A sled ride on Madeira sounds made up, but it’s real, and it pairs Monte’s Austrian emperor stop with the 2-kilometer toboggan and killer lookout views. I love how efficiently it strings together the best scenery with just enough history to stick. One thing to plan for: it’s an early start, and the toboggan setup can mean extra cost for solo riders or on rainy days.

On this tour, your guide might be Tony, Daniel, or Lucy, and you’ll usually get multilingual commentary with lots of local color. Hotel pickup and a tight 4-hour format also means you end with a smooth return to Funchal, plus a free liquor tasting in Curral das Freiras.

Quick hits before you go

• Early Monte timing helps you beat the toboggan line and get down without a long wait
• Emperor Charles I is part of the Monte story, not just a stop for photos
• The toboggan ride follows the old Livramento road (about 2 km) and is run by the carreiros
• Eira do Serrado delivers big Madeira views at 1,094 m, with chestnut trees and eucalyptus
• Curral das Freiras is isolated and lava-rock surrounded, with a 16th-century tale behind the name
• Pico dos Barcelos is a fast final viewpoint stop before you head back to Funchal

Starting in Funchal: getting to Monte before the crowds

This tour is built around one smart idea: start early. You’ll depart from Funchal and head toward Monte, where the famous toboggan ride draws lines. The whole schedule is designed so you arrive first, which is a big deal on a small island where “first in line” can make your morning feel relaxed instead of rushed.

Pickup is usually straightforward, including hotel pickup and drop-off in many areas around Funchal. If you’re coming from a cruise ship, the meeting point is at the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum. The key detail here is that it’s not at the cruise terminal itself, so give yourself a little extra time to get to the right spot.

If you’re staying in Santa Cruz or Caniço, plan on earlier pickups and note the tour mentions an additional pickup cost there (10.00€ per person). If that affects you, I’d factor it into your total budget right away so there are no surprises later.

Monte church and Emperor Charles I: a history stop with real atmosphere

Monte isn’t just about views and souvenirs. It’s also where you’ll find a church connected to the tomb of Emperor Charles I of Austria. This is one of those Madeira facts that feels random until you see it in person—then it clicks as part of how Monte became a longtime tourist stop.

What I like about squeezing this in before the ride is the pacing. You’re not stuck reading plaques while everyone else waits around. You get a sense of why Monte became a destination in the first place: it has that mix of dramatic setting and European old-world connections.

The tour keeps the time moving, so you’ll likely get just enough time to look, orient, and understand what you’re seeing—then you’re off again.

Toboggan ride down Livramento: 2 km of controlled fun

The centerpiece is the Monte toboggan ride. You’ll take a thrilling ride down the old road of Livramento. The distance is about 2 kilometers, and it’s the kind of experience where you feel the slope right away.

Here’s what makes this more than a gimmick: the ride is run with the help of the carreiros, the men who manage and control the baskets/sleds. There’s also a practical bit of history built into the story—years ago, the carreiros had to carry the toboggan back up to Monte. That detail adds context and makes the whole thing feel like a living transport tradition, not just an amusement.

Queue tips that actually matter

The tour is set up to help you avoid waiting. Multiple guides in recent tours have emphasized that early arrival means less time standing around and more time getting down. If you’re booking this, treat the early pickup time as part of the value, not a nuisance.

Weather and solo-rider costs

Two details can affect your total cost:

• The tour notes that on a rainy day, baskets of three do not go down. If you’d normally be the third rider, there can be an additional 10€ cost.
• If you book as a single person, there’s an additional 10€ for the toboggan ride in some situations, because one person can take two places when pairing isn’t possible.

These rules don’t mean the tour is bad. They mean you should read the fine print and decide whether you’re okay with that possible extra charge.

Comfort and what to bring

Bring a jacket and water. The ride starts in a cooler mountain area and you’ll appreciate having something on. And even if you don’t love heights, you’ll still get the thrill—because the action is mostly about the slope and speed, not about navigating tricky terrain yourself.

Eira do Serrado viewpoint at 1,094 m: chestnuts, eucalyptus, and tunnels

After Monte and the toboggan, you’ll rise to Eira do Serrado, one of Madeira’s most famous viewpoints. The altitude here is about 1,094 meters, and the scenery is why people keep coming back.

What you’re looking at isn’t just “a view.” You’re seeing the island’s rugged interior the way locals experience it: steep, dramatic, and carved up with pathways. The tour highlights the chestnut trees and eucalyptus plants you’ll see around the area, and it also mentions that ancient footpaths are still used by locals and tourists.

One reason I’d call this stop essential is how it connects your mental map. From this altitude, you can understand how the roads and valleys fit together. The tour also notes that you can still spot narrow roads and tunnels in the area, which helps you connect what you drive past later with what you’re seeing now.

You’ll get free time at the viewpoint, which is good. You’ll want a moment to scan the horizon, find the best camera angle, and decide whether you’re in the mood for a longer look or a quick photo round.

Curral das Freiras (the Nuns Valley): isolation, lava rock, and liquor tasting

This is the stop people talk about most for a reason. Curral das Freiras—also described as the Valley of the Nuns—is isolated from the rest of the island and surrounded by lava rock. That “walled in” feeling is part of the atmosphere. It doesn’t feel like you’re looking at a scenic postcard; it feels like you’ve arrived in a different pocket of Madeira.

The name comes from a 16th-century story: nuns fled from pirate attacks and sheltered in the valley. One important correction to keep in mind (and the tour makes it clear): there’s no convent here. What you’ll find is a nun house, not a convent.

The nun’s house: optional and small-cost

You can visit the nun’s house, but it’s not included. The entrance is 1.00€. I like that it’s optional—you can decide on the spot if you want a closer look into the local legend and setting.

Food and the free liquor tasting

You’ll also have a chance to try traditional chestnut cake and regional pastries in the village, but snacks like that are not included in the tour price. Plan to spend a little if you want the full local food experience.

The highlight for many people is the free liquor tasting included in the tour. You’ll taste famous liquors from the Nuns Valley that are made locally and are associated with the region’s traditions. This is one of those “small included extra” moments that makes the tour feel better than a straight bus ride.

And yes, the setting helps. A tasting in a dramatic valley works way better than a tasting in a generic shop.

Pico dos Barcelos: the fast viewpoint you’ll be glad you didn’t skip

On the way back toward Funchal, the tour includes a stop at Pico dos Barcelos. The height is around 355 meters, and it’s a distinct viewpoint compared with the higher Eira do Serrado stop.

This part of the day works like a reset. After the toboggan and the long look in the valley, you get another angle on Madeira—often with a good chance for photos and quick orientation.

Then you’ll head back to your hotel in Funchal area. The tour keeps the pace efficient, so by the end of the 4 hours you’ll feel like you did more than just “one thing.” You’ll have a mountain ride, a major viewpoint, a famous valley stop, and a final horizon check.

Price and value: what about $47 actually buys you

At around $47 per person (with the tour lasting about 4 hours), the value depends on whether you care about getting several key Madeira experiences in one go.

What you get included is the big part:

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

When a tour includes the most ticket-like experience (the toboggan), that helps. You’re not paying separately for the main thrill and then separately for the transportation and guide.

What can add cost

Just be aware of the predictable add-ons:

• Traditional chestnut cake and pastries are not included
• The entrance to the nun’s house costs 1.00€
• Single riders may pay an extra 10€ for the toboggan ride setup
• Rain can trigger an extra 10€ for the third rider in some situations
• If you’re in Santa Cruz/Caniço, pickup can have an additional cost of 10.00€ per person (the tour notes this clearly)

Still, even with those possible extras, you’re usually paying for a guided route plus the famous ride. That’s why this one tends to work well for first-timers who want the highlights without spending your day trying to figure out schedules and connections.

What the itinerary feels like in real life (and where it can feel tight)

This tour is built for momentum. You’re going from Funchal to Monte, doing the toboggan, then hitting major viewpoints and the Nuns Valley, and finally returning to town.

That’s great if you want a packed, high-impact morning. It can feel tight if you’re the type who wants long, slow hours in each place. The good news: the stops are designed so you don’t need hours to enjoy them. The views do the heavy lifting.

Also, note that Madeira roads are winding. The tour includes scenic drives through the green mountains and valleys of the Central of Madeira, and the guide handles the route. You’ll want that jacket, and you might appreciate water even if you’re not doing heavy walking.

Best fit

This tour is a strong match if you:

• Want the Monte toboggan ride without the hassle of organizing it yourself
• Like scenery with a story (Austrian emperor tomb, 16th-century pirate legend)
• Enjoy small included cultural extras, like liquor tasting

Who should book this tour (and who should skip it)

Book it if you want a high-value Madeira half-day with a real adrenaline moment. The toboggan ride is the obvious reason, but the viewpoints are what make it feel complete: Eira do Serrado’s wide views at 1,094 m and Curral das Freiras’ isolated lava-rock setting.

Consider skipping or weighing it if:

• You hate the idea of weather affecting how the toboggan baskets operate
• You’re traveling solo and don’t want the chance of an extra 10€ charge for the ride setup
• You want lots of time to wander slowly in each location, because this route is intentionally paced

For families: the tour notes that children under 3 can ride on a parent’s lap. It also notes there are no discounts for children at the attraction, so budget accordingly.

Should you book this tour?

Yes, if you want Madeira highlights in one smooth morning and you’re okay with an early start. The big reasons to choose it are simple: you get the famous Monte toboggan ride, you arrive early enough to avoid the worst line stress, and you end with a unique stop in Curral das Freiras that goes beyond just looking at scenery.

If you’re booking during uncertain weather or you’re traveling solo, read the rules on rainy-day rider capacity and solo-to-toboggan pricing before you commit. If those potential extras won’t bother you, this is a solid value way to experience Central Madeira without spending your whole day figuring it out.

FAQ

FAQ

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

The tour lasts about 4 hours.

What’s included in the price?

It includes a guided tour, the toboggan (sledge) ride, hotel pickup and drop-off, and free liquor tasting in Curral das Freiras.

Where do cruise ship passengers meet?

Cruise passengers meet at the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum meeting point. The tour also notes it does not pick up in front of the cruise terminal for this shared setup.

Are snacks or drinks included?

No. Snacks like coffee, tea, and things such as cakes are not included. You can try traditional chestnut cake and pastries in the area, but those are extra.

Is there an entrance fee for the nun’s house?

Yes. The entrance to the 200-year-old nun’s house costs 1.00€.

Do solo travelers pay extra for the toboggan ride?

Yes. The tour notes an additional 10€ charge for bookings of one person due to how places are allocated on the toboggan when possible.

What happens on a rainy day?

The tour notes that on a rainy day, baskets of three do not go down. If there is a third person involved, they must pay the additional 10€ cost.

Can children ride on the toboggan?

Children under 3 can ride on a parent’s lap. The tour also notes there are no discounts for children at the attraction.

What should I bring?

Bring water and a jacket.