Funchal: Toboggan and Old Town Experience with Tukway

Monte comes with instant momentum. This 2 hour Tukway style outing threads together Funchal’s Old Town walks and Monte viewpoints, with time at the Church of Our Lady of the Mount before you decide on the Carreiros do Monte toboggans.

I especially love the character of the painted doors in Santa Maria, where different artists turn everyday entrances into street art you can actually pause for. I also like that you get to Monte with a guide who explains what you are seeing and why it matters, then you can enjoy the toboggans with a proper safety briefing that keeps the fun in the front seat.

One thing to plan for: the toboggan ride is paid separately, and timing can affect how long you wait at the top (€35 for 2 people).

Key highlights worth your attention

Painted doors in Santa Maria give Funchal a creative street-level feel

Small group size (up to 5) keeps the guide’s attention on you

Monte Church of Our Lady of the Mount is a landmark finished in 1818

Carreiros do Monte tradition turns a commute history into an adrenaline stop

Early starts help with toboggan queues when cruise crowds swell

How a 2-hour Tukway day makes Funchal feel walkable

This is a short, high-impact tour. You are on the move enough to cover real territory, but not so long that you lose the day to transit. Pickup and drop-off are built in for Funchal, including the cruise ship terminal, so you are not wasting time figuring out logistics.

The small group is capped at 5 people, which matters in practice. On a quick 2 hour experience, fewer people usually means more time at photo stops, easier questions for the guide, and a better chance to keep the day flowing. The experience is also designed for a mix of pace: you get scenic driving, a guided walk, and then a fun break if you choose the toboggans.

Price-wise, you are paying for the guided route plus transport within Funchal and Monte. The base price is $94 per group up to 2, and that includes pickup, drop-off, a local driver/guide, and a blanket. Food and drinks are not included, and the toboggans are extra, so you will want to budget a little more if you want the full downhill experience.

Getting from Funchal to Monte with a driver who reads the route

You start in Funchal with pickup and then you head up the hill. Expect a scenic drive style segment as you transition from the busier city streets toward the Monte area. The drive is split into chunks in the flow of the day, including about 20 minutes on the way from Funchal and another short segment to Monte.

This part is not just transportation. It is where your guide sets the tone, explains what you are about to see, and points out practical things along the way. In the feedback for this experience, people repeatedly mention guides like Luis, Ricardo, André, Francisco, Erica, and Gil for being friendly, professional, and quick with local context. You can treat it like an orientation lap, so when you stop to look, you already know what you are looking at.

A small practical tip: bring weather-appropriate clothing. Monte can feel different from Funchal, and the tour includes time outdoors for viewpoints and walking. A blanket is provided, which helps, but layers still make the day smoother.

Santa Maria Old Town walk: painted doors and cobblestones you can actually enjoy

Once you are back in the Old Town area, the walk focuses on an easy-to-follow slice of history and style. One of the standout stops is the area around Rue de Santa Maria. This is where you slow down and look at the small details that big bus tours often race past.

The headliner here is the so-called painted doors. Along Santa Maria, doorways have been painted by different artists, so each one has its own look. It turns an ordinary street into something you can browse like an open-air gallery. You also get to notice the texture underfoot with cobblestone floors and the facades of older houses.

What makes this valuable for you: it is not just scenery. It is a way to understand how Funchal expresses creativity at street level. When you see the doors and their varied designs, the Old Town stops feeling like a single postcard view and starts feeling like lived-in neighborhood art.

A possible drawback: this segment is a walking experience on cobblestones. If you hate stepping on uneven ground or if your feet do not love cobbles, wear comfortable closed-toe shoes. Also remember the tour does not allow luggage or large bags, so keep what you carry light.

The Church of Our Lady of the Mount in Monte, finished in 1818

Monte is where the day gains a more spiritual and historic center. The tour includes a visit to the Church of Our Lady of the Mount, specifically the structure visible today, which was completed in 1818.

Even if you do not consider yourself a church person, this stop is still a win. It is one of those places where architecture and purpose meet, and it gives Monte a strong identity beyond the ride itself. Many people choose the toboggans because they are fun, but the church is part of what makes Monte feel distinct from the rest of the island.

Practical note: after the visit, you have a decision point. You can ride the toboggans for an additional cost or skip the downhill portion and enjoy more of the Monte and city surroundings.

Carreiros do Monte toboggans: fast fun with a real safety setup

This is the action portion, and it has its own rhythm. The toboggan ride is called Carreiros do Monte, and it has a strong local logic. Historically, it was transportation for locals traveling quickly between Monte and Funchal. The tradition appeared around the 1850s, and it is still in use today.

You will typically get a safety briefing before you go. Then there is a photo stop and a bit of free time built into the schedule. The ride period is roughly 30 minutes in the tour flow, though your actual time will depend on how the day moves at the toboggan area.

Important budgeting detail: toboggan tickets are not included in the $94 base price. The extra cost is €35 for 2 people. One reason this matters for value is that you are deciding whether to pay to turn this into an adrenaline story. If that downhill ride is a priority for you, plan your spending up front. If it is not, the rest of the tour still works as a solid Old Town and Monte introduction.

Queue reality: people often suggest an earlier start to avoid toboggan lineups when cruise crowds hit. The tour includes guidance from staff on timing, and in multiple cases early arrivals helped groups move through with shorter waits.

Also, the logistics are handled: after you ride, your guide meets you at the bottom and you continue the city sights. That handoff removes stress. You are not stuck trying to find your group in a busy area.

Back in Funchal: viewpoints, Old Town energy, and guide-led pacing

After Monte and the downhill portion, the tour loops back toward central Funchal. You get more guided sightseeing, with scenic driving and pass-by moments that help you connect what you saw earlier with what you are seeing now. There are additional viewpoint moments in the schedule, with time that helps you take photos and reset.

Guides seem to focus on a mix of sights and practical local notes. In the feedback for this experience, people highlight the guides’ ability to share interesting Madeira facts, point out key areas, and keep the timing smooth. One detail I like is how guides handle the day proactively. In at least one case, a guide contacted someone ahead of time due to a second cruise ship arrival, expecting longer toboggan queues and suggesting an earlier start. That is the kind of heads-up that keeps your vacation calm.

You do not get a long list of museum stops here. Instead, you get a guided skim through the parts that create Funchal’s character: Old Town streets, Monte landmark views, then back down toward the city.

Value and practical price sense for a small group of up to 5

Let’s talk about value in the plain way that helps you decide. The base cost (listed as $94 per group up to 2) includes:

• Pickup and drop-off in Funchal or the cruise ship terminal
• A local driver/guide
• A blanket

It does not include:

• Food and drinks
• Toboggan tickets, which cost €35 for 2 people

So your real decision is whether the toboggans are worth the extra ticket on top of the guided city and Monte day.

For me, this is good value when:

• You want a structured introduction to Funchal and Monte in a short time
• You like the idea of a guided Old Town walk rather than figuring out streets alone
• You plan to add the Carreiros do Monte ride

It is less good value if:

• You only want the Old Town and church and are sure you will not ride the toboggans
• You are traveling with lots of gear, since there are restrictions on luggage and large bags

Compared with bigger bus-style tours, the small group format is the part that can feel most worth it. It is not about luxury. It is about smoother pacing, easier communication, and more time to focus on details like the painted doors.

Who should book this Tukway and who should skip it

This tour fits best if you want:

• A compact day with Old Town + Monte in one sweep
• A fun activity option with the toboggans that you can choose to add
• A guide-led experience in English, Portuguese, or Spanish

It is a tough match if you:

• Need a wheelchair friendly route, since it is not suitable for wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments
• Are traveling with children under 3

If you are a cruise passenger, this can be a nice choice because pickup from the port area is included and the time window is short.

If you love photos, this tour has multiple built-in moments: viewpoints during the drive, a photo stop tied to the toboggan area, and time to wander around the painted doors on Rue de Santa Maria.

Should you book the Funchal Toboggan and Old Town experience with Tukway?

Yes, if you want an efficient way to experience two sides of Madeira in one morning or afternoon: the Old Town charm of Santa Maria and the Monte identity anchored by the Church of Our Lady of the Mount. The real reason to book is the combination of walking details plus the option to add the Carreiros do Monte ride, with guides who seem to know how to keep timing smooth and people entertained.

I would book it especially if you are picturing Funchal as more than a cable car stop and a quick stroll. You will get street-level art in the form of painted doors, a landmark with 1818 roots, and then the kind of local downhill tradition that turns history into motion.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour duration is 2 hours.

Where do you get picked up?

Pickup is included in Funchal, or from the cruise ship terminal.

How big is the group?

The group is limited to 5 participants.

Is the tour guide available in English?

Yes. Live tour guide languages include English, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Is the toboggan ride included in the price?

No. Toboggan tickets are not included. The toboggan ride costs €35 for 2 people.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

What is provided during the tour?

The tour includes pickup and drop-off, a local driver/guide, and a blanket.

Are strollers or large bags allowed?

No. Baby strollers are not allowed, and luggage or large bags are not allowed.

Is it suitable for young children or wheelchair users?

It is not suitable for children under 3 years old, and it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users.

What if I need to cancel?

There is free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.