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 about 2 kilometers toward Funchal. The ride is short, fast, and wonderfully odd, which is exactly why it belongs on a first visit to Madeira.

I like the smart early start, which often puts you near the front of the queue, and the way the tour links Monte with the high views at Eira do Serrado and the steep-sided Nuns Valley. The main drawback is time. Four hours covers a lot, but you may want more time in Nuns Valley, especially if you hope to eat, shop, and visit the old nun’s house.

Key points at a glance

• Ride first: Early morning timing is designed to reduce the wait for Monte’s toboggan.
• Cover three major viewpoints: See Funchal from Monte and Pico dos Barcelos, then look down into Nuns Valley from 1,094 meters.
• Learn local history: Visit Monte Church, where Emperor Charles I of Austria is buried.
• Taste Madeira: Local liqueurs in Curral das Freiras are included, while cakes, coffee, and other snacks cost extra.
• Travel comfortably: Hotel pickup and drop-off are included at many Funchal addresses, with a multilingual guide in a small minibus.
• Plan for extras: The historic nun’s house costs €1, and some pickup areas and solo toboggan arrangements carry additional charges.

Why the Monte toboggan is the right way to begin

The tour starts from Funchal and heads uphill to Monte, a traditional tourist stop above the city. The timing matters. The operator aims to reach the toboggan station before the largest crowds arrive, and this is one of the most useful features of the outing.

Several guides, including Tony, Daniel, Lucy, and Sandra, have been praised for keeping the group moving while explaining Madeira’s history and scenery. Tony is often noted for switching between languages during the drive, while Daniel has a lively style that suits the playful nature of the ride. Guides can change, but the format stays the same.

You ride in a basket-shaped sled pushed and steered by two carreiros in white clothing and straw hats. The baskets travel down the old road from Monte toward Livramento. The ride is not a roller coaster, but the slope, quick turns, and close roadside walls give it enough speed to make you laugh and grip the sides.

The ride is included in the $47 price, which helps the tour make financial sense. Buying the toboggan separately and arranging transport between all the stops would take more planning. You still need to allow for souvenir photos and any food or drink you buy at the stops.

The toboggan is also a piece of Madeira’s transport story. Years ago, the men who operated the sleds had to carry them back uphill. Today, the baskets are loaded onto a truck after the ride, while the carreiros return by other means.

Monte Church and the tomb of Emperor Charles I

Before or around the toboggan stop, you visit Monte Church. The church is important for more than its setting above Funchal: it holds the tomb of Charles I of Austria, the last Austro-Hungarian emperor.

This is a brief cultural stop rather than a long church tour. It gives the morning some historical weight before the more playful sled ride. If you only associate Monte with the cable car and baskets, the church helps explain why the area has long been part of Madeira’s sightseeing circuit.

The roads around Monte are steep, and the minibus route gives you views across Funchal as you climb. The driver’s commentary is useful here, since the scenery changes quickly and you may otherwise miss details about old roads, buildings, and plant life.

The pickup network is large, covering many Funchal hotels, the lower cable-car station, the cruise meeting point at the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum, and selected addresses in Santa Cruz and nearby areas. You should check your exact pickup point carefully. Cruise passengers do not normally meet the shared tour at the terminal itself. The meeting point at the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum is about eight minutes from the ship, according to the tour information.

What the 2-kilometer basket ride feels like

The ride lasts only a few minutes, but it is the part most people remember. The carreiros use their rubber-soled shoes to slow and guide the basket, working as a pair on the downhill road.

You do not control the basket yourself. That makes the experience simple, but it also means you should accept the operator’s seating arrangement. A basket normally takes two people. If you book alone, an extra €10 charge may apply because you could occupy both places when no pairing is possible.

On rainy days, three-person baskets do not operate. If a third person in your group cannot share with another passenger, that person may also face an extra €10 charge. Children under three can ride on a parent’s lap, but there are no child discounts for this attraction.

At the bottom, the bus collects you near the point where the carreiros and baskets are handled. Some people buy souvenir photographs there. The tour does not include these photos, so bring a little extra money if that matters to you.

The ride may not suit anyone who dislikes steep slopes, sudden movement, or being jostled in a confined basket. It is also not a quiet sightseeing stop. You are there for the fun, not for a long look at the road.

Eira do Serrado at 1,094 meters

After Monte, the route climbs toward Eira do Serrado. At 1,094 meters above sea level, this is one of the tour’s strongest viewpoints.

From the lookout, you can see down toward Curral das Freiras, known in English as Nuns Valley. The valley is enclosed by steep volcanic rock, giving it a very different feel from the open views around Funchal. The contrast is the point: in one morning, you move from a city-facing hilltop to a high mountain basin.

The route passes chestnut trees and eucalyptus, and you may see sections of older footpaths and the narrow road system that once served the valley more directly. Tunnels and tight bends help explain how isolated the interior villages once were.

Bring a jacket. Temperatures and wind can differ sharply from Funchal, and the tour specifically advises carrying one. Water is also useful, especially if you spend time walking around the viewpoint.

Your time here is mainly for photos, free viewing, and the guide’s explanation. Do not expect a long mountain walk. The stop gives you a strong view without turning the tour into a hiking excursion.

Curral das Freiras and the story behind Nuns Valley

The name Nuns Valley comes from the nuns who fled to this remote valley during the 16th century after pirate attacks. The surrounding rock made the area difficult to reach, which helped protect the community.

One detail is worth knowing before you arrive: there is no convent in the village. You can visit a 200-year-old nun’s house for €1, but it is a nun’s house, not a convent. This small distinction prevents a common misunderstanding and makes the stop more honest.

The village stop gives you time for a drink, a snack, and the included liqueur tasting. Local chestnut products are a specialty. Chestnut cake and pastries are not included, along with coffee, tea, and other snacks, so check prices before ordering if you are watching your budget.

The liqueurs are made locally and are associated with Nuns Valley. Tasting them is a pleasant way to connect the scenery with local food traditions rather than treating the valley as only a photo stop. The tasting may also be the social pause of the morning, after the busy toboggan and the high viewpoint.

The trade-off is limited free time. The itinerary includes several stops, and one morning is not enough to explore every shop, restaurant, and corner of the village. If Nuns Valley is your main reason for visiting Madeira, a longer standalone excursion would suit you better.

Pico dos Barcelos and the final view over Funchal

On the way back, the tour stops at Pico dos Barcelos, a viewpoint at about 355 meters. This gives you another angle on Funchal and helps round out the morning.

Eira do Serrado looks into the island’s interior. Pico dos Barcelos looks back toward the city and coast. The two stops work well together because they show how quickly Madeira changes from urban streets to high volcanic valleys.

This is a photo stop rather than a full attraction. You may have only a short time to take in the view, but the location is convenient on the return to Funchal. It is also a useful final pause before hotel drop-off.

The tour then returns you to your hotel or designated drop-off point. Some guides may offer a convenient Funchal drop-off if you prefer to continue in town, but you should confirm this with the guide on the day.

Transport, group size, and the early pickup

The experience uses a minibus rather than a large coach. Recent tour details describe groups of around 12 people, though the exact size can vary. A smaller vehicle is helpful on Madeira’s steep, narrow roads and makes it easier for the guide to give commentary in several languages.

Guiding is available in English, Spanish, French, German, and Portuguese. The best part of the commentary is practical rather than formal. Guides such as Tony and Daniel have been praised for mixing history with humor, while Lucy has been singled out for handling timing and cruise-related complications with care.

Pickup is included from many hotels in Funchal. There are 48 listed pickup choices, including major hotels, the cable-car station, the Funchal Promenade, and other central meeting points. If your hotel is not listed, contact the operator rather than assuming you must make your own way there.

Santa Cruz hotel pickup costs an additional €10 per person. Pickup from cruise passengers is handled at the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum meeting point for the shared tour, while direct terminal pickup is reserved for private tours. Caniço and Garajau have different arrangements, so check the booking details closely.

People arriving by rental car can meet at the Madeira Panorâmico bus stop on the main road, where parking is free. Those staying in more distant parts of the island, such as Ponta do Sol, Calheta, São Vicente, or Santana, also use this Funchal meeting area.

The start can feel early, especially for people staying outside Funchal. That inconvenience is worthwhile if it saves you a long wait for the baskets. Traffic and cruise ship arrivals can still affect the schedule, so keep your morning flexible.

Is $47 good value for four hours?

At $47 per person, this is a strong value if you want the toboggan ride and several mountain viewpoints in one outing. The guided transport alone matters on Madeira, where steep roads, tunnels, and scattered sights make independent planning slower.

The price includes:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in the included areas
• A live multilingual guide
• The Monte toboggan ride
• Stops at Monte, Eira do Serrado, Curral das Freiras, and Pico dos Barcelos
• Local liqueur tasting in Nuns Valley

You pay extra for food, coffee, tea, cakes, drinks, the €1 nun’s house, and possible pickup or solo-ride supplements. Cruise passengers using the shared arrangement should also account for the short transfer from the port to the meeting point.

The value is best for a first visit, a short stay, or a cruise stop. You see several major sights without paying for separate transport. It is less suitable if you want long visits, quiet walking time, or a detailed look at one village.

Who should book this Madeira tour?

I would choose this tour for a first-time visitor who wants a broad taste of Madeira in half a day. It suits couples, families with older children, and anyone who likes a bit of motion mixed with scenery and local history.

The tour can work with a seven-year-old, and children under three may ride on a parent’s lap. Still, check your child’s comfort with the basket ride and steep roads. There are no child discounts for the attraction, so do not expect a reduced price.

Cruise passengers should pay close attention to pickup timing and the meeting point. The tour can fit a port day, but you need to allow time to reach the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum and return to the ship after drop-off.

You should choose another format if Nuns Valley is your main goal. The stop is scenic and worthwhile, but the tour gives equal weight to the toboggan, Monte, viewpoints, and tasting. A private tour would give you more control over time, though it would cost more.

My verdict: book it for range and timing

I would book this tour if I wanted the classic Monte toboggan ride without arranging several separate trips. The combination of an early start, included sled ride, high mountain views, local liqueur tasting, and hotel transport gives you a lot for four hours.

The key question is pace. You will see more than you could easily cover alone, but you will not linger everywhere. Book it for the experience as a whole, especially the early toboggan and Eira do Serrado, not for an extended visit to Nuns Valley.

Bring water, a jacket, and a few euros for snacks and the nun’s house. Check your pickup point, expect an early start, and accept that weather or traffic can alter the timing. For most first visits from Funchal, this is an entertaining and practical introduction to Madeira’s mountains.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts four hours, including pickup, the Monte toboggan ride, sightseeing stops, the liqueur tasting, and return transport.

Is the toboggan ride included in the price?

Yes. The traditional Monte sledge ride is included, although solo bookings and some three-person arrangements on rainy days may require an additional €10 charge.

How far does the toboggan travel?

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

Where do cruise passengers meet the tour?

Shared-tour cruise passengers meet at the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum, about eight minutes from the ship. The shared tour does not pick up directly at the cruise terminal.

Is pickup included from every hotel?

Pickup is included at many Funchal hotels and listed meeting points. Santa Cruz hotel pickup costs an additional €10 per person. Caniço and Garajau have separate pickup arrangements, so check your address before booking.

Is food included?

No. Chestnut cakes, pastries, coffee, tea, and other snacks are not included. The local liqueur tasting in Nuns Valley is included.

Can I visit the old nun’s house?

Yes. The 200-year-old nun’s house costs €1 to enter. It is a nun’s house, not a convent, and there is no convent in the village.