Have you ever wondered what it would be like to slide down busy city streets in a wicker basket?
You probably answered “No,” but you can do just that on a Funchal toboggan run. When I first heard about this local activity, I thought it sounded too crazy to be true. But it is very true and very crazy. If you’re in Funchal, Madeira, it’s a must-do activity. Here’s what you need to know.
1. Getting There
The Funchal toboggan run is located at the very top of the town in an area called Monte. Sure, you can take a bus or hire a taxi to get there, but there is a much more exciting option: cable car. A quick 15-minute trip will cost you just a couple of bucks and take you to the top of the town. But only buy a one-way ticket. You’ll be sliding your way back downhill. When you get to the top, simply take a right and walk down the road a block or two.
2. What to Expect
You’ll quickly find what you’re looking for—a long line of men of all ages propped up alongside giant wicker baskets and wearing straw hats and winter-like boots. If you arrive at the same time as a tour bus full of people, you may need to wait in a queue for the next available toboggan. But fear not…the line moves quickly. A seemingly endless supply of toboggan “drivers” appear on command from behind bushes and buildings. You’ll quickly be seated in a sled, and the man operating the ticket booth will snap a few shots before you head out on your journey. Don’t these fine gentlemen look thrilled at their lot in life?
3. Payment
You’ll pay a pretty penny for the privilege of being pushed downhill in a basket. The cost is 25 Euros for one person or 30 Euros for two people. The man taking the payment simply couldn’t comprehend how I was passing up on the deal for the extra passenger. At the time, I was the last person in line. There was, literally, no one else to ride with me…the people in the background of the picture arrived later. Truth be told, I didn’t want to ride with a stranger anyway.
Be sure to have cash on hand. The man at the booth may have the ability to take credit cards, but it’s not a guaranty. I never dreamed the ride would cost so much, and I was short 10 Euros. The credit card machine wouldn’t connect to the Internet, so the man called down to someone at the end of the line to ask if I could pay there. Unfortunately he failed to tell me drivers. They were not pleased when they realized I hadn’t paid in advance. And the man at the end of the line worked for another company altogether. He was less than pleased to accommodate the request to use his machine. Lesson learned…
4. The Ride
Before you know it, your toboggan is sliding through the back streets of Monte gently gliding downhill along well-oiled streets. For the most part, the drivers push the basket from behind, chatting to each other over your shoulders. The toboggan moves at a fairly quick clip, and the special boots they wear act as brakes to help slow the basket around corners or busy crossroads. Your adventure takes you through active streets and intersections. Occasionally, there may be a need for your toboggan to stop for cars. From time to time, the drivers take a bit of a breather. They shift to the front of the basket, where there are two longs strings they can use to pull it along.
I didn’t time it. but the trip lasts about 10 minutes overall. And while that may seem like a short trip for the price you paid, it is a once-in-a-lifetime activity. How often can you say you took part in a Funchal toboggan run after all?
As you wind your way through twisting roads, seemingly random men pop out from the side streets to snap your picture. But there is nothing random about it. Through the magic of WiFi, your snaps are instantaneously sent to a central point to be collated into a cute keepsake album you can purchase for 10 Euros at the end of your ride. It comes with a few historical images and anecdotes and two or the pictures from your special ride. It’s worth the money if only to prove you actually rode through busy city streets in a basket.
When your ride is over…it’s just over. One minute you’re sliding through the streets, and the next minute you’re not. Frankly, I was having a blast and could have sat in that basket for another hour. I had a blast. At the end of the ride, you’ll find yourself at a small market with a handful of kiosks selling all types of local trinkets. There is also a place where you can grab a quick bit if you’ve got a hankering for something to eat.
5. Getting the Rest of the Way Back
So there’s something you should know about the Funchal toboggan run that no one seemed to mention to me…it only takes you part of the way downhill. It’s way to far to walk back to the cable cars, so you have to find another way back to central Funchal. Most people are part of a tour group, so they have a bus waiting for them. You other options include public bus or taxi. Both of which are easy to catch.
I opted to walk. And everyone looked at me like I was crazy. I don’t know that very many—or any—other people take that option. It only took about 45 minutes to reach the bottom of the hill, but the roads were steeply inclined so it was often awkward. I don’t recommend it for everyone.
The Funchal toboggan ride is just one of the many fun things to do in Funchal, Madeira. In fact, Funchal is one of my most favorite cruise ports ever, and I’ve cruised a lot. What other things do you enjoy doing in Funchal? Share them with the Wanderlust Wayfarer Facebook group.
OMG I love your blog!!! I just spent some time looking through it!!! it’s amazing!! And Love this post. Isn’t Portugal just amazing?? I haven’t made it to Madeira but have heard so many good things about it!! When we went, we only made it to Lisbon and Porto and hope to go back to see more of it! Can’t wait to see what you share this weekend on FlyAwayFriday!!
Thank you so much! You are just the sweetest. It means so much to me that you are enjoying my blog. I just returned to Portugal two weeks ago for a few days, and it was lovely. I just posted a review on Algarve. I’d love for you to check it out!
Wow what a cool ride! Loved that you added the video! 10 minutes does sound kind of short but like you said, it’s for the experience! Thanks for joining #FlyAwayFriday!
Thanks, Kana! It was a ton of fun, and I’m glad you liked the video–I wasn’t sure if I should include it, so I’m glad I did!
This sounds like a lot of fun. I think 25 Euros sounds about right. I love how all of the gondoliers are dressed like their counterparts in Venice. The Iberian Peninsula is such a quirky place.
Jenn and Ed Coleman recently posted…Is Angels Landing The Best Hike In Zion?
I had thought about taking the toboggan on our two visits to Madeira but I confess I chickened out. On our first visit, the cable car hadn’t been built, so we were surprised and delighted to discover it on our next visit a few years later, but chose to take it both up and down again! I didn’t know the toboggan didn’t go all the way down though!
Kavey Favelle recently posted…Golden Kiwifruit, Pineapple & Turmeric Smoothie Recipe
Love the video! It made me feel like I was in for the ride!
This looks like so much fun!! It is definitely pricey…but what a funny experience! The toboggan drivers looked like an entertaining group to joke around with too 😛 We will definitely have to check this out if we ever make it there. We love cruising, so maybe on a cruise someday!
Kate Brissette recently posted…Comment on A Spirited Weekend on the Nelson 151 Trail in Virginia by Kate
This looks like an insane adrenaline rush, especially as you are dodging the cars as well. I loved the video you added . What a great post!
Janine Thomas recently posted…Milan in one day
So glad you enjoyed it!
Wow! Never even know you could do this and now I want to do this when I eventually get out to Funchal (so easy for me to get to but never got there yet). I am so doing this! Love this post and the video is awesome.
Danik recently posted…Amazing day trip from Amsterdam – De Haar castle
Funchal is truly worth a visit! I really love it there and hope to get back soon.
I have never seen anything like this. The real question I have is how did they come up with this. It does look like fun and sort of an adventure.
Jennifer Melroy recently posted…A Walk in the woods at Muir Woods National Monument
Haha, this looks like a super fun little adventure! I’ve never heard of such a thing! I would love to do this and the cable car is an added bonus. Good to know they don’t take you all the way down though–I would probably decide to walk too, but it’s nice to know that a taxi or bus is an option too!
It was really fun and unique! It was my first cable car ride, and it was such a great view!
I love how the drivers are dressed! It sounds like a quick adventure, but certainly fun! The payment was a hassle though, but there’s no problem that cannot be fixed. Charge to experience!
I especially loved the special boots they wore to help them glide down the street–was worth every penny in the end!
This is soooo cool and exciting. Its my first time to know something like this. It looks fun and I will surely enjoy it like a kid playing on the street 😉 Thanks for sharing. If I have a chance to get there. I will surely do it 🙂
Cai Dominguez recently posted…A Travel to Two Spanish Cities: Iloilo and Bacolod Travel Guide
Glad you enjoyed it!