Curral das Freiras e Monte

Two mountains, two viewpoints, one calm escape. This private half-day tour climbs from Funchal to Pico dos Barcelos and Eira do Serrado, then drops you into the mountain valley of Curral das Freiras. I really like the clear progression from big-bay views to small-village quiet, all in about 3 to 4 hours.

My second favorite part is the payoff in Monte, where you get time around the Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte and its gardens area. One thing to consider, though, is that you’ll do some walking between viewpoints and on footpaths, so comfortable shoes matter.

Key takeaways before you go

• Private group up to 4 means your pace stays flexible and personal.
• Eira do Serrado at 1053 meters gives a strong, high-angle look over Curral das Freiras.
• Valley of the Nuns (Curral das Freiras) is a real break from the road, even if it’s brief.
• Monte’s Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte adds a cultural anchor to the scenery.
• All stops are free for admission, so you can spend your time on seeing rather than paying.
• Guide flexibility can happen. In one case, the guide swapped in Christo Rei viewpoint when the group had already been to Monte.

Half-Day Rhythm: How the Tour Actually Feels in Funchal

This outing is built like a scenic loop with four main pauses, starting at 9:00 am and usually running 3 to 4 hours. You ride in an air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi onboard, and you stay in your own private group (up to 4 people). If you want a plan that feels organized but not rushed, that private setup helps a lot.

The biggest practical point is pacing. Each viewpoint stop is about 30 minutes, so you’ll get just enough time to take photos, walk a bit, and orient yourself. That’s a good fit for sightseeing with minimal stress, as long as you don’t expect long lingering sessions.

You’ll also be dealing with elevation changes. The route climbs from Funchal up to Eira do Serrado, with the viewpoints connected by footpaths, then heads down to the valley and onward to Monte. Plan for some uphill-to-downhill movement, even though it’s still a half-day.

Stop 1, Miradouro Pico dos Barcelos: The Quick Way to Read Funchal

Your first stop is Miradouro Pico dos Barcelos, a viewpoint overlooking the bay of Funchal and the surrounding mountains. You get about 30 minutes, and admission is free. This is one of those places where, within minutes, you start understanding the geography of Madeira.

I like this stop early because it sets the context for everything that follows. From up high, Funchal looks like a patchwork of coast and hills, and you can spot how the mountains shape the coastline. It makes the later stops feel more meaningful, because you can connect the view back to the city.

Practical tip: treat the first stop as your “where am I?” moment. Take your photos, but also spend a little time looking around slowly, since the best views here come from understanding the bay angle rather than just snapping pictures.

Stop 2, Miradouro da Eira do Serrado (1053 m): Curral das Freiras From Above

Next you climb to Miradouro da Eira do Serrado, sitting at 1053 meters. This viewpoint gives you an overview of the parish of Curral das Freiras, again for about 30 minutes with free admission. The view is the point here, and it’s a strong one because you’re looking down at the valley layout.

Access to this viewpoint is via a footpath that leaves from Estalagem Eira do Serrado. That means you are not just stepping out of the car and standing still, even if the time is short. If you have any knee issues or you hate uneven ground, bring good shoes and take your time on the path.

Why this stop is worth it: seeing the village from above gives you a different mental picture than just arriving at the valley. You start to understand why Curral das Freiras feels tucked in, shaped by the mountains around it. It turns a quick visit into something you can actually “read.”

Stop 3, Valley of the Nuns, Curral das Freiras: Small Stops That Add Character

Then you head down into Curral das Freiras, described as a cozy village surrounded by mountains. This pause, often called the Valley of the Nuns, is about 30 minutes and doesn’t cost extra for admission. In this short window, your goal is atmosphere more than an all-day exploration.

What you get here is contrast. You go from a high viewpoint where everything looks arranged and far away, to a village feel where the mountains frame the streets. Even if you don’t plan a deep wander, you can still pick up the mood and see how the valley life differs from Funchal.

A good way to use your time in a place like this is simple: walk a slow loop, find a spot where the buildings meet the mountain backdrop, and take a breather. This stop is short, so you’ll enjoy it most if you focus on the human scale rather than trying to “cover everything.”

Stop 4, Paroquia de Nossa Senhora do Monte: Church Grounds and Gardens Time

The final stop is the parish of Monte, centered on the Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte and the surrounding gardens area. You get about 30 minutes, with free admission noted for this stop as well. This is where the tour adds a different kind of interest, more calm and scenic than panoramic.

Monte is known for its gardens and the church setting, so it works well as a “slow down” finale. Instead of fighting for a perfect angle like at the viewpoints, you can stroll around the church area and take in the atmosphere. It’s a nice counterbalance to the earlier climbing and valley views.

If you’ve already visited Monte before, tell your guide. In one real example, the guide adjusted the plan and took the group to Christo Rei, a viewpoint over Funchal that’s described as worth the trip. That’s not guaranteed every time, but it shows the guide can think on their feet.

Price and Value: What $119.35 Per Group Gets You

The price is $119.35 per group, with space for up to 4 people. If you book with a small group, the cost can work out nicely, because it’s per group not per head. For a full group of four, that’s roughly $29.84 per person at the top end, before you even factor in that all fees and taxes are included.

What makes the value feel real is what’s bundled in: air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi onboard, private transportation, and all fees and taxes. You’re also getting pickup offered, which matters if you don’t want to spend your morning figuring out where to meet and how to get moving fast.

What’s not included is lunch. That’s typical for a half-day, but it changes how you plan the rest of your day. If you have dietary needs, you’ll want to eat either before the 9:00 am start or after the tour ends.

A quick planning note: this tour is often booked about 8 days in advance on average. If you’re traveling in a busier period or you want a specific morning slot, it’s smart to lock it in earlier rather than waiting until the last minute.

What the Private Format Changes for You

A tour for only your group sounds like a small detail, but it affects how the day feels. You’re not sharing the car with strangers who want different things, like extra photo stops or a shorter walk. You also don’t deal with the slow rhythm of waiting for everyone to catch up.

It also makes the schedule easier to manage when the terrain is involved. Since you’re moving between viewpoints and doing footpath access, having a private guide relationship can mean better pacing. You can ask questions as you go, and you can spend your 30 minutes at each stop based on what you personally care about.

And yes, it can lead to small upgrades, like that Christo Rei swap when Monte has already been done. That kind of flexibility is exactly why people like this format.

Timing: How to Get the Most From 3 to 4 Hours

This is not a marathon itinerary. It’s four stops, each around 30 minutes, plus ride time between them. That structure is great if you want a morning or early afternoon plan that still leaves you energy for lunch and other parts of the island.

For the best experience, treat each stop as a mission with one or two priorities. At Pico dos Barcelos, your mission is to get your bearings over Funchal’s bay. At Eira do Serrado, your mission is to locate Curral das Freiras from above, then mentally map it for your later valley walk.

At the Valley of the Nuns, your mission is atmosphere, not checklist tourism. And at Monte, your mission is a calm church and garden visit to close out the day on a gentler note.

Footpaths and Comfort: The One Practical Caution

The tour includes footpath access to the viewpoint at Estalagem Eira do Serrado. You also have a down-to-up geography throughout the route, so you’ll be on your feet more than you might assume from a “half-day” label.

I’d pack for comfort first. Good walking shoes are the obvious call, especially if the ground is uneven or if you’re sensitive to slopes. If you tend to feel rushed walking in tight time windows, take it slow on the footpaths, because 30 minutes goes quickly when you’re moving carefully.

Also, remember that you’re doing this in the morning starting at 9:00 am. Even when it feels mild, you’ll still want water and sun protection, since you’ll be exposed during viewpoint time.

Guide Quality and the Little Differences That Matter

One thing that stood out in a five out of five experience was the guide, described as interesting and accommodating. In plain terms, that means you’re not just seeing points on a map. You’re getting context as you move, and the guide is willing to adjust when it makes sense.

That’s especially useful if your group has already visited one of the places on the standard plan. As mentioned earlier, the Christo Rei viewpoint swap happened when the group had already been to Monte. If you want to maximize value, mention your prior sightseeing early, not at the last minute.

The best guides also help you focus your time. With only 30 minutes per stop, you want guidance on where to stand, what to notice, and how to make the most of the view without overthinking it.

Who This Tour Suits Best

This tour fits best if you want a clear, scenic half-day with a mix of city-to-mountain-to-church atmosphere. It’s ideal for couples and small groups of friends, especially if you prefer a private vehicle and a manageable schedule.

It can also be a strong choice for anyone who wants a simple plan that still feels authentic. Curral das Freiras gives you a real village feeling in a valley setting, and Monte adds the religious and garden element without turning the day into a long museum-style outing.

If you dislike walking at all, this might be challenging because the Eira do Serrado viewpoint is reached via a footpath. If you’re comfortable on uneven ground for short stretches, you’ll likely find the pacing reasonable.

Also, keep in mind there are no excursions on January 1st and December 25th. If you’re traveling around those dates, you’ll need a different plan.

Should You Book Curral das Freiras e Monte?

I’d book this if you like organized sightseeing with real scenery payoffs, without spending the day stuck in transit. The value looks strong because the price is per group, up to 4 people, and the tour includes the car, WiFi, and fees and taxes.

You should especially book if you want three different kinds of experiences in one outing: a bay viewpoint over Funchal, a mountain valley feel in Curral das Freiras, and a calmer church and garden stop in Monte. It’s a tidy way to understand how Madeira’s terrain shapes how people live.

Skip it or think twice if you hate footpaths or you need a very sit-down, low-walking plan. If you’re already set on Monte, still consider going, but ask about alternatives like Christo Rei if your schedule allows.

In short: if you want a half-day that’s scenic, easy to plan, and private, this one is a smart pick.

FAQ

What is the duration of Curral das Freiras e Monte?

The tour takes about 3 to 4 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

It costs $119.35 per group, up to 4 people.

Is pickup offered?

Yes, pickup is offered.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 9:00 am.

Is this tour private?

Yes, it is private. Only your group participates.

Are tickets required for the viewpoints?

Admission tickets are listed as free at each of the stops.

What stops are included?

The tour includes Miradouro Pico dos Barcelos, Miradouro da Eira do Serrado, the Valley of the Nuns in Curral das Freiras, and the Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte area in Monte.

Is lunch included?

No, lunch is not included.

Are there dates when excursions do not run?

Yes. There are no excursions on January 1st and December 25th.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.