Funchal Cable Car & Monte Toboggan

by coach, cable car, toboggan & on foot

Leaving the port, your journey will take you along Funchal’s waterfront to the cable car. Boarding the cabin which seats six people, embark on your sky journey up to the village of Monte whilst enjoying spectacular views of Funchal’s valleys, rustic red rooftops, quaint little villages and flourishing countryside below.

The cable car ride has a duration of approximately fifteen minutes. At the top is Monte, which has been a favourite destination for visitors to Madeira since the late 19th century when a steam railway was built to carry cruise liner passengers up the hillside from Funchal. The route of the cable car was chosen to replace the old Monte Railway which closed in 1939.

Your first sighting of Monte will be the twin-towered facade of the 18th century church, held as a landmark throughout the city.

The thrilling return journey down to Livramento is made on the famous basket sledges called ’toboggans’. The Funchal toboggan is one of Madeira’s most famous attractions. Dating back to the 1850s, this Madeira sled ride was the primary means of downhill public transportation in Funchal. Today the ’Carro de Cesto’ is used to transport visitors and tourists. The unforgettable toboggan descent from Monte to Livramento is approximately 2km (1.2 miles) and takes around 10 minutes to complete, a thrilling ride that travels at up to 30km (18.5 miles) per hour. It’s the heels and toes of the drivers’ shoes that are your brakes!

Back on your coach, your experience continues from Livramento to Pico dos Barcelos at approximately 355m (1,165ft) above sea level, offering a fantastic panorama of the whole of Funchal’s city, bay, harbour, and its surrounding hills. On a clear day, you can often see the Desertas Islands on the horizon.

Following this exciting scenic experience, you return to the port.