Fajã dos Padres tour: Cable car & organic farm visit

Descend by cable car to a working farm at the foot of a cliff, then walk the crops and pebble beach.

A private tour from Funchal to Fajã dos Padres, a small settlement on Madeira's south coast accessible only by cable car, includes hotel or port pickup, the cable car ticket, and three hours exploring the organic farm, tropical fruit crops and pebble beach. Your guide walks you through the working land and shows you the exotic fruits grown there, then you have time to rest at the beachfront restaurant or on the beach itself.

The experience

If you've just arrived in Funchal or have a free afternoon, this tour picks you up from your hotel, port or apartment and drives you to the cable car station. The cable car itself is not private (you'll share it with other visitors), but the descent is the only way down to Fajã dos Padres, a pocket of land wedged between sea and cliff on the island's south side. Once you reach the bottom, your guide takes over and walks you through the organic farming plots that cover the settlement, pointing out the tropical fruits and explaining how the land is worked.

The three-hour tour leaves time to wander the pebble beach, sit at the beachfront restaurant that serves Madeiran cuisine, or simply rest in one of the cozy cottages scattered across the property. The settlement has basic amenities so you can spend the afternoon without rushing. Weather can close the cable car without notice, so the operator asks that you dress for whatever conditions arrive. The tour runs in all weather when the cable car is open.

Your driver brings you back to your starting point at the end. The tour is private, so the pace and stops are yours to set within the three hours on the ground.

What’s included

• Driver and local guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• private tour with your own vehicle.
• cable car ticket down to Fajã dos Padres and back up.
• hotel, port or apartment pickup and drop-off.
• free WiFi onboard the vehicle.

Options for this experience

5 options

Funchal, Caniço PickupGuide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · 09:30 and 14:00Private tour, 3 hours, with pickup from the Funchal and Caniço areas included

Funchal Port MeetingGuide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · 09:30 and 14:00Private tour, 3 hours, meeting at the Funchal cruise ship port for pickup; pickup is included

North/South East MadGuide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · 10:00 and 14:00Private tour, 3 hours, North/South East Madeira pickup from Santa Cruz, Machico, Caniçal, Porto da Cruz and Santana; pickup is included

See 2 more options

South West MadeiraGuide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · 10:00 and 14:00Private tour, 3 hours, South West Madeira pickup from Ribeira Brava, Ponta do Sol and Calheta; pickup is included

North West MadeiraGuide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · 09:30 and 14:00Private tour, 3 hours, North West Madeira pickup from Ponta Delgada, São Vicente, Seixal and Porto Moniz; pickup is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 3h, runs Monday to Friday at 09:30, 10:00 and 14:00, from € 100 per person, with a live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday to FridayDepartures at 09:30, 10:00 and 14:00Another day? ›

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Under 6: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Pearl of the Atlantic

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you're staying in or arriving at Funchal and want to see a part of Madeira most visitors never reach. The cable car is the only access, so the isolation is what makes the farm and beach feel like a refuge, and the private vehicle means you control the pace and stops within the three hours you have on the ground.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How do I get down to Fajã dos Padres if it's only accessible by cable car?

The cable car is the sole way down to the settlement. It runs continuously and is included in your tour, though you'll share the ride with other visitors. The cable car can close due to weather or maintenance, so the operator recommends dressing for the conditions you might encounter.

What will I actually do for three hours once I'm at Fajã dos Padres?

Your guide walks you through the organic farming plots and shows you the tropical fruits growing there. After that, the time is yours: you can explore the pebble beach, eat at the beachfront restaurant, rest in one of the cottages, or simply sit and take in the view from the foot of the cliff.

Does the tour include meals or drinks at the restaurant?

Food and drinks are not included in the tour price. The beachfront restaurant is there if you want to order, but you pay separately for anything you eat or drink.

Which pickup location works best for me if I'm staying in Funchal?

You choose your pickup point when you book: Funchal Port if you're arriving by ship, or Funchal or Caniço if you're staying in a hotel or apartment in that area. The tour also offers pickups from other parts of the island depending on where you're based.

What should I bring or wear for this tour?

You're responsible for your own clothing. The cable car can close due to weather, so the operator asks that you dress appropriately for whatever conditions you encounter. Bring what you'd wear for a few hours on a beach and farm land at the foot of a cliff.