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Visit to Pico do Areeiro, Curral das Freiras and Ponta de São Lourenço

Would you like to be in the clouds, to discover a secluded village and admire beautiful landscapes? Great! In this article you’ll discover Pico do Areeiro, the third highest peak in Madeira archipelago, Curral das Freiras village and several viewpoints that will show you some amazing landscapes.

The places that I’ll talk about throughout this article are the ones I visited on my second day in Madeira. Here I’ll show you the incredible places you must visit and you should follow this order so that you can go to all of them.

Also, throughout the article, I’ll give you tips about each of these places – this way you can better prepare your trip to the pearl of the Atlantic.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning i get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read my disclosure for more info.

Curral das Freiras

Curral das Freiras was a secluded village up until 1959, then a road was built in the rocky mountains in order to get to and out of the village.

Many years ago this village was known as Curral da Serra due to its location (deep down the volcanic mountains).

Since 1566 the village is known as Curral das Freiras. This was the year when the nuns escaped pirates led by the French captain Peyrot Monluc. The pirates looted Santa Clara Convent so the nuns found a safe haven in that secluded village.

Enjoy this visit as you discover the small church and don’t forget! Look up and admire the beautiful mountains surrounding this place. Don’t miss the opportunity to taste the local delicacies: chestnut soup and sour cherry liqueur.

Information: since 2004, the access to the village is easier because of a 2-km tunnel that was built nearby. This way people could avoid the old road that was closed for some time because of constant rock fall.

  • Location: Estrada Cónego Camacho
  • GPS: N 32 43.228 W 16 57.958

Eira do Serrado Viewpoint

Eira do Serrado viewpoint is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Madeira. From here you can admire 6 majestic mountains and, at the foothill, you’ll find Curral das Freiras village.

To get to this beautiful viewpoint you should drive along the road located to the right (“Eira do Serrado” sign), right after the tunnel of Curral das Freiras.

This 2-km route is made of a winding and narrow road. Be careful with other cars and especially tourist buses coming in the opposite direction. It was an adventure right after the first turn.

My suggestion is that you drive slowly and look ahead for other cars/buses coming in the opposite direction.

Next to the parking lot you’ll find a hotel / restaurant and a souvenir shop. You’ll have to climb 100 steps located behind the hotel to get to the amazing Eira do Serrado Viewpoint.

Information: from the parking lot you can go along a walking route that will take you to Curral das Freiras.

  • GPS : N 32 42.629 W 16 57.736

Pico do Areeiro

Pico do Areeiro is the third highest peak in Madeira island (1818 m) and it is one of the places you must go to if you want to admire the most beautiful landscapes.

In sunny days, with a clear sky, you can admire the view over Curral das Freiras, the two highest peaks in the island, Pico das Torres and Pico Ruivo and the beautiful Ponta de São Lourenço.

One of the advantages of Pico do Areeiro is that it is easy to drive there contrary to the other two points. There, you’ll find a parking lot, a bar and a souvenir shop.

Before you visit this amazing place, check this webcam so you can avoid cloudy and rainy days. With this help, you’ll know when tho go there and admire the incredible landscape.

For lovers of hiking, know that at Pico do Areeiro begins one of the most beautiful walking routes in Madeira. The route is 7 km long and connects Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo (1862 m), the highest peak in Madeira.

It is a difficult route, recommended for people who do a lot of walking and who don’t have vertigo. As it is a difficult and in part dangerous route, I suggest you go on this walk accompanied by an experienced guide to live this experience in a safe and informed way.

You should take warm clothes during your visit to Pico do Areeiro, because, sometimes, the temperature goes down to 0 ºC. When I left Funchal and went to Pico do Areeiro it was 15 ºC and every time I climbed a few metres the temperature went down until it got to 2 ºC at the top.

Information: if you’re going to Pico do Areeiro from Eira do Serrado viewpoint (that’s my advice), there’s a road you can take which is opened from 9h to 19h, 500 metres to the left, before the crossroads near Curral das Freiras tunnel. If you take this road, then you don’t need to go back to Funchal, saving this way a 20-km drive.

  • GPS: N 32 44.097 W 16 55.720

Balcões Viewpoint

The splendid Balcões viewpoint is located in Ribeiro Frio, 10 km from Pico do Areeiro. In clear blue sky days, you’ll have the opportunity to admire the mountain range of Madeira, Pico do Areeiro, Pico Ruivo and Penha d’Águia.

To visit this viewpoint you’ll have to go on a 1.5 km hike, along a levada route.

Being an easy route, it is possible that you’ll find many people along the way and maybe you’ll have a hard time parking your car. The best thing to do is to continue another 600 metres and park next to the second walking route that will take you to the viewpoint.

Even though it is an easy walking route, don’t take high heels, moccassins or sandals. There are several mud puddles along the way (there were, in March).

Why did I remember this? Well, I saw a group of tourists in the walking route with wedding shoes. It was funny to see how they were doing.

Information: there, you’ll find restaurants and souvenir shops.

  • Location: Ribeiro Frio
  • GPS: N 32 44.133 W 16 53.179

Fortim do Faial Viewpoint

This place was built in the 18th century to keep an eye on the invaders and now it is a beautiful viewpoint, where people can enjoy the views over the sea and the surrounding mountains.

  • GPS: N 32 47.505 W 16 51.337

Guindaste Viewpoint

Guindaste viewpoint is located 2 km from Fortim do Faial Viewpoint, and it presents a beautiful view over the ocean, the amazing Ponta de São Lourenço and, in sunny days, you can even gaze at Porto Santo island.

  • GPS: N 32 47.638 W 16 50.968

Ponta de São Lourenço

Located east of the island, Ponta de São Lourenço is an exceptional place and you’ll feel like visiting another island because of the different landscapes, comparing to the rest of Madeira island.

Madeira island is known for its lush vegetation but when you visit Ponta de São Lourenço you’ll discover a barren area where you won’t see any trees, except for some palm trees.

Begin your visit in Ponta do Rosto viewpoint where you can admire this wonderful landscape:

  • GPS: N 32 44.955 W 16 42.407

Afterwards, you should go south where you can hike in one of the most beautiful walking routes in Madeira. It’s a 2h30 walk (8 km total).

Ponta de Sao Lourenco - Madeira

  • GPS: N 32 44.594 W 16 42.061

On your way back, stop in Prainha and enjoy this beautiful black sand beach.

  • GPS: N 32 44.637 W 16 43.027

Information: do you want to start the day with a walk that will take you to the eastern end of Madeira? If that’s the case, don’t waste any more time and book a walk with an experienced guide to Ponta de São Lourenço ! Discover during this tour one of the most popular points of interest on the island and be dazzled by the unique landscape and the fauna and flora that you will find here.

Cristo Rei Viewpoint

Cristo Rei viewpoint is located in Garajau, 10 km from Funchal. Here you’ll find the statue of Christ the King, inaugurated in 1927, and, of course, the most amazing view over the sea and part of Funchal bay.

Don’t hesitate in going down the narrow path left of the statue to get to Ponta do Garajau.

If you want, you can also go to Garajau beach – you just need to take the cable car (it was inaugurated in 2007).

  • Location: Estrada Nova de Cristo Rei
  • GPS: N 32 38.421 W 16 51.083

Summing up

It won’t be difficult for you to go to all of these places in one day, even if you hike along the walking routes of Balcões viewpoint and Ponta de São Lourenço.

However, if you want to do Pico do Areeiro walking route to Pico Ruivo and the one of Ponta de São Lourenço, you’ll find it hard to visit all the places I’ve mentioned above. The best thing to do is to leave Pico do Areeiro walking route for another day.

If you still want to do Pico do Areeiro walking route during your stay, then you should visit these places starting from the end and then visit Balcões Viewpoint and from there to Eira do Serrado Viewpoint.

Check here to find out how was my third day in Madeira – visit Câmara de Lobos, Cabo Girão and Fajã dos Padres.

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