Things to do on the Monte toboggan run

The Monte toboggan is a wicker basket on wooden runners, pushed and steered by two carreiros dressed in white with straw boaters, a tradition running since 1850. The ride covers around 2km downhill to Livramento in a few minutes, costing roughly 25-30 euros for one person or 35-40 euros for two sharing a basket, cash preferred.

It starts near Nossa Senhora do Monte church, a short walk from where the Funchal-Monte cable car arrives after its 15-minute ride up. This is not transport back to central Funchal: the run ends at Livramento, well short of the old town, and you still need a taxi or bus from there.

Queues build fast after 10am in cruise-ship season.