From Funchal: Nuns Valley, Monte and Sleigh Ride Tour

Tobogganing on Madeira is hard to beat. This 4-hour Central Madeira tour strings together the Monte sled ride, a church stop connected to the Austro-Hungarian emperor, and the cliff-walled Nuns Valley with included local tastings. You get sweeping viewpoints plus real village atmosphere, all without feeling like you rushed through the island.

I love how the day is planned around one headline activity: you head to the toboggan early so you can get on before the line gets long. I also love the Curral das Freiras stop, because the tour includes a free liquor tasting, and you learn why the valley’s story is tied to nuns and 16th-century fear.

The main drawback is time. The stops are packed, and if you want to linger for chestnut cake and pastries or add an optional visit inside the 200-year-old nun house, you’ll need a bit of extra money and patience.

Key highlights worth knowing

• Beat-the-crowd toboggan start: the sled ride is treated as the first priority to reduce waiting
• 2-kilometer Livramento descent: an old road route, with bus pickup waiting at the bottom
• Monte church visit with Emperor Charles I: a stop that’s more interesting than it sounds
• Eira do Serrado at 1,094 meters: big views out toward the Nuns Valley
• Curral das Freiras includes liquor tasting: plus optional chestnut cake and pastries not included
• Weather affects sledging: on rainy days, baskets of three do not go down

Monte Toboggan Ride First: Beat the Queue

This is not one of those tours where you drift in and hope the line moves. The driver keeps the toboggan run as the opening act, which matters because Monte sledding can get busy. If you show up early, you’re more likely to enjoy the experience instead of watching the queue shuffle along.

The toboggan ride itself is a classic Madeira moment. You go down a roughly 2-kilometer stretch of the old road of Livramento, in those basket-style sleds pushed and controlled by the carreiros, the men who run the traditional ride. The bus then meets you at the bottom, and the sleds get loaded into a truck, because getting back up is a whole other job.

Safety and comfort are taken seriously. Guides typically brief you on how to sit and brace, and multiple guides in past departures have been praised for careful handling of timing and comfort. In plain terms, you’re here for fun, but you are not left to figure it out by yourself.

One practical note: if you’re booking as a single person, there can be an extra charge for the toboggan ride. The reason given is that a single rider may occupy two places when possible, so the company may add €10 for solo bookings.

Monte Church and Emperor Charles I’s Tomb

Monte is not only about sledding. You also stop at a church in the area where the tomb of Emperor Charles I of Austria is found. Even if you’re not a history buff, this stop adds a surprising depth to the day, because it connects Madeira tourism to a bigger European story.

Monte has long been a stop for visitors, and it shows in the way the area is set up for tours. You’ll get a guided flow that keeps you moving, with photo stops and commentary along the way. Think of it as a quick culture layer on top of the adrenaline.

What I like about this part is that it keeps the tour from becoming all motion and no meaning. You’re going up and down the island’s dramatic hills, then you pause to see a place that’s physically tied to an emperor’s resting place.

If you want to go deeper on your own, this is the type of stop where a little curiosity pays off. The guide’s job is to point out what to notice, but the setting makes you want to look a little longer.

Eira do Serrado Viewpoint at 1,094 Meters

After Monte, you work your way up to the views. Eira do Serrado is the payoff, sitting at 1,094 meters above sea level, and it’s where the island spreads out in all directions.

From here, you’re looking across toward the Nuns Valley. It’s the kind of view that makes you understand why old footpaths matter and why people built routes where they did. Madeira is steep, and these elevations show it clearly without you having to do any math.

The area around the viewpoint is known for tree and plant life, including chestnut trees and eucalyptus. You’ll also have time for photos, and you may notice how narrow roads and tunnels still appear in the wider scene, a reminder that this island is not just scenic, it’s engineered.

There’s also a nice rhythm built into the stop. You get a viewpoint first, then the tour keeps moving instead of lingering too long. That’s good if your goal is to see more than one highlight in one half-day.

Curral das Freiras: Nun House, Chestnuts, and Liquor

Here’s where the story turns from scenery to survival.

Curral das Freiras is named for the nuns who once lived there, after they fled pirate attacks during the 16th century. A key detail: there is no convent in the village. Instead, there’s a nun house, and the tour includes a stop here that ties the legend to the place.

The tour also includes a free liquor tasting in the Nuns Valley village. This is one of the smartest value touches in the whole itinerary, because it’s part of the region’s identity and it’s included at no extra charge. The tasting gives you something to do besides only taking photos, and it helps you connect the name to a living tradition.

You’ll also see chestnut cake and pastries that are described as traditional to the region. These are typically not included in the tour price, so think of it as a choose-your-own-adventure moment. If you want dessert, budget a little extra.

One more optional cost worth knowing: there’s an entrance fee to visit the 200-year-old nun house, listed at €1. If you’re the type who likes tangible details, it’s a small add-on. If you’re more about views and the big story points, you can skip and still get the main experience.

A final practical tip for this stop: plan your timing so you don’t rush through tastings and photo moments. The included tasting is easy to lose track of if you’re also sprinting for the next viewpoint, so pause, take a breath, then keep going.

Pico dos Barcelos: A Last Look Back to Funchal

On the way back, you get one more viewpoint: Pico dos Barcelos at 355 meters. It’s a lower viewpoint than Eira do Serrado, so it feels different. Instead of the dramatic high-altitude sweep, you get a more grounded view back toward Funchal.

This is a good stop for photos and orientation. After seeing the island’s steep interiors, it helps your brain stitch the geography together. A guide described the area as the theater of Funchal, which fits, because the viewpoint makes the city feel like it’s staged on the slopes.

The tour keeps the stop as a photo-and-stand moment rather than a long hike. That’s consistent with the half-day format, and it means you leave with a clear set of memories, not exhaustion.

How the 4-Hour Schedule Feels in Real Life

The advertised duration is 4 hours, and the pacing matches that promise. You’ll be on the move, with guided commentary, and with multiple photo stops. The best way to think about it is: this is a tight sampler of Central Madeira, designed to hit the big emotional highs, the toboggan thrill and the Nuns Valley drama.

Transportation is usually in a comfortable bus or mini bus style setup. In at least some departures, groups have been around a dozen people, which helps because you can hear the guide without shouting and you don’t feel like you’re trapped in a giant crowd.

Guides can be bilingual or multilingual, with languages including Spanish, English, French, German, and Portuguese. Past hosts like Tony, Daniel, Lucy, Sandra, Carlos, and Gama have been praised for humor, timing, and keeping people comfortable, including helping with multilingual communication.

Pickup and drop-off matter, especially if you’re coordinating with cruise schedules or hotel locations. Cruise guests typically meet at the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum area near CR7, and this meeting point is said to be about 8 minutes from the ship. The company also notes they do not pick up in front of the cruise terminal for shared tours, and a terminal pickup can cost €4.50 per person.

Hotel pickup can vary by neighborhood. For example, Santa Cruz hotel pickups may have an additional €10 per person cost, while other nearby areas like Caniço and Garajau have no additional charge. Also expect earlier pickup times if you’re in Santa Cruz, Caniço, and Câmara de Lobos.

Weather is the one unpredictable factor. On a rainy day, the toboggan rules change: baskets of three do not go down, and if a third person is added, it can trigger an additional €10 cost. That means your group size and flexibility can affect your outcome on wet days. If rain is likely, bring a jacket and keep the mindset that plans may adjust.

One final practical thing to bring is simple: water and a jacket. The viewpoints can feel cooler, and you’ll be out long enough for thirst to sneak up on you.

Should You Book This Tour?

If you want one Madeira experience that combines adrenaline, a story-driven village, and multiple viewpoints in just 4 hours, this is a strong pick. The included Monte toboggan ride and free liquor tasting make it feel like more than just another bus tour. Add in the early strategy to reduce wait time, and the tour becomes efficient in the best way.

I’d skip it only if you know you hate tight schedules. You’ll get a meaningful taste of the Nuns Valley and its history, but you won’t have hours to wander freely. Also, if you’re counting on included snacks or coffee, you’ll need to buy them separately.

For most people, this tour is a win because it’s built around the island’s emotional highlights, not just a checklist of stops. If that sounds like your style, book it and plan your day around the toboggan, because that part is where Madeira really grabs you.

FAQ

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

It runs for about 4 hours, with hotel pickup, sightseeing stops, the toboggan ride, and then a return to Funchal.

What is included in the price?

Included are a guided tour, the toboggan (sledge) ride, hotel pickup and drop-off, and a free liquor tasting in Curral das Freiras (Nuns Valley). For cruise guests, pickup is included from the meeting point at the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum.

What does it cost extra for once you arrive?

Snacks and drinks like coffee or tea are not included. Entrance to the 200-year-old nun house costs €1. If you book as a single person, the toboggan ride can have an extra €10 charge. On rainy days, baskets of three do not go down and a third person may require an additional €10.

Where do cruise guests meet for pickup?

Cruise guests meet at the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum meeting point (around 8 minutes from the ship). The tour notes they do not pick up in front of the cruise terminal for shared tours. Pickup at the cruise terminal has an extra cost of €4.50 per person.

Are children allowed on the toboggan ride?

Children under 3 can ride on a parent’s lap. There are no discounts for children listed for this activity.

What should I bring, and what happens in rain?

Bring water and a jacket. On rainy days, baskets of three do not go down, and if there is a third person it may involve an additional €10 cost.