Madeira Valley of the Nuns Tour: Viewpoint & Câmara de Lobos

A deep valley ringed by steep mountains, a village that time forgot, and the fishing harbor where Churchill set up his easel.

This guided tour of Madeira climbs to the Eira do Serrado viewpoint overlooking the Nuns Valley, descends into the isolated mountain village of Curral das Freiras to walk among chestnut groves and traditional Madeiran houses, then stops at Câmara de Lobos fishing village to taste the local drink Poncha. The tour runs about three and a half hours with hotel pickup and a professional guide who speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and one additional language; morning and afternoon departures are available.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Madeira's scenic valleys and village

• Visit Eira do Serrado viewpoint
• Explore Curral das Freiras valley
• Stop at Câmara de Lobos fishing village

The Experience

What makes this tour work is the sequence: you start at the Eira do Serrado viewpoint, where the view opens across the entire Nuns Valley and the central mountain massif that walls it in. From there the route descends into Curral das Freiras itself, a village so isolated and deep in its valley that locals have lived off what they grow for generations. The twenty-minute descent takes you through countryside and forest, past the quaint stone houses that define Madeiran architecture, and into the village where chestnut trees grow thick and the fruit shows up in everyday cooking.

The return leg stops at Câmara de Lobos, the fishing village where Winston Churchill spent time painting the harbor and the boats. This is where you try Poncha, the famous local drink the region is known for. The whole day is built around these three stops—the high viewpoint, the hidden valley village, and the working harbor—with hotel pickup and drop-off included (free for hotels in Funchal). Your guide handles the route and the timing, so the morning or afternoon departure you choose at checkout is the only decision you make.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French or another language.
• hotel pickup and drop-off from Funchal hotels.
• all taxes, fees and handling charges.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Lido Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the morning departure if you want the viewpoint and the village in clear light and time to explore Câmara de Lobos without rushing; the afternoon option suits a later start or a schedule that leaves the morning free. The three-and-a-half-hour loop works because the guide handles the route and the timing, so you move between the viewpoint, the valley and the harbor without building the day yourself.

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Top questions

How long does it take to walk down into the Nuns Valley village from the viewpoint?

The descent from Eira do Serrado to Curral das Freiras takes approximately twenty minutes, moving through countryside and forest on the way down into the valley.

What is there to do in the village of Curral das Freiras itself?

Curral das Freiras is a working village where locals cultivate the land, and you walk among the traditional Madeiran houses and chestnut groves that define the area. The village sits in a deep valley ringed by steep mountain slopes, and the isolation is part of what has kept the way of life intact.

Where exactly is Câmara de Lobos and what happens there?

Câmara de Lobos is a fishing village you visit on the return journey, where you can try Poncha, the famous local drink. It's also the harbor where Winston Churchill painted landscapes during his time in Madeira.

Does the tour include lunch or meals?

The tour does not include lunch. You'll have the opportunity to try Poncha at Câmara de Lobos, but meals are not part of the package.

Can I choose a morning or afternoon departure?

Yes—you select either a morning or afternoon hotel pickup when you book. Both follow the same route and stops; the timing is the only difference.

Is hotel pickup included for all accommodations in Madeira?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included free of charge for hotels in Funchal. If your hotel is outside Funchal, contact the operator to confirm pickup availability.