True Madeira

Field notes from Madeira, kept by one local.

Câmara de Lobos

Curral das Freiras

A village of red-roofed houses scattered across the floor of a deep green mountain valley, jagged peaks behind
Curral das Freiras, seen from the road above the valley, May 2026
Sharp volcanic mountain peaks rising above the Curral das Freiras valley under a partly clouded sky
The peaks above Curral das Freiras, May 2026
A wooden hiking signpost on a mountain road above the Curral das Freiras valley
A trail signpost on the valley road, Curral das Freiras, May 2026

Curral das Freiras sits in a deep valley in the Câmara de Lobos municipality, hidden enough between the mountains that it is not visible from the sea. The name comes from the nuns of the Santa Clara Convent, who took refuge here in 1566 during a pirate raid on Funchal. The parish’s own church, Nossa Senhora do Livramento, dates to the 19th century.

The Eira do Serrado viewpoint, at 1,095 metres, is the usual first look down into the valley before the road drops in.

The practical facts

Altitude
The Eira do Serrado viewpoint above the valley sits at 1,095 metres. Source: Visit Madeira - Curral das Freiras · verified 2026-09-15
History
The parish is named for nuns of the Santa Clara Convent who sheltered here after a 1566 pirate raid on Funchal. Source: Visit Madeira - Curral das Freiras · verified 2026-09-15
Cost
No admission fee is listed for the village or the viewpoint; both are public road and parish. Source: Visit Madeira - Curral das Freiras · verified 2026-09-15
Municipality
Curral das Freiras is the largest parish of the Câmara de Lobos municipality, area 25.07 km². Source: Visit Madeira - Curral das Freiras · verified 2026-09-15

Trails around Curral das Freiras - Madeira Hiking Compare car hire for this outing - DiscoverCars

Sources and last verified