Achadas da Cruz Cable Car: A Perfect Cliffside Adventure
There are 7 cable cars in Madeira, but the Achadas da Cruz cable car sets the record for one of the steepest cable cars in Europe at a 98% grade! This cable car will transport you almost straight down to Fajã da Quebrada Nova, a deserted village with amazing scenery on the west coast of Madeira.
The views of the cliffs and ocean down by the village might just make you feel like you were the first to discover the island, just as the Portuguese did around 1419! It might technically be deserted, but the village has a local bar and a few homes and gardens that are kept up by locals.
With dramatic coastal scenery and a fun cable car ride, find out how to spend a morning here, what to expect, and the best time to go.
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Webcams In Madeira
Get into the routine of checking the live webcams each morning before locking in your plans. A quick glance can save you from setting out on a hike or heading to a viewpoint, only to be met with clouds, rain, or poor visibility.
Adverse weather can cause the cable car to close, so it’s best to check the weather status or cable car status before starting your adventure.
Things to Know
- This is a very popular cable car on the island of Madeira. We recommend going in the early morning hours, right when it opens, or shortly after.
- It’s open from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
- Ticket sales stop for lunch between 12:00 and 1:00 pm, and between 4:30 pm and 6:00 pm, the cable car only transports passengers back up the cliff.
- The cost is €5 for adults. One-way tickets are €3.
- A morning visit will have fewer crowds and waiting times. During the peak afternoon hours, wait times can be up to 1 hour or more. The same goes for the bottom when coming up. Be advised that there is no shade below either.
- There are restrooms right near the Achadas da Cruz cable car, and they are free.
- There is also a snack bar at the top that offers some amazing views with small bites to eat.
- The cable car is VERY VERY steep. It might look a bit rickety, but this adventure was so worth it. It’s a quick 5-minute ride up or down.
- If it’s very windy or there are adverse weather conditions, the cable car may close, so be prepared with a backup plan.
If you are planning on spending more time on Madeira, check out our full 9-day itinerary with the best hikes and things to do on the island!
Achadas da Cruz Cable Car
Start your cliffside adventure by parking at the parking lot near the cable car. There is a long, steep road that will lead you right to this location.
Once you arrive, walk down to the cable car and be sure to check out the view from the overlook. It is literally straight down!
Then, secure your tickets for the cable car with the operator. They take cash and contactless payments as well.
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The Ride Down
The cabins for this cable car are pretty small compared to the one in downtown Funchal. Plus, there are only two cars running at the same time. You can expect to sit with another small group if there are just two of you, for a total of 6 passengers.
The quick 5-minute ride down is amazing and scenic as you feel as though you are falling toward the earth. The car might sway in the wind, but you’ll arrive at the bottom safe and sound.
History of Fajã da Quebrada Nova
This location is very significant as a historical agricultural area of Madeira. For centuries, inhabitants have used the remote villages here for cultivation and agriculture, as the volcanic soils are very fertile. In earlier times, those who lived here and used the land had to use the steep trail to reach the top. There was no cable car!
In the 20th century, the cable car was added, which made access to this area much easier. The cable car was mainly used for transporting people and agricultural goods, and it really improved the lives of those who lived here.
Today, the cable car is primarily used by tourists, and you can really experience the beauty of Madeira here in a unique way.
Fajã da Quebrada Nova also uses a levada system that you have likely seen in other areas of Madeira. This is used to transport water down to the village. Residents even used to produce wine here.
🚡 Loving this cable car experience? Well, be sure to check out the Funchal cable car and visit Monte Palace Garden!
Explore Fajã da Quebrada Nova
Now, it’s time to explore the deserted village town! Start by following the brick path toward the small village. Here, you will have outstanding views of Madeira’s cliffs and the deep blue ocean.
Follow the brick path all the way to the end, and then you can continue up the narrow switchbacks toward the end of the trail and another small deserted part of the village that overlooks the ocean and cliffs.
Along the way, you’ll be able to spot some old homes here as well as some that appear as though they are being fixed up. Who knows – maybe someone is planning on living down here!
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Walk Back and Explore the Village
After you have enjoyed the views at the end of the trail, it’s time to head back toward the main village. Here, you can wander in and around small paths that lead next to the old homes. One interesting location is Casa do Lagar.
🐚 While in the area, don’t miss a quick visit to Ilhéus da Ribeira da Janela.
Casa do Lagar
Near Casa do Lagar, you can learn about the history of winemaking from the grapes that grew on the terraces here. The historical wine presses are known as Lagares. These usually consisted of a large stone or wooden structure where the grapes were crushed by foot and pressed with a large wooden beam press.
This method was efficient and helped preserve the quality of the wine. Today, the traditional presses and terraces are an important cultural artifact of Madeira. There used to be at least 3 wine presses, and the largest of them was actually used to press wine in 2024, and renovations are ongoing.
Ride Back Up
Finally, it’s time to queue up at the cable car in preparation for the ride back up the steep cliff. We hope you plan your visit here early. If you do, you will have no wait for the ride back up!
When you reach the top, be sure to check out the Calhau Snack Bar and the amazing views from the top of the cliff if you have not already done so. What a great way to spend a morning in Madeira.
Don’t Forget Your Rental Car
If you want to make the most of your time on the island of Madeira, be sure to book a rental car and book it early. For the best rates, check the prices and options at DiscoverCars! You really can’t go wrong with DiscoverCars.
If there is one takeaway about rental cars in Madeira, make sure you get the smallest one that fits your party. Roads are narrow, and parking can be tough!
Where to Stay While Visiting Madeira
Madeira has plenty of great hotels and rentals to choose from. We recommend picking one location on the island and using that as your home base. You can get anywhere on the island in about an hour or a bit more.
We chose the warm, scenic, and small town of Ponta do Sol as our home base, and we really loved our rental house! Some choose to stay in Funchal, which has tons of amenities.
Here are a few great places to stay in Ponta do Sol:
- A VRBO! If you are looking for your own place to stay on Madeira, check out the great rental options in Ponta do Sol or across the entire island of Madeira!
- 1905 Zino’s Palace – a beautifully restored pink palace in Ponta do Sol, offering an intimate boutique stay in a historic 19th-century building. With elegant rooms, ocean views, and a peaceful pool area, it blends Madeiran heritage with relaxed, modern comfort. Complete with a pool, an on-site restaurant, and a bar. Check it out now on Expedia or Booking.com.
- Enotel Sunset Bay – a relaxed 4-star hotel in Ponta do Sol, right by the Atlantic with stunning sunset views and easy access to a pebble beach. The property offers a heated pool, sauna, and restaurant serving local cuisine. Book right now on Expedia or Booking.com.
Final Thoughts
The Achadas da Cruz Cable Car was one of our favorite adventures during our week exploring the island of Madeira. But really, where else can you ride a cable car down to a deserted village with amazing views and history?
As we noted above, we arrived here around 9:00 am and literally had the place to ourselves! We were one of a few people walking around at the bottom, so it really felt like we were the only ones on the entire island.
Let’s be honest here: after seeing the cable car in person at first, we were a bit reluctant to ride it. 😄It just looked a bit sketchy to us! Don’t let that deter you, because this was one of our favorite experiences we had. You must add this to your itinerary!
After our experience here, we headed to visit the Ilhéus da Ribeira da Janela, a quick and scenic stop right near Porto Moniz. Finally, we finished our day visiting Seixal Beach.
🛌🏽 Looking for a place to stay with an epic view and pool, too? Don’t forget to check out VRBO or Expedia to book your stay!
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