Watch live cameras from Câmara de Lobos, the charming fishing village immortalized by Winston Churchill, with traditional boats and stunning coastal views.
View of the picturesque fishing harbour with its traditional colourful boats, the same scenery that inspired Winston Churchill to paint here in the 1950s.
View WebcamCâmara de Lobos is a picturesque fishing village located southwest of Funchal, famous for its traditional colorful boats and rich maritime heritage. The name "Câmara de Lobos" (Chamber of Wolves/Seals) derives from the monk seals that early settlers found in the area.
The village gained international fame when Sir Winston Churchill visited it in the 1950s and painted several watercolours of the harbour and surrounding landscape. Today, Câmara de Lobos maintains its traditional character whilst offering excellent fresh fish restaurants, especially the famous Madeiran "espetada" and black scabbardfish.
The sheltered bay once harboured dozens of xavelhas—traditional fishing skiffs with high prows built to cut Atlantic swell. Families painted each hull in bright blues and reds so they could identify their crew from the cliffs above.
When Winston Churchill arrived in 1950 he set up his easel on the cliff-top belvedere and immortalised the village. The municipality still preserves the cobbled lanes and seafront taverns, and public art trails recount the era of whalers and tuna fleets.
Câmara de Lobos gained worldwide fame when Sir Winston Churchill, during his three visits to Madeira (1950, 1956, and 1958), chose this picturesque fishing village as a subject for his paintings. The future British Prime Minister, known for his passion for painting, immortalized the colorful bay of Câmara de Lobos in several canvases, capturing the authentic essence of Madeiran maritime life. Our HD webcam, positioned in the same location where Churchill set up his easel, offers visitors today the exact perspective that inspired the statesman-artist. The viewpoint where he painted, now known as "Miradouro Churchill," maintains a commemorative plaque and reproductions of his works, allowing visitors to compare the current view with Churchill's artistic interpretation from over 60 years ago.
Churchill's connection to Câmara de Lobos transcended simple artistic admiration, becoming a deep personal affection for the fishing community. During his stays at Reid's Palace Hotel in Funchal, Churchill insisted on traveling daily to the village to paint and mingle with local fishermen. His works captured not only the scenic beauty but also the industrious spirit and daily life of this 20th-century community. Our webcam allows us today to observe how the village's essence remains unchanged: colorful boats continue to dot the bay, traditional houses remain nestled in the slopes, and fishermen preserve their ancestral traditions. Churchill described Câmara de Lobos as "one of the most beautiful places I have ever painted," and the real-time view from our webcam proves that this beauty remains timeless, offering virtual visitors the same inspiration that touched the heart of the great British statesman.
Câmara de Lobos is globally recognized as the birthplace of poncha, the traditional Madeiran drink that conquered palates far beyond the island's borders. The original recipe, created in the 19th century by local fishermen, combines sugar cane brandy, bee honey, and lemon juice, serving as a revitalizing tonic after long days at sea. Our webcam captures the constant movement of typical taverns where poncha is still prepared artisanally, following family recipes passed down for generations. Taberna do Real, a centennial establishment located in the village's lower part, maintains the tradition of serving poncha in thick glasses, stirred with the characteristic laurel wood stirrer (mexelote), an indispensable instrument that releases citrus aromas and imparts the drink's typical creamy texture.
The fishing activity of Câmara de Lobos continues to be the economic and cultural heart of the community, maintaining traditions dating back to the 15th century. The fishing fleet, composed of about 80 artisanal vessels, still practices sustainable fishing methods today, specializing in catching black scabbardfish (Aphanopus carbo), an endemic species of Madeira's deep seas. Our webcam documents the daily rhythm of this activity: at dawn, vessels depart to sea, navigating to depths of 800 to 1,200 meters where schools of the precious scabbardfish are found. The return occurs in late afternoon, when the bay fills with movement and color with boats full of fresh fish. The village fish market, operating informally at the small pier, offers visitors the unique opportunity to acquire freshly caught scabbardfish, often still palpitating. The period of greatest abundance occurs between October and March, coinciding with the period when weather conditions allow for more productive fishing.
Churchill Viewpoint (free, always open). Parish Church 16th c. (9-12h, 14-17h). Poncha Museum (€3, 10-18h Tue-Sun). Self-guided historical route available.
Taberna do Real (original, €2.50). Bar da Villa (varieties, €3-4). Henrique e Henrique (tourist, €4). Traditional vs. modern poncha tasting available.
Vila do Peixe (scabbardfish, €18-25). Coral (fish stew, €16). Cantinho da Serra (espetada, €12-15). Fresh fish market: 16-18h daily.
15 min from Funchal via VE4. Limited central parking. Bus 4, 96: frequent departures (€2.05). Taxi: €12-15. Walking from Funchal: 1h30 (coastal trail).
Ride the lift or walk the hillside trail for a clear line of sight to the Cabo Girão skywalk, Europe’s second-highest sea cliff.
Bus routes 7 and 8 link the village to Funchal; surfers can extend the day to Praia Formosa or Jardim do Mar via the coastal highway.