Scenic Route – Nuns Valley Tour

From a high lookout above Funchal to a village tucked deep in a mountain valley, this three-hour tour gives you a quick, striking change of scene. The road climbs into Madeira’s rugged interior, with stops for wide views and a visit to Curral das Freiras, the Valley of the Nuns.

I like that you get two very different viewpoints before reaching the village, and that a guide can put the scenery in context with local history and details about the island. The main trade-off is time: the tour is short, and pickup stops can use some of the hours you might expect to spend sightseeing.

At a glance

• Pico dos Barcelos: A brief lookout stop above Funchal, at about 355 metres.
• Eira do Serrado: A high viewpoint over the steep-sided Curral das Freiras valley.
• Curral das Freiras: A short village visit tied to the story of nuns who fled pirate attacks.
• About three hours: A useful half-day option, though pickup and drop-off are part of the overall outing.
• Small-group transport: The vehicle can carry up to 18 people, though some departures have been much smaller.
• Included pickup: Available from accommodation in Funchal, Câmara de Lobos, Cabo Girão and Caniço. Food and drinks are extra.

From Funchal’s rooftops to the mountain road

The first stop, Miradouro Pico dos Barcelos, gives you a bird’s-eye view over Funchal. At roughly 355 metres above sea level, this lookout sits on the edge of the city. From here you can take in the spread of buildings and the surrounding slopes, a helpful way to orient yourself before heading farther inland.

The stop is brief, around 15 minutes according to the tour description. That is enough to look around and take photos, but not a long pause for a slow wander. I’d have your camera ready and make the most of the time, especially if the view is clear.

The drive itself is part of the appeal. You leave the city behind and climb through Madeira’s countryside, with a driver at the wheel on narrow, winding roads. One of the pleasures of this format is that you can look out the window instead of concentrating on navigation. The trade-off is that you’ll see the interior through a minibus window between stops, rather than hiking through it.

Eira do Serrado: the big view over the valley

The second stop is Miradouro Eira do Serrado, the tour’s most dramatic viewpoint. From high above Curral das Freiras, you look down into a deep, roughly horseshoe-shaped valley ringed by steep peaks. Terraced plots, fruit and vegetable fields, and sweet chestnut trees add detail to the scene below.

You have around 30 minutes here. That gives you time to take in the view and, depending on conditions, visit the nearby café. The stop is a highlight for the scale of the scenery, but it is also the point most vulnerable to Madeira’s changeable weather. Rain, low cloud or fog can hide the valley. Take a light rain layer even if Funchal is sunny, and remember that a clouded view is a possibility, not a failure of the tour.

The valley’s shape has a story of its own. The dramatic bowl was once mistaken for a volcanic crater, but its form was made by river action. A guide can help you make sense of the peaks and terrain, and the tour’s strongest praise is often for guides who add local facts without turning the ride into a lecture. Names mentioned by people on different departures include Suzana, Suzanne, George, Manuel, Roy and Cristian. Your guide may be someone else, but expect the person to vary.

A practical note: one visitor found the air-conditioning noise made it hard to hear commentary inside the minibus, though the guide repeated details at the stops. If you miss something, ask when the vehicle is stationary. That is often easier than trying to hear over road and fan noise.

Curral das Freiras: history in a mountain bowl

The final stop takes you down to Curral das Freiras, the village at the bottom of the valley. Surrounded by some of Madeira’s highest peaks, it feels quite different from the open lookout above. The settlement sits on a small rise in the valley floor, and the tour gives you roughly 25 to 30 minutes to look around.

The village’s name and history are closely linked. In the 16th century, nuns from Funchal’s Santa Clara convent fled to this remote valley during pirate attacks in 1566. The account gives the place a human story beyond its striking setting. It also helps explain why this is called the Valley of the Nuns, though you should not expect to meet nuns there today.

Keep your expectations measured. This is a short village stop, not an extended cultural visit, and the main draw is the setting and the chance to see the chapel and village centre. There are cafés, and one person’s stop included coffee, cake and a soft drink for 12 euros. That is a single example, not a fixed menu price, so bring some cash if you want a snack. One account also noted that the café they used did not take cards.

You are not required to buy anything. If you’d rather spend the stop walking around or taking photos, use the time that way. The pace is designed to fit several places into a half-day, so a leisurely café break and a thorough village stroll may be hard to combine.

What the short format means in practice

The advertised duration is about three hours, but pickup and drop-off are included in that window. Depending on where you are staying and how many people need collecting, the actual time at the stops can feel tight. Some departures start early when a passenger is ready, while others may involve several pickup points. One person described waiting in the vehicle for a later pickup, so punctuality and clear communication are worth confirming the day before.

The operator asks you to check email or WhatsApp the day before for the exact time and location. Pickup is at hotel reception where possible. If you are staying in an apartment or villa, wait outside at the main entrance. Drivers wait no more than five minutes after the scheduled time, so be ready rather than heading down at the last moment.

Included pickup covers accommodation in Funchal, Câmara de Lobos village, Cabo Girão and Caniço. It does not cover Machico, Santa Cruz, the cruise port or other places outside those areas. Cruise port pickup is specifically excluded, so if you are arriving by ship, do not assume this tour will collect you there. Check the selected option and arrange your own way to an eligible pickup point if needed.

The tour is offered in English and uses an air-conditioned vehicle. The maximum group size is 18, but some departures have been as small as seven or eight people, which can make it easier to hear the guide and ask questions. The exact vehicle and seating can vary. A complaint about cramped front seats for two tall adults is a useful reminder: if comfort is a concern, ask the operator about seating when you confirm pickup, though a particular seat cannot be guaranteed.

Is $27.93 good value?

At $27.93 per person, this is a reasonably priced way to reach several viewpoints and a remote village without arranging transport yourself. You are paying for a driver, an English-speaking guide, hotel pickup in the covered areas, and the convenience of seeing three places in a few hours. The price includes taxes and fees, but not food or drinks.

The value is strongest if you have limited time, do not want to drive Madeira’s winding mountain roads, or want an introduction to the island’s interior before planning a longer outing. The guide’s commentary can add context that a viewpoint alone cannot provide. Several named guides have been praised for explaining local history, plants and the countryside, and for keeping the mood friendly and relaxed.

It is less compelling if you want long walks, a deep exploration of the village, or lots of unhurried time at each stop. This is a scenic drive with short visits, not a hiking trip or a full-day immersion in rural life. If you want a long café stop or a slow look around, the schedule may feel brisk.

The average booking lead time is about 25 days, so plan ahead if you have a fixed date. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Weather, food and a few useful preparations

Madeira’s high viewpoints can be cooler, wetter or cloudier than Funchal. Bring a light waterproof layer, even when the coast looks bright. One person specifically wished they had wet-weather gear at a showery viewpoint, while another found fog softened the view. Clear weather is not guaranteed, so the best approach is to enjoy the mountain setting in whatever mood it offers.

Food and drinks are not included. You can buy something at a café during the stops, but the time is limited and prices or payment options may differ from one place to another. Carry a little cash if you want to avoid relying on card payment.

The tour suits most people, and children must be accompanied by an adult. An older passenger was able to enjoy the outing with support from the guide at the viewpoint café, but the stops involve getting in and out of a vehicle and moving around lookout areas. If someone in your party has mobility needs, check directly with the operator about the vehicle and the terrain before booking.

Who should book this tour?

I’d choose this trip if I wanted a compact introduction to Madeira’s mountain scenery, with a guide and transport taking care of the route. It works particularly well as a first island outing or as a half-day plan paired with something else. The combination of Funchal from above, the sweeping Eira do Serrado view and the village’s unusual history gives the three stops a clear shape.

I’d look elsewhere if I wanted a long, flexible day or if a foggy viewpoint would feel like a wasted outing. Keep the schedule in mind, be ready for pickup, and pack a rain layer. If those conditions suit you, the price buys an easy way to see a memorable corner of Madeira without driving it yourself.

FAQ

How long is the Nuns Valley tour?

The tour lasts approximately three hours. Pickup and drop-off are included in that overall time, so the amount of time at each stop is shorter.

Which places does the tour visit?

It stops at Miradouro Pico dos Barcelos, Miradouro Eira do Serrado and the village of Curral das Freiras, also known as the Valley of the Nuns.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included for accommodation in Funchal, Câmara de Lobos village, Cabo Girão and Caniço. For hotels, meet at reception where possible. For an apartment or villa, wait outside by the main entrance.

Does the tour pick up at the cruise port?

No. Cruise port pickup is not included. Pickup is also not provided from Machico, Santa Cruz or other locations outside the stated service areas.

What is included in the price?

The price includes an English-speaking professional guide, an air-conditioned vehicle, pickup and drop-off in covered areas, and taxes, fees and handling charges. Food and drinks are extra.

How large is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 18 people. Some departures have been smaller, with reports of vehicles carrying seven or eight people.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.