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The 7 cable cars in Madeira (best views + tips + map)

Last updated on February 20, 2023 by Claire / this article contains affiliate links (Info)

Some of the most surprising attractions on Madeira island are the "Telefericos".
With steep cliffs dropping into the sea, locals have set up gardens on tiny pieces of land and they have built the Madeira cable cars to easily reach them.
Today they are still being used by garden owners, but also have become attractions. 
Below are the 7 cable cars you can enjoy around the island with photos, tips and map.

Before all my tips + photos, let me share my best-of to plan your Madeira trip:

car rental

My favorite platform to rent a car in Madeira: Discovercars

boat

My favorite boat tour: Catamaran tour to go whale watching

hotel

My favorite places to stay in Funchal: Les Suites at the Cliff Bay (Luxury) - Sé Boutique Hotel (4 stars) - Market Place by Storytellers (apartments)

hotel

My favorite places to stay outside Funchal: Saccharum Resort near a beach (Luxury) - Estalagem da Ponta do Sol (4 stars) - Engho Velho Hotel (mid-range)

Best cables cars in Madeira Travel Pin

Table Of Contents
#1 - Rocha do Navio - best cable car in Madeira
#2 - Teleferico das Achadas da Cruz - The steepest cable car
#3 - Cabo Girao cable car (Teleferico do Rancho)
#4 - Botanical Garden cable car
#5 - Garajau cable car (Teleferico do Cristo Rei)
#6 - Faja dos Padres cable car
#7 - Monte Cable car (Funchal cable car)
About the cable cars in Madeira - Map

// In this article, no ads, no sponsored posts. Just some affiliate links.
If you purchase through them, I get a commission at no extra cost to you (Disclosure).


#1 - Rocha do Navio - best cable car in Madeira

Rocha do Navio cable car
  • Location -
     North shore, near the town of Santana
  • Height -
    Around 330m (1082ft) - not the steepest ride
  • Running hours -
    9am to 1pm / 2pm to 5pm (to 6pm on weekends)
  • Price -
    5€ return ticket - cash
  • Practical info -
    Toilets at the top
    5min ride
    Small carpark, otherwise park along the street.
    Alternative hike: 1.5km with 330m height difference
  • My opinion - 
    This is my favorite cable car on the island. Even if you don't go down, the views is worth the detour! I think the viewpoint at the top is one of the best on the island (see my list).
    As you ride down to sea level, you will be able to several waterfalls.
    In my opinion, it has be best scenery. You can even see a traditional Santana house in the gardens.
    The name Rocha do Navio’ refers to the sinking of a Dutch ship in the nineteenth century.
    Learn more on my Rocha do Navio article.
Rocha do Navio waterfall

#2 - Teleferico das Achadas da Cruz - The steepest cable car

Teleferico das Achadas da Cruz
  • Location -
     West coast near Porto Moniz
  • Height -
    451m of height over 600m - It is written that the beginning has a slope of 98%, making it the steepest in Europe.
  • Running hours -
    8am to 11:30am / 12:30pm to 7pm - everyday
  • Price -
    3€ return ticket
  • Practical info -  
    Travel time is 5min
    Cafe and toilets at the top
    Medium-size carpark
    Alternative hike is 4.5km and takes 2h (Calhau das Achadas da Cruz)
  • My opinion -
    This is really an impressive ride... so steep!
    Despite my vertigo and overall anxiety, I enjoyed the ride because the scenery was breathtaking.
    There is a great walking path at the bottom and beautiful views of the cliffs.
    Learn more in my Achadas da Cruz article
Achadas da Cruz cable car promenade

All 7 cable cars listed in this article are included in my eBook to help you easily plan your trip around Madeira:

Plan your perfect trip around Madeira!

small Madeira ebook cover
  • 7 easy-to-plan Maps
  • 120+ pre-selected scenic locations
  • Planning tips to make the most of your time
  • 260+ large photos to decide where to go
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks

LEARN MORE


#3 - Cabo Girao cable car (Teleferico do Rancho)

Cabo Girao cable car
  • Location -
     Cabo Girao - 3km from skywalk
  • Height -
    You don't leave from the highest point at 589m but from a lower point. However, it is still a steep ride down.
  • Running hours -
    8am to 7:30pm (closed 12:30pm to 2pm on Tue and Thur)
  • Price -
    5€ return price
  • Practical info -  
    3min ride
    Carpark just below the cable car, few spaces.
    Restaurant and toilets at the top
  • My opinion -
    Everybody flocks to the skywalk attraction, which, to be honest, disappointed me.
    But I really enjoyed the cable car. It takes you down those impressive cliffs, and this is one of the best places in Madeira to admire volcanic features. The cliffs are not only impressive because of their size but also because of their display of the volcanic history of the island.
  • Learn more in my Cabo Girao article.
Cabo Girao cable car 2

#4 - Botanical Garden cable car

Botanical Garden cable car
  • Location -
     Funchal - connects the Monte area to the Botanical gardens
  • Height -
    Ride above a valley, not down to sea level
  • Running hours -
    10am to 4:30pm - Last boarding at 4:20pm
  • Price -
    8,25€ one way (13€ with garden entrance ticket) - 12,75€ return (16,50€ with entrance) - combinations possible with Monte Cable car
  • Practical info -  
    9min ride
    A little of a walk on a slope to reach the top of the cable car (or to climb if traveling the other way around)
    Toilets at the top and bottom of cable car
    Official website
  • My opinion -
    Of the 2 cable cars in Funchal, I like this one the best because it is more in nature and it is not over the city. I think it is a very practical way to get from the Tropical Garden to the botanical garden, if you are planning a "garden day".
Botanical Garden cable car 2

Need to rent a car in Madeira?
My tips:

  • Compare car rental prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com - one of the best customer-rated comparison sites!
  • Choose the car and company you prefer (with enough power for steep roads)
  • Consider their full coverage option - I always take it for peace of mind! 
  • Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!

See my 36 tips about renting a car in Madeira


#5 - Garajau cable car (Teleferico do Cristo Rei)

Ponta do Garajau cable car
  • Location -
     South-East shore, near the town of Caniço and near the Christ statue of Ponta do Garajau
    10min East of Funchal
  • Height -
    150m (492ft)
  • Running hours -
    10am to 8pm
  • Price -
    3€ return ticket
  • Practical info - 
    Large carpark
    Toilets and restaurant at the top and the bottom
  • My opinion -
    It is a great combination of attractions. You can first enjoy the statue Cristo Rei and walk down the staircase to get a beautiful view of the coastline.
    And then you can enjoy the cable car ride down, with stunning views of the volcanic rocks and interesting cliffs. 
    At the bottom, the beach is famous for the diving opportunities. Enjoy one of the best beaches in Madeira.
    Or you can just relax and have lunch!
    See article about Ponta do Garajau.
Ponta do Garajau cable car 2photoholder

#6 - Faja dos Padres cable car

Faja dos Padres cable car
  • Location -
     10min West of Funchal
  • Height -
    300m (984ft)
  • Running hours -
    10am to 7pm (to 6pm in Winter)
  • Price -
    10€ return ticket (19,50€ with guided tour, 27€ with guided tour and fruit tasting)
  • Practical info - 
    2min30 ride
    No carparks - parking is along the street which makes it difficult
    See official website
  • My opinion -
    It has become a big tourist attraction. The gardens are better (and you can book a guided visit and the restaurant is a plus), but it does not have the vibe of the other cable cars that have remained less popular and quieter.
    Plus, the lack of parking spaces is a nightmare. If you want to visit, come early enough in the morning, have lunch and leave after lunch.
Faja dos Padres gardens

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#7 - Monte Cable car (Funchal cable car)

Monte Cable car
  • Location -
     In Funchal - departs from the seafront and arrives not far from the Monte Palace Tropical Garden
    Also known as the Funchal cable car.
  • Height -
    Length of 3.2km (2mi) - various slopes
  • Running hours -
    9am to 5pm
  • Price -
    11€ one way (you can get back down with the sled ride) - 16€ round trip - combination tickets possible with Botanical Garden cable car 
  • Practical info -  
    15min to 20min ride
    Underground carparknearby
    See official website
  • My opinion -
    Compared to the others, it is a more typical cable car with several cabins.
    But if offers great views of the city and is very practical to visit the Monte area.
Teleferico do Monte

About the cable cars in Madeira - Map

A few notes about the cable cars

  • The Portuguese name is Teleferico
  • Many of the smaller ones only take cash payments, so make sure you have enough
  • I can't guarantee opening times - they can be closed or modified for maintenance
  • Except the 2 ones in Funchal, the others have one 2 cabins - one goes down while the other goes up - so you may have to wait for your turn. 

History

Most of those cable cars were built by the locals to be able to access their gardens in the areas called "Fajas" and to bring back their fruits and vegetables.
Before them, they were traveling by boat (which can be dangerous with the rocks) or taking the hikes with everything on their back which was difficult.

Map

Below is a map to help you locate those 7 Madeira Telefericos.

Telefericos Madeira cable cars map locations

Where to stay in Madeira?
My tips:

  • For a choice of restaurants and if you don't rent a car -  See best rated accommodations in Funchal
  • For luxury resorts, check out the Lido area in Funchal
  • For a sandy beach - See best rated accommodations in Machico
  • For a quiet village in beautiful scenery - See best rated accommodations in Porto da Cruz
  • For a practical location to explore the island - See best rated accommodations in Ribeira Brava
  • To enjoy the natural pools - See best rated accommodations in Porto Moniz

More tips on my article about where to stay in Madeira


Want to see more of the best Madeira has to offer?

  • Where to stay in Madeira - best areas - read article
  • 42 Madeira travel tips to plan an unforgettable trip - read article
  • Best landscapes in Madeira in 40 pictures - read article
  • Best time to visit Madeira - read article
  • The 7 best hikes and levada walks in Madeira - read article
  • All you need to know to rent a car and drive in Madeira - read article
  • The 4 Madeira Natural Pools (and 6 coastal pool alternatives) - read article
  • The 18 best beaches in Madeira - read article
  • The 7 best boats tours in Madeira - read article
  • My itineraries : 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 1 week, 10 days
  • Where to stay in Funchal
  • Best things to do in Funchal

Planning a trip to Madeira?

Check out my travel guide to help you plan:

Plan your perfect trip around Madeira!

small Madeira ebook cover
  • 7 easy-to-plan Maps
  • 120+ pre-selected scenic locations
  • Planning tips to make the most of your time
  • 260+ large photos to decide where to go
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks

LEARN MORE

And keep track of your own trip!

Madeira travel Journal

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