Nuns Valley Half-Day Tour Madeira with Hotel Pickup

Eira do Serrado viewpoint

Eira do Serrado is a high rocky viewpoint at about 1,000 metres that looks straight down into the Nuns Valley. From the railings you see the village roofs far below, surrounded by steep green walls and peaks that often vanish into clouds. It is one of the most photographed places in the centre of Madeira, and the answer for anyone wondering where to get the best view of the Nuns Valley.

The tour stops here early so you can walk to the lookout, take photos and feel the mountain air, which is noticeably cooler than in Funchal. The viewpoint also shows the road you will take to the bottom, a route of many bends carved into the slope, so you see the scale of the valley before you enter it.

Curral das Freiras, the Nuns Valley

Curral das Freiras is a village at the bottom of a deep, bowl-shaped valley surrounded by mountains. Its name, meaning the nuns' corral, is linked to the story of nuns from a Funchal convent who took shelter here from pirate raids centuries ago. The valley was isolated for a long time and was reachable only on foot until tunnels and roads were built.

Today it is a peaceful mountain community known for its chestnuts, which appear in local cakes, soups and bread, and a festival is held each autumn. The guide explains the theories of how the valley formed, and you have time to walk around, see the small church and enjoy the quiet. If you are asking whether a Nuns Valley tour is worth doing, this stop is the reason.

Câmara de Lobos on the way back

The tour returns to Funchal by way of Câmara de Lobos, a colourful fishing village on a sheltered bay just west of the city. Brightly painted wooden boats rest on the little harbour, and the village is known for the artist-friendly light that attracted Winston Churchill, who is said to have painted here during a visit to Madeira.

A short stop here gives you time to walk along the harbour and see how a working fishing village looks. It also makes the trip a balanced half-day, with mountain scenery in the morning or afternoon and a coastal scene at the end before you are dropped off at your hotel.

Half-day tour from Funchal with hotel pickup

The tour lasts about three and a half hours, so it fits easily into a day of sightseeing. Pickup and drop-off are included at selected hotels in Funchal, and there are morning and afternoon departures, with the booking panel showing what is open on your date. Taxes and fuel surcharges are included.

Lunch is not included, so this is a good option if you want to see one of the island's highlights and still have part of the day free. The roads to the valley are winding, and the route may change slightly with weather and road conditions, so bring a light jacket and comfortable shoes.