When João Gonçalves Zarco, the first donee of Funchal, sailed into the cove at Câmara de Lobos in 1419, he gave it this name because he found a large number of sea lions (lobos marinhos) there.
On his first trip to Madeira in 1950, Winston Churchill, one of the island’s most famous and distinguished visitors, was enchanted by this picturesque bay. The scenery, scattered with skiffs, nets and dried bonito, is typical of the fishermen’s daily life.
The village of Estreito de Câmara de Lobos belongs to the municipality of Câmara de Lobos. It is the largest area of Madeira wine vineyards. It is also here that the entertaining live grape harvests take place in September as part of the Madeira Wine Festival.
But there are other places in the municipality that are well worth visiting.
A little to the west of Cabo Girão, down by the sea at the bottom of about 300 metres of bare, dry rock, is a small fajã (name given to a piece of fertile land formed by a long-ago landslide). Although Fajã dos Padres has only 50 inhabitants, it is an excellent tourist spot offering nautical sports and a local cuisine rich in fish and shellfish. You can get to Fajã dos Padres by sea or by road, though if you go by road you will have to use a panoramic elevator. An unmissable experience!
Curral das Freiras lies in a deep valley. Though the valley looks like a volcanic crater, it is actually just the effect of erosion. This village boasts one of the most impressive landscapes of the island and its breathtaking views are the delight of everyone who goes there. It got its name, which literally means “Nuns’ Pen”, in 1560 as it served as a refuge for nuns from the Santa Clara Convent in Funchal, who were hiding from the French Lutheran pirates.
Don’t leave without trying the local speciality, chestnut liqueur, not to mention the chestnut bread, cake and soup.
Miradouro do Pico da Torre
After leaving Câmara de Lobos on the road to Estreito de Câmara de Lobos, take a right turn to the Pico da Torre Belvedere, where you will find a view of the bay, Câmara de Lobos, São Martinho, Estreito de Câmara de Lobos, Campanário and Cabo Girão.
Miradouro do Cabo Girão
Half way between Estreito de Câmara de Lobos and Quinta Grande is a 580-metre-high promontory called Cabo Girão. It is the highest cape in Europe and the second highest in the world. From here we are rewarded with a vast, amazing panorama from Estreito de Câmara de Lobos to Funchal bay and a spectacular view of the seascape below.
Miradouro da Eira do Serrado
On the way to Curral das Freiras, there is a road off to the right leading to this belvedere. It is 1,095 metres above sea level and affords a stunning view of Curral das Freiras and the surrounding mountains.
Population: 31,614
Bathing areas: Piscinas Salinas (Saltwater Pools) in Câmara de Lobos and Fajã dos Padres Beach