Madrid’s cable car will return in 2026 with new modern cabins

The Teleferico, as it is known locally, is set to go through a facelift in order to grant iconic views to more visitors

You might not be well aware of it, but one of Madrid’s iconic attractions is the cable car lift that goes above Parque del Oeste and thus grants its riders unique views at the skyline of the Spanish capital. Known simply as El Teleférico to locals, it’s been dutifully providing an urban escapade since 1969 when it was first put into service as a novelty.

However, following some wear and tear, it shut down two years ago for repairs to the cables. This, however, has been prolonged and finally the Madrid city administration has come up with a more concrete announcement regarding the fate of the cable car.

It’s mostly good news because the aim of the operators is to completely revamp the service and swap its retro style with something more befitting to the 21^st century. The not-so-great news is that those eager to hitch a ride and enjoy some panoramic vistas will have to wait until 2026 when the Teleferico will once again take off to the Madrid skies.

How will Madrid Teleferico change?

Before the stoppage, Madrid’s cable car lift operated 80 cabins, each of which can fit six people. The local government will invest 15 million euros to renovate the service. In the future, it will feature new larger cabins - with a capacity of 10 passengers. The cabin design, as is visible from the main picture, will also be different.

There will also be cabins for people with reduced mobility, which will fit eight riders at a time. Thanks to these renovations, the system could be provided with a capacity of up to 1,800 people/hour and, in addition, the new design will allow greater visibility than the current cabins do.

Madrid’s cable car route has a length of 2,500 metres. The entire trip between Paseo del Pintor Rosales and the tensioning terminal on Cerro Garabitas, in Casa de Campo, takes 11 minutes. The cabins travel at heights of 40 metres above the ground.