Are you looking for stunning sky-high views? When looking for things to do in Madeira you may have stumbled on the Achadas da Cruz, and for good reason! The best cable car on the island of Madeira is truly impressive and worth a visit. Know what to expect and learn how to get there with our guide.
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What is Achadas da Cruz?
Achadas da Cruz is somewhat off most tourists’ radars, but it’s one of those special places you must visit when visiting the island of Madeira. In fact, most of those who make it this far consider Achadas da Cruz to be the main highlight of their trip. It’s no surprise we listed Achadas da Cruz in the top 10 of the 50 best things to do in Madeira.
Achadas da Cruz is a secluded fishing and farming village perched between the ocean and an impressive 500m high cliff. You can reach it either by cable car or on foot, hiking the steep Vereda do Calhau.
The cable car leading to the village is also one of a kind! It’s known as Teleférico das Achadas da Cruz and it has a 98% slope, making it the steepest cable car in Europe. The ride on the gondola is truly impressive. Pictures don’t do justice to how impressive and grandiose this place feels in person.
What to do at Achadas da Cruz
At the village of Achadas da Cruz you can walk on the promenade and enjoy the views over the ocean on one side and the rocky cliffs on the other. Locals still come to Achadas da Cruz to cultivate this small but fertile piece of land. You will often see them hanging around the little houses, even though nobody lives there.
Achadas da Cruz is really a place for everyone. You can visit it as a relaxing afternoon stroll in just a couple of hours, or you can have a real adventure by hiking (either up or down) the Vereda do Calhau.
If you plan on hiking, check out our tips below, avoid the central hours of the day and get ready for a steep incline.
How to get to Achadas da Cruz
Achadas da Cruz is located in western Madeira, between Ponta do Pargo and Porto Moniz. It is a 10km (20 minutes) drive from the Porto Moniz natural swimming pools, and 11km (20 minutes) from the Vereda do Pesqueiro. Below you can find the exact location of Achadas da Cruz:
From Funchal, by car:
The drive from Funchal to Achadas da Cruz takes about 1h 10 minutes, as this hidden gem is 60km away from Madeira’s capital city. We recommend driving along the southern coast towards Ponta do Pargo, and then going from there, as it’s the fastest route.
The road is paved for the entire way, even all the way to the cable car station, so you don’t need a heavy-duty car to reach it.
🅿️ Parking at Achadas da Cruz
Parking is available in front of the Teleférico das Achadas da Cruz. It is quite wide and there are enough places to leave your car.
Furthermore, the parking is free of charge.
From Funchal, by public transport:
You can get to Achadas da Cruz by bus from Funchal by hopping on bus n°80. It is called Carreira N°80 and it runs from Funchal to Porto Moniz. It is operated by the Rodoeste company and you can check its timetable here. The ride, however, takes 2 hours and 45 minutes, so the best option would be to combine the visit to Achadas da Cruz with other activities in the area, like the pools of Porto Moniz.
Cable car details: Opening Times & Tickets
The cable car of Achadas da Cruz operates every day from 8 AM to 11.30 AM and from 12.30 PM to 6 PM or 7 PM (depending on the season). In summer it stays open until 7 PM, while during winter months – when the days are shorter – it closes at 6 PM.
A return ticket costs €5 EUR ($5 USD) and it can be bought directly at the cable car. During the opening time, the cable car runs every time there is someone willing to go. The station is very small, but the guy operating it is incredibly nice.
Next to the upper cable car station, there is a small snack bar. Besides some very tasty poncha, you will also find freshly squeezed juices, soups as well as salads, meat and fish dishes.
Vereda do Calhau hike in Achadas da Cruz
The Vereda do Calhau is a trail that leads all the way down to Achadas da Cruz. It isn’t a very popular route so it isn’t as visited as other trails, but overall it isn’t in a bad shape. The path is generally wide, and even though there are some big drop-offs the trek isn’t extremely difficult. At the same time, it is very steep and there are some sections with stairs.
The trail starts in front of the cable car station, and it goes all the way down in the direction of the sea, reaching the other station of the gondola. It’s almost 2km long, with a 450m elevation difference.
There isn’t a preferable direction to do this hike, so plan it the way that works best for you.
🥾 HIKE DETAILS
Distance: 1.9km (1.20mi) one way
Duration: 1.5h – 2h one way
Elevation difference: 450m (steep incline with stairs in some sections)
Difficulty: moderate
Best time to visit Achadas da Cruz
In our opinion, sunset is by far the best time to visit Achadas da Cruz. Late in the afternoon, in fact, the sun sets over the ocean lighting up the cliffs around the village and creating a painting-like scenery.
Especially during summertime when days get longer and the cable car is only open until 7 PM, taking one of the latest rides to Achadas da Cruz will allow you to be by yourself down there. Then, you can hike all the way up via the Vereda do Calhau.
Early in the morning is not a good time to visit, as the sun rises on the opposite side of the cliff, leaving the village in the shade for many hours.
There isn’t also any shade during the central hours of the day, so if you visit during the summer months try to avoid the hottest hours.
How long should I stay?
If you’re not planning on doing the hike, consider staying 1 to 2 hours at Achadas da Cruz. While the place is incredibly beautiful, there isn’t really a lot to do so take that into account and pair your day trip with some other activities.
Can you swim at Achadas da Cruz?
The waves are often big in Achadas da Cruz, and there isn’t an easy entrance to the sea. It is possible to swim but only do so if the ocean isn’t too rough and you feel confident about it.
There is a high risk of getting smashed against the rocks when the ocean isn’t calm.
What to do nearby?
There are plenty of things to do near Achadas da Cruz, whether you fancy swimming, hiking, or simply doing some sightseeing. Here is a list of our top picks in the area:
➼ Porto Moniz natural swimming pools
Swim in the lava pools of Porto Moniz, naturally filled with ocean water. Porto Moniz is just 10km away from Achadas da Cruz.
➼ Levada dos Cedros
Levada dos Cedros makes its way deep into the forest of Madeira, following an old water channel.
The trail crosses a stunning wooden bridge and ends with a hidden waterfall.
➼ Hike the Vereda do Pesqueiro
This beautiful vereda is one of the most beautiful coastal hikes in Madeira. It’s not far from Achadas da Cruz, as it’s just 20 minutes away by car.
You can read more about Vereda do Pesqueiro here.
➼ Levada das 25 Fontes & Risco Waterfall
The most popular hike in Madeira, with different trails and stunning waterfalls. Make sure to include it in our itinerary.
