Teleférico da Penha (Teleférico de Guimarães)

The Teleférico de Guimarães, usually called the Teleférico da Penha, is a cable car that carries small cabins from the edge of Guimarães up to the top of Penha mountain. It’s run by Turipenha, a public-interest cooperative in which Guimarães council is the main partner, and it’s the easiest way for a family to get from a medieval town to a mountaintop in under ten minutes.

The bottom station, Estação das Hortas, is at the foot of the mountain about five minutes from the historic centre, and the route there is signposted. The top station, Estação da Penha, is close to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Carmo da Penha.

Cabins leave continuously, so except on very busy days the wait is short. They travel at three to five metres a second, and a one-way trip takes about nine minutes. A return trip takes about 18 minutes of riding, and you can get off at the top, explore the mountain and ride back down whenever you like on the same ticket.

As you climb, Guimarães spreads out below. From the roof terrace of the top station you look over the city and a large part of the Ave valley. For a child who likes machines, it’s a good ride to watch closely: the cabins pass each other on the cable, and you can see the stations handle them at each end.

The operator stresses safety. The cable car is inspected every year by Portugal’s transport regulator, the IMT, and it has periodic major maintenance by certified specialist firms. It closes when there is strong wind, thunder or other extreme weather, and they check conditions every day before opening.

Penha is a mountain of viewpoints, caves and paths. The operator’s own suggestions from the top station are the sanctuary designed by the architect Marques da Silva, the many viewpoints, the caves (grutas) and the paths that wind round the mountain. Children who like exploring will want to peer into the caves, and there are rock-climbing routes on the mountain for those who climb with a club or guide. Bring snacks, water and sturdy shoes, and you can spend a few hours up here.

The second Sunday of September is the annual pilgrimage to the sanctuary, when the cable car is at its busiest and the waits are unusually long. Pick another day if you can.

When we checked in September 2026:

• Adults: €5 one way, €10 return
• Children aged 6 to 11: €3 one way, €5 return
• Children under 6: free
• Groups of 12 or more, booked five working days ahead: adults €4.50 one way or €6.50 return, children €3 or €4.50

Residents of Guimarães pay €1 one way and €1.50 return with proof of residence. Tickets are sold at both stations and are valid for a year. Children up to 11 must travel with an adult. The cable car is pet friendly, so the dog can come too.

In September 2026 the cable car ran daily from 10:00 to 18:30, with the ticket offices closing 15 minutes before the end so the last passengers can ride. The operator follows a summer and a winter pattern: from April to October it opens every day, while from November to March it usually opens only on Fridays, weekends and public holidays, with daily opening during Christmas, Carnival and Easter. Check the operator’s information page for the current month’s hours.

At the bottom station, the ground floor has toilets and two restaurants, Prós & Contras and El Mariachi, and there’s a drinks machine by the ticket office upstairs. There’s parking for cars and coaches nearby. The top station has a toilet block and the roof terrace.

The operator doesn’t publish buggy or wheelchair details, so ask at the ticket office before you ride. For the caves and mountain paths, a baby carrier will be easier than a buggy.

Toddlers get a free ride and something to look at. Children of four to eleven get the ride plus caves to peer into and paths to explore, and teenagers can walk further across the mountain. A child who is anxious about heights may find nine minutes a long time, so a return from the top is worth weighing against walking down (the operator doesn’t publish a walking route, so check locally). On a hot day the ride is exposed, so bring water and hats.

The operator suggests pairing the ride with a walk round the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001, and a visit to the castle and the Paço dos Duques de Bragança on the hill where, by tradition, Portugal began. If your child is collecting cable cars, the Teleférico de Gaia crosses the port-wine lodges in Porto, and in Braga the Bom Jesus funicular runs on water.

How long does the Guimarães cable car take?

About nine minutes each way, or 18 minutes for a return, not counting time at the top.

How much is the Teleférico da Penha for children?

Under-6s ride free. Children aged 6 to 11 paid €3 one way or €5 return in September 2026.

Is the Guimarães cable car open in winter?

Usually on Fridays, weekends and holidays from November to March, and daily over Christmas, Carnival and Easter. It opens every day from April to October.

Can dogs go on the Teleférico da Penha?

Yes. The operator describes it as pet friendly.

Is there food at the top?

The top station has toilets and a terrace; the two restaurants listed by the operator are at the bottom station. Bring a picnic for the mountain.