Câmara de Lobos
Câmara de Lobos and its five villages...
Câmara de Lobos is a small fishing village located in the southern part of the island, next to Funchal City.
João Gonçalves Zarco, one of the island´s discoverers, upon disembarking found many sea lions who sought shelter in the coastline´s rocky caves. It was then that the town was christened with the name “Câmara de lobos”, Câmara meaning Municipal chamber and lobos meaning sea lions. Today the sea lion is an endangered species and lives in the Desertas Islands.
Presently, much of the population of Câmara de Lobos still live off fishing.
Try walking down the narrow streets of the port area, and observe the many families with their children running around and playing without a care in the world, women placing fish to dry in the sun, men playing cards and much more…
Estreito de Câmara de Lobos
Estreito de Câmara de Lobos is located above the fishing village of Câmara de Lobos.
You know you have arrived as almost immediately you will find yourself among vast banana plantations and vineyards.
Considered the centre of wine production in the southern area of Madeira Island, Estreito de Câmara de Lobos holds a popular grape harvest festival for several days each year in September. More info...
Curral das Freiras
Blessed with seducing sceneries, Curral das Freiras is a small enchanting village surrounded by steep mountains, where at one point in time was only accessible by foot.
The name “Curral das Freiras” meaning “Nuns Valley” derives from a historical event that occurred back in 1566, when the nuns of the Convent of Santa Clara fled the convent to seek refuge in the valley due to the invasion of French Lutheran Pirates.
Jardim da Serra
Jardim da Serra, a sweet little village known as the “Land of Cherries”.
The most beautiful season to visit is in late March, when all the cherry trees blossom. The popular cherry festival takes place every year in either June or July.
It is known as "Land of Cherries." The most beautiful season to visit this place is in late March, when the cherry blossoms. The great feast of the cherry happens in June or July. Higher up is an amazing viewpoint (Boca da Corrida), which is an excellent place to start a hiking tour.
Quinta Grande
In this small town, which was under the rule of discoverer João Gonçalves Zarco, once lived Jesuit monks, who worked primarily in agriculture. At a certain point in time everything that they owned was confiscated, and they were expelled from the island in 1759.
A beautiful chapel built in 1601, known as the Capela dos Remedios still remains intact. Take a stroll through this parish by foot and witness the beauty of the tiny villages of Vera Cruz, Fontainhas, Aviceiro and Fontes.