From Funchal: Valley of the Nuns Day Trip Review – Is it Worth it?
Alright, so you’re thinking about checking out the Valley of the Nuns during your visit to Funchal, huh? This is almost a very popular day trip, and people are drawn to it because, you know, there’s stunning scenery, a somewhat intriguing history, and, really, the chance to step away from the coast. That being said, the real question you have is probably, “Is it, like, actually worth it?” I went ahead and took this tour to give you my, like, honest opinion on the whole shebang.
What is the Valley of the Nuns, Anyway?
The Valley of the Nuns, which is also known as Curral das Freiras, has a past, right? Back in the 16th century, nuns from the Santa Clara convent in Funchal, they found themselves using this rather isolated valley as, sort of, a refuge from pirate attacks. In a way, the tall mountains offered, you know, security. The location of it allowed them to, actually, protect themselves and, so to speak, keep some the loot that the pirates wanted, you know? It’s almost like something from a movie, if you think about it. Today, it is pretty quiet, not with pirates around. That history really gives a sense of, sort of, atmosphere that you do not experience anywhere else in Madeira.
Booking Your Trip: Options to Consider
First thing’s first, is that how do you want to get to the Valley of the Nuns? Well, you have got several, like, routes you could travel, alright? A tour bus is possibly the route that most take. This is, in some respects, simple to do, with lots of, like, choices varying in length and route. You can, very much, rent a car. This provides more, actually, freedom to stop. You might also linger if, as I was saying, that view you’re looking at is pretty attractive. Public transportation does work, too, but it is quite a bit slower, and you need to, maybe, consider the timings carefully. I chose the tour bus since, for my situation, that option made sense.
Tour Bus: Comfort and Knowledge
Picking the tour bus option means you can unwind and, possibly, just absorb all the views. The drivers are, often, well trained, they have quite a lot of experience and so know the roads. This can be a positive thing as a little bit of the route may cause some worry! So, you too, might feel happy just allowing somebody else to perform that task! The tour guides usually know quite a little about the surrounding sites. As I was saying, the views come thick and fast! Tour buses typically pick you up and deliver you back at your accommodation. You, in a way, might like the fact that everything is organised. A driver did perform the navigation. And, in other words, the guide did explain the context. All this really lets you just enjoy everything.
Self-Drive: Freedom, at a Cost
Alright, so if, maybe, you choose to rent a vehicle, bear in mind that a few of Madeira’s roads could be a bit… well, you know, ‘exciting’. Mountain roads? Expect very sharp twists and, very often, dramatic drops! If, arguably, you are quite a comfortable driver, or like your trips to have something a bit different, it does add a unique, sort of, element of freedom. And in fact, if, as I was saying, you see something interesting you get to, as it were, pull right over and stop. Yet that freedom has its downsides. The wear and tear will mostly apply to the driver. So just think before you potentially make that decision. Then you will be fully aware of your possible outcome!
What to Expect On The Trip Itself
Okay, so the day trips pretty much all, by the way, seem to follow a, like, very similar pattern. First, the tours typically feature a couple of stops at scenic overlooks on the route, as you, arguably, begin to climb into the mountains surrounding Funchal. In fact, you would stop at viewpoints that are known for offering, somewhat, exceptional photo opportunities. Later in the day, the real goal tends to become arriving at the valley, looking for, that is, something special in the main settlement (Curral das Freiras).
Eira do Serrado Viewpoint: A Breathtaking Start
Many tours, really, make a pit stop at Eira do Serrado. That place, really, offers you a perspective into the valley that you might want, and even has some photo-worthy views! This point is situated up fairly high. So you also get an encompassing view. The view goes towards the settlement situated down below. In addition to that view point being what it is, the site, really, does have facilities, so you will, arguably, find gift shops and also cafes, for those that like it. In some respects, these may make your experience quite a little bit better. When at that altitude you also have the opportunity of getting a coffee to warm you up before getting back onto that bus.
Curral das Freiras: Exploring the Village
You then arrive at Curral das Freiras itself. It may come as something of a shock once you see how relatively small that settlement is. Nestled amid such big mountains. So, you could find yourself able to, really, easily explore the place on foot within just a couple of hours. The central attraction seems to be the church. Beyond that you could, basically, find little paths running along, or even up, hillsides. People travel through this part because that settlement comes from such a, like, unique historical situation. As I was saying, if it weren’t for nuns avoiding pirate raids that location would never be something worth seeing.
Food and Drink in the Valley of the Nuns
Alright, if you are a bit hungry, Valley of the Nuns offers an opportunity. This means you can taste Madeira specialities. It’s, typically, associated with chestnut dishes. With chestnuts being a locally created crop, you will also, probably, see it highlighted in dishes around there. Chestnut cake can be found easily! If you too want to sample other choices, some, too, will provide the espetada which is quite nice. That typically has big bits of meat being grilled up on skewers. Beyond this one might locate a spot with local wines which do prove to be very tasty.
Souvenir Shopping
Most definitely, like, any tourist hotspot offers shops, right? So if, to be honest, you feel the need to get presents for folks back home, consider there is plenty of opportunity. Some small stores do, like, sell common items. Others though can often have locally created crafts, very often involving those chestnuts again. That being said the choices that you could consider are pretty comparable with other spots across Madeira, in short, there are opportunities to grab a memory of your visit.
Is the Valley of the Nuns Day Trip Worth It? My Honest Opinion
Here is the part you, in a way, came for. Okay, alright so is it actually worth your money? I mean, as I was saying, it all depends on what is interesting to you. In the first place if you like seeing some landscape then this hits very high, in that respect. Those panoramic vistas as you, basically, wind up the roads prove incredible, to be honest. I can confirm. In second place that tiny community, right at the centre of enormous peaks, holds an isolated and a distinct vibe. Having said this I believe those visitors loving bustle probably won’t be keen.
Having had my time doing this that really would then say this. You’re going to, mostly, treasure that adventure given you value these particular components:
- Landscapes that just stand right out.
- Unique historical stories relating back in that territory.
- Getting photographs!
Should you be more thinking around something filled with something very happening, maybe pick some city exploring. Nevertheless. That peace is truly something rare! Experiencing that view by itself, to be honest, validates performing the travel!
The tour I went on? Totally a good use of a day when in Madeira, I guess. Just, right, be mindful of, kind of, what you look to experience while vacationing. Then that memory could genuinely turn quite something. Just like how mine, essentially, became!