Funchal Cable Car to Monte: Complete Experience Guide
The Funchal-Monte cable car (Teleférico do Funchal) is one of those tourist attractions that actually lives up to the hype. In 15 minutes, you rise 560 meters from the Old Town to Monte, watching Funchal's amphitheater geography unfold beneath you.
The Basics
Duration: About 15 minutes each way
Height Gain: 560 meters (from sea level to 550m)
Cabins: 8-person gondolas
Opening Hours: Usually 9am-6pm (seasonal variations)
Price (2025): Around €18 one-way, €13 return, €20 combination ticket with second cable car
The combination ticket includes the short second cable car from Monte down to the Botanical Garden, which is worth considering.
What You'll See
The views are the main attraction. As you ascend, you get:
Looking Down:
Looking Across:
Looking Up:
At the Top: Monte
Monte is worth the visit beyond just the cable car ride. Here's what you'll find:
The Church (Nossa Senhora do Monte)
The 18th-century church is Madeira's most important pilgrimage site. Inside, you'll find the tomb of Emperor Charles I of Austria, who died in exile on Madeira in 1922. The views from the church steps are excellent.
Monte Palace Tropical Garden
One of Madeira's best gardens, featuring:
Entry is separate from the cable car (around €15).
The Toboggan Run
The famous wicker toboggan ride (carreiros) takes you from Monte back down toward Funchal. Two men in traditional white clothing and straw hats steer a wicker basket on wooden runners down the road. It's touristy, it's expensive (around €30 for two people), and honestly, it's fun. Just once.
The toboggan doesn't go all the way to Funchal,you'll end up in Livramento, from where you either walk down, take a taxi, or catch a bus.
Practical Tips
Best Time to Go:
Queues:
What to Bring:
Getting Back Down:
Is It Worth It?
Honestly, yes. Even if you're usually skeptical of tourist attractions, the cable car delivers on its promise. The views are genuinely spectacular, and Monte itself offers enough to fill a couple of hours.
Check our webcam first to confirm the weather is cooperating,there's no point ascending into cloud.