From Funchal: Nuns Valley, Monte and Sleigh Ride Tour

Madeira’s Monte and Nuns Valley half-day tour is interesting because it mixes big scenery, a historic toboggan run, and a place with a real, specific backstory, not just a postcard. I especially like the way you get onto the Monte toboggan ride early to dodge the worst lines. I also love that a local liquor tasting in Curral das Freiras is included, so you get a taste of the village without paying extra for the highlight. The only drawback to plan for is the early timing and the packed itinerary, meaning it is not a slow, lingering day.

Guides like Tony, Daniel, Lucy, and Sandra are repeatedly praised for keeping things moving, with stories and clear timing. Expect a friendly, multilingual approach, and a comfortable ride between stops, often in a small mini bus group. If you get carsick easily or you dislike driving on narrow roads, this is worth keeping in mind, because the views come from higher, twistier roads.

Key things to know before you go

• Early start for the toboggan, so you get a better shot at short lines
• Two major viewpoints: Eira do Serrado (high above the island) and Pico dos Barcelos (355 m)
• Curral das Freiras plus the Nuns Valley story, including the 16th-century pirate connection
• Liquor tasting included in the village, with regional chestnut cake and pastries available for purchase
• A Monte church stop tied to Emperor Charles I of Austria
• Multilingual guides often mentioned by name, like Tony, Daniel, Lucy, and Sandra

From Funchal to Monte: getting there early (and why it matters)

The day starts with pickup around Funchal area hotels, with lots of options on the list. If you are coming from a cruise ship, your meeting point is at the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum area, and pickup there is included for cruiseliner guests. Either way, the first goal is the same: you head toward Monte in time for the toboggan ride while it is still calm.

This is not a tour where you spend the morning sitting in a traffic jam and hoping for the best. The plan is built around the Monte toboggan. You even hear the reasoning behind it: the toboggan line can build, so getting there first changes the whole experience. In the best case, you spend more time having fun and less time waiting, and that alone can make a short tour feel long in a good way.

As you travel, you get photo stops and a bit of guided sightseeing, plus scenic pull-offs on the way. This matters because Madeira’s magic is not just in one viewpoint. It is the slow reveal, the way the island looks different once you start climbing and then look back down.

Pack simple basics. Bring water and a jacket. You do not need a backpack full of gear, but you do want to be comfortable when you step out for viewpoints.

Monte’s church and Emperor Charles I: the calm, cultural pause

Monte is one of those Madeira stops that feels like it has been hosting visitors for a long time. It is also where you get the culture break that keeps this from being only an adrenaline morning.

You visit the church in Monte where the tomb of Emperor Charles I of Austria can be found. This is a small stop, but it adds a surprising historical anchor. You come for the toboggan, then suddenly there is this grand European connection right in the hills above Funchal.

What I like about this moment is pacing. After the early drive, it gives you a chance to slow down for a few minutes. Even if you are not a history person, you will usually find the guide making the connection between Monte’s role as a tourist area and why this kind of landmark endures. It is also a nice reset before you zoom downhill.

If you are traveling with kids or people who get restless, this church stop is a handy one. It is not long, but it feels meaningful. And it helps explain why Monte is more than just a ride.

The Monte toboggan ride on Livramento Road: the highlight you’ll remember

Now for the main event: the Monte toboggan ride, sometimes called basket sleds. This is a 2-kilometer descent down the old road of Livramento. The tour is designed so the bus later meets you at the bottom, which keeps things efficient. Then the sleds get loaded into a truck.

Here’s what makes this run feel special. The drivers, known as carreiros, have a long tradition tied to moving the sleds. Historically, they had to carry the sledge back up to Monte. You are basically watching a living tradition evolve into a modern visitor experience.

What to expect on the ride itself:

• It is thrilling in a controlled way. The drivers guide the sleds carefully.
• You get great photo opportunities, especially for that “we are really doing this” feeling when the hill starts dropping.
• You will likely see souvenir photo options at the bottom, with small extra purchases available if you want a printed memory.

Timing is everything here. When you arrive before crowds, the experience feels smoother. You are not stressed. You get on, you go down, you come back up laughing. That is exactly why the tour pushes the toboggan as an early stop.

Two practical considerations:

• On rainy days, the ride can be affected. The operator notes that baskets of three do not go down in rain, and a third person may need to pay an additional €10 if the group cannot ride as planned.
• Solo riders can have extra toboggan costs. The info says bookings for one person may have an additional €10 because a single rider may occupy two places when possible, depending on pairing.

Bring your confidence, not your fancy expectations. This ride is not about comfort. It is about fun, speed, and a very Madeira kind of tradition.

Eira do Serrado viewpoint: chestnut trees, eucalyptus, and high air

After Monte, the tour moves upward again, this time to one of Madeira’s famous outlook points: Eira do Serrado. You are at about 1,094 meters above sea level, which is why the views feel almost too big to process for a moment.

This stop is built for photo taking and a breather. You get time here to admire the view and step around comfortably. The guide also talks about the natural wonder around you. You will notice chestnut trees and eucalyptus in the surrounding area, and you may spot evidence that the island’s older routes are still part of how people move.

One detail I appreciate is the emphasis on the island’s older pathways. The tour mentions ancient footpaths still used by locals and tourists, plus the narrow road and tunnels that are still visible. That gives the viewpoint more context than just, “Look how far you can see.”

Eira do Serrado is also the moment where you start thinking, okay, this is why the rest of the day is worth it. Once you see the island from this altitude, the Nuns Valley stop starts to make sense. It feels closer to a pocket of Madeira, cut off by terrain and lava rock.

If you hate changing plans due to weather, bring that jacket again. Even if rain does not stop the whole day, conditions can change how comfortable it is to wait outside for photos.

Curral das Freiras and the Nuns Valley: lava rock, pirate fear, and real tasting

This is the stop that turns “scenery” into “story.” You visit Curral das Freiras, and you spend time in the area often described as the Nuns Valley.

Here’s the key clarification the tour provides: this is not a convent. It is described as a nun house, not a full convent. There is also an entrance option for the 200-year-old nun’s house, listed as €1.00, which is not included.

Why the valley matters:

• It is isolated and surrounded by lava rock.
• The name comes from nuns who lived there during the 16th century when they fled from pirate attacks.
• The guide’s job is to help you understand why this place ended up where it did, and why it stayed special.

You also get an included aperitif moment here. Specifically, you get free liquor tasting in the village. The tour highlights that these are the famous local liquors, described as homemade and found only in this village. If you have ever wondered what to buy that actually tastes like a place, this is the low-effort way to do it.

Food is a bit different. You can try traditional chestnut cake and pastries here, but the tour notes these are not included in the price. That means you can keep your money under control, and still indulge if you want.

One practical note: the Nuns Valley stop is designed so you can enjoy it without feeling like you are trapped there all day. Still, if you want more time to wander inside shops or sit for extra snacks, know the tour is structured around multiple stops. You get a taste of everything rather than a full day in one village.

Pico dos Barcelos: your last big viewpoint over Funchal

Before you head back to Funchal, the tour stops at Pico dos Barcelos. This lookout sits around 355 meters, and it is the kind of viewpoint that helps you connect the dots.

The tour describes it as a unique Madeira viewpoint, and guides often frame Funchal from above with a sense of theater. The effect is simple but satisfying: you look down, you see how the city and coastline sit against the hills, and you understand why Funchal is such a good base.

This stop is usually quick compared to Eira do Serrado, but it is a smart way to end. You finish with a final wow moment, then you are on the way back without scrambling for a last-minute cab or hunting for parking.

If you are traveling with people who get tired near the end of the day, this viewpoint is a good choice. It is scenic enough to feel like a payoff, but it does not demand a big walking commitment.

Price and the small extras that can change the math

At about $47 per person for a 4-hour guided outing, this tour can feel like a bargain, mainly because it includes the parts that are hardest to DIY: the guided structure, hotel pickup and drop-off, the toboggan ride, and the liquor tasting.

But the “value” depends on where you are picked up and your group setup. The tour information flags a few potential add-ons:

• Cruiseliner terminal pickup can cost extra, and it is specifically noted that pickup is not done in front of the cruise terminal for shared tours.
• Some hotel areas can have additional pickup costs, including Santa Cruz and Caniço listed with an additional cost of €10.00 per person.
• Single riders can have an extra €10.00 for the toboggan ride in some cases, since one person may occupy two places depending on pairing.
• The nun’s house entrance is €1.00, if you want to go in.
• Chestnut cake and pastries, plus coffee or tea and snacks, are not included.

My advice: treat the included tasting and the toboggan as your “core value,” and budget modestly for small extras. If you go in expecting that, you will feel good about the price.

Should you book this Monte and Nuns Valley tour?

Book it if you want an active half-day that mixes one of Madeira’s signature experiences with real local flavor. The toboggan ride is the headline, but the reason this tour works is that the viewpoints and the Nuns Valley story give the day texture. If you like guided context, you will probably enjoy how guides like Tony, Daniel, Lucy, and Sandra keep the drive interesting and the timing smooth.

Skip it if you hate early starts, short time at each stop, or bumpy roads. Also think twice if weather would make you anxious about changes to the toboggan setup, since rain can affect basket configurations.

If you do book, I’d do one thing to improve your odds: arrive ready to move fast at the start. The tour is best when you get on early, soak up the views without rushing, and treat the day like a highlight reel, not a slow museum tour.

FAQ

How long is the tour from Funchal to Monte and the Nuns Valley?

The duration is 4 hours.

What is included in the price?

It includes a guided tour, the toboggan (sledge) ride, hotel pickup and drop-off, and a free liquor tasting in the Nuns Valley/Curral das Freiras area.

Is there an extra cost to visit the 200-year-old nun’s house?

Yes. The entrance to the 200-year-old nun’s house is €1.00 and is not included.

What do I need to bring for this tour?

Bring water and a jacket.

What languages are the tour guide available in?

The tour guide operates in Spanish, English, French, German, and Portuguese.

What age rules apply for children?

Children under 3 years old can ride on a parent’s lap. The info also notes there are no discounts for children at this attraction.