Monte’s toboggan run starts with a heady climb. From Funchal, this half-day trip mixes Monte history, wild views from Eira do Serrado, and a proper 2 km slide.

I especially like the way you’re guided into the best rhythm of the day: early arrival at the toboggan means less time waiting, and guides such as Tony and Lucy keep the pace friendly and the commentary clear. I also love the stop at Curral das Freiras (Nuns Valley), where the included liquor tasting gives you something local to take home in your memory, even before you try the chestnut cake and pastries (sold on site).

One possible drawback: this is a tight 4-hour window, so stops are well-timed rather than slow and lingering, and weather can change the toboggan setup (rain can affect certain basket combinations).

Key things you’ll remember

• A 2 km toboggan ride down Livramento’s old road, with the bus waiting at the bottom
• Monte’s church and Emperor Charles I’s connection in the tomb site you visit
• Eira do Serrado viewpoint for big island views at 1,094 meters
• Curral das Freiras (Nuns Valley) with the 16th-century pirate-flight story, lava-rock setting, and included liquor tasting
• Pico dos Barcelos for a final, low-altitude viewpoint close to the return to Funchal

A fast, scenic half-day from Funchal that actually moves

This tour is built for people who want Madeira’s interior highlights without turning the day into a project. You’re out from Funchal, up into Monte, and then deeper into the island’s green-and-stone world, ending back near your hotel in about 4 hours.

What makes it feel worth the time is the blend. You’re not just driving scenic roads. You’re getting at least three “wow” moments that hit different senses: a thrilling toboggan descent, a wide-angle viewpoint high stop, and a distinct cultural stop in Curral das Freiras where you learn why the valley has its name.

Price and what you really get for around $47

At about $47 per person, the value mostly comes from the fact that the “headline activity” is included: hotel pickup and drop-off, plus the guided tour and the sledge (toboggan) ride. You also get free liquor tasting in the Nuns Valley area, which turns the stop into more than just sightseeing.

That said, watch for a few small add-ons that can apply depending on where you’re staying and how many people are in your party:

• Pickup timing/extra fees can apply for some areas like Santa Cruz hotel pickup (additional cost of 10.00€ per person is stated).
• If you’re coming from a cruise ship, there’s a Cristiano Ronaldo Museum meeting point option included, but pickup from the cruise terminal front isn’t offered for shared tours (there’s also a note about an added cost if you need pickup at the terminal area).
• If you’re a single rider, there can be an extra 10.00€ for the toboggan ride due to how seating is handled.
• The optional 200-year-old nun’s house entrance costs €1.00.

None of these should scare you off. I just find it helps to expect a couple of small “on-the-day” decisions so nothing feels like a surprise.

Getting to Monte early: why it matters more than you think

The big practical edge here is timing. The tour is designed so you reach the toboggan area before the main crowds build, and the payoff is real: you spend less time standing around and more time actually riding.

In the real world, that shows up as fewer delays and an easier flow through the process. Guides mentioned by name like Tony, Daniel, Carlos, and Sandra are also repeatedly praised for being on time and taking care with the schedule. One detail I’d take seriously: the toboggan setup is managed by the local sled drivers, so being early helps you fit into the best available batches.

You’ll also want to bring a jacket and water. Even when Madeira feels mild earlier in the day, you’re moving through higher viewpoints and cooler mountain air.

Monte: the church stop and why Emperor Charles I is part of the story

Monte is a classic Madeira stop, and this tour gives it one of the best reasons to be there: you visit the church where the tomb of Emperor Charles I of Austria can be found.

This matters because it adds a layer beyond scenery. The Monte area feels like a postcard, but the visit helps you connect the dots between Madeira’s role as a tourist magnet and the older European stories that show up in small places like churches. It’s not a long museum-style stop, so don’t expect hours here. Instead, it’s a quick, memorable cultural anchor before the adrenaline part.

Also, Monte’s church stop pairs well with the rest of the day. After you look out over Madeira, then you come back down into town and realize these viewpoints weren’t just “pretty.” They’re tied to where people have traveled and lived for a long time.

Livramento toboggan ride: the 2 km thrill you should plan your photos around

The headline event is the 2-kilometer toboggan ride down the old road of Livramento. This is one of Madeira’s oldest transportation-style traditions, and it’s one of those experiences where your body feels the speed more than you expect.

A couple details help you understand how it works:

• You ride down in baskets (toboggan style), and then the bus picks you up at the bottom.
• The baskets are handled by the men who manage the operation, and there’s a note that years ago they had to carry the sleds back up to Monte.

That “bus waiting at the bottom” part is key. It means you’re not stuck planning your own return walk. You just ride, enjoy, and then you’re loaded back into the day’s route.

Safety and comfort (what to expect in practice)

The guides who run this day are praised for looking after people and explaining timing. You’ll also see repeated mentions that the ride feels exciting but controlled. If you’re visiting with kids, the data says children under 3 years old can ride on a parent’s lap.

Weather note you should not ignore

On rainy days, the tour’s toboggan operation can change. The information provided says that baskets of three don’t go down on rainy days, and if there’s a third rider, they may need to pay an additional 10.00€. It’s worth bringing a jacket just in case and being flexible in your expectations.

Eira do Serrado: the viewpoint with the big Madeira feeling

After Monte, you’ll work your way toward Eira do Serrado viewpoint. This is one of the places where Madeira’s interior stops looking like a drive and starts looking like a panorama you can live inside.

From 1,094 meters above sea level, you can see across to the Nuns Valley. You also get a guided look around at the natural features—there’s mention of chestnut trees and eucalyptus plants, plus the idea that some ancient footpaths are still used.

I like this stop because it gives you context for what you’ll see later. When you stand high enough to understand the valley shape, the next stop isn’t random. It becomes a location with logic: lava rock, steep walls, and that feeling of isolation.

You’ll also likely get some scenic stops along the way for photos. The tour is built around “pause, look, keep moving,” and Eira do Serrado is the kind of pause that’s worth it.

Curral das Freiras (Nuns Valley): what the story adds to the scenery

The Nuns Valley stop is the heart of this tour’s identity. The valley sits isolated from the rest of the island and is surrounded by lava rock. It’s named from the nuns who once inhabited the valley after fleeing pirate attacks in the 16th century.

One detail I appreciate: the tour clarifies that there is no convent in this village—it’s a nun house, not a convent. That keeps you from assuming you’re seeing a larger religious complex. Instead, it feels like a real village with a specific past.

Included liquor tasting plus local food extras

In Curral das Freiras, you get free liquor tasting as part of the tour. There’s no ambiguity here: it’s included, and the idea is simple—try the famous local liquors associated with this area.

You’ll also find traditional chestnut cake and pastries sold in the region, but those are not included. So think of the tasting as your included “taste of the valley,” and treat the cake as optional if you want a sweet souvenir moment.

Optional add-on: the 200-year-old nun’s house

If you want a bit more, there’s an entrance fee of €1.00 to visit the 200-year-old nun’s house. This isn’t a huge cost, but it is extra, so decide while you’re there whether you want the interior look or prefer to spend the time outside taking in views.

Pico dos Barcelos: a final viewpoint close to the return to Funchal

Before you head back, the tour includes a stop at Pico dos Barcelos, described as a unique Madeira viewpoint at 355 meters.

I like this as a “wrap” stop. It’s lower than the main high viewpoints, so the vibe can feel more human-sized—still scenic, but easier on tired legs after the morning. You’ll have photo time and then the day closes back down toward Funchal.

Who this tour suits best (and who should think twice)

This one is a strong match if you want:

• One included adventure (the toboggan ride) without hunting tickets or planning logistics
• Major highlights in a tight schedule, because it’s only about 4 hours
• A guided day with history sprinkled in, including the Emperor Charles I tomb stop

It may be less ideal if you:

• Hate weather-driven changes and want guaranteed toboggan conditions in rain
• Want long, unhurried time at each stop (this tour is timed, not slow-travel)
• Are sensitive to extra small fees depending on your exact pickup area or party size

Should you book this Monte and Nuns Valley tour?

If your Madeira checklist includes Monte, a real toboggan ride, and at least one viewpoint that frames the valley, this is a very practical choice. The included parts do the heavy lifting: guided tour, hotel pickup/drop-off, the 2 km ride, and liquor tasting. That’s why people keep coming back to this format.

My advice: book it if you can handle a half-day schedule and you’re ready to move early enough to reduce toboggan queue pressure. If you’re traveling during rainy weather, bring a jacket and go in with flexibility about basket arrangements. Either way, you’ll leave with the kind of Madeira memories that are equal parts scenery and simple, memorable local tradition.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It runs for about 4 hours.

Is the toboggan ride included in the price?

Yes, the sledge (toboggan) ride is included, but there can be an extra charge for solo riders in some cases.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Pickup notes mention extra cost for some areas such as Santa Cruz hotels.

Where does the toboggan ride take place, and how long is it?

The ride goes down the old road of Livramento and is described as a 2-kilometer toboggan ride.

Is liquor tasting included?

Yes. Free liquor tasting in the Nuns Valley village is included.

Is there an additional fee to visit the nun’s house?

Yes. There is an entrance fee of €1.00 to visit the 200-year-old nun’s house.

What should I bring for the tour?

You should bring water and a jacket.