The Funchal–Monte Cable Car is easily one of the most unforgettable experiences in Madeira, whisking you from the colourful bustle of Funchal’s Old Town to the leafy tranquillity of Monte in just 15 dreamy minutes. Gliding high above the terracotta rooftops, banana terraces and subtropical gardens, this spectacular Madeira cable car offers some of the island’s best panoramic views—so good you’ll probably forget to blink.

Ascent starts at the cable car station in the Zona Velha, perfectly placed for a pre-flight poncha or a wander along the seafront. As you lift off, Funchal fans out beneath you like a giant postcard: the harbour sparkles, cruise ships look like toys, and the city’s hillsides reveal just how dramatic this Atlantic island really is.

At the top, you arrive in Monte, home to the beautiful Monte Palace Tropical Garden, the famous Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte, and—if you’re feeling adventurous—the legendary Madeira toboggan ride run by the Carreiros do Monte. The cable car cabins are modern, spacious and blissfully smooth, making the experience ideal for families, couples, solo travellers and anyone who enjoys flying without actually flying. Thanks to the year-round mild climate, the ride is just as magical in winter as in summer. Whether you’re visiting for the views, the gardens, or simply for the joy of floating above Funchal like a slightly more glamorous seagull, the Funchal to Monte cable car is a must-do on any Madeira itinerary.

08h45 - 17h45
Funchal-Monte: Rua Dom Carlos I, 9060-190 Funchal, Madeira. | 32° 38' 52.0" N | 16° 54' 05.7" W
Monte-Funchal: 8 Largo das Babosas, 9050-541 Funchal, Madeira. | 32° 40' 32.2" N | 16° 54' 01.2"W

Adult:: Return: €20, Single: €14.50. Child:: 0-6 yrs: FREE, 7-14: 50%

Located in the leafy parish of Monte, the 18th-century church Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte is one of Madeira’s great small wonders—part pilgrimage site, part viewpoint, part irresistible detour for anyone who enjoys climbing a few steps in exchange for a sweeping Atlantic panorama. The journey here is half the pleasure: winding lanes, terraced gardens, chirping birds, and the faint scent of eucalyptus drifting through the cool mountain air.

The church’s exterior is a dignified Baroque vision—whitewashed walls trimmed in basalt, twin bell towers rising like sentinels over the town. Pilgrims still come to honour Our Lady of Monte, Madeira’s patron saint, whose feast day turns the place into a lively swirl of food stalls, music and fireworks. Visitors with a taste for history will notice the quiet tomb of Charles I of Austria, the last Habsburg emperor, tucked respectfully inside the church—a reminder that even emperors sometimes need an island refuge.

Step indoors and the interior reveals elegant wooden ceilings, intricate tilework, and devotional art that captures centuries of Madeiran faith. The atmosphere is hushed, timeless, and vaguely tropical—especially when the doors open and a warm breeze stirs the incense.

But the church is only the start. Out front, the terrace offers one of the best views over Funchal, a sweep of red roofs tumbling toward the sea. Just steps away lie the Monte Palace Tropical Garden, the Madeira Botanical Garden and the cable car.
Rampa da Sacristia 1, Monte, 9050-285 Funchal, Madeira. | 32° 40' 34.1" N | 16° 54' 09.3" W

The Monte Toboggan Rides—or, as the locals proudly call them, the Carreiros do Monte—are one of those travel experiences that feel lifted straight from an eccentric Victorian travelogue. Imagine gliding down steep, winding streets in a wicker basket, steered by two men in crisp white uniforms and straw boater hats. Yes, Madeira has elevated whimsy to an art form.

These Madeira toboggan rides began in the 19th century as a practical mode of transport, ferrying wealthy residents from Monte to Funchal far faster than any carriage could manage. Today, they’re a beloved tradition—part attraction, part heritage performance, and entirely unforgettable.

The Carreiros, with enviable balance and enviable moustaches, expertly guide the sledges along polished stone streets, using their rubber-soled boots as brakes. You, meanwhile, sit back, clutch the wicker, and try not to grin like a child with a stolen sweet.

After your exhilarating 10-minute descent—usually about two kilometres of pure, breezy joy—you’ll find yourself just above Funchal’s old town, perfectly placed for a stroll through cobbled alleys and cafés serving strong coffee and Madeira wine. The ride is available Monday to Saturday from 09h00 to 18h00, with the last departure at 17h45, and tickets are purchased on-site.

This leafy square is tucked into the hillside above Funchal; it feels like a quiet pause amid Madeira’s lush exuberance. The moment you step into Largo da Fonte, you’re greeted by a cool breeze rolling down from the mountains, the scent of damp stone, and the melodic gurgle of its historic fountain—an oasis of calm long loved by locals, wanderers and the occasional daydreaming tourist.

At the heart of the square stands the Fonte de Nossa Senhora, a graceful, centuries-old fountain that once refreshed pilgrims climbing to the nearby Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte. Its stone basin, shaded by ancient trees, seems to whisper stories of mule paths, market days and old mountain lives. Little wonder the area remains one of the most photogenic corners of Monte, perfect for travellers seeking a slice of authentic Madeira away from the tourist bustle.

The garden surrounding the fountain is a medley of tropical plants, bright hydrangeas and moss-covered walls, the kind of place where you sit on a bench and suddenly an hour has passed. For lovers of slow travel, Largo da Fonte delivers that rare sensation of being unhurried. Nearby cafés spill out onto the cobbles, serving poncha, coffee and homemade cakes to those content to watch the world drift by.

Explore the old pathways leading toward the Monte Palace Tropical Garden, wander up to the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte Church, or enjoy the leafy serenity that makes Largo da Fonte one of Madeira’s most charming attractions.