Câmara de Lobos

Village in Funchal (Madeira)

CC BY-SA 2.0 / Norbert Reimer

Câmara de Lobos, nestled on Madeira’s south-eastern coast, is a picturesque fishing town perfect for a day trip from Funchal. Known for its vibrant night-time Scabbard fish fishing, the town reflects a robust fishing heritage. Quaint, traditional houses, home to multiple families, huddle together around the cliffs. As the day breaks, fishermen often head to local bars to savor Poncho, a strong local drink. The town offers tourists breathtaking views with its colorful fishing boats on grey pebble beaches, set against some of Europe’s highest cliffs. These views once enthralled Winston Churchill, the town’s most notable resident, inspiring his famous paintings of the area, a legacy cherished by the locals.

Câmara de Lobos, though small, boasts a variety of attractions that can be covered in a short span, including the option to visit the Cabo Girao cliffs. The heart of the town is marked by a pebbled beach where brightly colored fishing boats provide a stunning contrast against the grey stones, making for excellent photographs. The town also features a modest fisherman’s chapel dedicated to Saint Anthony, a historical site where fishermen’s wives prayed for their husbands’ safety at sea. The chapel’s interior narrates Saint Anthony’s life and his seafaring tales. For the adventurous, the Cabo Girao cliffs offer a heart-pounding experience on a glass-bottomed skywalk 500 meters above the ground, presenting a panoramic view of terraced fields and vineyards below. The experience is heightened with a cable car ride down the cliff face. Visitors can also taste the traditional poncho, a robust concoction of lemon, honey, sugar, and Aguardiente, in the town’s bars.

How to get to Câmara de Lobos

Located just 5km west of Funchal, Câmara de Lobos is easily reachable by the regular Rodoeste bus service from Funchal or a short taxi journey, with recommended prior fare agreement.

The Câmara de Lobos appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Funchal (Madeira)!

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