Funchal on a cruise port day: cable car to Monte, wicker toboggans and the cathedral
Funchal is one of the easiest cruise stops to make the most of: the ship docks almost in the centre and everything important is on foot or by cable car. This is how I planned the day: up to Monte over the red rooftops, the viewpoint over the bay, down in the famous wicker toboggans, and finishing at the cathedral and the seafront, with plenty of time to get back. The full itinerary, with timings and a map, is below to clone.
Before you leave the ship
- Work out your cut-off time: the ship's departure minus at least one hour ("all aboard" is usually earlier). This plan ends at 3 p.m.
- Bring cash in euros: the wicker toboggans are paid in cash, on the spot.
- Start early: when several ships are in port, the cable car queue grows fast by mid-morning.
From the port to the Zona Velha (9:00)
From the pier, walk along Avenida do Mar, flat and by the water, to the Zona Velha, the old town. It takes about 15 to 25 minutes, with the bay on one side and the city climbing the mountain on the other. The cable car station is by the sea, at the end of the promenade.
Cable car to Monte (10:00)
The Funchal cable car climbs for about 15 minutes over red-roofed houses, gardens and ravines, with the port and the ships getting smaller and smaller. Tickets are sold at the station or on the official website, one-way or return. For this plan one-way is enough: you go down by toboggan.
Monte church and viewpoint (10:30)
At the top is the Nossa Senhora do Monte church, white, with a long stone staircase. Inside, a painted ceiling and gilded altars; outside, a viewpoint with all of Funchal and the sea below. It's the best moment for photos.
Wicker toboggans: Monte to Livramento (11:30)
At the foot of the staircase the carros de cesto set off: wicker sledges on wooden runners that two carreiros, dressed in white with straw hats, push and brake with their boots down the street. It's about 2 km to Livramento, in around 10 minutes. Even if you don't ride, it's worth watching them leave from the street above. Taxis wait in Livramento to take you down to the centre in a few minutes.
Funchal Cathedral (12:45)
The Sé looks plain from outside, dark stone and white walls, but inside it hides a carved cedar ceiling and gilded altarpieces glowing in the low light. It's cool and quiet, a good break in the middle of the day.
Avenida Arriaga and back to the ship (1:30–3 p.m.)
A few steps away is Avenida Arriaga, with its garden, cafés and Portuguese pavement: a good place for lunch. Then head down to the seafront promenade and walk back to the pier with time to spare. Getting back on time is the one rule you never break on a cruise.
Practical tips
- Cable car: open daily from 9 a.m. (last boarding around 5:45 p.m.). Check prices and that it's running on the official website: in 2026 it closed for a few months for works.
- Wicker toboggans: Monday to Saturday, roughly 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Since May 2026 they cost about €30 for one person, €40 for two and €60 for three, in cash.
- Livramento: the ride ends far from the centre; a taxi is the practical option (a few minutes to the cathedral).
- Shoes: Monte has slopes and steps; wear comfortable shoes.
Prices, hours and rules change: check the official websites before you go. Reviewed in October 2026.
