Four hours, and Madeira feels brand new. This Nun’s Valleys and Pico Areeiro 4X4 tour mixes steep mountain roads with classic Madeiran viewpoints, plus a hands-on look at Camacha’s wickerwork tradition. I really like the 4X4 ride for how it gets you up high fast, without turning the day into a hike.

You also get a solid mix of places: Curral das Freiras for the Nun Valley history, then the big payoff at Pico Areeiro (1,818 meters) for panoramic views. The one drawback is that the route is steep and the ride can be bumpy, so it’s not a great match if you have back problems or you’re pregnant.

Key highlights at a glance

• Open 4X4 access to Madeira’s mountain roads without needing to drive yourself
• Nun Valley (Curral das Freiras) stop with local history context
• Pico Areeiro viewpoint at 1,818 m with 360-degree panoramic views
• Camacha wickerwork area for insight into a traditional craft industry
• Hotel pickup in Funchal city plus drop-off, keeping the day simple
• Small groups or private options, which helps on narrow roads and viewpoints

Entering Madeira’s Heights From Funchal by Open 4X4

If you picture Madeira as a bunch of pretty lookouts you can reach only by bus schedules and slow roads, this tour gives you a different angle: a direct run up into the mountains. The experience starts with pickup from your Funchal hotel in an open 4X4 (Green Devil Safari runs these tours), so you’re immediately in that climb-and-curve rhythm that makes the island feel so dramatic.

The first thing you’ll notice is how quickly the scenery changes. Funchal’s city feel fades fast as the road tilts upward and you start seeing the coastline and the mountain folds from high above. This is one of those rare short tours where the time-to-view ratio is excellent: you’re not spending half the day commuting.

For me, the value is the mix of scale and variety. You get sweeping heights, a story-driven stop in the nun valley, and then a craft-focused finale in Camacha. It’s not just scenery for scenery’s sake.

Pico dos Barcelos: First Views and the Island’s Road Map

Your driver heads up steep roads toward Pico dos Barcelos, and this is where you get the early “okay, Madeira is serious” moment. From this height, you can take in Funchal, the coastline, and the mountains all at once. Even if you’ve seen photos before, standing back and scanning the island’s shapes helps everything you do later make more sense.

I like this stop because it acts like a map. After a few minutes of looking, you start understanding why roads on Madeira feel like they’re stitched across cliffs. You also get your bearings for the nun valley and the higher viewpoint later.

One practical note: you’ll be in an open vehicle and outside for viewpoint time, so dress for shifting conditions. The tour doesn’t require hiking gear, but comfortable shoes and sunglasses are the smart minimum.

Curral das Freiras: The Nun Valley Stop That Adds Meaning

Next comes Curral das Freiras, the famous Nun Valley. This is where the day turns from “look at this” into “now I get why it matters.” You’ll learn the local history connected to this area, and that context helps you see the valley’s geography as something more than a pretty bowl between mountains.

What I find useful here is how a good guide ties the story to what you’re seeing. The valley’s setting is part of the reason these places became known, and once you have the background, the stop lands differently. You’re not just taking a quick photo and moving on; you’re listening while the view stays right there.

You should also expect a bit of that mountain driving between viewpoints. On Madeira, the roads are narrow and steep enough that the 4X4 matters. It’s what keeps this day from feeling like an endurance test.

Pico Areeiro at 1,818 Meters: The 360-Degree Payoff

Then the tour pushes higher to the top area at 1,818 meters—Madeira’s third-highest point—where you get fantastic 360-degree panoramic views over the island. This is the main reason most people book: the sense of space from above Madeira is hard to fake.

This viewpoint is also a good time to slow down. Stand where you can get the full sweep of sight lines, then rotate your body and scan. You’ll likely see layers: coastline patterns below, ridgelines slicing across the island, and the way valleys fold inward. It’s the kind of view that makes you understand why photographers keep coming back to this island.

There’s also a chance for a small route variation. On at least one day, the guide made an extra stop at a Jesus statue on the east side of the island. That’s not guaranteed from the core route, but it’s a reminder that your guide may add a quick viewpoint detour if time and conditions allow.

Camacha Wickerwork: A Traditional Craft Stop With Real Texture

To finish, you head to Camacha, a wicker-producing area where you’ll learn about the workings of the traditional wickerwork industry. This part is easy to underestimate if you’re only chasing dramatic views, but it’s a smart way to balance the day.

Here’s why it works: the mountains give you the scale, and the craft gives you the human side of Madeira. Wicker isn’t just a souvenir. It’s a local skill passed through generations, tied to how people make useful things with natural materials. Even if you don’t leave with a giant shopping bag, you’ll leave with a better understanding of what you’re looking at when you see Madeiran wicker items.

This final stop also keeps the tour from ending abruptly. You’re not just dropped at a viewpoint and sent away—you wrap up with learning and observation in an area where the craft is part of daily life.

What the 4 Hours Really Feel Like (And What to Bring)

A four-hour tour is short by definition, but on Madeira’s roads that means the schedule is tight. You’ll be in the vehicle for significant stretches, then you’ll get concentrated time at each stop. The upside is you pack in a lot without losing the whole day.

What to bring is simple and practical:

• Comfortable shoes (you’ll be standing at viewpoints)
• Sunglasses (especially with strong light at higher elevations)

The ride is in an open 4X4. That doesn’t mean you need special gear, but it does mean you should be ready for the breeze and for moving around at lookouts. If you’re sensitive to rough roads, sit where you feel most stable and keep your posture comfortable.

Also, one “real world” comfort check: in the kind of day that involves mountain driving, mechanical issues can happen. In one reported case, a jeep broke down mid-route and a replacement vehicle was arranged so the rest of the tour could continue. So if you’re the type who worries about last-minute disruptions, it’s reassuring that the operator can handle a swap without turning the day into a bust.

Price and Value: Why $49 Can Make Sense for This Route

At $49 per person for a roughly 4-hour outing, the value comes from what’s included and what you’re skipping. You’re paying for:

• a friendly local guide (with multiple language options)
• pickup and drop-off in Funchal city
• access to mountain roads in a 4X4, which is the main way to reach these heights efficiently

What you’re not paying for: food and drinks. That’s not a deal-breaker, but it means you should plan to grab something before or after if you want a full meal. Since the tour is only about four hours, it’s usually more practical to treat the day like a viewing and learning session rather than a dining experience.

Where this price starts to feel especially fair is if you’d otherwise need to spend time and energy arranging transport up into the hills. Here, the driving and the timing are handled for you, and you get stops that don’t feel like a quick drive-by.

If you’re staying outside Funchal city, keep an eye on pickup fees. Pickup outside Funchal can cost extra—details are provided by distance zones. If you want this tour but you’re far from central Funchal, it can still work, just factor that cost into your planning.

Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Should Skip It)

This tour is a great fit if you want:

• big viewpoints without committing to a full-day hike
• mountain-road adventure that’s still guided and structured
• a short day with a meaningful add-on, like the history at Curral das Freiras and the craft stop in Camacha

It’s also a good choice if you’re traveling with limited time. Four hours lets you fit it into a busy itinerary, especially if you’re also planning other island stops.

On the other hand, it’s not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems, and pets aren’t allowed. The driving is part of the experience, and the vehicle route is steep enough that comfort and safety come first.

If you want a more personal feel, choose private or small groups (when available). Narrow roads and viewpoint timing make small groups a real advantage—you spend less time waiting and more time looking and listening.

Bottom Line: Should You Book Nun’s Valleys and Pico Areeiro?

I’d book this tour if you want a high-value Madeira day that mixes viewpoints, local story, and traditional craft without turning your vacation into a logistics puzzle. The included Funchal hotel pickup is a big convenience win, and the combination of Curral das Freiras plus the 1,818-meter viewpoint makes the 4 hours feel worth it.

Skip it if you can’t handle steep, bumpy mountain driving, or if you’re traveling with accessibility needs that the open 4X4 route might not support.

FAQ

How long is the Nun’s Valleys and Pico Areeiro 4X4 Tour?

The tour duration is 4 hours.

Where is pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in Funchal city.

Is there an extra cost for pickup outside Funchal?

Yes. Hotels and guest houses outside of Funchal city have additional pickup fees, with costs depending on where you’re starting from.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes a friendly local guide and pickup/drop-off in Funchal city.

Are food and drinks included?

No, food and drinks are not included.

What are the main stops during the tour?

You’ll head up to Pico dos Barcelos, then visit Curral das Freiras, go up toward the top viewpoint at 1,818 meters, and finish in Camacha for the wickerwork industry experience.

How high do you go?

You reach 1,818 meters, which is the third-highest mountain in Madeira.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and sunglasses.

Is the tour suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems?

No. It is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems.

What languages are the guides available in?

The live tour guide is available in Spanish, English, French, German, and Portuguese.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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