Touring from above

One thing that even people with acrophobia might fall in love with is hovering in the sky above a city they have only seen on street view before. You might stroll every narrow alley you could trace on Google Maps and take a selfie with all possible landmarks of the city, but never actually get to experience the magic from where birds gaze over the rooftops. And because skydiving is not necessarily everyone’s piece of cake, cable cars are just the way to go for a tour in the sky. Suddenly, everything starts looking grand and serene at the same time. You instantly sense the city’s spirit and subconsciously analyze the routine of every neighborhood as you observe, as it gets further, tinier, and more insignificant to the human eye. In a snap of a finger, you realize you have just watched a trailer of the city you so much craved to blend with. Life is too fast and mechanized not to pool it with its all colors and angles every time you get the chance.  

Cable cars: guides in the forms of vehicles 

Elevate your travel experience and discover urban beauty from new heights.

Objectively speaking, there is no better way of treating yourself to some native-style entertainment than piercing your way into some local leisure events like wine and food festivals, for instance. The spice-up of this experience, however, is an epic cable car ride either on a clear day, during the sunset, or beneath the moonlight, just when the city is illuminated in all its glory.

From up above you get the free pass to explore everything head to toe: examine the infrastructures, locate the sights you have previously visited or are planning to, shape an understanding around distances between districts, and admire some medieval architecture, if you may. At the end of the day, this can also be a great bonding activity with friends or co-travelers, allowing you to capture impeccable photographs of what you see and make memories worth remembering around a cozy dinner table. 

Here is your list of the most remarkable cable cars and ropeways in Europe

Wings of Tatev Aerial Tramway in Armenia

Halidzor – Tatev | Syunik, Armenia | H45, Tatev 3218

At a staggering altitude of 320m, Wings of Tatev is the former record holder for the longest aerial tramway in the world, and the winner of the world’s leading cable car award as per World Travel Awards 2021. and With its latest generation engineering elements by Austrain-Swiss Doppelmayr Group, Wings of Tatev provides an eye-opening experience above the picturesque Vorotan River and reaches its final destination at Tatev Monastery in a 12-minute flight. 

Established: 16 October 2010
Length: 5752m
Price: 5500 AMD (~13 EUR / roundtrip)
Info: official website
Yerevan flights navigator

Telecabine Lisboa in Portugal 

 Lisbon | Parque das Nações | Passeio das Tágides (North Station) 1990-280 Lisboa

The Tagus River in Lisbon is basically your gateway to the city’s famous ropeway, Telecabine. Your first station is Lisbon’s Oceanarium (Passeio de Neptuno) neighboring the Old Old Vascso da Gama tower (Passeio das Tágides). Throughout this lovely ride, you will get to explore the entirety of the Tagus River with all its glory and pass over the Vasco da Gama bridge.

Established: 1998
Length: 1,2km
Price: 6 euros (roundtrip)
Info: official website
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Mother of Georgia Tramway, Tbilisi

Tbilisi | Metekhi | 1 Dutu Megreli Street, Rike Park

Tbilisi is for sure a city of multiple wonders, therefore one thing you might want to try before you leave is the Rike Park cable car, an icon of the Georgian capital. You will get to fly over panoramic views of terracotta rooftops and fortresses of the past centuries, gaze upon hills, some fine architecture, and sprawling cityscapes. 

Established: 2012
Length: 600m
Price: 2,5 Lari (access only with “Travel Card”)
Info: official website
Tbilisi flights calendar

Seilbahn Koblenz in Germany 

Koblenz | Niederberg | 56077 Koblenz

In the western part of Germany lies a splendid city, Koblenz. This place ultimately does have a ropeway of its own and the ride starts at Deutsches Eck, the confluence point where Moselle River joins the Rhine. Your final stop will be a fortress called Ehrenbreitstein: a historic castle that will most definitely not fail to amaze you. And before you ask, entrance is allowed and you are also encouraged to take your rest at the park surrounding the castle, since there is a long way back to where you started.

Established: 2010
Length: 900m
Price: 14,90 euros for adults, 7 euros for children (roundtrip)
Info: official website 

Teleférico del Puerto in Spain

Barcelona | Port Cable Car | Pg. de Joan de Borbó, 88, Ciutat Vella

No one gets bored in the metropolis of Barcelona. Especially when one of the fun ideas includes hopping on the Teleférico del Puerto straight to the harbor! The sights are showstocking with an open view of gorgeous Barcelona and the most emblematic symbols of its history. The ticket office is located on the Plaça de l’Armada. 

Established: 1929
Length: 1300m
Price: 20 euros (roundtrip)
Info: official website 

Aiguille du Midi in France 

Chamonix | Mont-Blanc | 74400 Chamonix

Not until recently, the Aiguille du Midi was the highest aerial tramway system internationally. The cabins will take you from Chamonix to an altitude of 3777m, and once you have passed the famous walkway you will take an elevator. Get ready to witness an outstanding view of Mont Blanc and its nearest peaks in a 360-degree panorama. 

Established: 1960s’
Mount height: 3842m
Price: 55 euros (roundtrip)
Info: official website 

Moscow Cable Car in Russia 

Moscow | Ramenki District | Ulitsa Kosygina, 28

A flight over the Moskva River! Moscow’s first cable car covers the distance between the two banks of the Moskva River. It might be unrealistic to picture another area in Moscow where a ropeway would be this suitable organically, or be as successful. The cable car picks you up at the Luzhniki Sports Complex and drops you to the legendary Vorobyovy Gory observation deck in a snap of a finger.

Established: 2018
Length: 720m
Price: 450 RUB for adults, 300 RUB for children (roundtrip)
Info: official website

Parnitha Funitel in Greece

Athens | Mount Parnitha | Parnithos, Acharnes 136 72

This state-of-the-art cable car was launched to provide customers connection to the Casino Mont Parnes. With this ropeway, you can avoid the traffic and save yourself a good 30 minutes. However, the cable car often becomes a destination for views of nature and the cityscape – all without having to enter the casino’s area. The Funitel is considered by critics to be a jewel in architecture and a form of rare national inheritance. The ride is open to all age groups and the view of Athens from Mount Parnitha is well worth the experience. Being a convenient and reliable means of transportation, with a stunning view over the Attica Basin, the aerial tramway is a short, but memorable 7-minute journey that prepares visitors for some top-tier quality time. 

Established: 1971
Length: 1595m
Price: free of charge
Info: official website

Ritten Cable Car in Italy 

Bolzano | Walther Square | Via Paese, 20, 39054

Offering a whole collection of surprising advantages for tourists and local passerbys alike, this ropeway has a generous timetable, minimized travel time, and easy access. Only 12 minutes are needed for the gondolas to move from Oberbozen/Soprabolzano to Bozen/Bolzano, and they depart every 4 minutes, so you practically have no waiting time. The valley terminal is located conveniently close to the city center and can be reached by public transport. 

Established: 23 May 2009
Length: 4560m
Price: 10 euros (roundtrip)
Info: official website

Sigulda Aerial Tramway in Latvia

Sigulda | Sigulda District | Jāņa Poruka iela 14, Sigulda, Siguldas pilsēta 

The Sigulda ropeway offers a flight over the Gauja Valley, blessing your sight to the view of an unseen landscape over a distance of kilometers. At a height of 43m above ground, the Sigulda ropeway connects the two sides of the river Gauja and jawed-rops its visitors with the valley of Gauja, three medieval castles: Sigulda, Turaida, and Krimulda, the bobsleigh track, and Gauja bridge. The cable car is the oldest vehicle of its kind in the Baltic States.

Length: 1020m
Price: 16 euros for adults, 12 euros for children (roundtrip)
Info: official website

Fjellheisen cable car in Norway

Tromsø | Tromsdalen | Sollivegen 12, 9020 Tromsdalen

The Fjellheisen cable car flies you from Solliveien in Tromsdalen right to Storsteinen, on a height of 421 meters above sea level. If you happen to find yourself in Tromsø, do not miss out on the experience of witnessing the Aurora Borealis from above – this is the best place to see the Northern Lights from across the city.

Established: 22 February 1961
Duration: 4 minutes
Price: 415 NOK for adults, 200 NOK for children (roundtrip)
Info: official website 

Tampa Cable Car in Romania 

Brașov | Prund-Schei | Aleea Tiberiu Brediceanu

The Tâmpa Mountain is a nature reserve with thick vegetation and quite a few walking/biking paths, which makes it a suitable area for hiking or cycling. The biggest charm in these peaks, of course, is the enormous Hollywood-like sign of Brașov visible from the entire city and beyond. Stepping foot onto here will cost you a cable ride. The ground station is located to the south of the historic old town, near the Ropemakers’ Bastion. 

Established: 1971
Length: 573m
Info: related website
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Adliswil-Felsenegg cable car in Switzerland

Zürich | Canton of Zürich | Felsenegg 8, 8143 Stallikon

The Adliswil-Felsenegg is a ropeway in the canton of Zürich, the economic titan of Switzerland. The lower station of this cable car system is located in Adliswil in the Sihl Valley, whilst the upper station sits on the Felsenegg hill on the Albis ridge near the Felsenegg-Girstel TV tower. All in all, pack your warmest clothing and prepare snacks for the entire day because a trip like this one is more of a movie rather than another day off in the countryside. 

Established: 30 December 1954
Length: 1048m
Price: 8,80 CHF
Info: official website 

These cable cars aren’t just modes of transportation; they’re gateways to unforgettable adventures and unparalleled views. They offer a unique perspective on the landscapes below, allowing travelers like myself to connect with the natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of each destination in ways that are impossible from the ground.

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