Tuk tuks and toboggans in one loop. This MadTuk tour stitches together Funchal coast views, the Santa Luzia garden area, and two quick stops up in Monte before you roll back through the old town. I love the private, exclusive service and the Miradouro dos Marmeleiros overlook, set 383m above Funchal and created back in 1939.

The only real catch is the weather-dependent toboggan schedule (plus the fact that toboggan tickets are not included, so you’ll pay separately).

Key highlights you’ll care about

• Private tuk tuk for your group with pickup and drop-off within the Funchal area
• Marmeleiros viewpoint built in 1939 with a dramatic height of 383m over the city
• Monte Church stop that pairs a quick visit with the famous staircase moment
• Carreiros do Monte toboggans for the adrenaline ride, though tickets are extra
• Guides who keep you on track and help with the handoff so you’re not wandering around looking lost
• Route includes Old Town passing-through time and a built-in photo stop

A fast way to see Funchal and Monte without playing hopscotch

This tour is built for days when you want more than one good view—without spending your whole day figuring out buses, timing, and where to stand. You start with rolling drives through Funchal, then you climb up toward Monte, where the sights feel more “Madeira” than “city traffic.”

The format is simple: short stops with real payoff, then the famous toboggan descent at Carreiros do Monte, then a return path that brings you back through older Funchal streets. It’s compact, but it’s not a blur.

And because it’s private and exclusive, your guide can adjust how you handle the moments that matter most: the viewpoint, the Monte church photo time, and the toboggan entry.

The MadTuk tuk tuk ride: what’s included (and what that means for you)

You’re paying for more than transport. The included package covers a local guide, insurance, a photo stop, and pickup & drop-off within Funchal (free within a 2km range from their sales point). You also get a mobile ticket, which helps you keep things moving at the start.

The “private” part matters because this route has a few moving pieces. You’re not just being driven around; you’re getting help with the sequence of where to go next—especially around the toboggan experience. People with guides named Bruno or Fabio have described being shown where to get toboggan tickets and then being met at the bottom for the ride back, which is exactly what you want when you’re focused on the fun, not logistics.

Two practical notes to keep you sane:

• The tour ends back at the meeting point.
• People over 110kg can’t ride due to vehicle restrictions.

Funchal coastal passing: a good warm-up before the climb

Before you hit the “main events” up in Monte, the tour passes through Funchal’s coastal town areas. This works as a warm-up. You get your bearings early, you see the city’s position along the water, and you build context for why the views from up high look the way they do.

If you’re only in Madeira for a short visit, this kind of setup is valuable. It turns the later viewpoints into something more than a pretty picture. You start to recognize the shapes of neighborhoods and coastline as you look down from above.

It’s also a nice way to ease in if you’re a bit nervous about the toboggan part. The tuk tuk time gives you a breather.

Santa Luzia garden stop: a calmer counterpoint to the stairs

Next comes a passage through the natural garden area of Santa Luzia. This is the tour’s palate cleanser. After city streets and planning your next move, this gives you a moment where you’re not just looking at buildings.

You shouldn’t expect a long guided walk here; it’s a stop-by-stop flow. But it does create variety within a short window, which is the whole point of doing a tour like this instead of trying to self-plan every viewpoint.

Miradouro dos Marmeleiros: the 383m viewpoint built in 1939

This is one of the tour’s big “stop and actually look” moments. You’ll reach Miradouro dos Marmeleiros, built in 1939, and positioned 383m above Funchal. The plan is about 10 minutes here, with free admission for the stop.

Why this viewpoint is worth your time:

• It gives you the kind of height that makes the city look like a model—tight streets, coastline curves, and the way the neighborhoods step up the hill.
• Because it’s early in the sequence, it helps you understand where Monte fits into the bigger picture.
• You’re not rushed out immediately; you get a real chance to take photos and adjust your angle.

Practical tip: if you’re picking a time of day, aim for softer light when you can. From that height, glare can make photos harder, even when the view is still stunning.

Paroquia de Nossa Senhora do Monte: quick visit, big staircase moment

Then you go to Paroquia de Nossa Senhora do Monte for another short stop (about 10 minutes). This is tied to the church and its famous staircase, which is a big part of the Monte vibe.

Even in a brief window, it works because:

• It’s a recognizable “Monte marker” that you’ll remember long after you leave.
• It adds culture and place, not just action.
• It’s an easy photo stop that doesn’t require a long walk or ticketed entry (the stop itself is free).

If you want the best photo, treat this as your “pose, breathe, reset” moment before the toboggan. You’ll be standing, moving, and then suddenly you’re strapped into something fast—so give yourself a moment to calm down first.

Carreiros do Monte toboggans: the main event with one key caveat

This is the reason most people book. Carreiros do Monte is where you’ll do the sledges—built for the famous downhill run, and tied to a tradition that has carried tourists for many years. The ride portion is about 30 minutes, and the key detail: toboggan tickets are not included in your tour price.

That matters because your total cost isn’t just the $48.19 per person you pay for the tour. You’ll need to add whatever the toboggan ticket comes to on the day, plus you should plan for possible schedule strain.

Two things to keep in mind:

• The toboggans require good weather. If conditions are bad, the ride can close temporarily.
• Timing can get weird. One downside some people experienced was a wait in Monte before their toboggan turn came up.

Good news: when the ride does run, the experience is what Madeira does best—speed, views, and local tradition in one hit. And with this tour style, you’re guided to the right place for tickets and then returned smoothly after your descent.

Old Town passing and photo stop: finishing with Funchal in your head

After the toboggan part, you’re brought back through older areas of Funchal. You also get a photo stop, which is helpful because the best shots often happen where you don’t have time to stop on your own.

This “finish” is more than pretty streets. It’s how you turn the day into something coherent: coast views, garden calm, high viewpoint, church staircase, then action on the descent, then back to the city where you can decompress and keep walking on your own after.

If you’re trying to pack in multiple things in Madeira, this ending is convenient. You’re not dropped at a random edge of town—you’re finished near where you started.

Price and value: what $48.19 covers, and what you should budget for

At $48.19 per person, you’re paying for:

• a private tour (your group only)
• a local guide
• pickup and drop-off within Funchal (within a 2km range)
• insurance
• a photo stop

What’s not included:

• tickets to the sledges
• any entrance fees to paid sites/activities

That split is the real “value math.” If you were to hire a private driver plus figure out viewpoints and timing on your own, you’d likely spend similar or more—especially with the added stress of finding the right place for toboggan tickets. Here, the guide handles the sequence so you can focus on being in the right spots at the right times.

If you’re arriving via cruise ship, add another line item:

• Cruise Ship pick up / Port Fees: €3.00 per person
• Pickup inside the cruise port/dock needs 24h advance notice and an extra €6 per vehicle paid to the driver

So yes, the base price is fair—but the toboggan ticket is what turns the day from “tour” into “memory.”

Pickup, timing, and the queues you can avoid

This tour offers free pickup and drop-off in the Funchal area within a 2km range from their sales point. If you’re outside that area, you’ll need to contact them.

Also, there’s a sensible suggestion built into how they run the pickup: booking early spots can help you avoid waiting in long queues. That advice is practical for this kind of day, because your overall experience depends on when you reach the toboggan entry window.

One more helpful detail: they use mobile tickets, and they confirm booking at the time you reserve.

If you want the day to feel smooth, aim to arrive on time at the meeting point and keep your schedule flexible in Monte around the ride.

Who should book this MadTuk tour (and who should think twice)

This is a great fit if:

• you want a short, high-payoff visit to Funchal + Monte
• you’re excited about the toboggan descent
• you like having a guide handle the handoffs and timing
• you want a private setup instead of a crowded group shuffle

Think twice or ask extra questions first if:

• you’re very sensitive to weather-driven schedule changes (the ride needs good conditions)
• you’re traveling with someone near the 110kg vehicle limit
• you’re traveling with small kids: children under 3 can only ride in a baby sling/pouch

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed, which is a plus for planning.

Should you book this MadTuk Monte toboggans and Old Town tuk tuk tour?

If you want the Madeira “signature” without turning your day into a transport puzzle, I’d book it. The value is in the pacing—viewpoint first, culture stop next, toboggans as the peak moment, then old-town return—and in the way a guide helps you avoid getting stuck in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Just budget realistically: the tour price doesn’t include the sledges, and weather can affect the toboggan run. If you’re going in a season with changeable conditions, bring a little patience and give Monte room in your schedule. Do that, and this becomes one of the most fun, most Madeira-specific ways to see Funchal and Monte in a limited time.

FAQ

What’s included in the MadTuk tour price?

The tour price includes pickup & drop-off within the Funchal area, a local guide, insurance, a photo stop, and an exclusive private service for your group.

Are the Monte toboggan tickets included?

No. Tickets to the sledges are not included in the tour price, and you’ll pay for the toboggan experience separately.

Do you pick up from the cruise port in Funchal?

You can get cruise port pickup, but it requires 24 hours’ advance notice and an extra €6 per vehicle (paid to the driver). There’s also a cruise ship port fee of €3.00 per person.

How long does the tour take?

The duration is listed as approximately 1 to 2 hours. The toboggan portion is about 30 minutes, with shorter viewpoint/church stops around 10 minutes each.

Is the tour private, and is it offered in English?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity where only your group participates, and it’s offered in English. Confirmation is received at booking.

Are there limits for children or body weight?

Yes. People over 110kg can’t ride due to vehicle restrictions. Children under 3 can travel only on a baby sling/pouch.

What happens if weather affects the toboggans, or if I need to cancel?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund.

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