Teleferico de Madrid

The Teleferico opened in 1969 and runs about 2.5 kilometres from the edge of the Parque del Oeste over the Manzanares valley to a station in the Casa de Campo, Madrid's largest park at over seventeen hundred hectares, once a royal hunting ground. The ride takes about eleven minutes at around forty metres above ground, with a view over the Royal Palace, the Almudena cathedral, the western skyline and the sierra beyond on clear days. The upper station has a terrace and a cafe. It runs on a seasonal schedule, daily in summer and weekends only for much of the winter, and the Casa de Campo can also be reached by metro, which some visitors prefer for the return.

What you actually see

• The valley crossing - eleven minutes over the Manzanares at forty metres.
• The palace view - the Royal Palace and cathedral from the cabins.
• The Casa de Campo - Madrid's largest park at the far end.
• The sierra horizon - the Guadarrama peaks on clear days.

When to go

Spring and autumn for the clearest air; the service runs daily in summer and at weekends only through much of the winter, so checking the calendar matters. Afternoon light suits the palace view.

Honest expectations

The schedule is seasonal and the cable car closes entirely for maintenance periods. The Casa de Campo station is in a remote part of the park with little around it beyond a cafe. Cabins are dated and slow.

Nearby

The Temple of Debod and Parque del Oeste are at the lower station; the Casa de Campo lake and zoo are in the park.