Telecabine Lisboa

The Telecabine Lisboa is a gondola lift along the riverfront at Parque das Nações, in the east of Lisbon. It opened in March 1998 for Expo 98, the world fair held on this site, and was one of the fair’s most popular rides. Today it runs between two stations: the south station on Passeio de Neptuno, right next to the Oceanário, and the north station on Passeio das Tágides, beside the old Vasco da Gama tower, which is now the MyRiad hotel.

The line is 1,230 metres long and the cabins travel about 30 metres above the water. Its towers stand in the bed of the river a few metres from the shore, so the whole ride feels as if you are flying over the Tagus estuary rather than over the city. There are 40 closed cabins with automatic doors, each seating eight on two benches, and a trip takes 8 to 12 minutes depending on the speed.

From up there, Parque das Nações is laid out like a model. The operator lists the Oceanário, the Portugal Pavilion, the São Gabriel and São Rafael towers, the Atlantic Pavilion (now the MEO Arena), the Vasco da Gama tower and, stretching away across the estuary, the Vasco da Gama bridge.

It’s a calm ride. The cabins move slowly into and out of each station, and the long middle stretch is smooth. Younger children can spot the Oceanário from above, while older ones count the towers in the river.

The Telecabine is a monocable detachable gondola, built by the cable-car maker Doppelmayr. One steel cable, 45 millimetres thick, moves round and round in the same direction at a steady speed of up to four metres a second. It both carries the cabins and pulls them along. A 314-kilowatt electric motor in the south station drives it, and there’s a 96-kilowatt fuel engine as a backup if the power fails. The tensioning system that keeps the cable tight is in the north station.

The clever part is the grip. Each cabin clamps onto the moving cable out on the line, then lets go when it reaches a station, so it can slow right down for you to step in and out while the cable keeps moving. As it leaves, it clamps back on and speeds away. The longest gap between two towers is 270 metres. The operator says staff inspect the system every day, and outside auditors approved by Portugal’s transport regulator check it every three years.

When we checked in September 2026:

• Adults: €7.50 one way, €9.50 return
• Children aged 3 to 12: €5.50 one way, €6.50 return
• Children up to 2: free

A joint ticket with the Oceanário de Lisboa was listed at €33.90 for an adult and €25.30 for over-65s, with a lower €21.50 price that the page didn’t label clearly (ask at the desk whether it’s the child rate). Visit Lisboa lists a 10% discount with the Lisboa Card.

You must buy a ticket before boarding. Tickets can’t be refunded, but they don’t expire, which helps if the weather turns. Children under 13 must ride with an adult, and you need ID for children and for anyone claiming the over-65 rate.

When we checked in September 2026, the timetable on the official website only ran to 13 March 2026, so we can’t give current hours. As a guide, in 2025 it opened 11:00 to 19:00 in spring, 10:30 to 20:00 from late May to mid-September, and 11:00 to 18:00 from late October to mid-March, including Christmas Eve. The site also gave an annual maintenance closure from 17 November to 5 December. Phone +351 218 956 143 or email geral@telecabinelisboa.pt to confirm, especially in late autumn.

The rules are sensible for children: no eating or drinking in the cabins except water, no rocking the cabin, and no more than eight people per cabin, babies included. Some cabins are wheelchair accessible. Animals aren’t allowed, except guide dogs. The operator doesn’t mention buggies, so ask the staff; a folded buggy is easier in a cabin that seats eight.

A one-way ticket is enough if you plan to walk back along the riverside promenade, which is flat, with gardens and space to run. Riding north from the Oceanário end means the Vasco da Gama bridge fills the view ahead. A return suits smaller children who won’t manage the walk.

The Telecabine is one part of a full day here. The Oceanário is next to the south station, and the hands-on science centre at the Pavilhão do Conhecimento is a short walk away. The Oceanário page has details of getting to Parque das Nações by metro. If your child is collecting cable cars, the Teleférico de Gaia in Porto crosses the port-wine lodges.

How long is the Lisbon cable car ride?

Between 8 and 12 minutes each way over 1,230 metres.

How much is the Telecabine Lisboa for children?

Children aged 3 to 12 paid €5.50 one way or €6.50 return when checked in September 2026. Under-3s go free.

Is the Telecabine Lisboa open now?

Check before you go: the website’s timetable only ran to March 2026, and there is usually a maintenance closure from mid-November to early December.

Can you take a wheelchair or a buggy?

There are wheelchair-accessible cabins. Buggies aren’t mentioned, so ask the staff at the station.

Is there a combined ticket with the Oceanário?

Yes. The joint ticket was listed at €33.90 for an adult in September 2026.