From Funchal: Nuns Valley, Monte and Sleigh Ride Tour

Monte’s 2-kilometer wicker toboggan ride is the star here. Two carreiros in white clothing and straw hats steer the basket down Madeira’s old Livramento road, using their shoes to slow and guide it. I like that this tour starts early, giving you a real chance of riding before the queues build, and that the $47 price includes the ride rather than treating it as an extra.

I also like the mix of thrills and scenery: Monte church, Eira do Serrado, Nuns Valley, local liqueurs, and Pico dos Barcelos all fit into one morning. The trade-off is pace. Four hours covers a lot of ground, so you may want more time at Nuns Valley, and a busy day can mean short stops.

Key points to know before booking

• The toboggan ride comes first: Early pickup is designed to beat the longest queues, one of the tour’s biggest practical advantages.
• Nuns Valley is seen from above and below: Eira do Serrado gives you the grand view, while Curral das Freiras lets you stop in the village.
• Your guide shapes the morning: Tony, Daniel, Lucy, Sandra, Victor, and Gama are among the guides praised for humor, local facts, careful driving, and multilingual commentary.
• The liquor tasting is included: Cakes, pastries, coffee, tea, and other snacks cost extra, but traditional Nuns Valley liqueurs are part of the tour.
• The ride has a small print: Solo bookings may incur an additional €10 if you occupy both places on a basket, and rainy conditions can change how three-person baskets operate.
• It suits a first visit to Madeira: You get transport, a guide, several viewpoints, and the island’s most famous short adventure without arranging separate trips.

Why the Monte toboggan ride should come first

The day begins with pickup around Funchal and a direct run to Monte. That order matters. The wicker baskets are one of Madeira’s most popular attractions, and queues can grow quickly, especially when cruise ships arrive or traffic delays the morning.

The ride follows the old road from Monte to Livramento for about 2 kilometers. You sit in a padded wicker basket while two carreiros steer and brake with their rubber-soled shoes. It is not a theme-park ride with rails or machinery. The fun comes from the oddity of sliding down an ordinary road in a traditional basket, with the carreiros working as a team to control the speed.

Many visitors describe the ride as exciting but controlled. That matches the setup: the carreiros are in charge, and you are not expected to steer. At the bottom, the bus collects you near the point where the baskets are loaded onto a truck. In earlier years, the men had to carry the baskets back up to Monte, a detail that helps explain the working tradition behind the attraction.

The tour includes one ride. Single bookings need special attention. A basket normally carries two people, and if the operator cannot pair you with someone else, you may pay an additional €10 because you occupy both places. On rainy days, baskets of three do not go down, so a third person may also face that extra charge.

The ride is not ideal for anyone who dislikes speed, uneven roads, or a little jostling. You should also expect souvenir photographs at the bottom, available for an additional charge. Still, for most people, this is the morning’s most memorable few minutes.

Monte church and the story of Emperor Charles I

Before or around the toboggan stop, you visit Monte, one of Madeira’s old resort areas. The main sight is the church where the remains of Charles I of Austria, the last Austro-Hungarian emperor, are buried.

This gives the stop more substance than a quick photo opportunity. Monte is not only a launch point for baskets. It also connects Madeira with a surprising chapter of European royal history. Charles I spent his final years in exile on Madeira and died there in 1922.

You should treat the church visit as a short cultural stop rather than a long guided museum visit. The tour is built around several places in one morning, so time inside the church is limited. If the story interests you, listen closely to the guide’s explanation and use your free moments to look at the church setting.

The route through Monte also puts you high above Funchal. Roads become steeper and narrower as the minibus climbs, which makes a careful driver important. Several guides, including Tony, Daniel, and Victor, have been praised for calm driving and clear explanations on these roads.

Eira do Serrado, the best high viewpoint

After Monte, the minibus heads into Madeira’s central mountains toward Eira do Serrado. At 1,094 meters above sea level, this viewpoint gives you a dramatic look across the valley and surrounding rock walls.

The scenery changes quickly on the way up. You pass chestnut trees and eucalyptus, with old footpaths and sections of the former narrow road still visible. Tunnels and steep routes hint at how difficult it once was to connect the mountain villages with Funchal.

At the viewpoint, you get time for photographs and a look down toward Nuns Valley. Bring a jacket even if Funchal is warm. The height can make the air cooler, and mountain weather can change quickly. A small bottle of water is also sensible, especially after the morning’s early start.

Eira do Serrado is the place for the broadest view. It helps you understand the shape of the region, with Curral das Freiras far below and steep lava-rock walls surrounding it. The view can be misty, though, so the experience depends on conditions. A cloudy morning does not cancel the stop, but it may limit how much of the valley you can see.

Nuns Valley and Curral das Freiras

The valley below is commonly called Nuns Valley, while the village itself is Curral das Freiras. Its name is tied to nuns who fled pirate attacks in the 16th century and sought safety in this isolated mountain basin.

One useful correction: there is no convent in the village. You may see or hear references to a 200-year-old nun’s house, which can be visited for €1, but that entrance is not included. The main tour experience is the setting, the village stop, and the local tasting.

The walls around Curral das Freiras are made from old volcanic rock, and the sense of isolation is the point. You are not simply stopping at another Madeira village. You are seeing a community enclosed by steep mountains, reached today by roads and tunnels that would have been hard to imagine in earlier times.

The stop includes free time. You can take photographs, browse the large souvenir shop, or sit down for something from the area. Traditional chestnut cake and pastries are associated with the valley, but they are not included in the price. Coffee, tea, soft drinks, and snacks also cost extra.

I would keep some money aside for the tasting and a local pastry if you want the full flavor of the stop. The tour does not turn this into a formal meal, so do not book it expecting lunch. It is a scenic half-day outing with a few local tastes along the way.

The included Nuns Valley liquor tasting

The liquor tasting is one of the better small touches. You try traditional homemade liqueurs associated with Nuns Valley, and the tasting is included in the tour price.

This gives you a quick connection to local food culture without adding another paid activity. The tasting is usually a short stop rather than a full production visit, so it will not satisfy anyone looking for a detailed distillery tour. Still, it breaks up the sightseeing and gives you the chance to sample something you may not find elsewhere.

If you do not drink alcohol, you can still enjoy the village, views, and pastries. The supplied details do not promise a non-alcoholic replacement, so it is worth asking the guide on the day if that matters to you.

Pico dos Barcelos brings the morning back toward Funchal

The final viewpoint is Pico dos Barcelos, at about 355 meters. From here, you look back toward Funchal and get a different perspective after the enclosed mountain scenery of Nuns Valley.

That contrast works well. Eira do Serrado shows the high interior, while Pico dos Barcelos opens the view toward the capital. The stop is mainly for photographs, so do not expect another long visit or a major attraction.

After Pico dos Barcelos, the minibus returns to Funchal and drops you near your hotel or one of the listed meeting points. The full outing lasts about four hours, making it easy to pair with an afternoon in the old town, a museum visit, or a relaxed lunch.

What the guide adds to a short tour

A four-hour mountain tour depends heavily on the guide. You need someone who can manage pickup times, navigate steep roads, explain the history, and keep a mixed-language group moving.

Tony is frequently praised for humor, punctuality, plant and history facts, and speaking to passengers in English, German, and Portuguese. Daniel is described as lively, attentive, and good at keeping the mood light. Lucy has been praised for local stories and for helping the tour continue after a cruise ship arrived late.

Other named guides include Sandra, Victor, and Gama. Sandra is noted for her friendly manner and strong local information. Victor is described as a careful driver, while Gama is praised for a clean, comfortable van and very good English.

That does not mean you can request a particular guide. It does mean the operator has several guides who can make the difference between a rushed transfer and an informative morning. The commentary may be given in several languages, so explanations can take a little longer than on an English-only tour.

The vehicles are described as comfortable, air-conditioned minibuses, with group sizes around 12 reported on some departures. The exact size can vary, but this is not presented as a large coach excursion. A small vehicle is useful on Madeira’s mountain roads and makes hotel pickup more practical.

Price, pickup areas, and the real value

At $47 per person, the tour offers good value if you want the toboggan ride and mountain sights in one package. The ride is included, along with hotel pickup and drop-off in the covered areas, a live guide, and the Nuns Valley liquor tasting.

Buying these pieces separately would take more planning. You would need to arrange transport to Monte, find your way to Eira do Serrado and Curral das Freiras, pay for the ride, and work out the return journey. This tour removes that juggling.

The price does not cover the €1 entrance to the old nun’s house, food, coffee, tea, or extra drinks. Cruise ship pickup is handled from the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum meeting point rather than directly at the cruise terminal for shared tours. A terminal pickup costs an additional €4.50 per person for groups of more than eight, according to the supplied conditions.

Pickup is available from many Funchal hotels, plus selected locations in Santa Cruz, Caniço, Garajau, Câmara de Lobos, and nearby areas. Santa Cruz and some other outlying areas have an additional fee or an earlier pickup. Caniço and Garajau are listed as having no additional pickup cost, while Santa Cruz hotels carry a €10 per person charge.

If you drive, the meeting point is the main-road bus stop by Hotel Madeira Panorâmico, where parking is free. This is useful if your accommodation is outside the pickup list, including places such as Ponta do Sol, Calheta, São Vicente, or Santana.

Who will enjoy this half-day outing

I would recommend it to a first-time Madeira visitor who wants a strong sample of the island without spending a full day on a bus. You get a traditional activity, a church, a high mountain viewpoint, an isolated valley, a tasting, and a city view in four hours.

Families can also consider it. Children under three may ride on a parent’s lap, and a seven-year-old has completed the tour successfully. There are no child discounts for the attraction, so check the final price before booking.

The tour fits cruise passengers well, provided you allow enough time to reach the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum meeting point. It also suits couples and solo visitors who want transport and company rather than hiring a car for steep mountain roads.

You may prefer a slower private tour if your main goal is photography or a long visit in Curral das Freiras. The itinerary is full, and one morning is not enough to explore each place at length. A busy day or late cruise arrival can also affect the timing, even though the company has worked to adjust pickups when possible.

Practical advice for making the morning easier

Wear shoes that feel secure on uneven roads and at viewpoints. Bring a jacket and water, as requested for the activity, and keep your phone or camera ready because the scenery changes quickly between stops.

Choose an early pickup when possible. The main reason is the toboggan queue, but an early start also gives the group more breathing room if traffic slows the route. One departure arrived before the baskets opened and went down with no queue, while another morning faced a long wait after heavy traffic and cruise ship arrivals.

If your hotel is not shown in the booking menu, contact the operator rather than assuming pickup is impossible. The available list is long, but it may not include every property.

Finally, allow for the possibility of mist at Eira do Serrado. The viewpoint is still worth visiting, but Madeira’s mountain weather is part of the deal. A clear morning gives you the full sweep toward Nuns Valley, while cloud can turn the stop into a shorter, moodier visit.

Should you book the Monte and Nuns Valley tour?

Book it if you want Madeira’s signature toboggan ride plus a useful introduction to the island’s central mountains. The early route to Monte, included ride, multilingual guides, local liquor tasting, and hotel transport make $47 a fair price.

Skip it if you want a slow day, a long meal, or detailed time inside every sight. The itinerary moves briskly, and Nuns Valley may leave you wishing for another hour.

For most first visits, I would choose this as a practical half-day. The basket ride supplies the fun, Eira do Serrado supplies the scale, and Curral das Freiras supplies the sense of place.

FAQ

How long does the Monte and Nuns Valley tour last?

The activity lasts about four hours, including pickup, the Monte toboggan ride, Eira do Serrado, Curral das Freiras, Pico dos Barcelos, and return to Funchal.

Is the toboggan ride included in the price?

Yes. The traditional sledge ride is included, although solo bookings may have an additional €10 charge if you occupy both places in a basket.

Where do cruise ship passengers meet the tour?

Shared-tour cruise passengers meet at the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum, also known as the CR7 meeting point. The meeting point is about eight minutes from the ship, and shared tours do not collect directly at the cruise terminal.

Is food included?

No. Chestnut cake, pastries, coffee, tea, snacks, and other drinks cost extra. The traditional Nuns Valley liquor tasting is included.

Does the tour visit a convent in Nuns Valley?

No. There is no convent in the village. The 200-year-old nun’s house can be visited for an additional €1.

What should I bring?

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

Can children take the tour?

Children under three can ride on a parent’s lap. There are no discounts for children at the toboggan attraction.