The Funchal cable car (Teleférico do Funchal) is a gondola lift that links the old town on Funchal's seafront with the hillside parish of Monte. It rises 560 metres in about 15 minutes, giving a continuous view over the city's amphitheatre and the harbour. Opened in November 2000, it was renovated in early 2026 and is the simplest way to reach Monte's gardens, church and the wicker-sledge ride without a car.
What are the key facts?
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Opened | November 2000 (construction began September 1999) |
| Length | about 3.2 km (3,173 m per Wikipedia; Visit Madeira gives a 3,200 m cable) |
| Height difference | 560 m |
| Journey time | about 15 minutes |
| Cabins after 2026 works | 44, of which 5 have glass floors |
| Capacity after 2026 works | 900 passengers per hour |
The route was chosen to replace the Monte Railway, a rack railway that ran between Funchal and Monte from 1886 to 1943.
What changed in 2026?
The cable car closed for about three months from January 2026 for the largest works since it opened. According to the regional newspaper DN Madeira (31 March 2026), the main cable, drive motor and control telecommunications cable were replaced, the number of cabins rose from 39 to 44 and hourly capacity reached 900 people. Five new cabins have glass floors, sold as the "Glass Floor Experience". Service resumed at the beginning of April 2026.
Where are the stations?
- Lower station (Funchal): in the Almirante Reis park area at the eastern end of the waterfront, next to the old town; the operator gives the address as Rua Dom Carlos I.
- Upper station (Monte): Largo das Babosas 8, Monte.
From the lower station you can walk to the old town's restaurants and to the Mercado dos Lavradores. At the top, the Monte Palace Tropical Garden and the Nossa Senhora do Monte church are a few minutes' walk away; the Monte toboggan starts below the church steps.
How much does it cost and when does it run?
Prices published by the operator, Madeira Cable Car, and confirmed by DN Madeira in March 2026:
- Standard cabin: €16 one way, €22 return
- Glass Floor Experience: €26 one way, €32 return (DN Madeira, March 2026)
- Children: free from 0 to 6; 50% off from 7 to 14 (operator site)
The operator's website lists opening hours of 08:45–17:45, every day except Christmas Day (checked October 2026). E-tickets bought online are valid for 60 days, so you can skip the ticket queue at the station.
Is one way or return better?
It depends on how you plan to come down. Many visitors take the cable car up and the toboggan down — but the toboggan ends in Livramento, still well above the city, so you will need a taxi or bus from there. A one-way ticket makes sense in that case. If you want to visit the Madeira Botanical Garden too, note that Visit Madeira lists it with its own separate cable car, so check that line's tickets and hours separately.
Practical tips
- Clouds: Monte sits at around 500 m, where cloud can form while the coast is sunny; the views are best on clear mornings.
- Fear of heights: cabins are enclosed and the ride is smooth, but the glass-floor cabins are not for everyone — standard cabins run on the same line.
- Accessibility: ask the operator in advance about wheelchairs and pushchairs.
- More in Funchal: see our Funchal region guide for what else to combine on the same day.
