Take a Funchal toboggan ride. It’s one of Madeira’s most popular attractions. Btw. Madeira, in case you don’t know, is a Portuguese island located in the North Atlantic Ocean, 500 miles southwest of Portugal; 320 miles west of Morocco.
This ride in a basket, as some call it, dates back tothe 1850’s, when this basket ride was their primary means of transportation coming down the hill from Monte to Livramento.
The 3-seater baskets (per their website carreirosdomonte.com, they are made from wicker and their 2 runners are made of wood. It is powered by 2 Carreiros or sled drivers wearing a nice clean white uniform with straw hats. They wear special rubber-soled shoes to help them steer and brake. A reminder if you ever do this: Be sure to bring some cash to tip your drivers.
it, is definitely the most exciting way to come down the narrow streets from the Town of Monte. It starts near the steps of the Nossa Senhora do Monte Church.
Definitely can be a scary ride, but very safe considering how many people have taken this ride since they began in 2000. But, based on our experience, it wasn’t as scary as expected. There have been a few accidents/injuries, so definitely some risk here.
The two kilometers (1 1/4 miles) journey takes about 3-5minutes down a narrow, windy road that looks like it’s been waxed. You can reach speeds up to 38km/hour, which is 24mph.
So, there are 4 ways to get to the top.
You can Walk. 1,025 meters above sea level. From Funchal, it’s about 2 ½ miles to the top. – uphill and takes about 1 ½ hours.
Rent a bike – again, it’s up hill….
There are Tuk-Tuk’s you can rent that would pick you up at your hotel or the cruise pier in Funchal to the starting point and pick you up at the ending point of the ride and bring you back to your hotel. If interested in a tour, check out the links to some Viator options in the description.
The 4th option, which was our experience and our recommendation, is to take the Funchal cable car up from Funchal to Monte. 15-20 minutes. About 2 miles (3200 meters long). Maximum 6 adults. Gorgeous scenery. 39 cabins can transport 800 passengers per hour. Operating since 2000. From there, it’s about a 5-10’ walk to the Nossa Senhora do Monte Church, where the toboggan ride begins. There are some pretty tropical gardens you might to check out in Monte before you ride down.
There is usually a line, so do expect a wait – as much as 2 hours! Or, if you are staying on Madiera, try to plan this excursion on a day when there are no or few ships in port. Or, at the very beginning or end of the day. Check out cruisemapper.com to see what ships and times are in port.
35 euros for 2per person 52.50 euros for 3….. 27.50 euros for a single rider
Now, about where you’ll finish this ride. You end in Livamento, where you’ll find a cafe, washroom, souvenir shops of course, and buses and taxis.
If you prefer to walk, it’s about 20-30 walk from the ending location to the town of Funchall, about 1 1/2 miles away. Or, there are taxis, generally between 10-25 euros (or about $11-$28 USD). Or the local bus to Funchal, is about $2pp, which was our experience and our recommendation, as the taxi drivers can be very pushy and annoying.
Per their website, carreirosdomonte.com their hours are Monday-Sat 9am-6pm. They are open every day except January 1, December 25, And August 14 & 15 in honor of our lady of monte and good Friday and easter Sunday.
Keep in mind, this information is all subject to change at any time.
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You can book this tour with this link vi.me/JmCbZ
If you book with this link we receive a small commission from Viator. Thank you.
Traveling PogMah 