Nun’s Valley

A mountain valley tour with real payoff.

This half-day style outing from Funchal sends you into Curral das Freiras, a tucked-away village pressed against huge mountains, with two standout viewpoint stops and time in the parish. I like the structure here, first you get that wide view over Funchal, then the route turns toward the valley at serious height, and then you land in the village to slow down. Two things I really appreciate are the built-in scenery stops (Pico dos Barcelos and Eira do Serrado) and the visit to Curral das Freiras itself, including the church area, which visitors note is worth your time.

The one thing to think about is comfort on the ride. One review notes the transport can feel tight when the group is packed, and the van is small enough that you will want to be ready for a bit of squeezing if you are sensitive to close seating.

Key takeaways before you book

• Two viewpoints at altitude: Pico dos Barcelos (355m) and Eira do Serrado (1094m) give very different perspectives
• A real village stop in Curral das Freiras, not just a quick photo stop
• Parish visit time with admission listed as free for the stop
• Mobile ticket and easy flow, plus pickup is offered
• Small group size with a maximum of 16 travelers for a less chaotic feel

The Big Idea: Why Curral das Freiras Feels Different From Funchal

Funchal is all hills, color, and everyday motion. Curral das Freiras is the pause button. The village sits in a “cauldron” formed by erosion or volcanic activity (depending on the explanation you hear), and that geographic setup is exactly why the views feel so dramatic. You get the sense you are looking into another world, not just across a valley.

The route also makes practical sense. You do not spend the whole tour stuck in one place. Instead, you move from high-up overlooks back down toward the parish, so you gradually understand the terrain instead of just collecting two pictures. If you like your tours to have a point of view, this one works.

The 4-Hour Route: What You’ll Actually See (and Why It Matters)

This is about 4 hours total, and it is built like a mountain loop: viewpoint to viewpoint, then village time, then back to Funchal. With pickup offered, you avoid the stress of figuring out parking or shuttle transfers in the afternoon.

The timing is tight enough to keep it scenic, but not so rushed that you feel totally steamrolled. Stop windows help here. You get about 45 minutes for Curral das Freiras and about 20 minutes at Miradouro Pico dos Barcelos. That means you should plan to move quickly for photos, then use the village time for a slower look.

Good weather is part of the deal

One important note: the experience requires good weather. If conditions are rough, the operator may offer another date or a full refund. In other words, if you are going on a day when clouds cling to the hills, assume your view payoff can drop.

Stop 1: Curral das Freiras Village Time (Plus Church and a Local Tasting)

Curral das Freiras is the heart of the tour, and it is more than a scenic backdrop. The village is surrounded by huge mountains, and the way it sits in the valley makes it feel sheltered and removed from the busier coast.

You’ll spend around 45 minutes here, and admission for this stop is listed as free. That matters because it keeps the cost focused on the tour itself, not on extra tickets once you arrive.

What I think makes this stop worth it is the balance: you get time for the parish area and the church, and you also get a moment that visitors describe as a tasting opportunity in the village. Reviews specifically call out that the church is a detour worth making, and that the village experience includes tasting time. In a good tour, the scenic part is only half the story. This adds a little local culture and flavor to the mountain views.

What to watch for in the village

This tour can be very scenic and very popular, and you might feel a bit time-pressed within the 45 minutes. Go in with a simple plan: take your main look at the church area early, then decide where you want to linger. If you are photographing, keep your bottleneck spots in mind so you do not get stuck waiting behind a cluster of people.

Stop 2: Miradouro Pico dos Barcelos (355m) Over Funchal

Before you go full valley mode, you get a first big view from Pico dos Barcelos at 355m. The Miradouro is positioned to overlook all of Funchal, so this is your orientation moment. You see the city layout and coast, then later on the day your eyes can track how the mountains cut into the island.

The stop here is about 20 minutes, and admission is listed as free. Twenty minutes is enough for a quick photo sweep and a proper pause to understand what you are looking at. It is also short enough that you are not fighting crowds for the whole tour.

How to get the best from this stop

Keep your phone and camera ready, but do not spend your whole time shooting. Look first, then shoot. That way you notice patterns in the city rather than just taking generic skyline images. Also, if it is windy at this height, be mindful with hats, and keep straps tight on bags.

Eira do Serrado Viewpoint at 1094m: The Valley Perspective That Changes Everything

After the city-overlook stop, the day shifts into mountain scale. You cross into the area of Eira do Serrado, where the viewpoint sits around 1094m. The payoff is a view over the Curral das Freiras valley.

This is the part of the tour that tends to feel the most “real” because it changes the way you picture the island. Instead of seeing Funchal as the main character, you see the valley as the main stage. Mountains are not just scenery here, they are the structure of the day.

Why this viewpoint works for first-time visitors

If you are new to Madeira, it’s easy to think of the island as coast first and mountains second. This stop reorders that idea. You are going up far enough to see how weather, fog, and terrain can shape the whole valley experience.

It also gives you context for the village stop later. When you finally reach Curral das Freiras, you understand why it feels tucked in, why it looks different from each angle, and why the landscape is so imposing.

Transport and Group Size: Comfort, Timing, and the Small-Group Reality

This is a small-group tour, with a maximum of 16 travelers. For many people, that is the sweet spot. You still get shared energy, but you are less likely to feel like you are herded into a bus-group stampede.

The included air-conditioned vehicle is a real plus. Madeira weather can swing, and comfort helps when you are moving between viewpoints. Pickup is offered, which keeps the experience simple.

The tradeoff is seating density. One review notes they were a bit packed on transport. That does not mean it will be miserable, but it does mean you should choose your seat mindfully if you have a preference, and keep your bag situation streamlined so you do not block space for yourself or others.

Also, there is no WiFi on board. Plan to save any maps or tickets on your phone before you start, and keep expectations realistic for the drive time.

Price and Value: Is $23.15 Worth It?

At $23.15 per person, this tour is priced like a smart add-on to a Madeira day. You are paying for transport, a guided flow, and the effort of getting to viewpoints at height plus a village visit. Because both viewpoints and the village stop are listed with free admission tickets for those segments, you are not stacking extra entry fees on top.

You are also buying time. Between the viewpoint transitions and the village stop, you get about 4 hours of structured mountain experience, without needing your own car for a short window.

From a value perspective, this tour is strongest if:

• You want a guided route with viewpoint timing
• You would rather not navigate winding roads
• You want both scenery and a village moment, not only photos

It may be less ideal if:

• You hate tight seating on group vans
• You are only interested in one viewpoint and prefer longer stays

Weather, Expectations, and How to Choose the Right Day

Because the experience requires good weather, you should aim for flexibility in your schedule. If your itinerary is set in stone, you might feel disappointed if fog or clouds roll in and hide the views.

Here is the practical strategy: choose a day when you still have other things to do nearby if visibility is poor. That way, you treat the tour as a bonus when the island decides to cooperate.

If it gets canceled due to weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. That reduces the risk, but it still requires you to have at least one backup option in your plans.

Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Should Skip It)

This works well for:

• First-time visitors who want a clear introduction to the island’s mountain geography
• People who like a mix of viewpoints and a village visit in one outing
• Travelers who want a small group, capped at 16

You might want to skip or rethink if:

• You need long free time in one location, because the village stop is about 45 minutes
• You are extremely sensitive to crowded vehicle conditions
• You are going on a day you cannot adjust if weather ruins visibility

Should You Book Nun’s Valley with Ilha Tours?

I think this is a strong booking if you want to see Curral das Freiras without the hassle of driving yourself. The combination is the appeal: two major viewpoints that show you the island’s scale, plus a village stop where the church area and tasting time make it feel human, not just scenic.

Book it if:

• You want mountain views that actually change in perspective
• You like compact, well-paced half-day tours
• You appreciate a small group experience with pickup and air-conditioned transport

Skip it if your schedule is too tight to handle weather delays, or if you know you get uncomfortable in small vehicles with close seating. In that case, look for a tour that spends longer at fewer stops, or one with more vehicle comfort if that matters most to you.

FAQ

How long is the Nun’s Valley tour?

The tour lasts about 4 hours.

How much does it cost per person?

It costs $23.15 per person.

Do I get pickup, or do I need to meet the group by myself?

Pickup is offered.

Is there WiFi on board?

No, WiFi is not included.

What type of ticket do I use?

You use a mobile ticket.

How long are the main stops in Curral das Freiras and at Pico dos Barcelos?

Curral das Freiras is about 45 minutes, and Miradouro Pico dos Barcelos is about 20 minutes.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 16 travelers.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.