Camara de Lobos holidays

Camara de Lobos holidays give you postcard-perfect scenes with wooden fishing boats and some of Europe’s tallest cliffs.

Fishermen and sealions

Camara de Lobos is Maderia’s oldest community. Its name stems from the sealions – which were mistaken for wolves – that filled the town when it was first discovered. The sealion mural made from recycled material pays homage to this. There are signs of this place’s fishing culture all around, too, like the colourful wooden boats – which locals call xavelhas – bobbing about in the bay, and sea-themed paintings in the town’s chapel. There are a surprising number of bars and restaurants where you can try the catch of the day and poncha – the fishermen’s favourite tipple that packs a punch. Plus, popular Funchal’s only 10-minutes down the road, so daytrips there are easy.

Sunbathing and snorkelling

If you want a day relaxing by the sea, make a beeline for Viagario Beach. This grey pebble shore stretches out for about 400 metres, and has some smaller shingle patches for sunbathing on, with vistas overlooking the whitewashed houses that climb up the cliffs. If snorkelling and diving’s more your speed, drive 20 minutes to Garajau Beach. It’s part of the Partial Nature Reserve which extends for six miles, and is home to the likes of groupers, giant anemones, manta rays, lizard fish and eels. Plus, boats are not allowed here, so you won’t be disturbed while gliding around in the water.

Clifftop views

The best way to admire the view here is from the top of Cabo Girao. It’s the highest cliff in Europe, so you won’t want to miss your chance to eye-up its panoramic views. There’s a glass floor with a 500-metre drop, where you can walk out and look down to the vineyards and tiered terraces that lie below. If you’d rather stay closer to sea level, the views are still worth getting your camera out for – Winston Churchill liked them so much that they inspired his paintings. You’ll see black basalt cliffs covered in whitewashed houses with terracotta roofs and colourful wooden fishing boats, bobbing about in the Atlantic Ocean.