The island of Madeira is characterized by its mountains and its stunning seascapes.
This dramatic terrain gives rise to the famous fajãs, small portions of flat, generally fertile land, by the sea and surrounded by mighty cliffs, as is characteristic of the Macaronesian Islands.
Access to these unique places was by boat or, when possible, by paths carved into the cliff by Man.
It is partly for this reason that the presence of cable cars is so prolific in Madeira Island.
Come and discover the Cable Cars in Madeira!
Funchal Cable Car
One of the few cable cars on this list that does not connect with any fajãs, the Funchal cable car connects Funchal's old town with Monte.
It was built in 1999 with the aim of “recovering” the route of the old Train to Monte (in operation until the 40s of the 20th century).
It is one of the most visited attractions in Funchal, with around 39 cabins with 7 seats each and with a length of 3200 meters. Each trip from the old town to Monte takes around 15 minutes, providing a fantastic view of the city of Funchal, with its various gardens and the blue sea as a backdrop.
A mandatory stop for anyone who wants to visit one of the most beautiful areas of Funchal, Monte. Known for its magnificent gardens, such as the Monte Palace Tropical Garden, the dramatic views of the Funchal amphitheater, the Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte (which dates back to the 18th century), and the famous wicker toboggans, you cannot avoid visiting this parish of Funchal!
Funchal Cable Car is open every day (except Christmas Day) from 9:00 am to 5:45 pm. Prices range from €12,5 for a one-way ticket to €18 for a return ticket per adult. Children from 7 years old to 14 years old pay €6.50 per one-way ticket and €9 per return ticket.
Achadas da Cruz Cable Car
Inaugurated in 2004, this cable car connects Achadas da Cruz, at around 575 meters above sea level, to agricultural land located in Fajã da Quebrada Nova. Before its construction, access could only be achieved via Vereda do Calhau, a very steep route, although beautiful, nowadays it's recommended only to the most adventurous.
This inclined cable car offers a trip of around 5 minutes in each direction in comfortable cabins that can seat up to 6 people.
The view is nothing if not breathtaking, offering a wide panorama of the blue sea over Calhau das Achadas and the small squares of farmland cultivated at the bottom of the cliff.
When you reach the bottom, you can continue along the Calhau das Achadas promenade next to the sea and adjacent to the small picturesque labyrinth of traditional stone houses and land under local cultivation.
It is a peaceful place, frequented by locals who still own land there, and where you can spend an afternoon by the sea. Take a picnic and you won't regret it! The price of the trip is €3 per person, open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Rancho Cable Car
Another cable car built in response to the needs of local farmers who had their farmland in Fajãs do Cabo Girão. The only alternative access by land would be Vereda do Boqueirão, which made it difficult in the past to transport agricultural goods back to Sítio do Rancho.
Located in Rancho, Quinta Grande, with an extension of 415 meters, this cable car built in 2003 has two cabins of about 6 seats each and makes the trip from one end to the other in about 6 minutes.
In the background, you can find farmland, mainly grape vines, and a fabulous beach surrounded by blue sea in Fajãs das Bebras and Asnos. This is a hidden gem as the beach is little frequented, on certain days you can have it all to yourself.
The round trip price of the cable car trip is €5, operating Sunday/Holidays from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, Monday/Wednesday/Friday/Saturday from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm and Tuesday/Thursday - 8:00 to 12:30h and from 14:00 to 19:00h.
Rocha do Navio Cable Car
A cable car that connects the Rocha do Navio Viewpoint in Santana to the fajãs adjacent to the Rocha do Navio Nature Reserve, which encompasses the maritime space between Ponta do Clérigo to the east and Ponta de São Jorge.
This cable car, with a length of 761 meters, was developed to support agricultural activity and tourism, as access to the land of local inhabitants in the fajã could only be done via a footpath or by sea, even if this is not very stable on that coast.
Going down by cable car, you can see the iconic islet of Rocha do Navio (whose name refers to a Dutch shipwreck in the 19th century), but also the islet of Rocha das Vinhas and the islet of Viúva.
This area has impressive biodiversity, both on land and at sea, and for that reason, it is currently protected. It is an impressive tour recommended on days with less wind for those who suffer from vertigo. The descent takes about 5 minutes and costs €3. The cable car runs from Monday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
Garajau Cable Car
The Garajau Cable Car started operating in 2007 in Ponta do Garajau, near Cristo Rei, and connects to Garajau beach, where the Garajau Marine Reserve is located.
The alternative access is via a road with curves and curves to the beach, but we definitely recommend access via cable car for the spectacular view of the beach and the clear Atlantic Ocean.
The trip dives just 200 meters in just a few minutes and gives you access to a pebble beach with clear and calm waters that are home to a large amount of marine life. There is no fishing activity in this area and fish feel free to approach humans.
Upon reaching the beach, you have access to a very nice bar/restaurant, a SUP tour area, and a diving center, perfect activities for this location.
The round trip ticket is €3 and the cable car is open from Monday to Friday between 10:00 and 18:00 and Saturday and Sunday between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm.
Fajã dos Padres Cable Car
Fajã dos Padres is one of the hidden treasures of Madeira Island.
Located at the bottom of the cliff near the Quinta Grande Viewpoint is a small bay bathed by the Atlantic. Here we can find fertile land and a beach with calm waters.
Access to Fajã dos Padres can only be done by cable car or boat, there is no other alternative.
The cable car ride is relatively short, about 2.5 minutes in each direction. When descending, we are immediately surprised by the absolutely comprehensive view of the south coast that we can have from the cable car cabin: we can see all the way to the Ponta do Sol pier.
After descending the 300 meters to Fajã (whose name is due to the presence of the Society of Jesus in this land) we come across a beautiful restaurant, a few houses for residential tourism, and some land with cultivation of tropical fruits, such as guava and/or mango, but also vineyards for the production of wine, which is very popular on the island.
You can spend a pleasant day on the beach in this place with clear waters and warm temperatures, strolling through the vineyards, or even having lunch at the restaurant.
The cable car is open year-round from 10 am to 7 pm in summer and from 10 am to 6 pm in winter. The return price is €10 per adult, and children up to 11 years old do not pay.
Botanical Garden Cable Car
It is also in Monte where you can find the Botanical Garden Cable Car.
This cable car inaugurated in 2005 connects Largo das Babosas, in Monte to Quinta do Bom Sucesso, where the Eng.º Rui Vieira Botanical Garden has been located since 1960, which houses more than 2500 plants of different origins, around 300 exotic birds and 200 indigenous species from the Region, as well as the Natural History Museum. These are essential stops for those who want to know more about the Fauna and Flora of Madeira Island.
The trip by cable car takes about 9 minutes in total, with a length of 1603 meters, making it possible to see the beautiful landscapes of Funchal, the bay of Funchal in particular, and the Vale da Ribeira de João Gomes.
The cable car has 12 cabins with a capacity for 8 people each. It is open from Monday to Sunday from 10 am to 4:30 pm. Prices range from €8.25 per adult for a one-way ticket and €12.75 for a return ticket. It is possible to take advantage of combined packages that include the Funchal Cable Car, the Jardim Botânico Cable Car, and entry into the Jardim Botânico.