From Funchal: Nuns Valley, Monte and Sleigh Ride Tour

Madeira’s famous Monte toboggan ride is the star here: a fast, oddly graceful slide down an old road in a wicker basket steered by two men in white clothing and straw hats. It covers about 2 kilometers, and the ride alone gives this half-day outing a sense of occasion that ordinary sightseeing tours lack.

I like two things in particular. First, the early departure is practical, not merely an inconvenience: arriving before the main crowds can mean little or no wait for the sledges. Second, the tour packs in both the high mountain view over Curral das Freiras, the Valley of the Nuns, and broad views over Funchal at Pico dos Barcelos.

The trade-off is time. Four hours is enough for a lively introduction, but it leaves limited time at each stop. If you want a long visit in the valley, a quiet church visit, or a leisurely meal, you will need a separate outing.

Key points to know before you book

• The toboggan comes first: The early schedule is designed to reach Monte before queues build.
• The ride is included: Your $47 price covers the sledge ride, transport, guide, and liquor tasting.
• Eira do Serrado reaches 1,094 meters: Bring a jacket, since the mountain viewpoint can feel cooler than Funchal.
• Nuns Valley is a village, not a convent: The name comes from nuns who fled pirate attacks in the 16th century.
• Several guides lead this route: Tony, Daniel, Lucy, Sandra, and others are praised for clear commentary, humor, and careful driving.
• Pickup details matter: Cruise ship passengers meet at the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum, while Santa Cruz pickups cost extra.

Why the Monte toboggan is the right opening

The route begins in Funchal and heads uphill to Monte, one of Madeira’s old resort areas. The order is important. The operator aims to reach the toboggan station early, before lines become long, and this is one of the strongest practical features of the tour.

The sledges are not snow toboggans. They are wicker baskets mounted on wooden runners, pushed and steered by two carreiros. The men use their shoes to control the speed and direction as the basket slides along the old road from Monte toward Livramento.

The ride lasts only a few minutes, but it is a memorable few minutes. You move quickly downhill, with the carreiros shifting their weight and braking with their shoes. It is thrilling without being an extreme adventure ride, though you should expect a brisk descent and some jolts along the road.

The full run is about 2 kilometers. At the bottom, the bus collects you near the point where the carreiros and sledges are loaded for transport back uphill. In earlier times, the men had to carry the sledges back to Monte themselves, which gives this old form of transport an extra human touch.

A single booking has an important catch. One person normally occupies two places in the basket, so there is an additional €10 charge for the ride when a partner cannot be found. The operator may pair individual riders when possible, but it cannot be guaranteed. On rainy days, three people do not ride together, so a third person may also need to pay the €10 supplement.

You do not need to buy the ride separately because it is included in the advertised $47 price. That makes the total cost attractive, especially when you add the minibus, guide, mountain viewpoints, and tasting later in the morning.

Monte church and the emperor’s tomb

Before or around the toboggan stop, you visit the church in Monte. It is associated with Charles I of Austria, the last Austro-Hungarian emperor, whose tomb is found there.

This is not a long church tour. The stop works best as a brief cultural counterpoint to the noisy, playful sledge ride. You get a glimpse of Monte’s religious importance and a reminder that Madeira’s old tourist districts are not only about scenery and amusement.

The timing can vary slightly with traffic and the queue at the toboggan station. That is one reason the tour is best viewed as a guided introduction rather than a slow, detailed visit to Monte. If the emperor’s story or the church is your main interest, allow extra time on another day.

Eira do Serrado and the first great mountain view

From Monte, the minibus climbs toward Eira do Serrado. This is where the trip shifts from lively amusement to serious mountain scenery.

At about 1,094 meters above sea level, the viewpoint looks down toward Curral das Freiras. The valley is enclosed by steep volcanic rock, giving it a far more enclosed feel than the open views around Funchal. Chestnut trees and eucalyptus line parts of the route, and old roads, tunnels, and footpaths hint at how difficult travel once was.

You will have time for photographs and a short look around. Bring a jacket and water. Madeira can be mild by the coast, but high viewpoints may feel cool, windy, or damp. Cloud can also affect what you see, so the view is never entirely guaranteed, even though the setting is impressive in any weather.

The road itself is part of the experience. Madeira’s mountain roads are narrow and heavily engineered, with tunnels and sharp bends. Several tour drivers receive particular praise for handling these routes calmly while explaining the island’s plants, villages, and past. Tony is often singled out for his humor and clear commentary, while Daniel and Lucy are also praised for keeping the group comfortable and informed.

Because the guide is also usually the driver, the quality of the morning depends partly on how well that person manages time. The strongest tours get you to the main stops without making the drive feel like dead time. The supplied guide languages are English, Spanish, French, German, and Portuguese.

Curral das Freiras, the Valley of the Nuns

The next main stop is Curral das Freiras, usually called the Valley of the Nuns in English. The name refers to nuns who sought refuge here during pirate attacks in the 16th century. They came to this remote valley because its steep volcanic walls made it a safer place to hide.

One point deserves correction before you arrive: there is no convent in the village. You can visit a 200-year-old nun’s house for €1, but that entrance fee is not included. The village itself is the main attraction, with its dramatic setting, local products, and views into the surrounding rock.

The tour includes a free tasting of traditional liquors made in the valley. This is one of the more enjoyable extras because it connects the scenery with local food traditions. The liquors are associated with the village and are included in the price, so you do not need to budget for the tasting itself.

Chestnut products are another local specialty. Chestnut cake and pastries are available to buy, but snacks, cakes, coffee, tea, and other drinks are not included. I would keep a little cash or a payment card ready if you want to try them, though the tour does not promise a full meal stop.

The main limitation is the length of the visit. A few people would prefer more time at Nuns Valley, and that is fair. The stop combines photographs, a village visit, a tasting, and possible shopping, so you may need to choose what matters most. If your priority is seeing the valley from above and sampling local liquor, the schedule works well. If you want to walk around at leisure, it may feel hurried.

Pico dos Barcelos closes the loop over Funchal

The final scenic stop is Pico dos Barcelos, at about 355 meters. From here, you get a broad view over Funchal and the surrounding coast. It is a different type of viewpoint from Eira do Serrado.

Eira do Serrado gives you a close, enclosed mountain view. Pico dos Barcelos gives you a wider look at the city and the way Funchal spreads below the hills. It is a useful final stop because you can connect the places you have seen during the morning with the larger shape of the island.

The stop is mainly for photographs, so do not expect a long guided visit. It gives you a final chance to orient yourself before the return to your hotel or drop-off point in Funchal.

Transport, group size, and the early start

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included at many Funchal accommodations, with a long list of pickup points across the city. The transport is generally a small, air-conditioned minibus rather than a large coach. One recent booking described a group of about 12 people, though the exact size can vary.

Small-group transport suits this route. The roads to the mountain viewpoints require attention, and a smaller vehicle can make the morning feel more personal. The downside is that pickup rounds can take time, especially when several hotels are involved.

The early start is worth taking seriously. Santa Cruz, Caniço, and Câmara de Lobos pickups are earlier than those in central Funchal. Santa Cruz hotel pickup has an additional €10 charge per person. Caniço and Garajau pickups have no additional cost, according to the tour information.

If you are arriving by cruise ship, the shared tour does not pick you up directly at the cruise terminal. The meeting point is at the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum, about eight minutes from the ship, and cruise passengers are told to meet there. A cruise-terminal pickup can be arranged only for private tours, while a group of more than eight may incur a €4.50 per-person terminal charge.

Driving yourself is possible. The meeting point for rental-car visitors is at the Madeira Panorâmico bus stop on the main road, where parking is free. People coming from places such as Ponta do Sol, Calheta, São Vicente, or Santana are also directed to this area.

Check your exact pickup time carefully. The published hotel list is broad, but if your hotel does not appear, contact the operator rather than assuming you must make your own way to Funchal.

What the $47 price really buys

At $47 per person, this is strong value if you want several Madeira highlights in one morning. The included package covers a live guide, transport, the Monte sledge ride, hotel pickup and drop-off where applicable, and liquor tasting in Nuns Valley.

The toboggan ride is the key financial point. Since it is already included, you avoid paying for the island’s best-known novelty as a separate add-on. You still need to pay for cakes, snacks, coffee, tea, and the €1 nun’s house if you choose those extras.

The price is less compelling for someone who dislikes scheduled group touring. You will be moving according to the minibus timetable, and you cannot simply linger at the viewpoint or stay longer in the village. Still, for a four-hour outing, the amount of scenery and activity is substantial.

The tour also offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those terms are useful if your Madeira plans are still shifting, but you should confirm the available start time when booking.

How the guides shape the morning

The guide can make a major difference on a compact tour. The most praised guides include Tony, Daniel, Lucy, Sandra, Victor, and Gama. The common thread is not a formal lecture. It is useful commentary delivered during the drive, mixed with humor and clear instructions about meeting times and safety.

Tony is noted for explaining Madeira’s trees, plants, roads, and history while driving. Daniel is described as lively and attentive, and Lucy is praised for helping the schedule work even when a cruise ship arrived late. Sandra receives particular credit for local information and warmth.

You may not have one of those named guides on your departure, but the advertised languages include five options. A multilingual guide can make a real difference when a small group includes people from several countries.

The best practical tip is to listen carefully when the guide gives the return time. This is a sightseeing tour with several short stops, not a free-form day out. Clear timing is what allows you to see so much in only four hours.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want a quick introduction to Madeira’s mountains, viewpoints, and most famous traditional ride. It also suits cruise passengers, couples, families with older children, and anyone who would rather let a local driver handle narrow mountain roads.

Children under three can ride on a parent’s lap, and there are no child discounts for the attraction. Families should also understand the seating rule for the sledge, since a third person may need to pay extra in wet conditions.

The tour is a good match if you like variety. In one morning, you get a church, a historic transport tradition, mountain roads, a high viewpoint, a village, a tasting, and a city panorama.

I would choose something else if your goal is a full day in Curral das Freiras, a long walk on old footpaths, or an unhurried visit to Monte. The tour gives you a broad sample, not deep time in one place.

Should you book the Nuns Valley and Monte tour?

Book it if you want the Monte sledge ride and the Eira do Serrado view without arranging several transfers yourself. The early start is a real advantage, the $47 price includes the major activity, and the route gives you a useful first look at Madeira beyond Funchal.

Before booking, check four things: your pickup location, the extra charge for Santa Cruz, the cruise meeting point, and the possible €10 sledge supplement for a solo rider or third person in rainy weather.

For most visitors with only a few days on Madeira, this is an efficient and entertaining half-day. It is not slow travel, but it is a smart way to fit some of the island’s most distinctive sights into one well-organized morning.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts four hours, including pickup, sightseeing, the Monte toboggan ride, the Nuns Valley visit, and the return to Funchal.

Is the Monte toboggan ride included in the price?

Yes. The sledge ride is included in the advertised $47 price per person.

How far does the toboggan ride go?

The ride covers about 2 kilometers down the old road of Livramento from Monte.

What happens if I book the tour alone?

A solo booking has an additional €10 cost for the toboggan ride because one person may occupy both places in a basket. The operator may pair individual riders when possible.

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, but that entrance fee is not included.

Is food included?

No. Snacks, chestnut cakes, pastries, coffee, tea, and other drinks are not included. A tasting of traditional liquors in Nuns Valley is included.

Where do cruise ship passengers meet the tour?

Cruise ship passengers meet at the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum, about eight minutes from the ship. Shared tours do not pick up directly at the cruise terminal.

What should I bring?

Bring water and a jacket. The higher viewpoint at Eira do Serrado is about 1,094 meters above sea level and can feel cooler than Funchal.