Curral das Freiras is a valley and a parish of the municipality of Câmara de Lobos, which is hidden among the peaks of the central mountain range of the island of Madeira.
Curral das Freiras - Source
Curral das Freiras - Source
This hidden valley, known as Curral das Freiras, has been described on several occasions as one of the best scenery in the world. This place invites you to enjoy the wonderful views.
During high season there may be less tranquility due to the number of visitors. Generally, there is more movement on Sundays, as that is when there is a market in the streets around the parish church.
The isolation and the difficulties of access made Curral a place of hiding and shelter. In addition to the nuns, the village also sheltered runaway slaves from their masters and outlaw criminals.
For centuries, the trails that cross the mountains of Curral das Freiras served as a gateway to the island's people on their way to Funchal.
Even today the ancient trails persist and are sought after daily by tourists, providing extraordinary experiences on the descent from the top of the mountains to the center of Curral das Freiras, from where you can see the most extraordinary and beautiful panoramic views of Madeira.
Curral das Freiras is part of the municipality of Câmara de Lobos. You can't leave Madeira without filling your lungs with the Flaurissilva Forest, a Wonder Beach in the Forests and Woods category.
Here you will find the Codfish, Caco Cake, Beef Kebab skewer and Chestnut Soup. In 2011, Madeira's finalist dish was the Porto Santo Hunter Rabbit, a neighboring islet that holds one of the 7 Wonders - Beaches of Portugal in the Dune Beaches category, the 9km long sandy beach of Porto Santo beach.
