A working cable car on the clifftop above Câmara de Lobos, on the south coast of Madeira. It carries people down to the fajãs, the terraced ground at the foot of the cliff, where tomatoes and bananas are grown. Before it opened in 2003 the farmers made the same trip on foot. At the bottom there are paths between the plots and a beach of large pebbles, with no café, no shade and no facilities. Come for the view and the walk, not for services.
Teleférico das Fajãs do Cabo Girão
Until the cable car opened in 2003, the farmers working these plots climbed down the cliff and back up on foot.
- Entrance
- €10 per person for the round trip. Cash only — cards are not accepted.
- Parking
- Free car park at the station, about four spaces. When they are taken, cars park along the road.
- Difficulty
- The cable car does the descent. At the bottom, paths run either side of the station; reaching the water means crossing large pebbles.
- Transport
- Nearest bus stops are around 700 m from the station.
- Hours
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 8:00–19:30; Tuesday and Thursday 8:00–13:00 and 14:00–19:30; Sunday 9:00–19:30.
What makes it special
The cable car was built for farmers, not for visitors. It runs from the clifftop above Câmara de Lobos down to the fajãs, the strip of flat ground at the foot of the cliff, where tomatoes and bananas grow on small plots. Until 2003 the growers climbed down and back up on foot.
The trip down is short and high. At the top station the car park carries a roof terrace, with Funchal on one side and the cliff face on the other. At the bottom, paths run left and right of the station between the plots, and the shore is large pebbles. Nothing is sold down there, and the fajã stays quiet.
Good to know
- Nothing at the bottom — no café, no kiosk, no toilets, no drinking water. Take down whatever you will need.
- No shade — the fajã is open ground. On a clear day there is nowhere to get out of the sun.
- The beach is large pebbles — hard work to walk on, and awkward for getting into the water.
- The shore is a walk from the bottom station — factor in the return leg before you set off.
Getting there
The station stands on the clifftop above Câmara de Lobos and you can drive to the door, with the car park beside the building. From the top there is nothing to walk: the cable car covers the whole drop to the fajã. At the bottom the station opens straight onto the paths that run between the plots, and the shore is a further walk over open ground. The cable car is also how you get back up, so keep the last departure in mind.
Best time to visit
Better: an overcast day, or a clear one with sun cover and water in the bag.
Avoid: hot, cloudless weather if you plan to stay at the bottom for long.
There is no shade on the fajã and nothing to buy down there, so heat decides how long the visit lasts. Crowds are not the problem here: the beach does not fill up.
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Frequently asked questions
Is there anywhere to eat or drink at the bottom?
No. There is no café and no kiosk on the fajã, and no drinking water. Bring food and water down with you.What is there to do once you are down?
Walk the paths that run left and right of the station, between the tomato and banana plots, and spend time on the beach. People swim and sunbathe there.Is the beach sandy?
No. It is large pebbles. Walking on it is slow, and getting into the sea from it takes care. Proper footwear helps.Is it busy?
No. The fajã draws few people and the beach stays quiet, which is most of its appeal.