Valley of the Nuns

Valley of the Nuns

Valley of the Nuns
4.5
Points of Interest & LandmarksGeologic Formations
About
The "Nuns Valley" is a small village situated in the crater of an extinct volcano, which has kept its 16th-century Santa Clara Convent where the nuns used to hide from pirates who were attacking Funchal.
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  • Veronica
    36 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Good workout, great views
    Great views. Took bus 81 from Teleférico-Término in Funchal and got of at Eira do Serrado. A short walk up the mountain gives a stunning view over Curral das Freiras with great photo opportunities. After we walked all the way down to the valley, an immensely steep walk that really takes its toll on the knees. If you feel at all in the need to use the bathroom I highly suggest that you do so at the café at the top before your decent as there is absolutely nowhere to get off the trail on the way down. Once down I recommend a stop at Naibers restaurant which is conveniently placed right next to a busstop for the 81 bus. The friendliest proprietors you can imagine and you can enjoy your meal on the rooftop terrace.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 11, 2024
  • langstroth2
    Fleet, United Kingdom62 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A good afternoon hike (down or up)
    A pleasant hike down from the view point to the village. I’d strongly recommend decent foot ware as it is a constant down hill on rock and gravel path. Amazing views. When you reach the road at the bottom, walk into the village. At the roundabout there’s a cafe with amazing views over the valley for a well earned drink, and the 81 bus stop is right outside to take you back to the top - not all the 81 buses go via the top lookout starting point. Ask the driver, they speak english.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 16, 2024
  • Richard H
    Matabeleland North Province, Zimbabwe347 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Mountainous tour
    I guess many people visit as part of a tour (whether private or with a company) that includes the views from the top. The town itself is not a 'must see' venue but it is good to go down there to look up at the mountains and view points around. The nun's house is interesting even if there is not a huge lot to see. Likewise, I enjoyed a look into the ornate church, all of which gave point to the visit. But the spectacular part of the tour is generally to look down into the valley from above. Like so many places in Madeira, it is spectacular. There is a walk down from the main view point to the village. I didn't have the chance to do it so I cannot comment on it but I imagine it is fun if you are fit and enjoy walking. The organised tours take a half day over the trip including stopping at a Funchal viewpoint. Under your own steam a half day would also be plenty, I guess.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written May 3, 2024
  • Louise
    Bexley, United Kingdom525 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stunning views!
    Wow - what a stunning place! The views are breath taking. Not much else there apart from a few restaurants but definitely worth going just for the view. We caught the local bus, no 81, from the stop near the cable car in Funchal & it was only a few Euros - just make sure you check the times of the buses going back as it's a long walk back to Funchal! The scenery along the way is fantastic.
    Visited May 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written May 15, 2024
  • An
    38 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Incredibly beautiful landscape with lots of stairs!
    Super beautiful scenery with high mountains all around! We went up to the hotel by car and parked there. Parking spaces can quickly become scarce depending on the time. Then we're down the many steps. The path has been laid out quite pleasantly, there is also a viewing platform with bench and table. In the village itself we found it not so interesting, but one church could be looked at. There are several dining options, we can recommend the "Naibers". Incredibly great view with great prices and very delicious food. Back there were hardly any shadow possibilities. The road has taken a bit of a turn. But for us a must if you are in Madeira!
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written June 23, 2024
  • Ken C
    Derby, United Kingdom278 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Take in the views!
    Well worth a visit to escape the town,or if you need an energetic walk or simply sit back and take the peace of the day. A small selection of cafes and shops to meet your needs. Sample some Chestnut specialities at one of the restaurants!.Many tours will take this area in but if you want to go it alone take the 81 service bus from Funschal (Inter urban service) As well as rover tickets,you could just take a single fare (less than 3 Euros each way) to suit your self,and this bus journey alone is as good as an excursion at a fraction of the cost! But make sure you keep an eye on the timetables.
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written July 6, 2024
  • Jorge Sousa Brito
    Praia, Cape Verde2,257 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Besides beauty reigns chestnut
    Village suis generis encased in a deep valley of Madeira. Fortunately, it already has a long access tunnel. The village is very glossy and it is a pleasure to visit a museum house where you can appreciate a peculiar ornamentation and simple and old furniture in a rustic wall decor. The adjacent terrace is cozy and you can enjoy a variety of cakes, biscuits, liquors and candy based on chestnuts (what you do with chestnuts is village speciality).
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written August 2, 2024
  • Aileen W
    Edinburgh, United Kingdom4 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    See a bit of the island.
    We didn't have the best weather - it does get colder up there. Views spectacular. We took a private taxi hire for the 2 of us. Driver spoke good English but we made a mistake in that we had already been to one of the places the tour went so the poor man had to think of more places to take us and I think it would have been better if we'd made sure we knew what the tour included before we booked. We did the half day tour.
    Visited December 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written December 16, 2024
  • fionas670
    2 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Exhilarating walk with extraordinary views down.
    Walked down from Eira do Serrado (hotel car park). Wonderful views from the top and all the way down. Pretty relentless descent, mostly on the typically Madeiran bullnose-edged slate steps, ok in good weather but could be treacherous in the wet (esp. on wet chestnut leaves). Hiking pole(s) recommended. Village has a slight feel of a tiny traditional Pyrenean ski resort. Church worth a visit. Walk back to Eira about the same time (but obviously more effort!) Alternatively, get the return bus (81) at 11.15 or 13.40/14.30/16.15, or get a taxi.
    Visited January 2025
    Traveled as a couple
    Written January 16, 2025
  • Inspire27405733116
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Walking in Nonnernes Valley
    We walked the Vereda das Voltas trail from the hotel and bus stop Eira do Serrado down to the town of Curral das Freiras. A challenging walk due to smooth staircase part of the trail, but with stunning views all the way. Can definitely be recommended, but remember good hiking shoes. Once you get down to the city there is bus option back to Funchal. You can also go back to Eira Do Serrado - it requires good condition!
    Visited January 2025
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 4, 2025
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Ruth W
37 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
Took the no 81 bus from Funchal, journey about 45 minutes to the viewpoint at Eira do Serrada, stunning views to the villages below. At the view point is a walkway up to the top of the mountain to look at the valley below. There is a hotel, cafe and shop at this point, 1 euro to use the toilets if you haven’t used the cafe. We walked down into Curral das Frairas (Valley of the Nuns) via the steep mountainside path. Wear walking boots or good trainers, the path is mainly cobbled but could be quite slippery if wet, there are sheer drops at many parts of the path so I wouldn’t recommend it for young children. Fantastic views, took about 1.5 hours to descend walking at a slowish pace. Lovely friendly reasonably priced cafe about 5 minutes walk from the bottom of the trail, turn right at the main road and it’s the first cafe on the left opposite the number 81 bus stop, it’s called Naibers.
Written January 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

lizwade28
Portsmouth, UK10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2023 • Couples
We parked at Eira do Serrado and, after taking a few photos from the viewpoints, we set off down the cobbled path to Curral das freiras. We had good walking boots and walking poles and we were glad of them. There were people who managed in trainers and even sandals but it would be lethal when wet and the path has washed away in places leaving the rock which can be uneven and the path is steep! Admittedly our knees are not what they once were. We had contemplated walking back up but, although we did see some people doing it, it would have been very strenuous. So, we were glad when we arrived to see that the one bus that returns to Eira do Serrado at 13.40 would be available. Otherwise there are (expensive) taxis. Opposite the bus stop with the timetable is a cafe under new ownership and the owner was extremely helpful in explaining the buses. After checking out the centre of the village, we returned to this cafe for a very enjoyable drink and sandwich and a view of the valley where we could see the bus heading our way. A good day out!
Written September 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Life2Travel
Charlotte, NC1,965 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Couples
This was a stop on our private tour. The approaching road had lots of twists and turns and we were happy not to be navigating it ourselves. From the parking lot, it was a 15 minute walk up some gradual stairs to reach the view point, with lovely views of the village, valley and flowers along the way. This would not be for anyone with mobility issues or a wheelchair. There is a cafe and some tourist shops near the parking lot which was more crowded than the walkway to the viewpoint.
Written September 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Anna
6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022
Absolutely stunning!
If you want to see clouds going through the pass and pouring into valley you are in exact spot. The valley is surrounded by mountains from 4 sides and looks amazing. Plenty of chestnut trees and eucalyptus on the way.
To get here you can take direct bus from Funchal center - it is coursing all day.
Also in the town you can find unique liquors from Madeira that are hard to get anywhere else.
For easy walk I reccomend the way from Eira do Serrado to the bottom of valley.
If you are achiever you can try hike to Pico Ruivio via PR 2 Vereda do Urzal which starts in this valley.
Written November 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nelson
Southport, UK102 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2023 • Couples
Don’t miss the chance to visit the Valley of the Nuns.

We took the 81 bus from the bus station in Funchal up to Eira do Serrado. It cost €3.35 per person (the same on the way down).
The bus journey was an experience in its self. The roads are very narrow with step drops on one side.

Having safely reached the top after a journey of approximately 45 mins, we had a coffee before we started the walk down to the village below.

You do need at the very least a good pair of trainers and preferably walking boots.
The path is well maintained but is very steep in parts.

It took us about 1 hour 15 minutes to reach the bottom.
From there we walked up the hill and had lunch at the first restaurant, which we would highly recommend.

The bus stop to catch the bus back to Funchal, is directly across the road. You can actually see it coming up the hill from the restaurant in time to cross the road.
Written September 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nataliano
Plymouth, UK228 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
Visited with our six and just three year old. We got the 81 bus from outside the Savoy which was an experience in itself think huge chasms either side, cliffs, spectacular scenery and your barrelling up on the bus. You have two choices: stop at Eiro do Serrado and walk down or continue to Curral das Freiras and walk up. We opted to walk down as it was roasting and dragging the smallest up seemed like way too much effort - for us this was the best choice.
You need decent trainers. I did it in converse but one of our little ones wore crocs and it was very slippy in places. It’s safe enough with small children if you keep an eye on them and it’s shaded in many parts - it was roasting that day as well. Took about an hour and a half to walk down into the town and it was lovely.
Saw a few people going up but no small children. You’ll need enough water to get down but you don’t need any special gear I was in a skirt and top and whilst there were serious hikers this trail is doable without special equipment
Written August 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dugan
London, UK231 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021 • Couples
This valley is almost in the centre of the island, surrounded by steep mountains. It is about 20k from Funchal. There are guided tours by minibus and there’s even a public bus from Funchal, but we decided to go by taxi for maximum flexibility.
Our driver stopped at Santo Antonio to let us enjoy a panoramic view of Funchal, then drove us along a narrow and twisting side road to a high lookout point from where we could see the town nestling at the bottom of the valley. There is a hotel there with a cafe but this is not a pLace to stay really. Then we drove back to the main road, went through a 2.8k tunnel and finally got to the town. It’s small but had a good restaurant which also sells the chestnuts grown locally and the liquor made from them. They also had a eucalyptus liquor made from the trees which cling to the steep slopes all around. The main event today was a local wedding, announced with firecrackers which reverberated off the mountains!
The most important thing about this place is its almost impossible and originally inaccessible position, which made it safe for nuns to live and work. They must have had a hard life but modern visitors can just be amazed by the setting, surrounded by huge mountains.
Written August 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

eye c
26 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
Bus number 81 from directly opposite the Savoy Palace Hotel in town, takes you to the top of the Hill ( Eira do serrado) where you start the descent. It cost us 6. 7 euros for 2 each way. There's an obvious viewpoint just above the bus stop and the views are worth the traipse up to it. We spent about 90 mins going down the trail enjoying the flowers and insects and birds but you could easily smash it in an hour. When you get to the road at the bottom make sure you turn right as in the village there is the amazing cafe (Sabores do Curral - Valley Flavours ) opposite the return bus stop.
Cheap day out for us and we loved it.
Written July 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Erez2018
Modiin, Israel289 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023
Nice spot to visit on a clear day. The village in the valley has some good places for eating and some souvenir shops. They offer some nice dishes with chestnuts, and you may visit an old style home of the nuns, fully maintained and authentic, with all the home interiors.
The is a very good viewpoint overlooking the valley from the Estalagem Eira do Serrado Hotel, just turn left before entering the tunnel, on EV6 .

There are several hiking routes you can take if you have the time, all will give a great view of the valley and surrounding peaks
Written February 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Robert W
Brentwood, UK28 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021
This enclosed valley is a must and easily reached from Funchal. Tours do it in half a day, but you can take a bus to the viewpoint (1095m) then either walk down the steep cliff-side to the valley below, or catch the next bus down into the village, where you can get an excellent lunch at very reasonable prices. Recommended!
Written October 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Valley of the Nuns - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)

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