Fajã dos Padres, Madeira: Is The Cable Car and Beach Worth Visiting?

On the south coast of Madeira, really not that far from Funchal, there’s a tiny, steep cable car that’ll take you down to a ‘hidden’ beach with crashing waves, banana trees and wispy willows. Its name? Fajã dos Padres.

I visited Fajã dos Padres on a lazy Saturday, and despite it being a weekend with blazing sun, it was practically empty. Just a few couples were spread across the pier sunbathing, while a handful of others had taken up position in the restaurant for a meal with sea views.

In this post, I’ll share whether it’s worth visiting Fajã dos Padres, and why it’s a good option if you’re tired of the thick tourist crowds elsewhere in Madeira. It may be small, but Fajã dos Padres is a bit of an adventure, with a small – and slightly intimidating – cable car that plunges down the cliffside towards the waves and the secluded fajã below.

It’s not as straightforward to reach as other beaches, so I’ll cover where to park, car-free transport options, and what to expect at the beach and property.

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What Is Fajã dos Padres?

If you’re very observant, you may have already noticed that unlike many of the other beaches in Madeira, Fajã dos Padres doesn’t begin with praia (Portuguese for beach).

That’s because it’s actually a fajã: a small, very fertile piece of land formed by long-ago lava flows and landslides. There are a few of these in Madeira, and they’re known for their subtropical plants and vineyards. Because they sit underneath steep cliffs, they often shelter small, tucked-away beaches.

For many years, despite being just a 20-minute drive west of Funchal, this location was only accessible by boat. However, nowadays, there’s a cable car to transport people down the steep 300-metre cliffs.

Since the 15th century, there’s also been a farm at Fajã dos Padres. The land first belonged to priests for around 150 years, who began growing the property’s now-famous Malmsey wine grapes. Today, the organic farm produces bananas, mangos and avocados, alongside the grapes – hence the vineyards and banana trees that you’ll see when you arrive.

There’s also a restaurant, guesthouse, pebble beach and a small port where sunloungers are available to rent in the summer. On tours, you can also visit the old cellar where the Malmsey wine was produced.

How to Get to Fajã dos Padres

The Fajã dos Padres Cable Car

To reach Fajã dos Padres, you need to take the cable car. The cable car station is a 20-minute drive west of Funchal, just past Câmara de Lobos and the popular Cabo Girão viewpoint.

I parked along the road next to the cable car station (as pictured above), but there are also a few limited parking spaces when you first turn onto the road. (For more information on driving on the island, check out my complete guide to renting a car in Madeira.)

Full disclaimer: the cable car can be pretty intimidating. I’m not scared of heights, but I was definitely a little bit nervous when I first stepped inside. I think it’s because the cliff is so steep – going over the edge for the first time feels quite dramatic.

However, the cable car itself is slow, steady and modern. Once we started moving down towards the fajã, I quickly realised there was nothing to be scared of and began to enjoy the views of the vineyards, cacti and crashing waves instead.

Remember to check the opening hours for the cable car before visiting. Typically, it’s open every day from 10am. In winter, the last return is around 6pm, while in summer, it runs until 7pm.

If you’re wondering where to stay nearby, you might want to consider Funchal, Câmara de Lobos or Ribeira Brava. My complete guide to where to stay in Madeira has more tips on where to base yourself.

How much does the cable car to Fajã dos Padres cost?

The Fajã dos Padres cable car costs €12 for a return ticket. However, children under the age of 12 go free, as do guests at the fajã guesthouse. You don’t need to book ahead, as tickets can be purchased from the cable car station upon arrival.

Can You Get to the Cable Car without a Car?

Taking The Bus to Fajã dos Padres

There is no bus service directly to the cable car station. However, if you’re not renting a car, you can still reach the beach by taking a Fajã dos Padres day tour from Funchal. This tour allows you to request pick-up from your hotel in Funchal, and includes wine-tasting and a tour at the fajã.

You can also try ordering a Bolt car from Funchal. However, drivers often don’t like to take routes outside of the city. And even if you do manage to get a Bolt to the cable car, it’s even more difficult to order a Bolt back to the city. It’d be better to call a local taxi service and arrange your pick-up and drop-off.

Boat Access

The other way to reach Fajã dos Padres is by boat, but this is mainly reserved for guesthouse guests. If you have your own small boat, you can also contact the property directly to arrange mooring.

What Is the Beach Like?

Fajã dos Padres doesn’t have the beautiful black sand of Seixal or the white sand of Machico. It’s a pebble beach backed by steep green cliffs.

Pebbles can be uncomfortable to lie on, so most people sunbathe on the small concrete pier. In summer, the property rents out sunloungers and umbrellas on the pier.

The views are genuinely spectacular. I had to keep peeling my eyes away from the surrounding cliffs just to focus on the book I was reading.

I didn’t go swimming from the pier because the water looked a little rough, but my friend did (more than five times, in fact). There aren’t any lifeguards, so it’s important to check the conditions before you get into the water.

The Restaurant and Facilities

If you don’t fancy drying off in the sun, there are showers and changing cabins next to the restaurant.

The restaurant overlooks the beach, so you can easily alternate between the two. It’s a lovely place to eat, with tables overlooking the ocean, but food is only served from 12pm to 3.30pm, so it’s worth reserving a table in advance, especially during high season.

The bar, however, is open from 11am to 6pm.

The restaurant serves Madeiran cuisine, mainly tuna and other fresh fish dishes using locally grown produce. You can also try the property’s Malmsey wine.

The pricing is pretty typically for Madeira, ranging from €15 to €22 for a main meal.

Can You Tour The Property?

When you first get off the cable car, you arrive at the property’s garden and get to walk between some of the mango and banana trees. However, for a more detailed look inside the property and its cellars, you’ll need to sign up for a tour (for a minimum of two people).

These can be booked directly with the property (limited times are available, usually 10.30am on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sundays) and cost €26 to €36, depending on whether you want a fruit tasting. Tours of the property are also included in an organised day tour from Funchal.

Is Fajã dos Padres Worth It?

Here’s my honest takeaway from my day trip to Fajã dos Padres. For a beach day that has a bit of added intrigue, it’s a great option.

The cable car, although a little nerve-racking, is seriously memorable. (Although, if you’re very scared of heights, definitely skip this location.)

That’s arguably the highlight, though. Once you reach the fajã, the beach is not quite as idyllic as places like Seixal or Machico. The ‘beach’ area is really a small concrete pier (with sunloungers in summer), so it’s not very ‘beachy’, if you catch my drift. That said, the views are special.

The main appeal of Fajã dos Padres (aside from the cable car) is that it’s far quieter than Seixal or Machico. If you plan your timing well and reserve ahead, you can also eat at the farm-to-table restaurant and join a tour of the historic property. For wine-tasting and a little niche part of Madeira’s history, it’s well worth it.

Tips Before You Visit

• Pack plenty of water unless you want to pay restaurant prices.
• Bring plenty of cash for the facilities and cable car.
• Check sea conditions before swimming, as the beach is not lifeguarded.
• If you’re afraid of heights, don’t visit the cable car on windy days.

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