Travel: Funchal Cable Car & Tobogganing in Madeira

"If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough."  - Mario Andretti How to go tobogganing in Funchal, Madeira

At the top of the Funchal cable car there is a church called Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte (the Church of our Lady of the Mountain). It's very pretty, inside and out.

At the base of this church you'll find a gathered group of men wearing thick soled shoes on their feet and straw hats on their heads. They are Carreiros (or "drivers") and for a fee they will transport you down the roads of Monte in their wicker toboggans. It's a little touristy, a little overpriced and they don't always have a smile for you, but it's A LOT of fun. We laughed a lot.

Or maybe that was the effects of a quick glass of Madeiran wine in the bar where all the Carreiros pass the hours between tourists, another recommendation but not one that is touristy or overpriced!

Here are my photos from the cable car up and the toboggan run down.

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You can find the funniest photo from Kash and Michael's toboggan run here . And have a look at some more photos or read some travel tips for Madeira here , here ,  here and here , or read my comprehensive travel guide to Madeira on Travelettes .