If you go for a walk to the capital of Spain and want to experience a good walk in the heights and good panoramic views, then you should not miss the Madrid cable car, a fantastic piece of engineering that gives you the best views of this great old city.
This transport fly over Parque del Oeste and it gives travelers a different point of view of the city than we have when we walk through its streets, so do not hesitate: your next trip to Madrid must be completed with the cable car. Let's learn more about him in today's article.
Cable cars
Examples of primitive cable cars we find all over the world because cables and strips of different materials have been used for centuries to solve transport between distant points and at height, but without a doubt what we understand by cable cars was born in the XNUMXth century. First by the hand of wealthy and idle people, then they were successfully implemented in the mountains to provide a solution to the growing winter tourism.
And since then, more than a century ago, cable car technology has been improving and they are the most practical solution in many places. They are comfortable, they do not pollute and they are often perfect for transporting tourists and travelers.
The Madrid cable car
The Madrid cable car opened in 1969 but the original idea is a few years older. In 1967 the local government handed over the administration of a 1500-meter plot to the project, in order to shape the facilities, and the following year a Swiss company, Von Roll, was hired to begin construction.
In principle, the Madrid cable car was a prototype but it remained and is still working today. It was inaugurated by the mayor of the capital at that time, Carlos Arias Navarro, on June 26, 1969. Travel a total of 2457 meters reaching at its highest point 40 meters. It has two stations, a motor station that is in Rosales and another tension that is in Casa de Campo, respectively at 627 and 651 meters of altitude.
Also, these are the only two stations on the cable car. The Rosales station It is located at the intersection of Paseo de Pintor Rosales, Calle Marqués de Urquijo and Paseo de Camoens. You can get there on the EMT line, 21 and 74, on the metro getting off at Arguelles station or at BiciMAD, station 113. For its part, country house station It is on Cerro Garabitas and you get off the metro at Batán or Lago station or using EMT line 33.
Each cable car ride lasts eleven minutes so you should calculate about 25 minutes round trip. It doesn't matter if it rains or snows, the cable car continues to operate and the only time the service can be interrupted is when there is a strong cross wind or a thunderstorm. However, Who or what can get on the cable car? Well, people, bicycles, without paying any extra, folding baby strollers, pets in a basket and guide dogs.
The cable car has different hours of operation depending on the day but basically it starts between 11 and 12 am and ends between 6, 8:30 and 8 pm. An adult pays 4 euros, children under four years of age travel free and those over 50 pay 65 euros. For frequent travelers there are subscriptions, of course: the monthly pass is 5 euros and the annual one is 15 euros, for example. Tickets are purchased at the ticket offices and are paid in cash or card.
The cable car currently has 80 cabins with capacity, each one, for six people. It can carry about 1.200 people per hour and reaches a speed of 3,5 meters per second. Since last year, the transport administration has returned to the hands of Madrid, so it is currently under municipal management.
As a tourist, the ride on the cable car is calmly added to a walk through the Theme park which is in Casa de Campo. This park has 48 attractions and a very important Zoo Aquarium with animals from all over the world. Also, if you like zombies and horror stories you can enjoy the show of Walking Dead Experience ...
It also has many restaurants, many different shows and you can surely have a great time, and if you don't like parks, you simplify the walk and enjoy the wonderful views of Madrid. What can be seen from the cable car? Well at your feet you will see the Moncloa lighthouse, Museum of America, Plaza de España, Almudena, Royal Palace and its gardens, the Parque del Oeste, the Temple of Debod, San Francisco el Grande, the Sierra de Madrid, the four towers of the CTBA… Luckily, if you are not a local and you don't know what you see, there is a guiding voice that will tell you.
And then, calmly, you have a coffee in the cafeteria with terrace, relax and come back. If you move by car for those things, there is a free parking next to Rosales Station which is where the neighbors park. In other words, it is usually full so you don't have it. Better to move on public transport and forget where you leave the car, right?
Anyway, you already know Riding the Madrid cable car is undoubtedly a most charming and simple ride, which you can do as a couple, alone or as a family. It is also cheap, and as I always say, if the city you visit offers you a privileged point of view so that you can admire its skyline, don't miss it.