed look inside the church, you may need to return independently.

The Carreiros do Monte ride

The toboggan is a traditional form of transport associated with Monte. It began around the 1850s, when locals used the steep route to reach Funchal more quickly. Today, the ride is operated by the carreiros, who wear traditional white clothing and use their shoes to steer and slow the wicker sledges.

For this tour, the ride is optional and paid separately. The stated cost is €35 for two people. That fee is not included in the $91 group price, so a pair should budget for both charges before booking.

You board near Monte and travel downhill toward Livramento. The ride is short compared with the full tour, but it is the part most likely to make your day memorable. The open sledge, steep road, and steering technique create a very different experience from a normal taxi or cable car.

The guide does not ride down with you. After taking you to the upper area and helping you understand the process, the driver meets you at the bottom. That arrangement is important because it means you are not left to arrange the next part of the day by yourself.

The queue is the main uncertainty. One group waited only a short time, while another reported about an hour at midday. Cruise-ship crowds can affect the line, so an early start is sensible. The company cannot guarantee a short wait because the ride is operated separately and tickets cannot be reserved through this tour.

If you dislike queues, you can skip the sledges and still take part in the Monte and Funchal sightseeing. If you are looking for Madeira’s most distinctive bit of transport, however, the extra cost and possible wait may be worth it.

The ride is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users. The supplied information also says the activity is not suitable for children under 3. Ask yourself how comfortable you are with a brisk downhill ride before paying for the ticket.

Returning to Funchal and exploring the Old Town

After the toboggan ride, the tuk tuk returns toward central Funchal. The itinerary sets aside about 20 minutes for the Old Town stop, including a break, photographs, a guided walk, and scenic views.

That is enough time for an introduction, not a complete museum-style visit. You will see the old streets, learn how the area developed, and get suggestions that can help you plan a longer return visit on foot.

The main walking area is Rua de Santa Maria in the Santa Maria district. Its doors have been painted by different artists, turning ordinary entrances into an outdoor gallery. The effect is most enjoyable when you stop looking only at major sights and notice the small details at street level.

Look for the cobblestone paving and the façades of the older houses. The street has a lived-in feel rather than a polished theme-park look, and the painted doors give it a playful layer without hiding the age of the neighborhood.

This is where a local guide adds real value. André, Luis, Ricardo, and Andrea are all praised for mixing facts with personal recommendations. Ricardo, in particular, is noted for suggestions about food and drink, while another guide included a stop connected with traditional poncha. The exact guide and stops can vary, so treat these as possible additions rather than guaranteed features.

What the two-hour schedule really means

Two hours sounds generous until you divide it among pickup, the climb to Monte, the church, the toboggan, the return drive, and the Old Town. The itinerary lists several 20-minute sightseeing and driving sections, plus a 10-minute Monte segment. In practice, the toboggan queue can become the biggest variable.

The tour works best as a lively overview. You will see and learn a lot, but you will not have long, unhurried time at every stop. If your priority is the Old Town, you may want to return later and walk Rua de Santa Maria at your own pace.

If your priority is the toboggan, tell the guide at the start. The strongest practical advice from the experience is to go early, before cruise crowds build. The exact starting time depends on availability, so check the schedule before committing to a tight onward plan.

The private format helps. You can ask questions, hear the guide clearly, and avoid the slow loading process of a large vehicle. The tradeoff is that this is still a short route, not a full-day cultural tour.

Price, inclusions, and actual value

The listed price is $91 per group of up to two people. That is a group price rather than a per-person fare, so the value improves if two people share the tuk tuk. Pickup and drop-off at a Funchal hotel or cruise terminal are included, along with the local English-speaking driver-guide and a blanket.

The blanket is a small but useful touch in an open vehicle, especially on the hill drive. Food, drinks, attraction tickets, and the toboggan are not included. Add €35 for two people if you plan to ride the sledges.

For a couple on a cruise stop, the price can make sense because it joins transport, a guide, Monte, and the Old Town in one booking. You also avoid the trouble of finding a taxi uphill and arranging a separate return after the ride.

For a solo visitor, the group price is less appealing because you pay the same base amount alone. Families should also note that the tour is not suitable for children under 3, and the vehicle cannot take baby strollers or large bags.

The free cancellation policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance. You can also reserve and pay later, which is useful when cruise schedules or weather may affect your plans.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend it to couples, first-time visitors, and cruise passengers who want a compact introduction to Funchal. It is especially good for people who want a little movement and local color rather than a formal bus tour.

You should also consider it if you like guides who talk about daily life, food, viewpoints, and local customs. The strongest guide feedback points to friendly conversation, clear explanations, and practical suggestions, not just rehearsed landmark descriptions.

It is less suitable if you want a slow church visit, a long Old Town walk, or guaranteed access to the toboggan without a queue. It is also a poor fit if you use a wheelchair, have limited mobility, need a stroller, or are carrying luggage.

The experience has a mildly adventurous edge. The tuk tuk ride is open to the weather, the streets rise sharply, and the toboggan is a real downhill ride rather than a gentle sightseeing attraction. That is precisely why it appeals to many people, but it is worth being honest about the physical side.

Should you book the Tukway tour?

Book it if you want three things in one short outing: Monte, the famous toboggan, and Funchal’s painted-door Old Town. The private tuk tuk, cruise-terminal pickup, and guide waiting at the bottom remove much of the usual planning hassle.

Go early if possible, and keep your schedule flexible enough for a queue. Budget the extra €35 for two people, dress for changing weather, and carry only a small day bag.

Skip it if your main goal is an in-depth Old Town visit or if the sledge ride does not appeal to you. For a first look at Funchal with a dash of old-fashioned fun, though, this is a well-focused choice with guides who appear to make the short format count.

FAQ

How long is the Funchal toboggan and Old Town experience?

The tour lasts two hours. The itinerary includes the drive to Monte, a church visit, the optional toboggan ride, the return toward Funchal, and a guided walk along Rua de Santa Maria.

Is the toboggan ride included in the price?

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

Where can I be picked up?

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

What language is the tour conducted in?

The tour has a live English-speaking local driver and guide.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. The experience is operated for a private group.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users or young children?

No. It is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments, and children under 3 are not accepted. Baby strollers and large bags are also not allowed.