From Funchal: Nuns Valley, Monte and Sleigh Ride Tour

Madeira turns mountain roads into an adventure. This four-hour tour packs Monte, the famous wicker toboggan ride, the high Eira do Serrado viewpoint, Curral das Freiras, and Pico dos Barcelos into one well-planned morning. At $47 per person, it is a strong choice if you want several classic Madeira sights without renting a car or working out the island’s steep roads yourself.

I especially like the early arrival at Monte, which is designed to beat the long toboggan queues, and the mix of scenery and local flavor at Nuns Valley. The included liquor tasting adds a pleasant Madeiran touch. The trade-off is a busy schedule: you see a lot in four hours, but some people may want more time in Curral das Freiras, especially when the mountain views are clear.

The guides are a major part of the experience. Tony, Daniel, Lucy, Sandra, Victor, and Gama have all been praised for friendly commentary, careful driving, humor, and help with timing. The tour can run in English, Spanish, French, German, or Portuguese, though multilingual commentary may mean information is shared in more than one language.

Key points to know before booking

• The early Monte stop matters: Arriving before the main crowds can mean little or no waiting for the toboggan ride.
• The ride covers about 2 kilometers: Two carreiros steer the wicker basket down the old road from Monte toward Livramento.
• Eira do Serrado sits at 1,094 meters: This is the high viewpoint for looking across at Curral das Freiras.
• Nuns Valley is more than a photo stop: You can taste local chestnut products and sample traditional liquors made in the village.
• Hotel pickup covers much of the Funchal area: Santa Cruz pickups cost extra, while Caniço and Garajau have different pickup terms.
• The price includes the main thrill: The guided tour, transport, toboggan ride, and liquor tasting are included, but snacks and the old nun’s house cost extra.

Why this half-day tour works well

Madeira is not an island of easy, level roads. Funchal sits by the sea, while Monte climbs above the city and Nuns Valley lies among steep volcanic cliffs inland. You can reach these places independently, but the road layout, narrow sections, tunnels, parking, and timing make a guided minibus useful.

This outing is built around contrast. You begin above Funchal with a lively old-fashioned ride, then move into quiet mountain country. The morning finishes with another broad view over Funchal. I like that rhythm because the tour does not spend four hours on one viewpoint or one village.

A typical outing uses a comfortable air-conditioned minibus, with one report describing a group of about 12 people. The vehicle size can vary, but this is not presented as a large coach excursion. That usually makes hotel pickups and narrow mountain roads easier, though several pickups can affect the starting time.

The half-day length also suits a port stop or a holiday morning. Cruise passengers meet at the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum area, about eight minutes from the ship, rather than at the terminal for the shared tour. A private pickup from the cruise terminal is available at extra cost under the stated conditions.

Monte and the church of Emperor Charles I

Monte was one of Madeira’s early tourist stops, and it remains a busy place for a good reason. It has a hilltop setting above Funchal, a historic church, and the starting point for one of the island’s most unusual rides.

The tour visits the church where the remains of Charles I of Austria are found. The last Austro-Hungarian emperor died in exile on Madeira in 1922, and his tomb gives the church a surprising connection to European royal history. This is a short cultural stop rather than a full church visit, so you should not expect a long guided study of the interior.

The timing here is important. The operator schedules Monte as the first main stop so the group can reach the wicker sledges before the queues build. Several people praised guides for getting them onto the ride early, sometimes with no queue or only a short wait. One morning, a traffic delay and the arrival of cruise passengers created a much longer wait, so an early start improves your chances but cannot remove every delay.

Pickup times are earlier for people staying in Santa Cruz, Caniço, and Câmara de Lobos. That may feel inconvenient, but it helps the vehicle reach Monte at the right time. If the toboggan ride is your main reason for booking, the early pickup is worth accepting.

The 2-kilometer Monte toboggan ride

The Monte toboggan is the headline act. You sit in a wicker basket fitted with runners while two carreiros in white clothing and straw hats guide it down the old road toward Livramento. They steer and slow the basket with their footwear, turning an ordinary downhill route into a fast and distinctly Madeiran experience.

The ride covers about 2 kilometers. It is exciting, but it is not a theme-park roller coaster. You are traveling along a public road, with the carreiros controlling the pace and direction. The supplied information describes the ride as an old mode of transport, and the local story adds to its appeal: the men once had to carry the sledge back uphill, while today the sledges are loaded onto a truck.

The bus collects you at the bottom, near the point where the carreiros catch the bus and the sledges are taken away. You do not need to walk back to Monte. Photos may be available for purchase at the bottom, with one recent report noting a price of about 10 euros, but that souvenir cost is not part of the tour price.

There are a few practical rules. The basket normally carries two people, and a single-person booking can cost an additional 10 euros because one person occupies both places when a partner cannot be found. On rainy days, baskets of three do not go down, so a third person may also need to pay the extra charge.

Children under three can ride on a parent’s lap, and there are no child discounts for this attraction. The ride is a good fit for families with older children and teenagers, but anyone who dislikes speed, outdoor exposure, or being seated in a compact basket should think twice.

Eira do Serrado at 1,094 meters

After Monte, the road climbs into the Central Mountains. The stop at Eira do Serrado gives you one of the strongest views of the day, looking down and across toward Curral das Freiras, also called Nuns Valley.

At 1,094 meters above sea level, the viewpoint makes the scale of Madeira easier to understand. The valley is surrounded by dark lava rock, with steep slopes and folds that shut it off from much of the rest of the island. Chestnut trees and eucalyptus plants add softer color around the road and viewing area.

The drive is part of the attraction. You pass narrow roads, tunnels, and traces of older footpaths that were once used by local people and are still used by walkers. Your guide may point out plants, road features, and local stories along the way. Tony was especially praised for combining information about trees and plants with island history and dry humor, while Sandra was singled out for her local knowledge and warmth.

The viewpoint can be affected by weather. Madeira’s mountains create their own conditions, so clouds or rain may reduce the view. Bring a jacket, even if Funchal feels warm when you leave, and carry water. The high stop is cooler and more exposed than the city.

You get free time for photographs and sightseeing, but this is not a hiking excursion. If you want a longer walk around Eira do Serrado, this tour may feel too brief. Its purpose is to give you the view and explain the setting before continuing to the valley.

Curral das Freiras and the story behind Nuns Valley

Curral das Freiras is the village at the heart of Nuns Valley. Its name comes from the nuns who fled pirate attacks in the 16th century and sought shelter in this isolated mountain area. The cliffs and volcanic rock around the valley explain why it offered protection and why the village feels so enclosed.

A useful correction is included in the tour information: there is no convent in the village. You can visit a 200-year-old nun’s house for 1 euro, but it is a small historic house, not a convent complex. That detail matters because the name can create the wrong expectation.

The stop combines a village visit with local tasting. Chestnut cake and regional pastries are available to buy, while traditional liquors are included. The liquors are made locally and are linked to the village, giving you something more specific than a standard café break.

Snacks, cakes, coffee, tea, and other drinks are not included. I would bring water and keep a little cash or a card available if you want to try the chestnut cake, pastries, or enter the nun’s house. One person described the tasting as a particularly good part of the value, while another wished for more time in Nuns Valley. That is the fair reading of the stop: the scenery is powerful, but the schedule may not allow a leisurely village visit.

You may also find a large souvenir shop and restaurant in the area. Those stops can be useful for a quick purchase or toilet break, but they are not the main reason to come. Keep your attention on the cliffs, the valley shape, and the local food.

Pico dos Barcelos and the final view of Funchal

The return route includes Pico dos Barcelos, a viewpoint at 355 meters. From here, you look back toward Funchal and the coast, seeing the city from a different height than at Monte.

This final stop works as a visual reset. Earlier, the views point inward toward steep mountains and an isolated valley. At Pico dos Barcelos, the view opens toward Funchal and the sea. The stop is mainly for photographs, so it is short, but it gives the tour a satisfying finish before hotel drop-off.

The guides often add commentary about Funchal and Madeira during the drive back. Tony was praised for being bilingual or multilingual while also keeping the group safe and on schedule. Other guides, including Daniel and Lucy, were described as lively, helpful, and attentive. That matters on an outing with several short stops because clear timing keeps the morning from slipping away.

The guides and the pace

The strongest praise is directed at the guides. Tony appears repeatedly in the feedback, with compliments for punctuality, humor, local information, multilingual explanations, and careful driving. Daniel is praised for looking after the group and keeping the mood lively. Lucy helped make the schedule work after a cruise ship arrived late, while Gama was noted for a clean, comfortable van and very good English.

This is more than polite commentary. Madeira’s roads can be narrow and steep, and the route depends on reaching Monte early. A guide who handles traffic, explains the setting, and gives clear return times adds real value.

The pace is brisk. You will see five main points in four hours, including transportation, the ride, viewpoints, a village stop, and hotel returns. That is excellent for a first look at this part of Madeira, but it is not ideal if you prefer to linger at every stop.

One practical strength is the coverage of pickup points. Many Funchal hotels are included, along with selected locations in Santa Cruz and nearby areas. If your hotel is not shown, contact the operator, since one person successfully arranged a suitable pickup that way. Rental-car users meet at the Madeira Panoramico bus stop on the main road, where parking is free.

Is $47 good value?

At $47, the tour is priced fairly for what it includes. The toboggan ride is already part of the package, as are the guide, transport, hotel pickup and drop-off, and liquor tasting. Paying separately for transport, a ride, and several viewpoints could easily make an independent morning less simple and not necessarily cheaper.

The value is best if you are staying in Funchal, do not want to drive mountain roads, and want the classic Monte and Nuns Valley combination. It is also useful for cruise passengers with a limited window in port, provided the pickup arrangement fits your schedule.

Budget a little extra for chestnut cake, pastries, coffee, or the 1 euro nun’s house. A solo rider or third person may face the additional 10 euro toboggan charge. Santa Cruz hotel pickup has an additional 10 euro cost per person, and cruise terminal pickup is not included for the shared tour.

The price does not buy a slow, private tour. It buys an efficient route with a popular ride and several strong viewpoints. That is a good exchange for many people.

Who should book this Madeira outing?

I would choose this tour if you want a lively introduction to Madeira’s mountains and prefer a guide to handle the roads. It suits couples, families with children old enough for the ride, cruise passengers, and anyone with only half a day available.

It is especially good for first-time visitors who want the island’s famous toboggan ride but also want more than a quick trip to Monte. The addition of Eira do Serrado, Curral das Freiras, local liquor, and Pico dos Barcelos gives the morning real range.

I would look elsewhere if you want long walks, a quiet private experience, or a full day in Nuns Valley. You should also check the weather and be ready for a jacket, mountain conditions, and a compact schedule.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve while paying later. Those terms help if your Madeira plans depend on weather or a cruise timetable.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts four hours, including the guided route, transportation, toboggan ride, viewpoints, and the visit to Curral das Freiras.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the guided tour, hotel pickup and drop-off, the Monte toboggan ride, and a free traditional liquor tasting in Nuns Valley.

Is the toboggan ride included?

Yes. The ride is included, though a single person may pay an additional 10 euros if they occupy both places on a basket. A third person may also need to pay extra on rainy days because baskets of three do not operate then.

Where does the toboggan ride finish?

The ride travels about 2 kilometers from Monte down the old Livramento road. The bus picks you up at the bottom, where the carreiros catch the bus and the sledges are loaded onto a truck.

Is there a convent in Nuns Valley?

No. The village does not have a convent. You can visit a 200-year-old nun’s house for 1 euro.

Are food and drinks included?

The liquor tasting is included. Snacks, chestnut cake, pastries, coffee, tea, and other drinks are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring water and a jacket. Mountain temperatures and weather can differ from conditions in Funchal.

Can cruise passengers join the tour?

Yes. Cruise passengers meet at the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum area, about eight minutes from the ship. Shared tours do not pick up directly at the cruise terminal, while private terminal pickup has additional conditions and costs.

Are hotel pickups available?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are available from many Funchal hotels and selected nearby locations. Santa Cruz hotel pickup costs an additional 10 euros per person, while Caniço and Garajau have no additional pickup cost under the stated conditions.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want maximum variety in a compact morning. The early Monte arrival, controlled toboggan ride, high mountain viewpoints, Nuns Valley tasting, and Funchal panorama make $47 a sensible price.

The main caution is time. You will sample each place rather than settle in for hours. For a first visit, that is a worthwhile bargain. For a slower return to Madeira’s mountains, choose a longer or private outing instead.