Madeira by open-top 4×4 feels like a front-row seat. You rattle along rugged roads, then pause at famous lookouts and the Valley of the Nuns for real mountain atmosphere. I especially like the hotel pickup/drop-off that keeps things simple, and the mix of views + tastings + craft stop so you get more than just scenery.

The main drawback is that mountain weather can cut your visibility, especially around the higher viewpoints. If you’re unlucky with clouds, you may still get the off-road experience, but the big cloud-staring moment at Pico do Arieiro might be limited.

Key highlights worth planning around

• Open-top 4×4 driving on Madeira’s steep, winding roads for a more hands-on day
• Curral das Freiras story stop tied to pirates and the Santa Clara convent
• Pico do Arieiro cloud-view potential (and clear-day views toward Porto Santo)
• Brief but meaningful viewpoint circuit (Pico dos Barcelos, Paredão reforestation, Arieiro)
• Tastings + local craft context (plus a heads-up on how the pastry and wicker stops may work in practice)

Why this open-top 4×4 route is such a good Madeira move

If you want a Madeira day that feels active, not just bus-station hopping, this tour hits the sweet spot. The open-top 4×4 style matters because it changes how you experience the island: you feel the altitude more, you notice the valleys sooner, and you take photos without the usual window glare.

The pacing also works. You’re out for about 4 hours, and it’s built around short, scenic pauses rather than long, repetitive stretches of driving. With a maximum of 16 travelers, you generally get a day that feels more personal than mass-tour chaos.

The tradeoff with open-top vehicles is what you’d expect: wind and weather. Even in decent conditions, it can feel cooler up high. Bring a layer you can stand wearing for a while, because the best looks tend to happen when the vehicle stops.

Pickup and timing: what changes on Wednesday vs Friday

This one has a simple rhythm, but timing depends on the day. You’ll be collected from your hotel in the morning or afternoon depending on whether your departure is Wednesday or Friday.

Two practical things to keep in mind:

• Your exact pickup time matters. If your hotel is outside central Funchal, there can be pickup surcharges (more on that below).
• The day can run slightly differently if the driver is coordinating multiple pickup points. One past booking mentioned a late start, so I’d treat your meeting time as firm but stay flexible.

Also note the tour uses a mobile ticket, so make sure you can access it without hunting for Wi‑Fi at the curb.

Stop 1: Miradouro Pico Dos Barcelos (the 1950 viewpoint over Funchal Bay)

You start with a classic orientation point: Miradouro Pico Dos Barcelos. It dates from 1950 and sits at about 355 meters above sea level, with a panoramic view over Funchal Bay.

Why this stop is useful: it helps you understand what you’re about to drive into. Madeira can feel like one long mountain wall until you see how the town hugs the coastline. This is the moment your brain connects the map to the road.

It’s also a quick one—around 10 minutes—so don’t plan on a long stroll. Your main job here is to frame your photos and get your bearings fast.

Stop 2: Curral das Freiras—nuns, land gifts, and everyday life

Next comes Curral das Freiras, the area tied to the Valley of the Nuns. You get roughly 10 minutes, and entry is listed as free.

This stop has the kind of background that makes the scenery make sense. The story goes that the land was sold to Captain João Gonçalves da Câmara, then passed to his daughters when they entered the Santa Clara convent, also built by him. Later, the nuns’ connection to this isolated valley becomes the backbone of the Valley of the Nuns narrative.

What I like about including this in the route is that it anchors the tour culturally, not just visually. You’re not only chasing lookouts; you’re learning why people stayed here.

Stop 3: Miradouros Do Paredão—small stop, big land-management theme

You’ll then make a shorter photo break at Miradouros do Paredão. The specific area noted is Montado do Paredão, associated with intensive reforestation works.

This is a 5-minute stop, so think of it as a quick reset rather than a destination. Still, it’s a smart one because Madeira’s rugged slopes tell a story about human reshaping and survival—reforestation isn’t just a buzzword here. It’s part of why some areas look the way they do today.

If the weather is poor, this short stop is also practical. You can still get the tour value even when higher viewpoints hide in cloud.

Stop 4: Pico do Arieiro—third-highest peak and the cloud show

Then it’s on to Pico do Arieiro, Madeira’s third-highest peak. You’ll have about 10 minutes here.

The best-case scenario is the reason people come: on many days, you can look down and see clouds sitting below you. The air is fresher up here, and on clear days the sun can be very bright.

There’s also a strong distance bonus when conditions cooperate: it’s possible to see Porto Santo—about 30 miles (around 48 km) to the northeast—on a clear day.

The drawback is obvious: if clouds roll in, Pico do Arieiro can become a foggy wall. One response from the provider (in a posted reply) even mentions cloud problems and that they can’t reliably control the weather. So I’d plan your clothing for quick changes and keep expectations flexible.

Stop 5: Valley of the Nuns—pirates, treasure, and a working valley

The final, longer stop is the Valley of the Nuns (Curral das Freiras). You’ll have about 20 minutes.

Here’s the story you’ll hear: in 1566, nuns fled pirates attacking Funchal and found seclusion in this isolated place. They also brought the convent treasure. Today, the valley is still described as isolated, and the local lifestyle centers on what people grow. Chestnuts are highlighted as a key ingredient in everyday cooking—and yes, that matters because it tells you this is not a staged tourist set.

What you’ll likely want to do during your time here:

• Take a moment to look over the valley before focusing on photos.
• If you’re food-inclined, keep an eye out for chestnut-related flavors during your tastings (the region’s local cooking shows up in the way tours frame the day).

The pastry and wicker stops: what’s included vs what you might pay for

This is where I’d be very clear before you go:

• The tour includes a stop where you can sample Portuguese liqueurs and pastries.
• But there has been a real-world note that pastries may involve paying for items, and that the bakery involved may not be run by the tour operator.
• The tour also describes a wicker factory visit. One posted response states the wicker factory has been closed since 2019.

So what does that mean for you? Treat the tastings and craft element as a bonus that supports the theme of the day, not as a guaranteed add-on you’d build your entire budget around. If you’re picky about getting a specific factory visit, I’d confirm the current status with the operator before you depart.

The vehicle experience: safety, noise, and how to get better photos

With open-top 4×4 tours, you can feel the road in your bones—in a good way. Roads are described as rugged and the route serpentine, so you’ll feel the turns and slopes. The biggest practical factor isn’t comfort; it’s how you position yourself.

A few notes I’d follow based on what people describe:

• Listen for your guide, but don’t expect perfect audio. One booking complained that commentary was hard to hear over the engine. If you can choose where you sit, aim closer to the front or the guide’s side.
• Plan for wind. Even short stops can feel cooler at height.
• Shoes matter. The terrain around viewpoints and brief walk areas can be uneven. I’d wear something with grip and closed toes.

The other reassuring theme from positive experiences is that guides and drivers tend to create a feeling of safety and clear explanations. In particular, names like Nelson, Miguel, Spencer, Hugo, and Juan came up in the provided feedback. If you’re lucky enough to get one of these guides, you can reasonably expect a more talkative, context-heavy ride.

Price and value: is $52.16 for four hours realistic here?

At $52.16 per person for about 4 hours, this tour can feel like a strong value—especially because it includes hotel/port pickup and drop-off and the 4×4 vehicle.

Where value gets tricky is in the extras that can quietly change the final number:

• Pickup outside central zones can add fees. The tour lists €5 per person for several areas (including places like Machico/Santa Cruz/Jardim da Serra/Ponta do Sol/Calheta and more). It lists €10 per person for farther areas (like Porto da Cruz, Santana, Porto Moniz, and others).
• If you’re on a cruise, pickup at the cruise dock has an extra €5 per person.
• Admission tickets for some viewpoints are listed as not included (while Curral das Freiras is free). So you may pay small amounts depending on what’s required at each stop.

So I’d judge the deal like this: you’re mostly paying for transport, access to the scenic drive, and a tight bundle of stops. If you’re already traveling with a tight schedule and want maximum “Madeira texture” in one half day, it can be a smart use of time.

Who this tour suits best (and who should think twice)

This tour is best for you if you:

• Want an active half-day in Madeira, not just a seated sightseeing loop
• Like mountain viewpoints and short photo stops, with the option to learn the story behind the scenery
• Enjoy local food and drink stops, even if the exact tasting setup can vary a bit in practice

It might be less ideal if you:

• Get very motion or noise sensitive (open-top + engine noise can be a factor)
• Have your heart set on the wicker factory specifically being open
• Know you struggle in foggy weather and are coming on a day with a cloudy forecast for the higher peaks

And one more practical fit: this is capped at 16 travelers, so it’s a nice choice for couples, small families, and groups that want a guide-led day without feeling swallowed by the crowd.

Should you book the Nun’s Valley Open 4×4 Tour?

I think you should book it if your goal is a half-day adventure that combines real mountain driving with memorable viewpoints and a valley with a strong historical thread. The best part isn’t any single stop—it’s the way the day moves: coast overview, then valley life, then high-peak cloud potential, and finally the Valley of the Nuns with its isolation-and-survival story.

Book with flexibility though. If weather hides Pico do Arieiro, you can still get value from the lower viewpoints and the Curral das Freiras story stop. And if you care about the craft and pastry stops, send a quick message ahead to confirm what’s operating that day, especially since the wicker factory has been reported closed since 2019.

If you can work around clouds and you’re comfortable with open-air driving, this is a solid way to spend your Madeira time.

FAQ

How long is the Nun’s Valley 4×4 tour?

It lasts about 4 hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

It includes hotel/port pickup and drop-off.

Is pickup included in the price?

For Funchal/port areas, yes. Some pickup areas outside central zones have extra fees, listed in the tour details.

Are there extra fees for pickup in certain areas?

Yes. The tour lists €5 per person for several areas (Santo da Serra, Machico, Santa Cruz, Camacha, Jardim da Serra, Ponta do Sol, Calheta) and €10 per person for other farther areas (including Caniçal, Porto da Cruz, Santana, and more). Cruise dock pickup has an extra €5 per person.

What stops are included?

The route includes viewpoints such as Miradouro Pico Dos Barcelos, Curral das Freiras, Miradouros do Paredão, Pico do Arieiro, and then the Valley of the Nuns.

Are admission tickets included for the viewpoints?

Admission tickets are listed as not included for some stops. Curral das Freiras is listed as free.

Is the tour open-top?

Yes, it’s an open-top 4×4 tour.

How big are the groups?

The tour has a maximum of 16 travelers.

Can children join?

Children must be accompanied by an adult, and most travelers can participate.

What if I need to cancel?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.