Meet your guide at Jesuit's College of Funchal, Madeira University to begin this 2-hour guided walking tour of Funchal. Learn how the history of Madeira and Funchal shaped the city centre as you visit the most important points of interest. Travel down the 19th century public walkway between the Municipal Theatre and the Cathedral, where sugarcane was first planted in Madeira, during the 15th century. Explore the city’s medieval heart dating from the Golden Age of Sugar and discover the beautiful 17th century religious monuments. Visit the ruins of the old Pilory Square and other remnants from past floods and the area damaged by the Great Fire of Funchal in 1584. This tour helps to support students at the University of Madeira who are facing financial difficulties.  

Enjoy this adventurous tour of Monte Village and Funchal with an exhilarating toboggan ride at the end. Admire beautifully decorated streets and visit the Church of Our Lady of the Mount. Starting at the Old Town, see the “painted doors” throughout the streets of Santa Maria, where numerous doors were painted by different artists giving this street a unique glow. Also, admire the picturesque details of cobblestone floors and the façades of the old houses on Rue de Santa Maria. Next, continue towards Monte and visit the Church of Our Lady of the Mount. The structure that is visible today for all its visitors was completed back in 1818 and is one of the most sought sites by churchgoers and tourists in general. After visiting Monte, dare to ride some toboggans, more commonly known as “Carreiros do Monte." Toboggan riding was traditionally a means of transportation by locals who wanted to travel quickly from Monte´s village to Funchal. This adventurous and old-fashioned transportation appeared around the 1850s and is still in use today.