From Funchal: Nuns Valley, Monte and Sleigh Ride Tour

Madeira gets dramatic fast. This four-hour outing packs mountain views, Monte’s famous toboggan ride, and Nuns Valley into one well-organized morning. I especially like the early start, which can put you near the front of the basket queue, and the mix of scenery, local history, and tasting stops. The main drawback is the brisk pace, with limited time at some viewpoints.

The $47 price is strong value because the guide, transport, hotel pickup, and toboggan ride are included. I also like that guides such as Tony, Daniel, Lucy, and Sandra have been praised for adding humor and local detail rather than simply pointing out the sights. Keep in mind that cruise passengers meet at the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum, not at the terminal itself, unless arranging a private transfer.

Key things to know before you book

• The Monte toboggan ride comes first: The early pickup is designed to reduce queue time at this popular attraction.
• Eira do Serrado gives you the big view: From 1,094 meters, you look down into the steep, isolated valley of Curral das Freiras.
• The tour includes local tasting: Traditional liqueurs from Nuns Valley are included, while cakes, coffee, and other snacks cost extra.
• You get several viewpoints in half a day: Monte, Eira do Serrado, Curral das Freiras, and Pico dos Barcelos all offer different views.
• Pickup details matter: Funchal hotels are covered, but Santa Cruz pickups cost €10 per person, and cruise passengers use a separate meeting point.
• The ride has a few conditions: Solo bookings can incur a €10 supplement, and wet weather can change how the basket ride operates.

Why this four-hour route works so well

Madeira is not a place where the most interesting sights sit neatly beside one another. The island rises sharply from the Atlantic, and roads climb through ravines, tunnels, and mountain passes. A guided minibus tour saves you from planning a route through those steep interior roads, while giving you several major sights in a single morning.

This tour is built around three different pleasures. Monte supplies the odd, old-fashioned thrill. Eira do Serrado and Curral das Freiras provide the mountain scenery. The final tasting stop adds a small but welcome taste of Madeira’s food and drink traditions.

The format is efficient rather than leisurely. You will not have hours to wander in every village, and this is not the right choice if you want long walks or a slow lunch. But if you have only part of a day, I think the route gives you a good look at Madeira beyond Funchal.

Monte and the tomb of Emperor Charles I

The first main stop is Monte, one of Madeira’s historic tourist areas above Funchal. The church here contains the tomb of Charles I of Austria, the last Austro-Hungarian emperor. That detail gives the stop more weight than a quick photo break, especially if you enjoy the links between Madeira and European history.

The church visit is generally brief, but the guide’s explanation helps place it in context. Guides including Tony and Daniel have been singled out for mixing island history with humor, and that style suits this kind of short tour. You get enough background to understand why Monte matters without spending the whole morning indoors.

The early timing is important. Monte’s toboggan ride is one of Madeira’s best-known attractions, and queues can build quickly. Several guides have been praised for arriving before the rush, with some groups reaching the baskets within minutes of opening. That is one of the strongest practical reasons to choose this tour instead of arriving independently later in the day.

The 2-kilometer Monte toboggan ride

The famous ride begins in Monte and runs downhill toward Livramento. It is not a snow sled. You sit in a wicker basket mounted on wooden runners while two carreiros, the traditionally dressed basket drivers, steer and brake with their rubber-soled shoes.

The route covers about 2 kilometers on the old road. It is a wonderfully strange piece of Madeira transport history, and the contrast is part of the fun: an old local mode of travel now used as a headline attraction. The drivers control the basket closely, and the ride feels quick and lively without being a free-for-all.

At the bottom, the bus collects you near the point where the carreiros and baskets are handled. The old system required the men to carry the sledges back up to Monte. Today the baskets are loaded onto a truck, which makes the operation easier to understand when your guide explains it.

I would treat the ride as the tour’s most memorable moment, but it is worth knowing what you are paying for. A basket normally takes two people. If you book alone, there can be an additional €10 charge because you may occupy both places when no partner is available. In wet weather, three people may not be allowed in one basket, and the extra person may also need to pay €10.

Children under three can ride on a parent’s lap, but there are no child discounts for the attraction. If you dislike queues, the early start is a major advantage. If you dislike fast downhill rides, this activity is the part to consider carefully before booking.

Eira do Serrado at 1,094 meters

After Monte, the minibus climbs toward Eira do Serrado. At 1,094 meters above sea level, this viewpoint gives you one of the clearest views into the interior of Madeira. The mountains fold inward around Curral das Freiras, creating a setting of dark rock, sharp ridges, and thick plant growth.

The road itself is part of the experience. You pass chestnut trees and eucalyptus, and the route includes narrow sections and tunnels. Ancient footpaths still connect parts of the mountain area, although this tour is primarily a sightseeing trip rather than a hiking excursion.

Bring a jacket. Temperatures at this height can feel much cooler than in Funchal, and cloud or rain can arrive quickly. The viewpoint is also exposed, so comfortable shoes and water are sensible even though the walking is limited.

This is the stop where the tour’s pace can feel tight. You have time for photos and sightseeing, but not necessarily a long walk along every path. One person specifically wished for more time at Nuns Valley, and that is a fair point. The route covers a lot, so the reward is variety rather than deep exploration of one place.

Curral das Freiras and the story of Nuns Valley

Curral das Freiras, usually called Nuns Valley, sits in a deep mountain basin surrounded by volcanic rock. Its name comes from the nuns who fled to the valley during the 16th century to escape pirate attacks. The settlement’s isolation helped protect it, but also shaped its traditions and food.

Do not arrive expecting a large convent. The village has a 200-year-old nun’s house, but no convent. Entry to the house costs €1, so carry a little cash if you want to see it.

The best part of this stop is the setting. From the viewpoints, the valley appears enclosed by steep rock walls, with roads and buildings tucked into the mountain folds below. The scale is hard to grasp from a photograph, which is why the guide’s explanation and the high viewpoint matter.

The tour includes a free tasting of traditional liqueurs made in the area. This is more than a quick drink offered for its own sake. It gives you a direct link to the local produce and lets you try flavors you may not find elsewhere on Madeira.

Chestnut cake and regional pastries are also available, but they are not included. Chestnuts are closely tied to the valley’s food culture, so I would set aside a few euros for a pastry if you enjoy trying local specialties. Coffee, tea, snacks, and other drinks are also extra.

Allow time for the village’s shops and restaurant area, but keep an eye on the meeting time. The group must continue to Pico dos Barcelos and then Funchal, and this is not a free-roaming village tour.

Pico dos Barcelos and the return to Funchal

The final viewpoint is Pico dos Barcelos, at about 355 meters. Its angle is different from Eira do Serrado. Instead of looking down into a remote mountain valley, you get a broad view across Funchal and the surrounding coast.

This stop works well near the end because it helps you understand the city’s shape after seeing the interior. From above, Funchal spreads along the slopes between the hills and the sea. It is a short photo stop, not a long visit, but it rounds out the morning.

You then return to Funchal, with hotel drop-off included for the listed locations. Some guides may offer to leave you in a convenient part of central Funchal at the end, but you should confirm that with the driver rather than count on it.

Guides make a real difference

The route is good, but the guide has a large role in how much you get from it. You are on winding roads, moving between several stops, and the guide is often also the driver. Clear timing, safe driving, and useful commentary matter more here than a formal speech at each attraction.

Tony is repeatedly praised for being punctual, funny, and able to explain Madeira in several languages. Daniel has been noted for his energy and for looking after the group. Lucy received particular praise for her local stories and for working hard to keep a cruise passenger’s outing on track after a late arrival.

Other named guides include Sandra, Victor, Carlos, and Gama. The available tour languages are English, Spanish, French, German, and Portuguese. If you are traveling with people who speak different languages, the multilingual format can be especially helpful, though commentary may take longer when information must be repeated.

The vehicle has been described as a clean, comfortable, air-conditioned minibus, with one outing carrying roughly 12 people. That is a useful middle ground: more personal than a large coach, but still a shared tour with a fixed schedule.

Pickup, cruise, and parking details

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for many Funchal locations, including hotels around the promenade, central Funchal, the Lido area, and several properties farther east. There are 48 pickup and drop-off choices, but your exact hotel should be checked when booking.

Santa Cruz hotel pickups cost an additional €10 per person. Caniço and Garajau hotels have no extra pickup charge, although pickup times are earlier. Câmara de Lobos is also among the listed locations, and early collection may apply outside central Funchal.

Cruise passengers do not meet at the cruise terminal for this shared tour. The meeting point is by the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum, about eight minutes from the ship. A terminal pickup may be available for private tours, and a stated €4.50 per person charge applies for cruise terminal pickup with groups of more than eight, so confirm the exact arrangement before paying.

If you have a rental car, the meeting point is at the main road by the Hotel Madeira Panorâmico bus stop. Parking there is free. This is also the suggested meeting area for people driving from places such as Ponta do Sol, Calheta, São Vicente, or Santana.

What the $47 price really covers

At $47 per person, the tour offers a lot for a half-day outing. You receive guided transport, hotel pickup and return, the Monte toboggan ride, the viewpoints, the Nuns Valley visit, and the included liqueur tasting. Buying separate transport and the basket ride could easily make an independent version less convenient, even before you account for the mountain driving.

The value is strongest for first-time visitors, cruise passengers, and anyone who wants a quick introduction to Madeira’s interior. You also avoid the work of navigating narrow roads and coordinating the toboggan ride with a return transfer.

The price does not cover food, coffee, tea, or entry to the nun’s house. Those costs are small, but you should bring water and a jacket, then keep a little extra money for cake, pastries, drinks, souvenirs, or the €1 house visit.

The tour has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the starting time carefully, especially if your pickup is outside Funchal.

Who should book this tour

I would choose this tour if you want a busy but manageable introduction to Madeira. It suits couples, families with older children, cruise passengers, and visitors who want the toboggan ride without spending a full day on organized sightseeing.

It is also a good choice for you if driving on steep, unfamiliar roads is not appealing. The driver-guide handles the route while explaining the plants, roads, tunnels, history, and viewpoints.

I would not choose it if your priority is hiking, extended village time, or a long meal. You will see a great deal, but stops are timed. The tour favors highlights and photographs over slow travel.

The basket ride is suitable for children under three on a parent’s lap, but the attraction has no child discount. Solo riders should budget for the possible €10 supplement. Anyone who needs a completely flexible schedule should consider a private tour instead.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want Madeira’s most famous mountain sights and the Monte toboggan ride in one four-hour outing. The early start, included ride, multiple viewpoints, and local liqueur tasting make the $47 price particularly appealing.

Go in with realistic expectations: Nuns Valley may feel rushed, food is extra, and weather can affect the mountain views or basket arrangements. For a compact, well-priced morning with strong guiding and plenty of scenery, I think it is an easy recommendation.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts four hours, including transport between Funchal, Monte, Eira do Serrado, Curral das Freiras, Pico dos Barcelos, and Funchal.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for many listed locations in Funchal, Caniço, Garajau, and nearby areas. Santa Cruz hotel pickups have an additional €10 charge per person.

Where do cruise passengers meet?

Cruise passengers meet at the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum, about eight minutes from the ship. Shared tours do not pick up directly in front of the cruise terminal.

Is the Monte toboggan ride included?

Yes. The sledge, or toboggan, ride is included in the tour price.

How long is the toboggan ride?

The Monte toboggan route covers about 2 kilometers down the old road of Livramento.

Does the tour visit a convent in Nuns Valley?

No. Nuns Valley has a 200-year-old nun’s house, not a convent. Entry to the house costs €1.

Is food included?

No. Snacks, chestnut cakes, regional pastries, coffee, tea, and other drinks are not included.

Is the liqueur tasting included?

Yes. Traditional liqueur tasting in Nuns Valley village is included.

What languages are available?

The tour is offered in English, Spanish, French, German, and Portuguese.

What should you bring?

Bring water and a jacket. The mountain viewpoints can be cooler than Funchal, and weather conditions can change quickly.