From Funchal: Nuns Valley, Monte and Sleigh Ride Tour

I’m reviewing a classic Madeira half-day outing that links three big hits: Monte’s sledges, the Eira do Serrado lookout, and the isolated Curral das Freiras (Nuns Valley). You’ll ride the old-style toboggan baskets down a 2-kilometer stretch, then see dramatic viewpoints before you’re back in Funchal.

Two things I really like: the guides. Travelers repeatedly mention knowledgeable, funny, multilingual hosts like Tony and Lucy, with clear timing and good safety handling. And the scenery and experiences stay tightly connected, from Monte’s hill-and-church landmarks to the Nuns Valley’s lava-rock setting.

One thing to keep in mind: this is packed for a 4-hour tour, so stops can feel a bit fast—especially if you’re hoping for a long sit-down in Nuns Valley. Weather can also change toboggan operations, so bring a jacket and expect the day to run by local rules.

Key highlights at a glance

• Early start that helps you get on the toboggans fast (many guests say they beat the queue)
• A real 2-kilometer Monte toboggan ride with professional “carreiros” drivers at the bottom
• Eira do Serrado viewpoint at 1,094 meters for wide island views
• Curral das Freiras history: nuns fled pirate attacks in the 16th century, and it’s a nun house, not a convent
• Free liquor tasting in Nuns Valley, plus optional chestnut cake and local pastries
• Pico dos Barcelos adds another Madeira perspective at 355 meters

You can check availability for your dates here:

Monte and Nuns Valley from Funchal: what the day really feels like

This tour is built for people who want Madeira’s “wow” factor without planning, driving, or figuring out winding roads. You start in and around Funchal, then you work your way up into the island’s green highlands. The pace is friendly but purposeful: photo stops, viewpoints with time to look around, and one big adrenaline moment that’s the main event.

Most travelers remember the toboggan ride first. Then they remember the views from the high points—especially that Eira do Serrado panorama where you can see across a lot of the island in one sweep.

Price and value: why $47 can work here

At about $47 per person for roughly 4 hours, the value mostly comes from what’s included. You’re not just paying for a bus ride and a couple photos. Your ticket includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a guided tour, and the sledge (toboggan) ride itself. On top of that, you get a free liquor tasting in Nuns Valley.

That’s a big deal in Madeira. Many other excursions charge extra for the main activity, or they make you pay separately for transportation, viewpoints, and tastings. Here, the core experiences are already inside the price. You can spend a little extra for food like chestnut cake and pastries, and for optional souvenir photo packages, but you’re not forced into it.

Getting picked up: cruise ships, hotels, and the usual practical headaches

Hotel pickup is included, with a long list of participating places across the Funchal area. If you’re staying in Santa Cruz or Caniço, check your specific pickup conditions—some areas have earlier pickups, and one part of the pricing note says an additional €10 per person applies for Santa Cruz hotel pickups.

If you’re arriving on a cruise, the key point is this: for shared tours, the meeting point is at the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum, and the company says they don’t do pickup directly in front of the cruise terminal for shared tours. If you want cruise terminal pickup, there’s an additional €4.50 per person mentioned.

If you’re driving yourself, you’ll meet at the Madeira Panoramico bus stop main road with free parking. This is one of those tours where logistics matter, because arriving early helps you avoid toboggan queue pain.

The heart of the tour: Monte’s toboggan ride (and why it’s more than a thrill)

The tour’s signature moment is a 2-kilometer toboggan ride down an old road from Livramento. You’ll go early so you can get on the sledges before the crowds build.

What makes this feel authentic is how the ride is run. You’re not just hopping into a gimmick. The setup is tied to the tradition of the carreiros (the men who handle the sledges at the bottom). After the ride, you’ll see how the sleds are loaded for the return, which gives you a sense that this is still a working local system—not just a staged attraction.

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Safety and comfort notes you should know

You’re riding in a baskets-style toboggan, and travelers repeatedly say it feels controlled and safe. Still, keep expectations realistic: it’s fast, bumpy, and weather-dependent.

The tour notes that rainy days can affect the baskets of three, meaning if a third person is involved, operational rules may change and that third passenger may need to pay an additional €10. Also, if you book as a single person, there’s a stated €10 extra for the toboggan ride because a single rider may occupy two places when pairing isn’t possible.

If you’re traveling with kids: under 3 can ride on a parent’s lap, and there are no child discounts.

Monte church and the Emperor Charles I tomb: a short stop with real weight

After you reach Monte, you’ll visit the church area connected to the tomb of Emperor Charles I of Austria. This is one of those details that makes the trip feel more grounded than just scenic stops. Madeira has a lot of nature tourism, but this adds a cultural anchor that takes you beyond postcards.

This church stop also helps connect the dots. Monte isn’t only about sledges. It’s an older tourist stop with layers—tradition, architecture, and a specific European link that many visitors don’t expect on a small island.

Eira do Serrado: the viewpoint that turns the island into a map

Next comes Eira do Serrado, one of Madeira’s standout lookouts. From 1,094 meters above sea level, you’re in “see far” territory. The tour gives you time for free time and photo stops, so it’s not only a quick stop while the guide talks.

You’ll want to look in more than one direction. This place is famous for creating that clear sense of scale—clouds, valleys, and ridges all stacking at different distances. And because the tour includes scenic driving on the way, you’ll start to understand how these roads thread through the island’s geography.

If you’re prone to motion sickness, consider sitting toward the middle of the bus and avoid staring down at your feet during sharp turns.

Curral das Freiras (Nuns Valley): what you should expect at the “nun” stop

This is the part travelers get genuinely emotional about because it feels removed from the rest of the island.

Curral das Freiras is surrounded by lava rock and sits in a very isolated pocket. The name comes from nuns who fled pirate attacks during the 16th century. Importantly, the tour notes there is no convent there—only a nun house, not a full convent setting.

You’ll get a visit and an aperitif built around the included free liquor tasting. Many guests mention this as a satisfying closer to the morning’s big sensations. You also may want to add something sweet: chestnut cake and pastries that are found only in the region are available, but they’re not included in the price.

The tasting experience: what makes it worth your time

It’s not just free alcohol for the sake of it. The liquor tasting is a local culture moment that pairs nicely with the setting. You’ll taste Madeira’s flavors in the place they’re tied to, which makes the whole stop feel more like a visit than a checkbox.

If you’re the driver type in the group, you can still enjoy the tasting as a small sample, then focus on the viewpoints and photos.

The roads and tunnels you pass: why the bus ride matters

A lot of people underestimate the value of the scenic drive in a short tour. Here, the drive is part of the experience. You’ll see and hear about narrow roads and the kinds of footpaths and routes locals still use. Because Madeira is a mountainous island with complicated terrain, the road story helps you connect the islands’ viewpoints to the geography you’re seeing.

Guides also tend to point out trees and plants, plus small history details that you’d miss if you just rode to the next stop and took a photo. Travelers repeatedly mention guides being knowledgeable and humorous, and those “in-between” moments are what turn a basic tour into something you actually remember.

Pico dos Barcelos lookout: the final viewpoint before you head back

On the way back, the tour includes Pico dos Barcelos at 355 meters. This is a classic Madeira viewpoint stop: quick, scenic, and useful for rounding out the day’s “high places” theme.

If you like structure, you’ll appreciate how the stops build. You’ve already reached Eira do Serrado, you’ve stood in the isolated valley environment, and then you get another angle looking out over different parts of the landscape.

Food, snacks, and what’s included (and what isn’t)

You’ll get the included free liquor tasting in Nuns Valley. But the tour explicitly says snacks, cakes, drinks like coffee and tea are not included.

That means if you want coffee or a sit-down snack, bring a bit of cash. On the other hand, you’re not forced into overpriced tourist-only refreshments because the tour gives you a free local tasting as the main “food moment.”

How long to spend where: timing trade-offs on a half-day tour

The itinerary is short, so you’ll balance “time to look” with “time to move.” Most of your time is designed around:

• getting on the toboggans before queues,
• reaching viewpoints with clear sightlines,
• visiting Nuns Valley for the tasting and photos.

One practical consequence: some travelers might wish Nuns Valley had more time. If you’re the type who wants to linger over a meal, consider adding extra time in Funchal after the tour rather than expecting a long stop here.

Weather can change the rules, so pack smart

The tour advice is simple: bring water and a jacket. That’s good for Madeira year-round, especially because mountain weather can shift fast.

Because rain affects how the toboggans operate (including the note about baskets of three), you should think of the day as “flexible thrill.” If the weather is poor, the guide will follow operational safety decisions.

What kind of traveler should book this?

You’ll enjoy this tour if you want:

• a fast hit of top Madeira scenery without renting a car,
• the one must-do activity in Monte: sledging/tobogganing,
• a guide who explains the island in a human way (many reviews call out bilingual hosts and good humor),
• included local flavor via liquor tasting.

You might not love it if:

• you’re hoping for long, slow wandering with lots of free time,
• you’re sensitive to motion or bumpy roads,
• you want full control over timing at each stop.

Tips to make your day go smoother

• Arrive ready for early mornings. The early pickup helps you get on the sledges with less waiting.
• Wear grippy shoes for photo stops on uneven terrain.
• Plan your expectations for Nuns Valley. You’ll taste, look around, and take photos, but it’s still a half-day tour.
• If you’re buying souvenirs, expect options at the bottom of the toboggan area. One traveler mentioned photos available for around €10, but treat that as optional.

Should you book? My honest take

If you’re doing Madeira for the first time and you want a day that feels both fun and grounded, I think this is an easy yes. The included toboggan ride, knowledgeable multilingual guide, and stunning viewpoints combine into a package that’s hard to replicate on your own in a half-day window.

I’d book it if Monte sledging is on your list and you like tours that move efficiently while still giving you time to look around. I’d also book it if you’re curious about the Nuns Valley story, because the tasting stop and the nun-house context add real local flavor beyond the scenery.

Just plan for a packed schedule, bring a jacket, and accept that weather can tweak how the ride runs. In exchange, you get one of the most recognizable Madeira experiences—done with good timing, solid guiding, and real value.

FAQ

How long is the Nuns Valley, Monte, and Sleigh Ride tour?

It runs for about 4 hours.

What’s included in the price?

You get a guided tour, hotel pickup and drop-off, a sledge (toboggan) ride, and a free liquor tasting in Nuns Valley.

Where do cruise ship passengers meet?

Cruise guests meet at the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum meeting point (about an 8-minute walk from the ship). The tour also states they do not pick up in front of the cruise terminal for shared tours.

Is there an extra cost for cruise terminal pickup?

Yes. The information provided lists €4.50 per person for picking up at the cruise terminal (instead of the included meeting point).

Are there extra fees for solo travelers?

Yes. The tour notes an additional €10 for toboggan ride bookings for one person, because singles may occupy more space when pairing isn’t possible.

Are there extra fees for children?

The tour notes there are no discounts for children. It also states that children under 3 can ride on a parent’s lap.

Is the nun house included?

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

What languages do the guides speak?

Guides are listed as multilingual, with Spanish, English, French, German, Portuguese.

What should I bring?

You should bring water and a jacket.

You can check availability for your dates here: