The Monte Toboggan Ride and Cable Car, Funchal

Sliding down the streets of Funchal in a wicker basket, steered by two men in white with straw hats, is Madeira’s most famous experience. Combine it with the cable car up to Monte and its tropical gardens for a classic half-day. Here’s how.

Quick answer: take the cable car from Funchal’s Old Town up to Monte, visit the church and the Monte Palace Tropical Garden, then ride the toboggan (carros de cesto) down about 2km of steep streets in around 10 minutes. The ride ends at Livramento, partway down the hill. From there, take a taxi or bus, or walk down to the centre. See Monte cable car and toboggan tours.

Why go

Monte is a hilltop parish about 550 metres above Funchal. It was once a cool retreat for wealthy families, and it still feels greener and calmer than the city below. In one morning you get a cable car ride over the rooftops, one of Madeira’s best gardens, a historic church and a ride you won’t find anywhere else in Europe.

The toboggan ride

The wicker toboggans appeared around 1850, when they were a quick way for Monte residents to get down to Funchal. Today, two drivers (carreiros) push and steer each sled, using their rubber-soled boots as brakes. The sled runs on wooden runners over smooth, steep streets and can reach speeds of up to about 48km/h. It’s exhilarating but safe, and suitable for most ages.

• Where it starts: at the foot of the steps below the Nossa Senhora do Monte church.
• Hours: usually Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm. The official schedule lists no Sunday rides, and it may not run on some holidays, so check before you go.
• Price: charged per sled. Since 1 May 2026, a ride costs €30 for one person, €40 for two and €60 for three, so sharing works out cheaper per person.
• Tickets: bought on the spot on the day, and payment is cash only, so bring enough with you.
• Booking: you can’t book the ride itself in advance, so expect a queue at busy times.

The cable car

The Funchal cable car runs from the seafront near the Old Town up to Monte in about 15 minutes, climbing around 560 metres over a 3.2km line, with sweeping views over the city and the bay. It usually runs daily from about 8:45am to 5:45pm, except on Christmas Day. It closed from January to early April 2026 for an upgrade that raised the number of cabins from 39 to 44, so check current times.

• Fares: about €16 one way and €22 return for adults in 2026. Children aged 7 to 14 pay half, and under-7s ride free.
• Glass floor cabins: five of the new cabins have glass floors and cost more, at about €26 one way or €32 return.
• Botanical Garden link: a second cable car runs from Monte to the Botanical Garden, crossing the deep valley of the João Gomes river. It is priced separately.

Other ways up

• Bus: Horários do Funchal city buses run from the centre up to Monte (routes were renumbered under the SIGA network in March 2026, so check the current number). They are cheaper than the cable car but slower.
• Taxi: a short, easy ride from the centre.

Things to see in Monte

• Monte Palace Tropical Garden: exotic plants, koi ponds, tile panels and oriental gardens, spread over about 7 hectares. Allow one and a half to two hours. There is a lot of up and down, so wear good shoes. It usually opens from 9am to 7pm from April to September, and 9am to 6pm from October to March. Adult tickets are about €18, and children up to 14 go free with an adult.
• Nossa Senhora do Monte church: the hilltop church, with a long staircase and views. Building began in 1741, but an earthquake destroyed it in 1748, and the rebuilt church was consecrated in 1818. Austria’s last emperor, Charles I, is buried here. He died in exile in Madeira in 1922.
• Largo da Fonte: the leafy square at the heart of Monte, with a small chapel and cafés.
• The Botanical Garden, by cable car. See the Madeira Botanical Garden.

A suggested half-day

1. Take the first cable car up from the Old Town at around 9am.
2. Spend the morning in Monte Palace Tropical Garden.
3. Visit the church, then ride the toboggan to Livramento before the crowds build.
4. Get a taxi or bus back down, and have lunch in the Old Town.

If you want the Botanical Garden too, ride the second cable car before the toboggan and allow a full day.

When to go

The toboggans run all year, but mornings are best, before the cruise-ship groups arrive. On 14 and 15 August, Monte celebrates its patron, Nossa Senhora do Monte, with a pilgrimage to the church and one of Madeira’s biggest street festivals, with food stalls and music around Largo da Fonte. Expect road closures and big crowds. See the best time to visit Madeira.

Tips

• Go early to avoid cruise-ship crowds. See Funchal’s cruise port.
• Getting down: from Livramento, it’s a steep walk into town. Taxis wait at the bottom.
• Buy separately or together: the cable car, gardens and toboggan are priced separately. Some tours combine them.
• Weather: Monte is often cooler and cloudier than the seafront, so bring a light layer.
• Kids love it. See Madeira with kids.

FAQ

How much does the Monte toboggan cost?

Since May 2026, it costs €30 for one person, €40 for two and €60 for three per sled. You pay in cash at the start.

Can you book the Monte toboggan in advance?

No. Tickets are sold on the day at the start, so arrive early to avoid a long queue.

Where does the toboggan ride end?

At Livramento, partway down the hill, not in the city centre. From there, take a taxi or bus, or walk down a steep road into Funchal.

Is the Monte toboggan safe for children?

Yes, it is suitable for most ages. Two drivers steer and brake the sled the whole way down, so you just sit back and hold on.

More: things to do in Funchal, the best Madeira tours and the Madeira itinerary.

See also: Monte Palace Tropical Garden.

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