Nun’s Valley Tour

Step into a cool mountain pocket.

This half-day experience in Funchal is built for an easy pace, with prompt pickup from Funchal, Canico, or Porto do Funchal and a guide who keeps things smooth. I also like the fact that Madeira wine tasting (Prova de vinhos Madeira) is included, so you get more than just views. One thing to plan for: the tour is not wheelchair accessible, and good weather is required to run.

You’ll spend about 4 to 5 hours getting around and taking in the Nun’s Valley area at your own rhythm. The basic plan is simple, with a main stop in the Valley of the Nuns and a few photo moments built in, plus that wine at the end.

Lunch is not included, so you’ll want to sort out food before you go or plan a proper meal after. Also, you are looking at a small max group size of 16, so it feels personal without being cramped.

Key Highlights You Should Know

• Pickup options that include Funchal, Canico, and Porto do Funchal, so you start the day without stress
• Free admission for the main Valley of the Nuns stop
• Wine tasting included (Prova de vinhos Madeira) with alcoholic beverages provided
• 4 to 5 hours total, making it a nice Mon and Fri afternoon plan at 2:00pm
• Small group limit of 16, which helps the guide manage time and viewpoints
• Not wheelchair accessible, so plan for the walking and terrain on your own

Nun’s Valley Has That “Separate World” Feeling

Nun’s Valley sits inside a dramatic mountain setting, and that is exactly why this trip works. The area feels like you have stepped into a little pocket of quiet surrounded by steep slopes, not just another stop on the coast.

What you get here is the kind of scenery that makes you pause. Cameras come out often. And because the tour is timed for an afternoon, the light tends to be forgiving for photos, as long as the weather cooperates.

This is also the kind of place where “at your own pace” actually matters. You are not racing through. Instead, you are given time to wander, look around, and enjoy the valley atmosphere without feeling rushed.

Pickup in Funchal, Canico, or Porto do Funchal (Why It Matters)

For a 4 to 5 hour outing, logistics are everything. I like that this tour includes pickup from Funchal and Canico, plus Porto do Funchal if you are coming from the harbor area.

That means less time figuring out buses or worrying about where to meet. It also tends to make the whole experience feel calmer from the start. Even better, you travel in an air-conditioned vehicle, which is a nice comfort perk in warmer months on Madeira.

There is also a practical travel angle here: the tour is marked as being near public transportation, so you are not totally boxed in if you are staying somewhere awkward. But if you have the chance, pickup is the easiest path.

The 2:00pm, Mon and Fri Schedule That Fits Real Itineraries

This tour runs on Monday and Friday at 2:00pm, so you can plug it into a Madeira day without wrecking your plans.

A 2:00pm start is especially handy if you want a slower morning. You can sleep in a bit, do a market run, or just take your time with lunch. Then you head out in the afternoon for views and a relaxing pace.

Plan on 4 to 5 hours total. That is long enough to feel like you went somewhere worthwhile, but short enough that you can still have a full evening after, assuming you do not let wine tasting turn into an all-night story.

Valley of the Nuns: Free Entry and Time to Look Around

The heart of the tour is the Valley of the Nuns, and the best part is that the entry is free for this stop. You are not paying extra once you arrive, which makes the $32.33 price feel more straightforward.

Expect a main visit in a small valley village area surrounded by mountains. One of the most useful ways to approach this stop is with simple priorities:

• Take your time with viewpoints.
• Walk only as far as you feel comfortable, since the day is designed to be relaxed.
• Use breaks to just look. The valley setting rewards slow attention.

The tour style here is “guided, but not controlling.” Your conductor provides context as you go, so you are not just staring at scenery wondering what it is all about.

One caution: this is not wheelchair accessible, so the terrain and walking around the valley are not set up for mobility devices. Most people can participate, but you should plan for uneven ground and some stairs or slopes that come with valley sightseeing.

Wine Tasting at the End: What You’re Really Getting

This tour includes alcoholic beverages and the highlight is Prova de vinhos Madeira, which is a wine tasting element added at the end.

In practical terms, that changes how you should plan your day:

• You will want to be ready to take it easy after the tasting.
• Keep water with you when you can, especially if the day is warm.
• If you have a morning schedule later, this tour is better as an afternoon anchor.

The wine tasting is also part of why this experience feels like more than a sightseeing drive. You finish with something local and drinkable, and it gives you a satisfying wrap-up moment before you return.

If you do not drink alcohol, this is still a well-paced outing for the valley views. Just be mindful that the tour includes alcoholic beverages as part of the experience.

Your Guide Experience: Pro Conductor, Small Group Feel

The tour includes a professional conductor, and the small size matters. With a maximum of 16 travelers, you are more likely to get personal attention and clear timing.

A guide can make a big difference in a valley setting, because you are constantly deciding where to look next. You want guidance that helps you aim your camera, understand what you are seeing, and keep the day running smoothly.

One detail I would not ignore: the experience description emphasizes a cruisy, relaxed rhythm. In plain terms, that means you are not being herded. You are given a structure, and then you breathe inside it.

That is a good fit for people who like nature and viewpoints but do not want to spend the whole day sprinting between stops.

Price and Value: Is $32.33 Actually Fair?

At $32.33 per person, this is priced like a practical half-day add-on, not a luxury splurge. The real value comes from what you get folded into that price:

You typically receive:

• Pickup from Funchal, Canico, or Porto do Funchal
• An air-conditioned vehicle
• A professional conductor
• Prova de vinhos Madeira with alcoholic beverages
• Free admission for the main Valley of the Nuns stop

So you are not just paying for entry to a place. You are paying for transport, guidance, and a local tasting experience that would otherwise cost extra on its own.

The only “hidden” cost to think about is food. Since lunch is not included, you will need to budget for your own meal either before you go or afterward. That is it. No extra entrance fee is listed for the main stop.

What to Pack (So the Day Feels Easy)

Because the tour is about valley walking and viewpoints, I recommend you pack like you are doing light sightseeing, not a full hike.

Bring:

• Comfortable shoes for slopes and uneven spots (the tour is not wheelchair accessible)
• A camera and phone for mountain views
• A light layer if the weather cools off
• A plan for water, since wine tasting is at the end and you will likely want to stay comfortable

Also, keep your phone ready for a mobile ticket. Confirmation is received at the time of booking, so you should have what you need on your device.

If you get motion sensitive, the A/C vehicle ride is likely comfortable, but valley roads can still feel curvy. Bring what you normally use for that.

Timing Lunch Around a Wine Finish

Since lunch is not included, you should treat this tour like an afternoon centerpiece rather than a casual snack break.

A smart approach:

• Eat a real lunch before pickup, or
• Do lunch later after you return

If you eat too close to the tasting time, the combination of walking plus alcohol can be a bit much for some people. Planning ahead helps.

Also, if you are traveling with someone who does not want wine, that is still workable. The day is built around the valley stop and guided sightseeing, and wine tasting is the added extra.

Weather on Madeira: The Tour Depends on It

This experience requires good weather. That is not a minor footnote. In mountain areas, mist or poor conditions can make viewpoints less pleasant and can affect running the plan.

The good news is that if the tour is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund. That helps you manage risk.

If you are deciding between tours, check the forecast on the day you plan to go, and keep your expectations flexible.

Should You Book the Nun’s Valley Tour?

I think this is a strong booking when you want:

• A relaxed half-day with a guided approach
• Pickup convenience from Funchal, Canico, or Porto do Funchal
• Scenic mountain valley views without a full-day commitment
• The bonus of Madeira wine tasting included

Skip it if:

• You need wheelchair accessibility
• You dislike tours that include alcohol as a built-in part of the experience
• You hate afternoon plans and prefer mornings only (this one is fixed at 2:00pm on Mon and Fri)

If you are staying in Funchal or Canico and you want a simple, well-structured afternoon that ends with local wine, this is one of those trips that fits neatly into a Madeira stay with minimal fuss. And at $32.33, with transport and tasting included, it is easy to justify as a value play.

FAQ

What is the price of the Nun’s Valley Tour?

The tour costs $32.33 per person.

How long does the tour last?

Plan on 4 to 5 hours.

When does the tour run?

It runs on Monday and Friday at 2:00pm.

Where is pickup available?

Pickup is available from Funchal, Canico, or Porto do Funchal.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

No. The tour is not wheelchair accessible.

What is included in the tour price?

Included features are an air-conditioned vehicle, a professional conductor, and alcoholic beverages with Prova de vinhos Madeira.

Is lunch included?

No, lunch is not included.

Is there a ticket cost for the Valley of the Nuns?

Admission for the Valley of the Nuns stop is listed as free.

What if the weather is bad?

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