Madeira has a best-kept thrill in its hills. This 4-hour tour threads together Monte, a toboggan ride, and the eerie quiet of Curral das Freiras (Nuns Valley), plus some big lookout moments across the island. You also get a guided stop at Monte’s church tied to Emperor Charles I of Austria, which gives the day more spine than a typical bus-and-photo loop.

What I love most is how much the operator squeezes into one morning without feeling rushed. Starting with the toboggans early means you often get through the line faster, and the ride is run like a real local tradition (including the carreiros story, where sled drivers used to haul the sled back up). Second, the guides, including names like Tony, Daniel, and Lucy, tend to bring fast, friendly storytelling, not dry lecture energy.

One possible drawback: the schedule is packed, so Nuns Valley can feel short if you want to linger over the chestnut cake, pastries, and views longer than the tour time allows.

Key highlights worth centering your morning

• Early toboggan timing so you can enjoy the ride before crowds build
• Monte’s church and the Charles I of Austria connection for real historical context
• A 2-kilometer ride from Livramento down the old road, with the bus waiting at the bottom
• Eira do Serrado at 1,094 meters for sweeping views over Madeira
• Curral das Freiras history in one valley shaped by lava rock and 16th-century pirate fears
• Liquor tasting included in the village, plus an optional 200-year-old nun house visit

A half-day that mixes Monte thrills with Madeira viewpoints

This is a classic Madeira pairing: heritage up in Monte, then the kind of steep, scenic driving that Madeira does better than anywhere else. The tour runs about 4 hours, which is long enough to feel like a real outing, but short enough that you are still free for lunch in Funchal afterward.

The vibe is part adventure, part scenery. You’re moving through green mountains and valleys of the Central Madeira area, and the stops keep changing altitude and viewpoint so the island feels different every 20 minutes.

Getting to Monte early: the queue-killing strategy

The tour makes a deliberate choice: it’s designed so the toboggan stop comes first. That matters. The toboggan ride is one of Madeira’s most popular mini-experiences, and waiting in line can ruin the mood fast.

You’ll be picked up from hotels across Funchal and nearby areas, with some earlier pickups for hotels in Santa Cruz, Caniço, and Câmara de Lobos. If your hotel is in the Funchal area, you get a more standard schedule, and you are not stuck doing extra transfers just to reach Monte.

You also have a good reason to show up ready. Bring water and a jacket. The air at higher viewpoints can feel cooler, and Madeira weather can change quickly.

Monte Church and the Emperor Charles I of Austria tie-in

Monte is where Madeira shows off its older tourist side. You visit the church in Monte and see where the remains of Emperor Charles I of Austria are located.

Even if you’re not a museum person, this stop adds meaning to the rest of the day. It’s not just about the ride downhill. It connects Monte’s reputation as a retreat and tourist stop to a real person and a real historical thread.

This also sets the tone for the toboggan part. Monte is built for descending and arriving, which is exactly what you’ll do next.

The 2-kilometer toboggan ride down Livramento

The headline is the toboggan ride, a 2-kilometer descent on the old road of Livramento. You’ll go down in a basket-like sled, and your pickup bus waits at the bottom so you are not stranded after the fun part.

Here’s the detail I think makes this ride feel authentic: the locals, called carreiros, used to have to carry the sled back up to Monte. Today it’s all truck-and-system logistics, but you can still feel the tradition in how the drivers run the ride.

Practical expectations:

• It is thrilling, but it’s also handled as a controlled activity with local operators managing the sleds.
• Your seat can be tight, so it helps to keep your jacket zipped and your camera secured.
• If you get motion sick easily, sit in a way that keeps your head steady and avoid fiddling with straps during the descent.

Weather note to know before you go: on a rainy day, the ride arrangement can change. The information provided says that in rain, baskets of three do not go down, and if there’s a third person involved there may be an additional charge to adjust the booking.

Eira do Serrado: the 360-degree viewpoint moment

After Monte and the toboggan, the tour climbs again. The stop at Eira do Serrado is built for big views, and it’s one of the most dramatic pauses in the route.

From 1,094 meters above sea level, you look out across Madeira, including toward the Nuns Valley area. The tour also points out the living texture of this altitude: chestnut trees and eucalyptus plants in an area shaped by steep terrain and old paths.

You’ll also spot the character of the roads here. The narrow lanes and tunnels are part of why this island is so hard to fully experience by yourself. This stop gives you context for why locals and travelers keep using old footpaths even today.

Curral das Freiras (Nuns Valley): lava rock, pirates, and included liquor

This is the part of the day that feels most unusual and most “Madeira-only.” The valley is surrounded by lava rock and it earned its name from nuns who once inhabited the valley after fleeing pirate attacks in the 16th century.

One important clarification: it is not a convent you are visiting. The information says there is no convent in the village, just a nun house. That matters if you expect something like a full religious complex.

What you’ll do there:

• Enjoy time for photos and a village visit at Curral das Freiras
• Try traditional chestnut cake and pastries from the region
• Do a free liquor tasting included in the price

The liquor tasting is a big value add. It’s included, and it’s exactly the kind of local detail that you can’t replicate on your own unless you plan a separate stop for tastings. You get to sample regional styles while you’re already surrounded by the scenery that inspired the village’s story.

Also, the tour notes that you can see a lot in a short window. If you want to linger over dessert and shop browsing, have your priorities straight. Decide early whether you want more tasting time or more walking time.

Pico dos Barcelos: a final lookout at 355 meters

Before you head back to Funchal, the tour stops at Pico dos Barcelos for another lookout. The viewpoint is listed at 355 meters, and it’s a chance to reset your camera battery and take in a different angle of the island.

This is one of those stops that works even if you’ve seen a lot of viewpoints already. You’re still moving through Madeira’s vertical geography, and the angle shift helps the day feel complete rather than repetitive.

Price and value: what the €-math really means for your day

At about $47 per person and 4 hours, the value comes from what’s included, not just the headline price. You get:

• A guided tour
• The toboggan ride
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Free liquor tasting in Nuns Valley

Then there are the easy-to-miss extras. The information lists:

• Snacks, cakes, drinks like coffee or tea are not included
• Entrance to the 200-year-old nun house costs €1
• There may be extra pickup costs for some areas, and cruise passengers have a CR7 meeting point plus separate terms if they want pickup at the cruise terminal

Think of it like this: if you are already planning to do the toboggan and want a guided route to viewpoints you might skip on your own, the included ride is doing most of the heavy lifting. The liquor tasting is the cherry on top, because it gives you a local souvenir experience without requiring you to buy something pricey.

Who should book this Madeira half-day

Book this if you want an efficient way to hit multiple Madeira “best hits” in one morning. It’s ideal for:

• First-time visitors who want Monte + viewpoints + Nuns Valley in one go
• People who like guided history without turning the day into a lecture
• Anyone who wants a fun, photo-friendly activity that is also culturally rooted

It may not be ideal if you want lots of free wandering time. The itinerary is structured, and you’ll move from stop to stop, so there’s less opportunity to disappear into side streets for an hour.

Should you book the Nuns Valley, Monte and Sleigh Ride Tour?

If you want a Madeira experience that feels both fun and specific to the island, I’d say yes. The included toboggan ride, the Monte history stop, and the Nuns Valley liquor tasting combine into a half-day that gives you variety without long travel marathons.

Just go in with the right expectations: dress for cool, show up ready for a packed route, and prioritize what you want most at Nuns Valley, because that’s where you might wish you had 20 more minutes.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour duration is listed as 4 hours.

What’s included in the price?

Included are a guided tour, the toboggan ride, hotel pickup and drop-off, and a free liquor tasting in Curral das Freiras.

What costs extra?

Snacks and drinks such as coffee or tea are not included. You may also pay €1 for entrance to the 200-year-old nun house. There are also extra costs that can apply depending on where you are picked up.

Is the nun house part of the included visit?

No, entrance to the 200-year-old nun house costs €1 and is not included.

What if it rains?

On a rainy day, the ride arrangement can change. The information says baskets of three do not go down in rain, and if there is a third person involved there can be an additional €10 charge for the extra seat adjustment.

Are there discounts for children?

The information says there are no discounts for children.

Can very young children join?

Children under 3 years old can ride on a parent’s lap.

What languages is the guide available in?

The guide is listed as available in Spanish, English, French, German, and Portuguese.

Where do cruise ship guests meet?

Cruise ship pickup is described as from the meeting point at the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum (CR7). The information also notes there is no pickup in front of the cruise terminal for shared tours, and there may be an additional cost for some cruise terminal pickup.