Achadas da Cruz Cable Car

Riding the Edge of the World: The Ultimate Guide to the Achadas da Cruz Cable Car

If you are looking for an experience that will make your heart race and leave you utterly speechless, you need to step off the edge of Madeira’s northwestern cliffs.

While the island is famous for its lush levadas and rugged coastlines, there is a hidden gem tucked away just minutes from Porto Moniz that offers one of the most cinematic, awe-inspiring rides in Europe: the Achadas da Cruz Cable Car (Teleférico das Achadas da Cruz).

Plunging an astonishing 450 meters (nearly 1,500 feet) down a near-vertical cliff face with a dizzying 98% gradient, this tiny cable car transports you to a remote, untouched agricultural paradise known as Fajã da Quebrada Nova. If you are building a Madeira itinerary that prioritizes authentic, off-the-beaten-path adventures, this is an absolute must-do.

Here is everything you need to know about experiencing the Achadas da Cruz cable car, from parking logistics to local secrets.

Going to Porto Moniz? Make sure you don´t miss anything. Check our list of useful information, hidden gems, local secrets and more. Click here.

What Makes Achadas da Cruz cable car so special?

Unlike the massive, tourist-heavy cable cars in Funchal, the Achadas da Cruz Cable Car system was not originally built for sightseeing. It was constructed as a lifeline for local farmers.

At the bottom of the towering cliffs lies a fertile slice of land—a fajã—where locals grow grapes and sweet potatoes. Before the cable car was built, the only way to transport these crops up the mountain was by carrying them on their backs up a treacherous, zigzagging cliffside trail. Today, the cable car still serves those farmers, but it also allows lucky travelers to access this isolated coastal haven.

When you step out of the small cabin at the bottom, you enter a world frozen in time. There are no cars, no souvenir shops, and no cafes. You will only find traditional stone farmhouses, narrow paved pathways, and the roaring Atlantic Ocean crashing against the pebble shore.

How to Get There & Parking Logistics

Check Google Maps marker on the end of this page.
One of the biggest mistakes travelers make is trying to visit Achadas da Cruz as a rushed afternoon detour while driving all the way back to the south coast. Because the cable car is located on the extreme western tip of the island, getting there is much easier when you are already based on the North Coast.

• The Quick Drive: If you are staying in Porto Moniz, getting to the cable car is an absolute breeze. Simply hop in your car and head west on the ER101. The incredibly scenic drive takes just 15 minutes.

• If you´re in Funchal, you can wait for more than a hour trip, following along the entire south coast until Ponta do Pargo, and then to Achadas da Cruz.

• Combining Attractions: Because it is so close to Porto Moniz, you can easily ride the Achadas da Cruz Cable Car in the morning, grab lunch, and then drive up the mountain to explore the misty, ancient trees of the nearby fanal forest in the afternoon!

• Parking at the Top: When you arrive at the viewpoint (Miradouro do Teleférico das Achadas da Cruz), you will find a dedicated, free parking lot right next to the ticket station. It is rarely completely full, but arriving before 10:30 AM guarantees you a spot right by the entrance.

Practical Tips for Your Cliffside Adventure in Achadas da Cruz Cable Car

Before you step into the cabin and descend to the Fajã, keep these essential practical tips in mind to ensure a flawless experience:

• Bring Cash: The ride is incredibly affordable—usually costing around €3.00 to €5.00 for a round-trip ticket. However, the small ticket booth often does not accept credit cards. Always carry small Euro bills or coins!

• Pack Water and Snacks: As we mentioned, the bottom of the cliff is completely undeveloped. There are zero facilities, shops, or water fountains down there. Bring your own water bottle and a snack to enjoy by the ocean.

• Use the Restroom at the Top: There is a small cafe and a public restroom at the upper cable car station. Make sure to use it before you head down.

• Respect the Wind Warnings: The cable car operators prioritize safety above all else. If the coastal winds pick up, the cable car will pause operations. If you arrive and the cars aren’t moving, just wait it out at the viewpoint cafe, or check the weather forecast before you leave your accommodation.

• You might be wondering:  Is this cable car safe? Or scary?  It´s a long way down.. We´ve got you covered. Check the full answer here.

🤫 The Jolie Local Secret

If you are an avid hiker and want to turn this scenic ride into a true physical adventure, we have a local secret that will blow you away.

Don’t just buy a round-trip ticket. Instead, hike the ancient Vereda da Quebrada Nova!

This is the original, historic zigzagging trail carved directly into the cliff face by the farmers. It is a steep, challenging, and breathtakingly beautiful hike. Our recommendation? Take the cable car down to save your knees, explore the Fajã for an hour, and then hike the trail up the cliff. It takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to hike up, offering you sweeping, uninterrupted views of the coastline that you simply cannot get from inside the cable car cabin. After your hike, you can reward yourself by cooling off in the world-famous natural pools back in Porto Moniz!

Why You Must Make Porto Moniz Your Basecamp

Imagine waking up in Funchal, driving over an hour to reach the North Coast, fighting the crowds at the black sands of seixal beach, and then rushing over to Achadas da Cruz before the cable car closes. By the time you get there, you are exhausted, stressed, and facing a long, dark drive back to the south coast.

That is not how Madeira is meant to be experienced.

When you make Porto Moniz your home base, the island’s most dramatic adventures are right in your backyard. You can take the 15-minute drive to the Achadas da Cruz cable car first thing in the morning when the winds are perfectly calm and the lighting is pristine. You can spend hours wandering the abandoned farmhouses without ever looking at your watch.

When you finish your adventure, you aren’t facing a stressful highway commute. You are just a short drive away from a hot shower, a glass of local wine, and a sunset dinner on your own private terrace.

Trade the exhausting day trips for the ultimate slow-travel experience. Explore our stunning, beautifully designed local homes and book your unforgettable stay at The Jolie today.