Funchal Old Town & Christ Redeemer Tour: Sidecar Ride

See Funchal's hillside views and coastal cliffs from a sidecar, not a bus window

A sidecar tour from Funchal's Old Town to the Christ the King statue in Garajau, taking in the city's painted colonial architecture, the Pinnacle Viewpoint, and the coastal village's clifftop monument. Your guide navigates the historic streets and winding roads while you sit in the open air, stopping at the viewpoint overlooking the Atlantic and at Garajau's serene waterfront before the statue. Helmets, gas and insurance are included. The tour runs one to two hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Funchal Old Town and Garajau

• Visit Funchal historical center
• See painted doors and Farmers Market
• Enjoy views at Pinnacle Viewpoint
• Marvel at Christ the King statue
• Explore Garajau and Caniço de Baixo

The experience

You start from your hotel or cruise ship and head into Funchal's City Centre, where the guide points out the old manors and monuments that line the streets. Then you move into the Old Town itself: the painted doors and walls that make the neighborhood distinctive, and the Farmers Market where locals still shop. The sidecar lets you move through these narrow cobblestone passages at a pace that lets you actually see what's there, not just pass by it.

The Pinnacle Viewpoint comes next, a stop in Funchal's historic center where the city spreads below you and the Atlantic fills the horizon. From there, the route heads east toward the coast and Garajau. The village sits on a clifftop, and the Christ the King statue, a towering monument, rises above the water, its vantage point giving you a long view down the coastline. Garajau itself is quiet and serene, a marked shift from the city bustle, and the waters below are clear enough that snorkeling and diving spots are visible from above. You'll also pass through the neighboring Caniço de Baixo and see Praia dos Reis Magos, where the beaches meet the rugged cliffs.

A live guide travels with you in English, Spanish, French or German, and your pickup is arranged from your accommodation. Bring a jacket. The wind picks up once you're moving, and the coastal elevation can be cool even on warm days. The whole route takes between one and two hours, which fits easily into a morning or an afternoon without eating up your whole day.

What’s included

• Helmet, gas, driver and guide, and insurance.
• hotel or cruise ship pickup.
• live guide in English, Spanish, French or German.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 10:00 and 14:00

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and German

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessible

Operated by Madeira Sidecar Tours

Is this one for you?The one- to two-hour window fits a morning or afternoon without consuming your whole day in Funchal, leaving time to explore the city center or rest before an evening activity. The sidecar format means you travel light and move through narrow Old Town streets that a larger vehicle couldn't navigate.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and German.

What is the Christ the King statue in Garajau?

The Christ the King statue is a towering monument standing on the clifftop above Garajau village, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the coastline. It's the focal point of the tour's second half and offers panoramic views from its vantage point above the water.

Can I see the Farmers Market and Old Town painted doors on this tour?

Yes. The tour includes a stop in Funchal's Old Town, where you'll see the painted doors and walls that characterize the neighborhood, and you'll pass the Farmers Market where the local shopping happens daily.

How long does the sidecar tour take?

The tour runs between one and two hours, starting from your hotel or cruise ship and ending after you've visited the Pinnacle Viewpoint, Garajau, and the Christ the King statue.

What's included in the price?

Helmets, gas, your driver and guide, and insurance are all included. Hotel or cruise ship pickup is also arranged. Drinks, food and entrance fees are not included.

Is the sidecar ride suitable if I've never done this before?

Yes. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and it's wheelchair accessible. Dress in smart casual clothing and bring a jacket, as the wind can be cool once you're moving along the coast.