Slide into Madeira’s old-school fun. This tour strings together Monte’s toboggan ride plus the strangely fascinating Nuns Valley for a morning that feels like two different worlds in one loop. You’ll also visit Monte’s church area tied to Habsburg history and then keep climbing for the kind of island-wide views Madeira is famous for.

I especially love how much you pack in without feeling totally rushed: the early start helps you get in front of the crowd for the sleds, and the downhill run is pure action. I also like the food-and-drink angle in Curral das Freiras, where you get a free liquor tasting as part of the experience, and you can optionally add chestnut cake and pastries on your own.

One consideration: the day is focused and time-boxed. Snacks like coffee/tea and the famous cakes are not included, and you may face small extra costs if you’re traveling as a single rider or if weather affects how sled baskets run.

Key highlights worth planning for

• First-in-line Monte toboggan timing so the queues stay short
• A 2-kilometer Livramento descent with the bus meeting you at the bottom
• Eira do Serrado (1,094m) viewpoint for wide, dramatic island views
• Curral das Freiras’ Nuns Valley story plus local liquor tasting
• Optional 200-year-old nun house visit (€1) if you want the extra detail
• Pico dos Barcelos (355m) stop to cap the route with another lookout

From Funchal to Monte: why the timing makes the whole tour

This is a classic “best-of Madeira” half-day format, built around one big experience: the Monte toboggan. The route runs from Funchal with hotel pickup and drop-off, and the schedule is built so the Monte leg comes early. That matters, because the toboggan area gets busy. When you arrive first, the whole thing feels smoother and less stressful.

If you get a guide like Tony (a common name on this route), you’ll likely hear a steady flow of history and practical context as you travel. Other guides you might see include Daniel and Lucy. It’s not just reciting facts. The commentary helps you place what you’re seeing: why Monte became such a visitor stop, how the ride works, and why the views from the island’s high points hit so hard.

The bus ride itself is part of the experience. You’re passing through Madeira’s green interior and changing altitudes fast, which gives you that feeling of moving through different layers of weather and scenery. Even before you reach Monte, you’re already getting the “this island is steep” perspective.

Enter Monte: the church stop and the emperor’s resting place

Monte isn’t only about the toboggan. The tour also includes a guided visit in the Monte area that connects to Central European history. You’ll go to the church where the remains of Emperor Charles I of Austria can be found.

For most people, this is the surprise moment. Madeira is usually sold for beaches and ocean views, but Monte gives you a cultural detour that makes the island feel tied into broader European history. If you’re the type who likes seeing how travel stops evolve (churches, markets, viewpoints, tourists arriving by the boatloads), this one helps you connect the dots.

You’ll also get photos along the way and brief sightseeing stops that keep the pace lively. The trade-off is that this half-day format doesn’t linger for long. You’ll get the highlights, not a slow, deep wander.

Monte toboggan ride: the 2-kilometer Livramento descent

This is the showstopper. After you reach Monte, you’ll head to the toboggans and enjoy a 2-kilometer downhill ride on the old route. The tour is designed so you ride early, which usually means you spend less time waiting and more time actually going.

Here’s how it works in a way that makes sense once you’re there: when you’re done at the bottom, the bus picks you up. At that point, the sleds are handled in an organized way, and you’ll see how the carriers (the carreiros who manage the ride) keep things controlled. The ride itself is exciting, but it also feels guided. A key detail: you’re not just sitting and hoping for the best. The operators manage the baskets during the descent.

A few practical points from the way the ride is run:

• If you’re traveling as a single, there can be an extra cost for the toboggan ride in cases where a single rider has to occupy two places when pairing isn’t possible.
• On a rainy day, baskets of three do not go down. If a third person is in your basket arrangement, that person may need to pay the additional fee tied to that change.

The ride is also one of those great “instant souvenir” activities: you’ll likely want photos, and there can be photo options available at the bottom of the run.

Eira do Serrado: the 1,094-meter viewpoint with chestnut and eucalyptus

After the downhill fun, the tour pivots upward again. You’ll make your way to Eira do Serrado, which sits at 1,094 meters above sea level. From there, you get a broad viewpoint across the island—exactly the kind of perspective that makes Madeira feel like a place you have to experience in person.

This stop isn’t only about the view, though the view is the reason most people book. You’ll also admire the mix of trees and plants around the lookout, including chestnut trees and eucalyptus. You may even notice how locals use older paths in the area. The narrow lanes and tunnels you pass near here help reinforce why the island’s interior is so distinct.

If your goal is to understand Madeira quickly—how the island’s geography shapes where people built roads and where visitors go—this is the moment when it starts to click. It helps you picture the terrain between Funchal and the interior valleys.

Give yourself a little time here to just look. Don’t rush from photo to photo. The viewpoint is at altitude, and the scene changes as you turn your head.

Curral das Freiras (Nuns Valley): lava rocks, liquor, and a story that isn’t what you expect

Then comes the part that feels almost unreal. You’ll visit Curral das Freiras, the village commonly called Nuns Valley. It sits in an isolated area surrounded by lava rock, which gives the valley a dramatic, enclosed feel.

The story is distinctive: the valley takes its name from nuns who once lived there and fled pirate attacks during the 16th century. One detail to keep straight before you go: there isn’t a convent in the village. It’s described as a nun house rather than a convent. So if you’re imagining a big monastery complex, adjust your expectations.

You’ll get a guided visit and an aperitif-style liquor tasting included with the tour price. This is one of the highest-value inclusions here. You don’t have to decide on a drink upgrade or hunt for tastings on your own. It’s folded into the schedule.

You can also try traditional chestnut cake and pastries from the region, but those aren’t included in the price. Plan to pay extra if you want the desserts. The good news is that this stop is designed for small sampling moments—so even if you’re not going heavy on food, you can still taste the local flavors.

There’s also an option to visit a 200-year-old nun house for €1. If you like history in small, specific places, that tiny entrance fee is likely worth it.

A lot of people treat Curral das Freiras as their favorite stop. The reason is simple: it’s not just a viewpoint. It’s a place with a real backstory and a living local routine, capped with flavors you can take home in your memory.

Pico dos Barcelos: the 355-meter finale above Funchal

On the way back toward Funchal, you’ll stop at Pico dos Barcelos, a viewpoint at 355 meters. It’s a smaller height than Eira do Serrado, but it works well as a wrap-up. You get another look over the area and a chance to reset after the valley immersion.

This is also one of the smarter parts of the itinerary. When your morning includes both a thrilling activity (toboggan) and a heavy scenery stop (Nuns Valley), a final lookout gives you closure without demanding extra walking or long planning.

The route back finishes with guided sightseeing in Funchal and then hotel drop-off.

Price and logistics: what the $47 gets you (and what costs extra)

At around $47 per person for a 4-hour tour, the value comes from the combination of inclusions plus the way it reduces your “planning tax.”

Included:

• Guided tour
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• The toboggan ride
• Free liquor tasting in Curral das Freiras

Not included:

• Snacks like cakes, plus drinks such as coffee or tea
• The €1 entrance to the 200-year-old nun house
• Any extras tied to ride pairing rules (like the single-rider toboggan cost)

It’s also worth thinking about the pickup side. There are many pickup options around Funchal, and pickup timing can be earlier for hotels in areas like Santa Cruz and Caniço. If you’re coming from a cruise ship, you’ll meet at the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum area (and there isn’t pickup right in front of the cruise terminal for shared-tours situations). That reduces uncertainty, but it can mean a short transfer on your side.

So is it “cheap”? No idea, because value is personal. But I will say this: when you add up the toboggan ride plus guided transportation plus a liquor tasting, the price feels fair for a half-day. The real question is whether you want to spend your morning doing two iconic Madeira experiences that you might struggle to coordinate on your own.

Who should book this Monte and Nuns Valley tour?

Book it if you want:

• A tight itinerary that hits Monte + the toboggan + Nuns Valley in one go
• Views that range from high-altitude overlooks to valley seclusion
• An included tasting that saves you decision-making time
• A guide-led route that explains what you’re seeing (and often includes humor and clear timing)

You might skip it if:

• You hate early starts or want long, slow stops
• You’re only interested in beaches and ocean scenes, not interior viewpoints and village storytelling
• You’re counting pennies and don’t want any optional extras (cakes cost extra, and the nun house entrance is €1)

A quick booking checklist before you go

Bring:

• Water
• A jacket

Keep in mind:

• Children under 3 can ride on a parent’s lap.
• No child discounts are listed for this attraction.
• Weather can change how sled baskets run, especially on rainy days.

If you like smooth experiences, consider arriving ready for the early schedule. The payoff is usually a shorter wait and more time for the parts you actually came for.

Should you book it?

Yes, if your goal is to experience Madeira efficiently and memorably in half a day. This tour’s strength is the way it layers: action first (the toboggan), then altitude viewpoints, then a valley with a specific local story and included tastings. If you’re the type who wants one morning to feel like three different moments, this route fits.

If you prefer very slow travel, or you’re trying to avoid any extra spending beyond the base price, you may feel the optional costs add up. But even then, the included toboggan and liquor tasting do a lot of heavy lifting for the money.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about 4 hours.

Is the Monte toboggan ride included in the price?

Yes. The toboggan ride is included.

Is the liquor tasting in Curral das Freiras included?

Yes. There is a free liquor tasting included in the Nuns Valley village.

What extra costs should I expect?

Chestnut cake and pastries aren’t included, drinks like coffee and tea aren’t included, and the entrance to the 200-year-old nun house costs €1.

Where do I meet if I’m on a cruise ship?

Cruise guests use the meeting point at the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum area. Pickup at the cruise terminal is not provided for shared tours, and there are additional rules if you want pickup at the terminal.

Do you pick up from my hotel in Funchal?

There are many pickup options across Funchal, including a long list of hotels. For Santa Cruz, Caniço, and some nearby areas, pickup timing can be earlier.

Are there any rules for children?

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

What if it rains?

On a rainy day, baskets of three do not go down. If there is a third person involved in that basket arrangement, there can be an additional cost.

Do I need to bring anything?

Bring water and a jacket.

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