Câmara de Lobos
Câmara de Lobos
Câmara de Lobos, on Madeira’s south coast, was the island’s first settlement: João Gonçalves Zarco stayed here between 1420 and 1424 before Funchal was founded. The harbour is still worked by a fishing fleet, historically known for black scabbardfish, and the painted boats are usually moored in the bay through the middle of the day.
The practical facts
- History
- Câmara de Lobos was the first place settled in Madeira, by navigator João Gonçalves Zarco, between 1420 and 1424. Source: Visit Madeira - Câmara de Lobos · verified 2026-09-15
- Fishing
- The town has long been one of the archipelago's main fishing centres, with a fleet specialised in black scabbardfish (espada). Source: Visit Madeira - Câmara de Lobos · verified 2026-09-15
- Municipality
- The municipality comprises Câmara de Lobos plus the parishes of Curral das Freiras, Estreito de Câmara de Lobos, Jardim da Serra and Quinta Grande. Source: Visit Madeira - Câmara de Lobos · verified 2026-09-15
Sources and last verified
- Visit Madeira - Câmara de Lobos · verified 2026-09-15
- Photographs: João's own, dated by camera file and captioned with the place and month shown. Method and corrections: editorial policy.