High up in the lush mountains of Madeira, Portugal, Eira do Serrado Viewpoint offers a spectacular vantage point with sweeping views of the valley below. Translated to “Nun’s Valley“, it sits at an impressive altitude of 3,592 feet (1,095 meters), with the viewpoint providing a breathtaking experience. It truly making you feel as if you’re standing among the heavens, gazing down on the earthly world below. Eira do Serrado Viewpoint gives a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and an unobstructed look at Curral das Freiras below, a small village nestled deep within the heart of Nuns Valley.
Officially located at Estrada da Eira do Serrado, 9020-156 Funchal, the viewpoint is snuggly tucked back into the mountainous interior of Câmara de Lobos, within the heart of the island of Madeira. While relatively easy to reach, getting to the viewpoint can certainly be a bit of a challenge. It takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour to drive there from the coastline of Funchal – Madeira’s capital city – and the road is quite narrow and winding. One side closely hugs the mountainside while the other is dramatically within inches of dropping into the valley below. In fact, the road goes so high that you may even find yourself driving through the clouds, just as we did. ☁️
However, surprisingly, it wasn’t the roads height that was the most terrifying part, but the road’s narrowness. With just enough space for two vehicles to pass, navigating in opposite directions was nerve-wracking. We nearly experienced a collision when a car coming down the mountain was driving smack dab in the middle of the road and was slow to yield before reaching us. Our guide was not happy. According to him, tour companies will even take large buses up this dicey and narrow road, which is truly horrifying to think about (we were in a small van).
Once you arrive – alive, woo hoo – at the parking lot, reaching the actual viewpoint requires a short and easy uphill walk. The path begins next to the visitor center and slightly winds along the mountainside. It’s a well-maintained, semi-wide stone path, so no “off-road hiking” necessary. While there are a few stairs, they’re mild and manageable. While the walk may be a slight challenge for some, the reward is well worth it, with breathtaking views rarely found elsewhere, especially in the U.S. (with perhaps the exception of Hawaii).
Aside from the viewpoint, there’s a large visitor center with a small bakery, a humongous gift shop, and restrooms… which you must pay to use, which we found is the norm in Portugal. Pro tip: As with many places in Portugal, you can usually use the restroom “for free” if you make a purchase. And if you’re tempted to soak in the epic views for more than a day, you can stay at the Eira do Serrado Hotel & Spa, located right on-site.
Overall, visiting Eira do Serrado Viewpoint was one of my favorite experiences, not just in Madeira but across Portugal, Spain, and the Canary Islands. As someone who loves the mountains, I was in awe at being surrounded by the lush, vividly green, and dramatically high peaks. To be that high up, surrounded by clouds, was truly surreal. And despite a massive fear of heights, I felt completely safe thanks to the secure design of the viewpoint and footpath. If you ever find yourself in the autonomous Portuguese archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean known as Madeira, and you’re seeking epic, cloud-level views, Eira do Serrado delivers in every way.
