Funchal Tourist Traps

Ok eventually in Funchal you will make your way up to Monte - by bus or Funicular to take the famous sledge ride in the wicker baskets.
yes it is geared up for the tourists -but its good fun (not as scary as i thought it might be). Cost was 10 euros each and be prepared to tip the toboggan drives who push and steer you down the hill. Bear in mind that the ride does not go all the way back down to Funchal and taxis will be waiting to take you into town at a cost of another 10 euros.

1 more image

At Monte, the fashionable hill town in Madeira, are the magnificent gardens that surround the cahteau-like Monte Palace. After our visit to the church we walked down the stairs and saw 2 white-clad "chauffeurs" with straw hats waiting for tourists to take a sledge ride.

We didn't take the toboggans ride and had a strowl through the Monte's Municipal Garden. It's certainly the most wonderful and varied garden on the island. To us it brought some peace in the day through its flower, ancient trees, the small river and the pebbly tracks.

Don't miss the opportunity to see the Koi fishes, a specie whose origins come from East Asia and considered extremely valuable. We liked the Buddhist sculptures, miniature islands and ornamental bridges. We also enjoyed the swans beauty and majesty on the central lake. A perfect place for an unforgettable morning!

Unique Suggestions: Do hike the stairs up to the church of Monte. It's worth it, not only for the church itself, but also breathtaking views over the city of Funchal.

Address:
Village of Monte

Directions:
Situated at the south side of the island. It's just northern of the capital of Madeira, Funchal, a 5 minutes drive.

This is one of the surprises Funchal had for us. Usually we are well prepared when we go on our journeys, but we never heared of the Toboggan ride before we arrived in Monte. We learned that originally it's a fast means of transport down to Funchal for people living in Monte, these toboggan sledges appeared around 1850.

The fun thing is that they are still in use today, of course as a means to attrack tourists. Asking around learned us that they attract thousands of tourists every year who want to make this exciting experience of sliding at high speed on narrow, winding streets down to Funchal. These two-seater wicker baskets glide on wooden runners, pushed and steered by two men traditionally dressed in white cotton clothes and a straw hat, using their rubber-soled boots as brakes.

They told us not to miss out on it, but we had our car parked on the hill in Monte and were there with the 3 of us. A bit difficult to arrange this downhill journey to Funchal which will be made in about 10 minutes on a total course of 2 km, reaching at times a speed of 48 km/hour. Adventurous, yet safe, an ‘old-fashioned’ toboggan ride to make your way down from Monte is the perfect contrast to the high-technology cable car going up to Monte.

Directions:
Find the Monte toboggans at the bottom of the stairs leading to the Nossa Senhora do Monte Church.

1 more image

This small village perched up in the hills overlooking the city of Funchal is about 6 kilometers away from the centre of the capital. Well, it is called a village and probably once was, but it is more like a suburb today. Funchal has climbed high up the mountain slopes.

Monte once was the favorite holiday resort for European aristocrats, in particular the English upper class. With no need to work they had nothing better to do during the winter than to move their household to Madeira´s pleasant climate. Most of the guests stayed at the solemny Quintas, which up till now give Monte it's charming vibe. "Quinta" is the name given to the palatial homes that merchants used to set up on the island to live in pleasant surroundings and from which to run their wine empires. Monte was the ideal setting.

Unique Suggestions: Do hike the stairs up to the church of Monte. It's worth it, not only for the church itself, but also breathtaking views over the city of Funchal.

Address:
Village of Monte

Directions:
Situated at the south side of the island. It's just northern of the capital of Madeira, Funchal, a 5 minutes drive.

1 more image

We didn't visit Monte because of the quintas (although we liked them!), but heared great things about it's church and nearby gardens. It was rather hard to find a parking lot for our car. We did drive in circels a few times and were lucky to see someone leave and were able to sqeeze in. When we got out of the car we felt that the temperature was a few degrees lower, but the sun was generous and therefore pleasant.

From the parking lot it was a strenous walk to the Igreja Nossa Senhora do Monte (Our Lady of Monte Church). We noticed it's very impressive steps. Later on we learned that this 18th century church replaced a small 15th century chapel. Besides that it is the burial place of the Austro-Hungarian emperor Charles I who was exiled to the island and died here between the 2 world wars. The church contains some beautiful pieces of sculpted and gilt woodwork from the 17th and 18 century.

Unique Suggestions: Do hike the stairs up to the church of Monte. It's worth it, not only for the church itself, but also breathtaking views over the city of Funchal.

Address:
Village of Monte

Directions:
Situated at the south side of the island. It's just northern of the capital of Madeira, Funchal, a 5 minutes drive.

The Portugues island of Madeira lies to the west of the African coast out in the Atlantic Ocean. It's often described as a garden in the Atlantic, but this doesn't do justice to the beautiful capital of the island, Funchal. For example it houses the first cathedral built in Portuguese territory outside the European continent. The locals living near Calhau beach built the first church in Funchal. It was enlarged twice, first in 1438 and again in 1450, but still considered too small for the needs of the population. Finally, in november 1485, a new church started being built on the square Campo do Duque but the construction suffered several delays. Then, in the year 1500, the King insisted that the construction of the so-called 'big church' be finished, and in 1517 the new temple was finally consecrated.

We hiked our way towards Se Cathedral and noticed a nice detail, which is that the Old Zone is a maze of small alleyways, but the stairs towards the cathedral are large and the streets are wide and graceous.

Unique Suggestions: We geuss that it is also a must see ...

Fun Alternatives: The entire island is full of beautiful churches and cathedrals. Those are all great alternatives! But we must be honest, this was the first one.

Address:
Rua de Se

Directions:
Right in the city centre, you can't miss it.

A big sell of timeshare flats. If you wander around Funchal you're bound to be invited. You do get a prize or a voucher for giving them your time but it's about 90 minutes or more so save it for a very rainy day. (By my calculations, you could buy an equivalent interest in a flat in London's Knightsbridge for the price.)

Unique Suggestions: Make sure you get your promised free cup of tea or drink. And/or a lift into town.

The love boat was apparently once owned by the beatles. It is now beached in Funchal and has been turned into a bar.

We ownly tried it once and hated it. Firstly the staff were slow and grumpy. Secondly its like sitting on a disney ride which never starts. Its just so tacky

Fun Alternatives: Go to the beerhouse instead - a million times beter.