With such rugged landscapes, cable cars in Madeira have provided a much needed mode of transport for locals and farmers. Today, these cable cars offer tourists incredible views of the island from above, whilst connecting you to some of the most popular points of interest.
So hop into one of these cable style cars, and enjoy an adrenalin fueled thrilling trip, with plenty of photo opportunities included. Descend vertiginous cliffs and get panoramic views to take your breath away.
On Madeira Island, the history of cable cars goes back many years. Built by locals as a means of accessing their gardens and transporting their crops, they have today, become a tourist attraction.
Here is our list of scenic cable cars Madeira has to entice you with.
7 MADEIRA CABLE CARS
Below is a map showing the location of each cable car in Madeira.
GENERAL NOTE ABOUT VISITING MADEIRA CABLE CARS
- Be sure to carry cash to pay for some cable cars.
- Each cable car can be closed at any time for maintenance, so always check before your visit to avoid disappointment.
- Don’t be surprised if you see farmers coming up with their crops. The cable cars were built by locals as a means of transporting fruit, vegetables and crops for their gardens, or fajas.
1. FUNCHAL CABLE CAR (MONTE CABLE CAR)
The best Madeira cable car to ride if you are unsure of heights, is the Funchal cable car. Travelling between Funchal and the parish of Monte, the cable car, or teleferico, transports you over the city’s verdant slopes, hills and valleys, in a comfortable window seat.
The car takes about 20 minutes, and really is a moving360 degree panoramic colour viewpoint. From the cable car, you can see the blue of the Atlantic, the green flora of the countryside, and the orange rooftops that cover almost the entire hillside.
The route ends in Monte, where you can visit the beautiful Monte Palace Tropical Garden and the Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte. Alternatively, you can ride the botanical garden cable car (see below), to discover the plants that flourish on Madeira.
The Funchal Monte cable car was constructed to replace the Comboio do Monte rack railway, which was discontinued in 1943.
The lower Funchal cable car station is located in the Almirante Reis garden, in the historic area of Funchal. There are 39 cars running in both directions at once.
FUNCHAL CABLE CAR TICKETS
- Adult One Way €12.50 (return via taxi or wicker toboggan ride)
- Adult Return €18.00
- Combo 1: Funchal Cable Car round trip to Monte + Madeira Botanical Garden Cable Car + Madeira Botanical Garden. Adult €35.00
- Combi 2: Yellow Bus Hop On – Hop Off Tour + Funchal Cable Car round trip to Monte. Adult €32.00
Quick Practical Information:
- How to get to Funchal cable car: Av. do Mar e das Comunidades
- Route: Funchal-Monte with 3,200 meter sloping incline.
- Price: Check current prices on the official site.
- Funchal cable car opening times: 9am-5.45pm, 364 days per year
- Best time to visit the cable car in Funchal: Early morning or late afternoon.
- Facilities: Restaurants + toilets
TOP TIP: Avoid days when a cruise ship docks in Funchal. Check the schedule ahead of time, to avoid queues.
2. BOTANIC GARDEN CABLE CAR
While most cable cars in Madeira involve a slope or an incline, this Madeira gondola crosses the natural landscape of a verdant valley.
The Botanical Garden Cable Car covers a distance of 1,600 metres, across the Vale da Ribeira de João Gomes, covered by a dense and green forest. The 9 minute ride to the garden offers a more unique panoramic view compared to the Funchal cable car.
Reaching an altitude of about 100 metres, at a maximum speed of 15 km/hour, you get incredible views over the valley and as far as Funchal Bay.
From the top of the Funchal to Monte cable car, it’s a short walk downhill to the main station.
On arrival at the botanical gardens, you can enjoy a unique garden space, covering five landscaped hectares containing an extensive collection of tropical, subtropical, and native plants.
While not as artistically set out as Monte Palace gardens, they are a quieter place to stroll and sit with a drink or snack.
- Adult One Way €9.25
- Adult Return €14.00
- Combo 1: Botanical Garden Cable Car + Botanical Garden Entrance. Adult €18.90 roundtrip.
- Combi 2: Botanical Garden Cable Car + Botanical Garden Entrance + Funchal Cable Car. Adult €35.00 roundtrip.
Quick Practical Information:
- How to get to the cable car: From the Monte cable station or by car (Free parking in upper cable car station on Caminho do Desterro)
- Route: Monte – Botanical Gardens
- Price: Check current prices on the official site.
- Jardim Botânico Cable Car opening times: 9am-4.50pm, 364 days per year
- Best time to visit the botanic garden cable car in Funchal: Early morning or late afternoon.
- Facilities: Toilets at top and bottom stations + choice of cafes.
3. GARAJAU CABLE CAR (TELEFERICO DO CRISTO REI)
This is my personal favourite cable car Madeira has for visitors, as it combines some great attractions, in the same area. Teleferico do Cristo Rei is a 20 minute drive from Funchal. It is named after a Madeira icon, the majestic statue built here in 1927.
From the station, the cable car descends 150 metres down a coastal ravine, to pebbled Garajau beach, part of the 6-mile Garajau Nature Reserve. The ride is quite steep but lasts less than 5 minutes.
The views are stunning. From the blue Atlantic Ocean, Ponta do Garajau headland, and towering cliffs, to the volcanic rocks and curving road to the side.
At the bottom, you can relax on the quiet beach, explore the crystal-clear waters from the scuba diving centre and enjoy lunch.
After riding the cable car back to the top, enjoy the wonderful views from the Sacred Heart of Jesus sculpture, with open arms, facing the ocean. Then descend the steps to the promontory, where on a clear day, you can view the Desertas islands.
- Adult Return €4.00
Quick Practical Information:
- How to get to the Teleferico do Cristo Rei cable car: Via ER101, exit for Caniço/Garajau. Then, the signs for Cristo Rei.
- Route: Two cabins, with one travelling up while the other travels down.
- Price: €4.00 return (adult)
- Cable Car opening times: The cable car operates on weekdays from 10am to 6pm and on weekends from 10am to 5pm. Summer hours are 10am to 8pm.
- Best time to visit Garajau cable car: Early morning or late afternoon.
- Facilities: Large free carpark, with toilets and cafes at the top and bottom cable car stations.
4. FAJA DOS PADRES CABLE CAR
One of the newest cable cars in Madeira, it is also extremely popular, especially in summer. The upper base of the cable car is accessed along road Padre António Dinis Henriques.
There is no parking available, so you have to park along the access road. The parking is a slight nightmare as people have started abandoning their vehicles, blocking access, so come early.
In just 2.5 minutes, the cable car descends approximately 300 meters (984ft) down a huge cliff to Fajã dos Padres. The views of the southern coast are wonderful, and reach as far as Ponta Do Sol.
The microclimate of Fajã dos Padres favours the growing of subtropical species. The farm at the bottom of the cable car grows bananas, grapes, papaya, figs, pineapple, avocado and mangoes.
Take a tour around the eco-friendly run property and learn about its history and the other exotic plants that are cultivated here.
- Cable car return ticket €12.00
- Entrance and Guided Tour €22.00 (1 hour)
- Entrance and Guided Tour with Fruit Taste €30 (1 hour)
- Tours are at 10.30am Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sundays (minimum 2 people).
You can also enjoy the small pebble beach and have lunch in the restaurant.
Quick Practical Information:
- How to get to the Faja Dos Padres: 15 minutes by car via VR1.
- Location: The Fajã dos Padres cable car is about 10km from Funchal, and 6 km from Ribeira Brava.
- Route: Two cabins, with one travelling up while the other travels down.
- Price: €12.00 return (adult)
- Cable Car opening times: The cable car operates every day. Summer 10am to 7pm and Winter 10am to 6pm
- Best time to visit Faja dos Padres cable car: Early morning or late afternoon.
5. ACHADAS DA CRUZ CABLE CAR
Located on the west coast near Porto Moniz, this mountain cable car connects Achadas da Cruz to the Fajã da Quebrada Nova. However, if you suffer from vertigo, I would give this Madeira cable car a miss.
The cable car takes you down an incredibly steep 500m drop in 5 minutes to a small pebble beach. The panoramic views of the rugged hills and ocean landscape are incredible. The cable car also serves farmers transporting their crops.
At the bottom is a walking track, but no shade from the sun. This cable car is all about the ride!
- €5.00 return (adult)
Quick Practical Information:
- How to get to Teleferico das Achadas da Cruz : From ER101, via Caminho do Teleferico.
- Location: Northwest coast near Porto Moniz
- Route: Two cabins, with one travelling up while the other travels down.
- Price: €5.00 return (adult)
- Cable Car opening times: The cable car operates every day, between the hours of 8am-12pm and 1pm-6pm.
- Best time to visit Achadas da Cruz cable car: Early morning or late afternoon.
- Facilities: Medium size car park, café and toilet at the top. There is nowhere to eat at the bottom.
TOP TIP: If the ride is too steep, you can get great views from the viewing platform in the car park, or hike directly down to the village on a 2-kilometer trail (Calhau das Achadas da Cruz).
6. ROCHA DO NAVIO CABLE CAR
** At the time of our visit in September 2023, the cable car was temporarily closed **
Although originally built in 1997 for local farmers to access their land, today this cable car is used exclusively for agricultural transport. However, I have included it on my list, as hopefully this Madeira gondola will be upgraded in the future.
Rocha do Navio meaning “Ship Rock”, is one of four major natural reserves on Madeira. The 5 minute ride takes you about 350m down to vineyards, banana plantations and one of Madeira’s protected Natural Reserves, Rocha do Navio.
The nature reserve can also be accessed via a steep hike of 1.5 kms.
The viewpoint from the carpark provides incredible views of the ocean and steep cliffs.
Quick Practical Information:
- How to get to Teleferico da Rocha do Navio: Via ER101.
- Location: The Rocha do Navio cable car is located on the north coast of Madeira, near Santana.
- Price: 5€ return ticket
- Route: Two cabins, with one travelling up while the other travels down.
- Facilities: Small carpark or parking along the street.
7. RANCHO CABLE CAR (CABO GIRAU)
Open since 2003, the Rancho cable car near Cabo Girão was a means of transportation for farmers bringing their crops all the way up to the top.
Descending on a 3-minute ride, you can enjoy the impressive cliffs and views of Camara de Lobos, Funchal, and cultivated crops. Although your descent is steep, you start off from a lower altitude than the 580-metre glass platform of the skywalk, 3 kms away.
At the bottom is a secluded beach.
- €10.00 return (adult)
Quick Practical Information:
- How to get to the Teleferico do Rancho: Via ER101 and Estr. de Santa Clara.
- Location: The Cabo Girao cable car is a 20 minute drive from Funchal, in Cabo Girao.
- Route: Two cabins with 6 seats each, connect Rancho and Fajãs do Cabo Girão.
- Price: €10.00 return (adult) which is a bit steep.
- Cable Car opening times: The cable car operates every day. Tues 8-9am & 6-7.30pm | Sun 9-12.30pm & 2-7.30pm | Monday to Saturday 8-12.30pm & 2-7.30pm
- Best time to visit Rancho cable car: Early morning or late afternoon.
- Facilities: Very small carpark. Toilets and restaurant at the top.
These 7 cable cars in Madeira will certainly give you a different perspective of the island’s landscapes. Have we inspired you to include some of these in your Madeira Itinerary? If you have any questions, please leave a comment below.
MORE POSTS ON MADEIRA
We have several interesting articles for you to read and help with your planning:
- Driving in Madeira – a guide for first timers
- Madeira Hidden Gems
- Visit Ponta do Garajau Madeira
- Renting a car in Madeira
- Best Towns in madeira
- Ponta Do Sol Madeira
And click here to find guides to other destinations.
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