Eira do Serrado

A balcony looking 800 m straight down into the Curral das Freiras valley.

View down into the deep green valley of Curral das Freiras from Eira do Serrado
Photo: H. Zell · CC BY-SA 3.0

A ten-minute walk up from the car park brings you to a rock platform above the village of Curral das Freiras, ringed by peaks. It is the classic 'nuns' valley' photograph and one of the shortest walks on the island for a view of this size.

What to expect

The path from the car park is cobbled, uphill and shaded, about 400 m long. At the top there is a railed viewpoint at 1,095 m with the whole amphitheatre of the Curral below you and Pico Grande opposite.

There is a hotel, a café and a shop selling chestnut cake and cherry liqueur — both local to the valley below rather than tourist inventions.

Cloud timing

The valley fills with cloud from mid-morning on many days, especially in spring. Early is better, and the light is best before 11am when the sun still reaches the valley floor.

Local tips

  • Drive down into Curral das Freiras afterwards — it is a different place from below.
  • Buy chestnut cake at the top; it is the valley's speciality.

Guided trips here

Bookable tours that include or focus on this spot.

  • Open 4x4 jeep on a mountain track above green Madeiran valleys
    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.

  • Jeep Tour Amazing West to Natural Pools -Full-Day in Madeira
    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.

  • Real Life, Mountains & Sea Cliffs + Lunch + Levada walk - 6 hours in Madeira
    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.

  • Private Full-Day - Comfort 4x4 Tour - NorthWest in Madeira
    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…

  • Madeira PR9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde Self Guided Santana in Madeira
    8 hours Santana 5.0(26)

    Madeira PR9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde Self Guided Santana

    Step into a world of misty mountains, moss-covered paths, and ancient greenery on the unforgettable Caldeirão Verde Levada Walk.

  • Amazing Skywalk, Wine Tasting & 4x4 Adventure + Dolphin Watching in Madeira
    8 hours Madeira 4.9(40)

    Amazing Skywalk, Wine Tasting & 4x4 Adventure + Dolphin Watching

    From Funchal we will go uphill to Boca dos Namorados, with its wonderful landscapes; from this fantastic place, we will see the famous Nun’s Valley and the viewpoint of Eira do Serrado.

Stay nearby

Where to base yourself for this part of the island.

Nearby

Within a short drive, so they combine into one day.

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