Madeira Valley of the Nuns Tour
Recommended by 91% of travelers
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Madeira, Portugal
- 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
The Valley of the Nuns (Curral da Freiras) might be one of the coolest places you can visit in all of Portugal—and this tour makes it easy to explore the area. Not only is it a village built on the crater of an extinct volcano, but it was once a place where nuns would hide when pirates attacked the city of Funchal. Plus, during this tour, you’ll stop by the fishing village, Câmara de Lobos, and try a traditional Madeira drink.
- Tour of the Valley of the Nuns in Madeira
- Visit the village built on the crater of an extinct volcano
- Stop by the fishing village, Câmara de Lobos
- Choice of morning or afternoon departure
- Funchal hotel pickup and drop-off included
What's Included
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Professional guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (Free for hotels in Funchal only)
- Lunch
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to your preferred meeting point, or request pickup.
Itinerary
1
Eira do Serrado (CF23)
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Valley of the Nuns
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Camara De Lobos
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Infant seats available
- May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 55 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.6
based on 390 reviews
Emma_W, Apr 2026
Bruno shared an immense amount of knowledge of the locality and Madeira's culture throughout the trip in both English and German. We spent an appropriate amount of time at each of the stops. Although an initial steep walk, most definitely not a hike and there's enough time to go at a leisurely pace. I would recommend this as a relaxing trip to see some of the island.
Matthew_B, Apr 2026
This is a very relaxed tour. If you are looking for some great views, pictures, and a chill pace this is the tour for you. 3 stops, lots of time for coffee, pastry, wandering. At no point did I feel rushed. The valley is the highlight and spectacular!
Steve_R, Mar 2026
Really good little trip to do. Views were stunning and tour guide Marco very knowledgeable and friendly. Would highly recommend this tour.
Paul_B, Mar 2026
The climb to the viewpoint is challenging but the rainbow on our tour made it worthwhile. Luciano was a fantastic guide and a mine of information with great wit and enthusiasm. Would highly recommend.
Phil_L, Mar 2026
Best in the summer months. Was covered by cloud in March though clear when we descended to the valley itself. A great trip never the less.
Catherine_P, Mar 2026
The Tour of the Nun’s Valley is well worth the visit. A lovely short drive to a spectacular view point overlooking the valley. The stop in the Nun’s valley was brief, but enough time for a coffee and to take in the view. The stop in Câmara de Lobos was also interesting to have a Poncha.
Kate_L, Mar 2026
Lovely guide with excellent language skills. The trip was late to start because of road closure but we saw all the places listed. I would have liked more time at the viewpoint though . I can recommend going.
Candy_C, Jan 2026
An informative and entertaining afternoon with Luciano on the nuns valley tour - we experienced some amazing views, although there was some fog, we were still able to view. You also get to try some chestnut liqueurs as part of the tour.
Donna_C, Jan 2026
Lovely guide who answered all questions and gave great information! The tour was just the right length and would recommend to all.
Cathrine, Nov 2025
Rough trip up to the cows, a car broke down on our trip🙀 very offroad. But amazing views and scenery. Diego was a good driver and had a good vibe.
Christine_K, Nov 2025
Luciano (our tour guide) was very knowledgeable and entertaining. The views were spectacular! Not for someone that is afraid of heights! The drive along the cliffs were terrifying
Anne_S, Nov 2025
Excellent half day tour to Nuns Valley with an excellent driver and tour guide she was so knowledgeable. The scenery was spectacular and the sun was shining in the most magnificent Madeira.
Christopher_W, Oct 2025
We didn't go on tour because of drenching rain at our pickup time. We did email our decision and also called to check whether the departure was delayed by the weather, but the person I spoke to did not understand my question, telling me only "no refunds". We did not expect a refund, but thought they might reach out to us to reschedule perhaps with a small discount. They did not. When the rain stopped we took the bus to the main tour destinations at a fraction of the tour cost. We spent an enjoyable time there having a lesiurely visit and setting our own schedule. I think perhaps in future we will take more buses and fewer tours.
Elaine_J, Oct 2025
This tour was great! Communication with the company was fantastic and they picked us up right in front of our cruise ship. Nuno, our guide was knowledgeable, funny, and helpful. The sights were amazing. Would have liked a little more time in each of the towns, and the bus was a little stuffy, but the seats were comfortable and the vent roof being open helped. Nuno was also an excellent driver. Would definitely do this tour again if we had some more time to explore.
Carol_S, Oct 2025
Lovely trip with great views on all the stops. In the Nuns village you must try the chestnut cake and in the fisherman's village try the traditional Poncha drink. Trip wax well timed and the guide an excellent driver.
Jesse_G, Sep 2025
It was a fun time with Luciano. Amazing views, a chance to walk around a little bit, and try some chestnut liqueur. Fun for all levels of fitness and ability.
Eleanor_L, Sep 2025
This was a good trip to see the mountains and valleys of Madeira, Guide was knowledgeable and the trip was informative. The Fishermans wharf was unique and picturesque. Be prepared to travel through high mountain roads and to walk up quite a few steep cobble stone steps to get to the viewpoint to see the valley/village below. The last stop the guide explained about the pirates how they came to loot and plunder and the nuns would walk down this really steep hill (showed us the path) just to hide from them. (Interesting)Enough time was allotted for the 3 stops and personally I really appreciated being picked up and returned to my hotel. Totally reasonable priced and certainly a very pleasant afternoon touring the inner parts of Madeira.
Kwame_R, Sep 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Valley of the Nuns tour itself was very good – the scenery is absolutely stunning with incredible views, and the driver made the journey smooth and enjoyable. I really appreciated the time given to stop and explore, which made the experience feel relaxed and unhurried.
Unfortunately, the interaction with the tour operator during pick-up logistics was unnecessarily rude and unprofessional, which took away from an otherwise great experience.
Overall, a memorable trip with breathtaking sights and a great driver, but the company could definitely improve on customer service at the start.
Maria_A, Aug 2025
I took the trip in mid August. The vehicle was a minibus with an extremely weak AC and the windows were locked. We unfortunately also had a guest who kept coughing for the entire trip. We were so hot for the entire trip from start to end.
Charlie_D, Aug 2025
A really good tour with plenty of information shared. A must see view and tour. Not for someone who doesn’t like heights or steep views down. If you don’t mind it then it’s perfect. It’s really a beautiful island
Ravi_V, Jul 2025
The Madeira location and highlights were awesome. There was nothing exceptional about the trip itself. The vehicle was below average. The AC was either non functional or turned off. The driver had difficulty with the vehicle on and off. The driver himself appeared too tired/bored doing these trips over and over, cleared expressed lack of energy and enthusiasm. I
bfdd564yvs, Jun 2025
We were out over 3hrs and the driver took us to see some amazing sights,especially Nuns Valley which was jaw dropping scenery.He also took us to a beautiful fishing village just outside of Funchal called Camara da Lobos and we just wished we could have stayed slightly longer.All in all it’s been a good afternoon out and the trip is value for money and we were picked up from our hotel and taken back.
SELENA_Z, May 2025
This is not a tour, more of a drive to the places with commentary on board and then you are left to explore by yourself. The view is amazing and worth the trip alone but the vehicle we were in was insufferably hot which tainted the experience as it was a very hot day.
Shital_G, May 2025
Brilliant trip with the wonderful Patrica. As a guide and driver she was friendly, professional and knowledgeable. Recommend this trip as the landscape is stunning.
Alan_D, May 2025
You might miss out on the view because of the mist, it is just your luck at the time! The village at the bottom is nothing interesting to be honest. Seeing the old road that used to connect the village is pretty mind boggling!
David_T, Apr 2025
The tour takes you to 3 locations and then gives you time to walk around and see them yourself. The driver/guide gives good direction and commentary as he drives from place to place. Tour does not include admission to the Nuns house. All nearby bathrooms have paid admission.
Paul_S, Apr 2025
Our driver Bruno was fabulous. He was so knowledgeable and friendly, gave great facts along the way.
The tour was excellent from the view point over the nuns valley to then going down to have a look around and ending in the fishing village. With enough time to explore in each or get a drink or sample the chestnut cakes. Excellent afternoon trip, would definitely recommend!!
John_D, Mar 2025
The view at the Mirador over the Nuns Valley is worth the trip on its own, great way of seeing the mountains if you don't want to hike to the top.
Diana_P, Mar 2025
Well organised
Only problem was , we were told to wait outside our ship but in fact our driver was waiting outside the German ship . All was well in the end and he spoke German and English very well . Shame about the rain, however if it hadn’t rained, we would not have had the wonderful experience of seeing both ends of a beautiful rainbow !
Malcolm_B, Jan 2025
Fantastic trip to the view point, the nuns village and the fishing village at the end of the trip. Driver and guide was full of knowledge and did an amazing job navigating us safely through the trip. He done an equally amazing job shutting up the BBC Bristol guest we unfortunately shared the trip with who kept giving a running commentary just because he had visited Funchal a few times. It was a joy when he stopped yarning on so we could appreciate the guide. Great trip, can highly recommend. Was embarrassing at the end when our esteemed Bristol guest and his two Irish "friends" completely ignored our driver, especially as he had done a fantastic job.
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