Visit Madeira's most famous attraction — the toboggan ride, tropical gardens & stunning views
Taking the bus to Monte is easy and affordable. Here's exactly what to do:
Head to Avenida do Mar (the waterfront promenade) or the area near Mercado dos Lavradores (Farmers Market). This is where buses 20, 21, and 48 depart from.
Look for any bus displaying "Monte" as the destination. Pay €1.95 with a GIRO card or approximately €2.50 in cash. Buses run every 15-20 minutes.
The journey takes about 20-25 minutes through scenic hillside streets. Get off at the Monte stop near the church, or Largo da Fonte for the toboggan ride.
From the bus stop, it's a 2-minute walk to the church, tropical gardens, and the starting point of the famous toboggan ride. Enjoy the views!
Monte is packed with Madeira's top attractions. Here's what you shouldn't miss:
The iconic wicker sled ride down the hillside streets, dating back to the 1850s. Two "carreiros" in traditional white outfits push and steer you at speeds up to 48 km/h.
Beautiful 70,000 m² garden with exotic plants, koi ponds, and a museum with Portuguese tiles. One of Portugal's most beautiful gardens.
Historic 18th-century church with stunning views of Funchal. Contains the tomb of Emperor Charles I of Austria. Free to visit.
Many visitors combine the bus up with a cable car down (or vice versa). Enjoy spectacular views of Funchal and the coast.
A popular route is: Bus up → Explore Monte → Toboggan down → Bus 19 back to Funchal waterfront. Or: Bus up → Cable car down for the best views. The toboggan ends at Livramento, from where Bus 19 takes you back to the waterfront.
Comparing your options to reach Monte from Funchal:
| Transport | Price | Duration | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🚌 Bus 20/21/48 | €1.95 | 20-25 min | Budget travelers, authentic local experience |
| 🚡 Cable Car | €14.50 | 15 min | Scenic views, less walking, combine with bus |
| 🚕 Taxi | €12-15 | 12-15 min | Groups of 3-4, mobility issues, direct door-to-door |
Take the bus up to Monte (€1.95, save money!) and either take the cable car down for the views (€14.50) or the toboggan + Bus 19 for the full experience. The bus saves you €10+ compared to the cable car one-way.
Buses 20, 21, and 48 all go to Monte from Funchal city center. They depart from the waterfront area (Avenida do Mar) and near Mercado dos Lavradores. The journey takes about 20-25 minutes.
The bus to Monte costs €1.95 with a GIRO card or approximately €2.50 if paying cash to the driver. This is much cheaper than the cable car (€14.50 one-way) or taxi (€12-15).
The bus ride from Funchal to Monte takes approximately 20-25 minutes, depending on traffic and which route the bus takes through the hillside streets.
Buses to Monte depart from the Funchal city center area, particularly along Avenida do Mar (the waterfront promenade) and near the Mercado dos Lavradores (Farmers Market). Look for stops marked with routes 20, 21, or 48.
Yes! The same buses (20, 21, 48) run in both directions. Alternatively, after the toboggan ride ends at Livramento, you can catch Bus 19 back to the Funchal waterfront.
The toboggan ride is a unique Madeira experience dating back to the 1850s. It costs €35 for two people and takes about 10 minutes, reaching speeds of up to 48 km/h. Most tourists find it a fun, memorable experience, though some consider it expensive for the duration.
Monte offers several attractions: the Monte Palace Tropical Garden (€15 entry, beautiful plants and art), Nossa Senhora do Monte Church (free, where Emperor Charles I of Austria is buried), and stunning panoramic views of Funchal. Many visitors also take the cable car one direction for the scenic experience.
Download the Madeira Bus app for offline access to routes 20, 21, 48 and all other Funchal buses. Free!