A small old-fashioned cable car that runs the 2.5 km between the Parque del Oeste (near Plaza de España) and the middle of the Casa de Campo, passing 40 metres above the Manzanares river. The journey takes 11 minutes each way and gives one of the best aerial views of central Madrid, with the Royal Palace, the Almudena Cathedral, and the Templo de Debod all in line on the city side.
The Teleférico has been running since 1969 and feels its age in a charming way — slow, quiet, unfashionable, the cabins much-painted. It only operates on weekends and bank holidays in winter; daily through the summer school holiday. Adult return ticket around €6. Children's prices half. A pleasant low-key half-day with a picnic in the Casa de Campo at the far end.