The Teleférico de Madrid connects the Parque del Oeste with Casa de Campo, offering what was once one of the city's most distinctive ways to cross from the urban center to Madrid's largest green space. Built by the Swiss company Von Roll and inaugurated in 1969, this cable car system stretches 2,457 meters and takes about eleven minutes to complete the full journey.

I remember riding it years ago, watching Madrid unfold below as the cabins glided over the Manzanares River and past the San Antonio de la Florida hermitage. The route offers an unusual perspective of the city - you float above the rose garden in Parque del Oeste, over the Príncipe Pío train station, and finally arrive at the Garabitas hill area in Casa de Campo. On clear days, the views stretch across the Madrid skyline in a way you simply can't get from street level.

The system uses 72 six-seater gondolas, though it's worth noting that the cable car has been closed since 2022 due to structural damage discovered during routine inspections. The repairs are ongoing, which is frustrating for both locals and visitors who enjoyed this aerial route. When operational, it was particularly popular with families heading to Casa de Campo's attractions and anyone wanting to avoid the longer walk or drive around to reach the park.

The story behind its opening is quite typical of Madrid bureaucracy. Originally scheduled to debut during the San Isidro festivities in May 1969, the inauguration was delayed because neighbors complained about privacy concerns - apparently worried about cable car passengers peering into their homes. Eventually, mayor Carlos Arias Navarro cut the ribbon in June.

Both terminals have practical amenities. The Rosales station includes a 350-space parking garage and a restaurant called El Balcón de Rosales. The Casa de Campo terminal sits near the Plaza de los Pasos Perdidos and also has dining options and parking. These facilities made it convenient for day trips to Casa de Campo, especially for those coming from central Madrid.

Discover all the secrets of the Teleférico de Madrid with our complete Madrid audio guide to better understand how this aerial transport fits into the city's urban development story. The cable car represents an interesting chapter in Madrid's infrastructure history - a 1960s solution to connecting two important areas that remains unique in the Spanish capital's transportation network, whenever it eventually reopens.