Curral das Freiras / Nuns' Valley

Curral das Freiras sits deep in the mountains of Madeira, surrounded on almost every side by steep peaks. The location alone makes the village worth visiting: once you’re down in the valley, you get a completely different perspective on the mountains than from the famous Eira do Serrado viewpoint high above. The village is closely connected to one of Madeira’s best-known stories. According to local tradition, nuns from Funchal’s Santa Clara convent sought refuge in this remote valley during pirate attacks in the 16th century – which is also associated with the name Curral das Freiras, or “Nuns’ Valley”. Today, the area is particularly known for its chestnuts, which you’ll find in everything from cakes and soups to liqueurs, especially around the annual Chestnut Festival in autumn. Take some time to walk through the small centre rather than just driving through. And if you’re exploring this part of Madeira, we’d definitely combine a visit to Curral das Freiras with one of the viewpoints above the valley – seeing the landscape first from above and then standing right in the middle of it gives you a much better sense of just how dramatic this part of the island is.