If you’re not too afraid of heights, don’t miss the chance to take one of Madeira’s cable cars down to a Faja (small farmland at the foot of the cliffs).
This is a typical Madeira adventure with spectacular panoramas.
Here’s a list of Madeira’s cable cars, with our recommendations.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
Madeira cable car map
We’ll take you through the different Telefericos options, but here’s something to get you started: a map of Madeira’s 7 main cable cars (although the Rocha do Navio cable car is unfortunately no longer open to tourists).
Please note that we cannot guarantee opening hours.
And payments outside Funchal are often in cash.
History
As the mountains slope steeply down to the sea, every little piece of flat land is used for agriculture: these are the Fajas. They used to get there by boat (dangerous with the rocks) or hike with everything on their backs (difficult).
And in the 20th century, to make it easier for farmers to get there, gondolas were built.
Today, some of them are open to tourists, and the descents are impressive.
1. Teleferico das Achadas da Cruz
Why take the cable car?
This cable car is one of the most impressive on the island. But it’s not for people who suffer from vertigo.
It is 451m high and 600m long. On the start area, they point out that the start has a gradient of 98%, making it the steepest in Europe.
The descent only takes 5 minutes, but you won’t forget it!
Once you’re down there, allow 30min to 1h to stroll around the little stretch of land, see the farmlands and enjoy the calm of the sea.
If you don’t want to take it, you can just enjoy the view and leave.
Or you can descend via the Calhau das Achadas da Cruz hike, as the early farmers did: 4.5km and takes 2h.
Access and useful tips
- North of west coast
- Nearest city: Porto Moniz
- From Funchal = 1h10 drive
- Medium-sized but increasingly full parking lot
- Price: 3 euros round trip
- Opening hours: 8am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm (last descent) – daily
- Beware, it’s very popular in the middle of the day and the cabin is small. You could wait an hour. Choose the morning
- And there’s no shade to line up in
- Gondola shuts down if it’s too windy
- Coffee and toilets at the summit
- No downstairs installation
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR AT Madeira
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Take a car with a good engine for hilly roads, but not too big for manoeuvring.
- There’s plenty of demand and few cars, so book early.
2. Teleferico do Rancho (Cabo Girao)
Why take the cable car?
Everyone goes to the Skywalk, the semi-transparent platform above the cliffs. But we much preferred the cable car down the giant cliffs.
It starts from a lower point, but it’s still impressive with a very steep slope.
The descent takes just 3 minutes.
Once at the bottom, enjoy a path along the waterfront and beautiful views of the volcanic cliffs. It’s one of the best places on the island to see different geological layers and formations.
Access and useful tips
- South coast
- Cabo Girao, 3 km from Skywalk
- From Funchal = 20 min drive
- Price: 5 euros round trip
- Parking just below the cable car, a few spaces.
- Opening hours: at least 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- If you want to be able to park, avoid the middle of the day.
- Restaurant and toilets at the summit
OUR GUIDE TO PLANNING A Dream trip
- 7 maps that make planning easier
- + 120 pre-selected locations
- Practical advice
- + 260 photos to help you choose
3. Teleferico do Garajau (Cristo Rei)
Why take the cable car?
This cable car is less impressive, but has the advantage of taking you to a pretty pebble beach, famous for snorkeling and diving.
The descent is only 150 m high, so it’s more acceptable for those with a fear of heights. And on the way down, you can admire the details in the rocky layers of the cliff.
You can also choose to go up by road for people with reduced mobility.
From the parking lot, don’t miss the path (with steps) that takes you to the famous Christ statue and a viewpoint from which whales can sometimes be seen.
Access and useful tips
- East of the south coast
- Town of Garajau, near the statue of Christ
- From Funchal = 20 min drive
- Large parking lot but very popular location
- Price: 4 euros round trip, or 3 euros one way
- Opening hours: daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Toilets and restaurant upstairs
- Toilets and restaurant down on the beach. We enjoyed our break at the restaurant downstairs.
WHERE TO STAY IN Madeira
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
4. Teleferico de Faja dos Padres
Why take the cable car?
For this cableway, it’s not different locals who own a plot of land on the faja, but a rural tourism farm.
A cable car takes you down a 300 m cliff. The descent takes 2min 30.
Once downstairs, you can discover the plantations, the beach and the restaurant serving authentic Madeiran cuisine.
Access and useful tips
- On the south coast, west of Funchal
- Between Funchal and Ribeira Brava
- From Funchal = 20 min drive
- Parking very difficult, few spaces along a narrow street, we advise you to take a cab from Funchal.
- Price: 12 euros round trip (22 euros with guided tour, 30 euros with guided tour and fruit tasting)
- Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (until 6 p.m. in winter)
- Latest news on the official website here
5. Monte cable car (Funchal)
Why take the cable car?
This is Madeira’s best-known cable car, as you can see it overhead as you stroll around the capital.
The town is very steep, and this is the most practical and pleasant way to reach the Monte area on the hills. All along the way, you can enjoy views of the city of Funchal and the sea.
It’s the longest cable car in the world. It lasts 15 to 20 minutes over a length of 3.2km.
The gradient is not steep, but varies from section to section.
Once at the top, you can visit the Monte church, and take a 5-minute walk to reach the entrance to the Tropical Garden, or head back down with the toboggan baskets.
Also known as the Funchal cable car.
Access and useful tips
- In the city of Funchal
- Departure from the waterfront
- Arrival near Monte church
- Price: €12.50 one way (you can come back down with the toboggan ride) – €18 round trip
- You can also buy combined tickets for the Botanical Gardens cable car.
- Opening hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- See the latest news on the official website here
- Pay underground parking near the bottom station
- It’s a cable car with several cabins, so there’s not much of a wait.
6. Funchal Botanical Garden cable car
Why take the cable car?
The Funchal Botanical Garden is located in the hills above Funchal.
After taking the Monte cable car, it’s a short walk to another cable car that takes you to the top of the botanical gardens.
It’s a lovely 9-minute traverse over a valley.
Access and useful tips
- On the heights of Funcal
- Between the Monte area and the botanical garden
- Price: 9.25 euros one way (15.50 euros with garden ticket) – 14 euros return (18.90 euros with garden ticket)
- Opening hours: 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
- See the latest news on the official website here
- Toilets at the top and bottom of the cable car
Why take the cable car?
In our opinion, this is one of Madeira’s most beautiful cable cars, descending sideways with beautiful views of the sea and the cliffs (and a waterfall!).
Unfortunately, it is now closed to tourists and only works for farmers. It allows you to descend 330m in 5 minutes.
We’re leaving it on this list anyway:
- we still recommend you visit the viewpoint, one of the most beautiful in Madeira, in our opinion.
- you can hike down to the faja
- maybe one day he’ll come back for tourists!
Access and useful tips
- North side
- Near the town of Santana
- Limited parking
- One-way hike: 1.5km with 330m ascent
