Full day Island-wide pickup
West Madeira 4x4 Jeep Safari
Porto Moniz lava pools, Seixal's black sand, the Fanal laurel forest and the Cabo Girão cliff skywalk, in a small open 4x4 with a local driver.
from €55
Check availabilityCurral das Freiras
The nuns' valley: a village at the bottom of an 800 m bowl of rock.
Reached by tunnel or by a spectacular old road, Curral das Freiras sits in a crater-like valley where nuns from Funchal hid from pirates in the 16th century. Chestnuts and cherry liqueur are the local produce.
Getting down there
Twenty-five minutes from Funchal by road. Stop at Eira do Serrado on the way for the view from above, then drive the hairpins to the valley floor.
The village has cafés, a church, a few restaurants and a Sunday-market feel at weekends.
Chestnuts
Chestnut soup, chestnut cake and chestnut liqueur are all made here, and the Festa da Castanha in early November is one of the island's better village festivals.
Local tips
- — Walkers can descend from Eira do Serrado on the old path — about 90 minutes, steep, one way.
Guided trips here
Bookable tours that include or focus on this spot.
5 hours Madeira 5.0(23)Madeira Canyoning Level 2 – Waterfalls & Rappels Adventure
Explore the stunning landscapes of Curral das Freiras on this exciting canyoning adventure.
from €65
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8 hours Madeira 4.9(913)Jeep Tour Amazing West to Natural Pools -Full-Day
On this Jeep tour we have everything; Sea, Mountains, Waterfalls and Natural Pools.
from €65
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6 hours Madeira 5.0(72)Real Life, Mountains & Sea Cliffs + Lunch + Levada walk - 6 hours
My full-day tour around the center of the island was designed for people who would like to feel the “Island daily life” and see the REAL Madeira while immersing in the local culture.
from €385
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8 hours Porto Moniz 5.0(61)Porto Moniz - Private Full-Day - Safari 4x4 Tour - NorthWest
The West tour takes you to the lush northwest, full of cliffs, valleys, forests, mountains, waterfalls and cows! Always far from the beaten track. So many experiences, in just one day.
from €436
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8 hours Madeira 5.0(30)Private Full-Day - Comfort 4x4 Tour - NorthWest
The West tour takes you to the lush northwest, full of cliffs, valleys, forests, mountains, waterfalls and cows! So many experiences, in just one day: Ancient roads, Levada or walk at Fanal Forest, Swimming and Incredible landscap…
from €425
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Stay nearby
Where to base yourself for this part of the island.
Avenida do Infante, Funchal
Palace Vista · Luxury 2BR opposite Savoy Palace
Three private balconies, steps from the seafront
4 guests 2 bedrooms
€275 / night
View stay
Santa Luzia, Funchal
Funchal modern 3 bedroom bay view apartment
Large balcony with a full Funchal bay view
6 guests 3 bedrooms
€125 / night
View stayNearby
Within a short drive, so they combine into one day.
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