From Funchal: Nuns Valley, Monte and Sleigh Ride Tour

Madeira’s famous Monte toboggan ride is the star here: two carreiros steer a wicker basket down the old Livramento road while you slide roughly 2 kilometers toward Funchal. I like that the tour goes early, often getting you to the baskets before the long lines, and that the ride is bundled into the $47 price rather than added later.

I also like the mix of high mountain views and local tastes. Eira do Serrado gives you a dramatic look into Nuns Valley from 1,094 meters, then the village offers traditional liquors made in the area. The main drawback is the tight four-hour schedule, so you may want more time at Nuns Valley than the tour allows.

Key points at a glance

• Early Monte arrival: The first stop is planned to reduce waiting for the toboggan baskets.
• 2-kilometer wicker ride: Carreiros guide the basket down the old Livramento road to the pickup point.
• Eira do Serrado at 1,094 meters: The viewpoint looks across to the isolated Curral das Freiras, or Nuns Valley.
• Local liquor tasting included: Cakes, pastries, coffee, tea, and other snacks cost extra.
• Multilingual guides: Tours operate in English, Spanish, French, German, and Portuguese.
• Many pickup options: Hotel pickup is available across much of Funchal, with special arrangements for cruise passengers and some outlying areas.

Why the Monte toboggan ride is the right place to start

Most half-day sightseeing tours ease into the morning. This one begins with Madeira’s most playful old form of transport, which is a smart choice. Monte is a popular stop, and the basket ride can develop a slow-moving queue once buses and cruise passengers arrive.

The wicker sledges are pushed and steered by two carreiros in traditional white clothing and straw hats. You sit in the basket while they use their shoes to control speed and direction. The route follows an old road from Monte down toward Livramento, ending where the carreiros and baskets are collected for transport back uphill.

The ride is exciting rather than extreme. It feels fast enough to be fun, but the carreiros are in control. The tour information describes a 2-kilometer run, though the exact wait and ride timing can vary with traffic, weather, and the number of groups arriving at Monte.

One practical detail matters here: a single booking occupies two places when possible, so solo riders may pay an additional €10 for the ride. On rainy days, baskets of three do not go down. If a third person cannot be paired, that person also pays the additional charge. Ask about the seating arrangement before setting off.

At the bottom, the bus collects you near the point where the men catch the bus and the sledges are loaded onto a truck. In earlier days, the carreiros carried the baskets all the way back up to Monte. Today, the truck does that hard work, but the ride still feels tied to Madeira’s older transport traditions.

Monte Church and the emperor’s final resting place

Before or around the toboggan stop, the tour visits Monte, one of Madeira’s earliest tourist areas. The church is best known here for the tomb of Charles I of Austria, the last Austro-Hungarian emperor.

This is a brief cultural stop, not a long church tour. You get a chance to see the church and understand why Monte has drawn visitors for so long. The imperial connection adds a surprising historical layer to what might otherwise be treated as only a starting point for the sledges.

The order matters. The company deliberately puts Monte first so the group can reach the baskets early. Guides such as Tony, Daniel, Lucy, and Sandra have been praised for giving clear timings and keeping the morning moving. That skill is useful on an island where narrow roads and sudden traffic can affect a short itinerary.

Eira do Serrado and the view into Nuns Valley

After Monte, the minibus climbs toward Eira do Serrado. The viewpoint sits at 1,094 meters above sea level, high above Curral das Freiras, the village known in English as Nuns Valley.

This is the tour’s grand scenic pause. From the lookout, you see a steep bowl of rock enclosing the valley. The dark volcanic walls make the settlement below look unusually remote, even though it is connected to the rest of Madeira by roads and tunnels.

The name comes from nuns who fled to the valley during 16th-century pirate attacks. Be careful with the wording used around this stop: there is no convent in the village. There is a 200-year-old nun’s house, and entry costs €1 if you choose to visit.

The route itself adds to the experience. You pass chestnut trees and eucalyptus, with old footpaths still used by local people and walkers. The older narrow road and tunnels can also be seen, reminders of how difficult it once was to reach the valley.

Weather is the main uncertainty. Clouds can move across the mountains quickly, and a jacket is worth carrying even when Funchal feels warm. On a clear morning, the view is the reason to bring a camera. In mist, you may see much less, though the mountain road and plant life still give this part of the tour character.

The trade-off is time. The four-hour format covers Monte, Eira do Serrado, Nuns Valley, and Pico dos Barcelos, so the stop at the viewpoint and village is measured. If you want a long walk, a full meal, or a slow visit to the nun’s house, you need a separate trip.

Curral das Freiras: village, pastries, and local liquor

The bus continues into Curral das Freiras, where you get a closer sense of the valley rather than only looking down into it. The village is surrounded by volcanic rock and has a strong local identity shaped by its isolation.

The included liquor tasting is one of the better-value extras on the tour. You can try traditional drinks made in the Nuns Valley area, including flavors associated with chestnuts and local fruit. The tasting gives you something to do beyond taking photographs, and it helps explain why local produce matters in a mountain community.

Food is not included. Chestnut cake and regional pastries are available to buy, along with coffee, tea, and other drinks. If you want to sample them, bring some spending money. The tour price covers the liquor tasting, but not the café stop.

You should also expect a souvenir shop and restaurant area at the village stop. That may appeal to you if you want edible gifts or a quick refreshment. If you prefer quiet scenery, the commercial side can feel less special than the valley itself.

Pico dos Barcelos closes the morning with a Funchal panorama

On the way back to Funchal, the bus stops at Pico dos Barcelos, a viewpoint at 355 meters. This gives you a broad view over Funchal and a useful contrast with the enclosed mountain view from Eira do Serrado.

The stop is short and mainly suited to photographs. It is not as dramatic as the Nuns Valley viewpoint, but it helps you understand Funchal’s position between the hills and the sea. For a four-hour tour, it is a sensible final pause before returning to your hotel.

If you are staying in Funchal, the drop-off network is extensive. The listed stops include major hotels, the Funchal Promenade, the Cable Car lower station, the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum area, and central locations such as La Vie and The Vine Hotel.

What the $47 price really covers

At $47 per person, this is strong value if you want several major sights in one morning. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a live guide, the toboggan ride, and the Nuns Valley liquor tasting. The toboggan alone is often the activity people most want to do, so having it included simplifies the budget.

You are also paying for transport on roads that can be awkward to manage yourself. The route includes steep mountain approaches, narrow sections, and tunnels. Several guides have been praised for careful driving, comfortable air-conditioned minibuses, and smooth handling of difficult roads.

The value is less clear if you dislike structured sightseeing. You will move on when the schedule says so, and the day combines several short stops rather than giving you a full morning in one valley. The experience works best when you want a lively overview, not a slow walking tour.

The group is usually small, with one booking describing around 12 people in a comfortable minibus. Group size can vary, so do not assume a private tour. The guide may also need to explain things in several languages. That makes the tour accessible, though multilingual commentary can take more time than a single-language tour.

Guides, timing, and the practical details that matter

The guide can make a big difference on this route. Tony is repeatedly singled out for humor, punctuality, local stories, plant and tree information, and clear explanations in several languages. Daniel is also praised for keeping the atmosphere lively while looking after the group, and Lucy has been noted for helping cruise passengers after a late arrival.

Those names reflect guides used on particular departures, not a guarantee of who will lead your tour. The advertised languages are English, Spanish, French, German, and Portuguese.

Hotel pickup is available from many Funchal addresses, including the main hotel areas along the promenade and central city. Pickup from Caniço and Garajau has no additional cost, while Santa Cruz hotel pickup costs €10 per person and may be earlier. Pickup for Câmara de Lobos is also scheduled earlier than Funchal departures.

If you arrive by rental car, the meeting point is at the main road by the Madeira Panorâmico bus stop. Parking there is free. This is useful if your accommodation is outside the main pickup area, including places such as Ponta do Sol, Calheta, São Vicente, or Santana.

Cruise passengers do not normally meet the shared tour directly at the cruise terminal. The included meeting point is near the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum, about eight minutes from the ship. Pickup at the terminal itself is not provided for shared tours, and the stated terminal arrangement involves an extra €4.50 per person for groups of more than eight. Private tours are the option for direct terminal pickup.

Bring water and a jacket. The mountain altitude can feel cool, and weather changes quickly. Children under three may ride on a parent’s lap, but there are no child discounts for the attraction.

Who will enjoy this half-day tour most

I would choose this tour if you have only one free morning in Madeira and want a little of everything: a historic church, a traditional ride, mountain scenery, a village stop, local drinks, and a final Funchal viewpoint.

It is especially useful for first-time visitors, cruise passengers who can reach the CR7 meeting point, families with older children, and anyone who does not want to drive steep mountain roads. The toboggan ride gives children and teenagers a clear highlight, while the viewpoints keep the morning interesting for adults.

You should think twice if you need a relaxed pace or have limited tolerance for mountain roads. The route is full, and the bus may leave a stop just as you begin to settle into the view. People who want a long hike in Nuns Valley should book a dedicated walking or valley tour instead.

The ride is not described as requiring a strenuous walk, but you should be comfortable getting in and out of a basket, minibus, and viewpoint areas. Check directly about your needs if mobility is a concern, since detailed accessibility information is not provided.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the Monte toboggan ride is high on your Madeira list. The early start can save valuable queue time, and the $47 price includes the ride, transport, guide, and liquor tasting. Add the mountain views and Charles I’s tomb, and you get a lot into four hours.

Skip it if you want to linger in Nuns Valley, eat a full local meal, or walk the old paths. For most first-time visitors based in Funchal, though, this is an efficient and entertaining introduction to the island’s mountain side. Take the earliest available departure, carry a jacket, and leave room in your morning for a little traffic or weather-related change.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts four hours, including pickup, Monte, the toboggan ride, Eira do Serrado, Nuns Valley, Pico dos Barcelos, and return to Funchal.

What is included in the price?

The $47 price includes a guided tour, hotel pickup and drop-off, the Monte sledge ride, and a free liquor tasting in Nuns Valley Village.

Is the Monte toboggan ride included?

Yes. The sledge, or toboggan, ride is included in the tour price.

How long is the toboggan route?

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

Where does the toboggan ride finish?

The ride finishes at the lower pickup area, where the bus collects the group and the baskets are loaded onto a truck.

Is food included?

No. Chestnut cake, regional pastries, coffee, tea, snacks, and other drinks are not included.

Does Nuns Valley have a convent?

No. The village does not have a convent. It has a 200-year-old nun’s house, which costs €1 to enter.

Which languages are available?

The live guide service is offered in English, Spanish, French, German, and Portuguese.

Can cruise passengers join the tour?

Yes. Shared-tour cruise passengers meet near the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum, about eight minutes from the ship. Direct pickup at the cruise terminal is not provided for shared tours.

What should you bring?

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