Funchal Shore Excursion: Private Nuns Valley Tour

Two mountain viewpoints frame a horseshoe valley carved into Madeira's peaks.

A private taxi tour departing from Funchal cruise port takes you to Nuns Valley (Curral das Freiras) and the fishing village of Câmara de Lobos, with a professional guide and guaranteed return to your ship within three hours. The tour includes pickup and drop-off at the port, transport by private vehicle, and stops at Pico dos Barcelos (355 meters above sea level) and Eira do Serrado, both offering views into the horseshoe-shaped valley. Children from age 3 are welcome, and guides speak English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and one additional language.

Step-by-step itinerary

Scenic tour of Nuns Valley and villages

• Meet at Funchal cruise port
• Drive to Pico dos Barcelos viewpoint
• Enjoy views 355m above sea level
• Visit Eira Do Serrado rock ledge
• Overlook Curral das Freiras valley
• Stop at Camara de Lobos fishing village
• Taste local poncha drink
• Return to cruise ship on time

The Experience

You're picked up at the cruise port in Funchal and driven to Pico dos Barcelos, an observation area on the outskirts of the city that sits 355 meters above sea level. From there you get a first look at the valley and the surrounding peaks. The real stop comes next at Eira do Serrado, a rock ledge that overlooks Curral das Freiras—the Nuns Valley itself—a horseshoe-shaped basin with three sheer sides cutting into Madeira's serrated ridges. This is where the tour's two main viewpoints give you the geography of the place.

The final stop is Câmara de Lobos, a working fishing village west of Funchal. The village center has whitewashed houses, shops, and a bar where you can order poncha, the local drink. The village was named after the monk seals that used to visit the harbor. You finish there and return to the ship with time to spare—the tour is built around the ship's schedule, not the other way around.

What’s included

• Professional guide in your choice of language.
• private vehicle transport from the cruise port.
• pickup and drop-off at the port.
• stops at Pico dos Barcelos and Eira do Serrado for valley views.
• visit to the fishing village of Câmara de Lobos.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Wow A Tour

Is this one for you?If you speak English, Spanish, Portuguese, French or the fifth language offered, the guide will narrate the valley's geology and the village's history in real time, so you follow the tour without translation delays or missing details. The fixed three-hour window and guaranteed return time mean you can book this without worrying about missing your ship departure.

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Top questions

What is Curral das Freiras, and why do you stop there twice?

Curral das Freiras is the Nuns Valley, a horseshoe-shaped basin surrounded by three sheer cliff faces that drop into Madeira's interior peaks. You see it from two different vantage points—first from Pico dos Barcelos and then from Eira do Serrado, a rock ledge that gives you a closer, more dramatic view of the valley's shape and the cliffs that frame it.

Will I have time to get back to the ship if the tour runs three hours?

Yes—the tour is scheduled to guarantee your return to the cruise port on time. The operator builds the itinerary around ship departure windows, so timing is fixed and you won't miss your sailing.

What languages does the guide speak?

The guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and one additional language, so you can choose the tour in the language you're most comfortable with when you book.

Is Câmara de Lobos a place to eat, or just to walk around?

Câmara de Lobos is a working fishing village where you can walk the center, see the whitewashed houses and shops, and stop at a bar to try poncha, the local spirit-based drink. It's not a formal meal stop, but the bar is open if you want to order something.

Can children come on this tour?

Children from age 3 are welcome. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller if needed.