Rancho Cable Car Fajãs do Cabo Girão
Descend via cable car to a secluded pebble beach at the base of dramatic cliffs, offering stunning ocean views and a tranquil escape.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer people, more peace
Rancho Cable Car Fajãs do Cabo Girão
Best Time
Fewer people, more peace
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Descend via cable car to a secluded pebble beach at the base of dramatic cliffs, offering stunning ocean views and a tranquil escape.
"The teleférico at Cabo Girão was our favourite adventure of our whole trip to Madeira."
🚗 Free Parking Available
Clients of the cable car can use the small parking lot for free.
💰 Round Trip Ticket
The 10 euro ticket covers your journey down and back up.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Rancho Cable Car Ride
Cabo Girão
Descend to a hidden beach via a scenic cable car ride with dramatic cliff views.
Fajãs Beach Serenity
Base of the cliffs
Relax on a unique pebble beach, surrounded by towering cliffs and the vast Atlantic.
Cliffside Dining
Seaside restaurants
Enjoy local cuisine with breathtaking ocean views from restaurants at the beach.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing Your Descent
Budgeting for the Experience
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Free Parking Available
Clients of the cable car can use the small parking lot for free.
💰 Round Trip Ticket
The 10 euro ticket covers your journey down and back up.
Cabo Girão, on the island of Madeira is the second highest sea cliff in the world, elevated 580 metres above sea level. Pictures can't describe how breathtaking this experience was❤️
🚶♀️ Explore the Beach
Walk along the pebble beach and admire the unique landscape.
🍽️ Delicious Local Food
Try the local dishes at the seaside restaurants for a great experience.
How to get from Camara de Lobos to Cabo Cabo Girão Skywalk?
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Free Parking Available
Clients of the cable car can use the small parking lot for free.
💰 Round Trip Ticket
The 10 euro ticket covers your journey down and back up.
🚶♀️ Explore the Beach
Walk along the pebble beach and admire the unique landscape.
🍽️ Delicious Local Food
Try the local dishes at the seaside restaurants for a great experience.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about the Rancho Cable Car as an unforgettable adventure, highlighting the breathtaking views and the unique experience of descending to a secluded beach. The peaceful atmosphere, combined with the option for delicious seaside dining, makes it a highly recommended and underrated gem on Madeira. Some note the pebble beach requires careful footing, but the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive.
"Unforgettable experience! 10 euros per person for a ride there and back, and a small parking lot is available for Teleférico clients for free. When you get down to the sea side you can walk along the beach and look at the sea on one side and some plants right under a cliff on the other. Very calm and peaceful, this place looks and feels a bit unreal."
Polina
"Fantastic view, you can enjoy the beach view and see hoe vegetables can be grown in harsh conditions."
Ionita Constantin
"“I highly recommend a visit! The breathtaking views and the cable car ride create unforgettable impressions, and afterward, it’s a pleasure to relax in a cozy atmosphere with the option to enjoy delicious food, drinks, and hookah. It’s a perfect spot to unwind with friends or for a romantic evening. I highly recommend trying the local dishes – they are definitely worth it! Also, be sure to visit ‘The Top’ restaurant – a perfect place with stunning views and excellent cuisine, where you can truly enjoy both the atmosphere and the flavors"
Nazar Pokholok (Mlt)
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
You can take a bus from Câmara de Lobos towards Cabo Girão. From the top, you can then access the cable car.
Yes, there is a small parking lot available for free for clients of the Teleférico.
While possible, it's a significant hike. Taking a bus or taxi to the top of Cabo Girão and then the cable car down is more common.
Operating hours can vary, so it's best to check locally or online before your visit.
The cable car provides access to the beach area. Specific accessibility details should be confirmed with the operator.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The cable car ride is approximately 10 euros per person for a round trip.
Generally, tickets can be purchased on-site. Booking in advance is usually not necessary unless you have a large group.
Information on discounts for children, seniors, or groups is best confirmed directly with the cable car operator.
The ticket typically covers the round trip journey on the cable car, allowing you to descend and ascend.
It's advisable to carry some cash, as not all vendors or ticket booths may accept credit cards.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
You can relax on the pebble beach, swim in the ocean, walk along the shore, and enjoy the dramatic cliff scenery.
Yes, there are restaurants and cafes at the seaside offering local dishes and drinks with stunning views.
The ocean can be powerful, so swim with caution. The beach is a pebble beach, so water shoes might be comfortable.
Expect breathtaking panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the towering cliffs of Cabo Girão.
It can be less crowded than other tourist spots, especially if you visit during weekdays or off-peak hours.
📸 📸 Photography
The cable car ride itself offers incredible perspectives. At the beach, capture the dramatic cliffs meeting the ocean.
Late afternoon often provides beautiful golden hour light, enhancing the dramatic scenery.
A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the vastness of the cliffs and ocean. A polarizing filter can help with ocean shots.
Drone regulations can be strict. Always check local rules and obtain necessary permissions before flying a drone.
Yes, you can take photos from the cable car, but be mindful of reflections on the glass and secure your phone or camera.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider packing beach toys for the pebbles and water shoes for comfort. The seaside restaurants offer a relaxed atmosphere where families can enjoy a meal with a view. It's a great opportunity to introduce children to Madeira's dramatic coastal landscapes in a memorable way.
🚶♀️ Budget Travelers
To keep costs down, consider packing your own snacks and drinks for the beach. While the restaurants offer a lovely experience, they can add to the overall expense. Many visitors find that spending a few hours enjoying the beach and the views is a fulfilling experience even without a full meal at the seaside establishments.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Engineering Marvel of the Rancho Cable Car
Constructed to facilitate access for both locals and tourists, the cable car has transformed the experience of visiting Fajãs. Before its existence, reaching this tranquil spot involved challenging hikes or boat access. Now, a short, scenic ride brings you down to a world away from the bustling cliff-top viewpoints. The system is a testament to innovative solutions for accessing challenging terrains, offering a smooth and safe descent.
Upon arrival at the beach, visitors are greeted by a unique landscape of pebbles and resilient vegetation clinging to the cliff base. The contrast between the towering, imposing cliffs and the serene, almost wild beach creates a powerful visual impact. It's a place where you can truly appreciate the raw beauty of Madeira's coastline and the ingenuity required to access it.
Experiencing Fajãs Beach: A Tranquil Escape
The experience at Fajãs is about embracing the tranquility. You can spend hours walking along the shore, listening to the rhythmic crash of the Atlantic waves, and marveling at the sheer scale of the cliffs above. The area is also known for its small-scale agriculture, where vegetables are grown in the unique microclimate created by the cliff face, showcasing the resilience of nature.
For those looking to extend their stay, there are cozy restaurants and cafes right by the sea. These establishments offer a chance to savor local Madeiran dishes while soaking in the stunning ocean vistas. It's the perfect spot to unwind, enjoy a meal, and reflect on the natural beauty surrounding you, making it a highly recommended stop for a relaxed afternoon.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit