Historic landmarks
Main monuments, best viewpoints, and what’s worth your time in Câmara de Lobos.
Private Transfers in Câmara de Lobos — Airport & Day Trips
Private and reliable transfers in Câmara de Lobos – airport, hotel, business travel and day trips across Portugal.
Explore the best of Câmara de Lobos
Câmara de Lobos is in the Madeira region of Portugal.
Weather
20°C
Partly cloudy
Lisbon time 21:44 • 22 Oct 2026
Nearest airport
FNC
19 km
Madeira Airport
Region
Madeira
Portugal
Population
32,162
Residents
Overview
Plan your visit: the sights of Câmara de Lobos, what to eat and where to stay.
Landmarks · Cuisine · Hotels
Delicious cuisine
What to eat, where locals go, and quick “must-try” food in Câmara de Lobos.
Hotels & stays
Book the right stay in Câmara de Lobos: best areas, smart picks, and options for every budget.
Fishing harbour
A small bay full of brightly painted fishing boats, with bars and the old fishermen's quarter around it.
Churchill viewpoint
The spot above the harbour where Winston Churchill painted the bay during his 1950 stay in Madeira.
Pico da Torre viewpoint
A hilltop viewpoint above town with a sweeping view over the bay, Funchal and Cabo Girão.
Cabo Girão skywalk
A glass-floored platform at the top of a sea cliff almost 580 metres high, one of the highest in Europe.
Fajã dos Padres
A strip of fertile land at the foot of the cliffs, reached by cable car, with orchards, a pebble beach and a restaurant.
Curral das Freiras
A village at the bottom of a deep valley ringed by mountains, known for chestnuts and spectacular viewpoints.
Espada with banana
Fillets of black scabbardfish, landed in Câmara de Lobos, fried and served with banana.
Espetada
Chunks of beef with garlic and salt grilled on a bay laurel skewer over embers.
Poncha
Sugar cane rum, honey and lemon juice stirred with a wooden stick, the drink of Câmara de Lobos.
Bolo do caco
Round flatbread baked on a stone slab and served warm with garlic butter.
Câmara de Lobos travel guide & FAQ
Câmara de Lobos travel guide
Câmara de Lobos is a small fishing town on a bay just west of Funchal. Brightly painted boats line the harbour, and fishermen still bring in black scabbardfish caught in deep water at night. Winston Churchill painted the bay in 1950, and the town is the birthplace of poncha, Madeira's famous drink.
What to see
Wander around the fishing harbour and the old streets behind it. Enjoy the view of the bay from the Churchill viewpoint, where he set up his easel, and from Pico da Torre above town. Step onto the glass floor of the Cabo Girão skywalk, almost 580 metres above the sea. Take the cable car down to Fajã dos Padres, a strip of land with tropical fruit orchards at the foot of the cliffs, and drive into the mountains to Curral das Freiras, a village deep in a valley surrounded by peaks.
What to eat
Order espada (black scabbardfish) with banana, beef espetada on a bay laurel skewer and warm bolo do caco with garlic butter. Finish in a small bar with a glass of poncha, made with sugar cane rum, honey and lemon.
Nearby
Funchal is 10 minutes away and Ribeira Brava about 20 minutes west.
Getting there
Câmara de Lobos is about 25 km from Madeira Airport, around 25 minutes by taxi, and 10 minutes from Funchal by taxi or local bus. To explore the island, renting a car or booking a local tour works best.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers, so you can book with confidence.
About 580 metres, one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe, with a glass-floored skywalk at the top.
Madeira's traditional drink, made with sugar cane rum, honey and lemon juice, said to have been born in Câmara de Lobos.
By a cable car down the cliff, west of Câmara de Lobos; it is a good place for lunch by the sea.
About 25 km, around 25 minutes by taxi.
Map of Câmara de Lobos
Highlights
- Traditional fishing town on Madeira’s south coast
- Natural volcanic bay with active fishing harbor
- One of the earliest settled areas of Madeira
- Strong maritime and local cultural identity
- Associated with Winston Churchill’s visits and paintings
- Easy access from Funchal by road or public transport
Private transfers in Câmara de Lobos
- ✓ Fixed price · no surprises
- ✓ Up to 90 min airport waiting included
- ✓ Professional licensed driver
Getting to Câmara de Lobos
Câmara de Lobos sits about 19 km from Madeira Airport, roughly 15 minutes by road. Public transport often means changes and waiting, and may leave you a walk from where you want to be. A private transfer takes you door-to-door, with a fixed price and no connections — from €23 from Madeira Airport.
Events in Câmara de Lobos
Upcoming festivals, exhibitions and cultural events in Câmara de Lobos, with dates and venues. Information is updated regularly from official tourism sources.
Festa da Castanha de Curral das Freiras
Festa da Castanha de Curral das Freiras runs from 31 October to 1 November 2026 at Curral das Freiras - Câmara de Lobos - Ilha da Madeira in Câmara de Lobos.
Held in the mountain village of Curral das Freiras, this chestnut festival organized by the local Casa do Povo showcases one of Madeira's key autumn harvests. Visitors can sample roasted chestnuts, liqueurs, cakes, and other chestnut-based treats. The event also coincides with All Saints' Day, a time when local children traditionally go door to door sharing chestnuts and sweets.
Venue: Curral das Freiras - Câmara de Lobos - Ilha da Madeira · Official website