Câmara de Lobos
Madeira Island

Last update: August 2023

Regions of Portugal

Autonomous Region of Madeira

Second most important town in Madeira

Paradise for your vacation - "Despite having a small area, Madeira is rich in majestic scenery and rare beauty" [Visit Portugal].


Vista de Câmara de Losbos, Ilha da Madeira, Portugal © Visit Madeira, ilustração
View of Câmara de Losbos, Madeira Island, Portugal © Visit Madeira, illustration



Câmara de Lobos Bay

Câmara de Lobos is a fishing town on Madeira Island, famous for its seal seals and the statue of Winston Churchill seated, to celebrate the fact that he spent a season and painted Câmara de Lobos in the 1950's.

As time went by, the seal seals took refuge in the Deserted Islands, but, in addition to a large mural-sculpture, created by Bordalo II with waste found at the bottom of the sea, which honors the seal wolves, became known as Câmara de Lobos.

The city, seat of the municipality of the same name, is located on a hillside in the middle of a bay of great beauty. With just over 32,000 inhabitants (INE, 2021), the municipality had a drop in the resident population of almost 10% compared to 2011.

As for the statue of the former English Prime Minister, he is still sitting there, immortalized, painting the bay of Câmara de Lobos, on the sidewalk of Pestana Churchill Bay, Pestana Hotel's new inn in the locality.


Fishing Port

The xavelhas - fishing boats - are standing there in the waters of the bay. when they come back from the sea, in addition to black scabbardfish, sea bass and octopus, many other fish delight lovers of good food in Câmara de Lobos. Fishing is one of the main activities of the municipality, mainly the black scabbardfish from Madeira.


A bit of history

"Câmara de Lobos, located on the south coast of Madeira Island, was the first town inhabited by João Gonçalves Zarco, the navigator who discovered this “pearl of the Atlantic”.
Having stayed there between 1420 and 1424, this was the first settlement created in Madeira, elevated to parish in 1430. Its historical legacy is therefore very relevant" [Visit Madeira].


Madeira Wine

The municipality - more precisely in the parish of the Estreito de Câmara de Lobos - is responsible for more than half of the production of vines for the elaboration of the famous Madeira Wine.


Poios ou socalcos onde são cultivadas as vinhas, Ilha da Madeira, Portugal © Pedro Simões/CC, ilustração
Poios or terraces where vines are grown, Madeira Island, Portugal © Pedro Simões/CC, illustration



Madeira Bananas

The municipality of Câmara de Lobos is still the most important producer of bananas from Madeira Island.


What to see in Câmara de Lobos

In addition to the charms of the beautiful Câmara de Lobos bay, see the main attractions tourist attractions linked to historical heritage, take a tour or a walk to discover the exuberant nature of the island, participate in a party or cultural event.

There will be plenty of reasons to spend a pleasant stay in Câmara de Lobos.

Find out more: What to see in Câmara de Lobos

Tourist attractions

There are many tourist attractions in Câmara de Lobos, starting with its valuable historic heritage. Its incredible bay has great relevance in the history of the discovery of Madeira by Zarco at the beginning of the 15th century.

"In this region, several monuments remain that refer to this historical period, from the chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, founded in the 15th century, to the former convent of São Bernardino, from 1425, passing by the São Sebastião church, built in the 16th century" [Visit Madeira].


What to do in Câmara de Lobos

There are several options for active holidays Câmara de Lobos: walks, visits, trails, excursions and the sea. Check out some recommended activities below.


Câmara de Lobos Bay, Madeira Island, Portugal © Andy Hawkins/CC, illustration
Câmara de Lobos Bay, Madeira Island, Portugal © Andy Hawkins/CC, illustration



Where to eat in Câmara de Lobos

Plenty of restaurants, bars and cafes to allow visitors to enjoy the delights of the Madeira cuisine. For a snack or for a more elaborate meal, there will be plenty of occasions to taste the flavors of Madeira in Câmara de Lobos.

Find out more: Where to eat in Câmara de Lobos




Where to stay in Câmara de Lobos

There are several options for staying in Câmara de Lobos: hotels, inns, accommodation in the house of inhabitants, rent per season. It's good to be informed in advance to have enough time and ensure the chosen accommodation formula.


Gastronomy

Lovers of good food will have many opportunities to taste the typical snacks and specialties of the varied and traditional cuisine of Madeira.

Find out more: Madeira Cuisine


Some distances

Madeira Island is located about 685 km from the coast of Africa (closer to Morocco), 973 km from Lisbon, 520 km from the island of Gran Canaria, and 891 km from the island of Santa Maria, the closest to the Azores archipelago.


Landscape of Madeira, Portugal Guide
Madeira Island, Portugal © Images of Portugal



Nice weather

Temperatures in Madeira hover around 20°C most of the year. Including the water temperature sea is 26°C in summer (17°C in winter).





Top Cities

Greater Lisbon

In addition to the largest urban agglomeration in the country (Lisbon), Sintra, Cascais, Loures, Almada and Oeiras complete the podium of the Top 5 largest cities in Portugal.

Greater Porto

In the north of the country, in Greater Porto, other important cities are Vila Nova de Gaia, Braga, Matosinhos, Gondomar and Guimarães.

Learn more

Main cities


+ Portugal

Guide to Portugal

Sports

Travel around Portugal

Travel

Tips for visitors

Travel Tips

Guide to Wines of Portugal
Portuguese Cooking Guide
Guide Lisbon
Olive oil from Portugal
Guide to Algarve
Guíde to Porto