Things to do at Eira do Serrado

Eira do Serrado is a viewpoint, not a hike: a car park and a five-minute paved path deliver the classic view down into the Curral das Freiras cirque, the volcanic amphitheatre locals call the Valley of the Nuns.

It sits around 1,000 metres above sea level, roughly a 25-minute drive from Funchal on the ER107, and is usually cool and often cloudy by mid-morning, so an early visit gives the best odds of a clear view.

There is a small cafe and a miradouro platform; some visitors continue down the steep zigzag path into Curral das Freiras itself, a further 45 minutes to an hour on foot, though most simply drive down instead. The village below is known for chestnuts and chestnut liqueur, sold at roadside stalls year-round.