Curral das Freiras is a village in Madeira nestled at the bottom of a deep valley, surrounded by high peaks in the center of the island. We love this unique place for its spectacular viewpoints, its history tied to the nuns of the Convento de Santa Clara, and its chestnuts, the great local specialty.
Here is our guide to the must-see sights in the village of Curral das Freiras on Madeira, along with helpful tips for planning your visit.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
Is the village of Curral das Freiras worth a visit?
Yes, the village of Curral das Freiras is worth a visit. In our opinion, few places in Madeira showcase the island’s mountainous terrain as well as this one. We also appreciate its rural atmosphere, its chestnuts, and its two lookout points, which offer very different views of the valley.
If you don’t have a car, you can also explore Curral das Freiras on an organized tour.
1. Eira do Serrado Viewpoint
Perched at an elevation of 1,095 meters, the Miradouro Eira do Serrado is the most famous viewpoint in Curral das Freiras. From the observation deck, you can take in the entire village at the bottom of the valley and the steep cliffs surrounding it in a single glance. We recommend arriving early to enjoy the peaceful setting, then grabbing a coffee at the nearby café. In our opinion, the view alone explains why the nuns of Santa Clara chose this location: the village remains hidden from view from the sea. It’s one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Madeira.
- Opening hours: free access
- Price: free of charge
- Paved road to the parking lot; café next to the lookout point
- Starting point of the trail that descends to the village: a 1- to 1.5-hour walk
- To photograph the village in the sunlight, aim for midday: the mountain peaks allow the valley floor to be illuminated for only a few hours a day
Right next to the lookout point, you’ll find a store and some restaurants. It’s the perfect place to take a break and enjoy an incredible view!
WHERE TO STAY IN Madeira
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
2. Paredão Lookout
Located at an altitude of about 1,500 meters on the road connecting Curral das Freiras to Pico do Areeiro, the Miradouro do Paredão consists of two areas. The first overlooks the valley and the village, while the second offers views of Funchal and the Atlantic Ocean, with the Desertas Islands visible on the horizon on clear days.
We like it because it’s less crowded than Eira do Serrado. You’ll find it right after the tunnel as you leave the village. We recommend hiking up there in the afternoon, since fog often blankets the higher elevations in the morning.
- Opening hours: free access
- Price: free of charge
- Small parking lot on site
- Part of the observation deck is accessible to people with limited mobility
- Be sure to bring a jacket—it’s noticeably cooler at this altitude
- Please note that the road between this viewpoint and Pico do Arieiro is not always open.
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING YOUR CAR AT Madeira
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Take a car with a good engine for hilly roads, but not too big for manoeuvring.
- There’s plenty of demand and few cars, so book early.
3. Explore the village in the heart of the valley
Curral das Freiras has a population of about 2,000 spread over 25 km². Its name, “Valley of the Nuns,” recalls that in 1566 the nuns from the Convento de Santa Clara in Funchal took refuge there to escape the French pirates who were plundering the city.
You’ll notice the chestnut trees that cover the valley—the backbone of the local economy. We recommend ending your walk at the small square near the church, where the locals gather.
- Parking near the church and downtown restaurants
- Steep streets: be sure to wear sturdy shoes
- The village stays cooler than the coast, even in summer
4. Church of Our Lady of Deliverance
The Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Livramento is the only historic landmark in Curral das Freiras. It dates from the early 19th century. In 1790, Queen Maria I of Portugal made the village an independent parish, but the old Chapel of Santo António was too dilapidated to serve as a parish church. We invite you to take a look at the high altar and the side altars dedicated to Our Lady of Livramento and the Sacred Heart, which were added in the early 20th century.
5. Sample local specialties
Chestnuts are the specialty of Curral das Freiras. They grow throughout the valley and are used in both savory dishes and desserts: soup, cake, pudding, and even liqueur. The Sabores do Curral Restaurant is the village’s most renowned spot to try them. It’s particularly known for its roasted chestnuts drizzled with mel de cana, a sugarcane syrup. We also recommend the ginja, a sweet cherry liqueur.
OUR FAVORITE ACTIVITIES IN Madeira
Catamaran tour to see dolphins and Madeira’s giant cliffs. – View the schedule and availability—and make a reservation!
Canyoning among the rocks! – View options and availability
Gastronomic tour to discover local specialties – View options and availability
6. Madeira Immersive Experiences
Opening in August 2024 in the village center, Madeira Experiências Imersivas (MEI) offers visitors the chance to explore the island through virtual reality. Highlights include the Madeira VR Experience, the Madeira Paragliding Experience, and the Madeira Ocean Odyssey. In the paragliding simulation, you’ll soar over waterfalls and forests from a moving seat. The fully immersive journey takes place on foot—with a headset and backpack—all the way back to the Ice Age.
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Visit the official website for more info here.
It’s time to book!
Compare everything: companies, prices, schedules and availability.
7. Hiking
You can also take this opportunity to go hiking around the valley.
The best-known trail runs between the lookout point and the village.
From the Miradouro Eira do Serrado, a trail winds down to the heart of Curral das Freiras. It follows the old path that once connected the village to the rest of the island.
Allow 1 to 1.5 hours for the walk at a leisurely pace, taking the time to stop for photos. This route gradually reveals the valley and the village below. Once you arrive, you can take the local bus back to the lookout point parking lot. We recommend this option if you don’t want to walk back up.
8. The Chestnut Museum
Housed in a traditional village home, this small museum traces the history of chestnuts in Curral das Freiras and displays the tools used for harvesting them. Admission is 1€, cash only.
- Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- More information on the official website here
9. The Poço dos Chefes
This natural pool, surrounded by large rocks and steep cliffs, is located very close to the village bus stop. Depending on the season, it is either filled with water or dry.
How to Get to Curral das Freiras + Parking
Where is Curral das Freiras?
- In the center of the island of Madeira, in the municipality of Câmara de Lobos
- Funchal to Curral das Freiras: about a 30-minute drive
- Câmara de Lobos to Curral das Freiras: 29 km
- Here is a map to help you find your way:
How to get there
- By car, the mountain road from Funchal winds through a series of sharp turns. A tunnel now replaces part of the old mountain pass road, which had become dangerous due to rockfalls.
- Buses run from Funchal to Curral das Freiras in about 45 minutes (line [to be specified]). A local bus also runs from the village up to the Eira do Serrado parking lot, which is convenient if you’re hiking down.
- If you don’t want to drive, you can also explore the valley on an organized tour—see the schedule and availability.
Parking at Curral das Freiras
You’ll find parking spots near the church and the restaurants in the town center. The Miradouro Eira do Serrado has its own parking lot, while the Miradouro do Paredão offers only a small parking lot.
Helpful Tips for Visiting Curral das Freiras
How long and when?
Allow half a day for the two lookout points and the village, or a full day if you include the trail from Eira do Serrado to Pico do Areeiro. In November, the Festa da Castanha celebrates chestnuts with soups, cakes, liqueurs, music, and dancing. On the last Sunday in August, the festival of Nossa Senhora do Livramento also brings the village to life.
Visiting with Children
Curral das Freiras is a great place to visit with the family. Younger visitors will enjoy the Madeira Experiências Imersivas and its virtual reality flight simulations. Tasting roasted chestnuts and exploring the small Museu da Castanha, dedicated to harvesting tools, will also spark their curiosity. Depending on the season, you can take a dip at the Poço dos Chefes. Finally, we recommend keeping children close by at the lookout points, which overlook the drop-off.
Visiting Curral das Freiras in Winter
In winter, the village’s elevation and sheltered location make it cooler than the coast. Fog often blankets the lookout points in the morning: we recommend visiting them around midday and bringing a warm jacket. This season is perfect for enjoying a bowl of chestnut soup in the village.
Restaurants
We haven’t tried the restaurants in Curral das Freiras yet.
But on our list is the Sabores do Curral Restaurant, known for its chestnut-based dishes.
PLAN YOUR STAY IN Madeira
Practical advice
Getting around Madeira
Rent a car in Madeira
Driving in Madeira
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