The Traveller's Magazine
Cable cars… if you want a view from above you’d best get yourself on one of these amazing vehicles. More than just devices to get you from the bottom to the top and back down again, they’re top tourist attractions! Plus, they’ve got the best views in the house!
Genting Skyway – Malaysia
This is the fastest cable car in the world. It whisks you away in the Malaysian mountains, taking you up one of the longest cableways in Asia. What is waiting for you at the top? Genting Highlands Resort, a luxurious spot 6,650 feet above sea level! It’s not just any resort though, it’s complete with theme parks, casinos, hotels and excellent shopping, more like a holiday destination all on its own.
Table Mountain – South Africa
Probably one of the most famous on the list here is the cable car that heads up to the top of Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa. The floor of the cars are able to rotate the full 360° so you can get the best views on the rather short trip up. The summit of the mountain sits at about 3,500 feet. From there you can take several hiking paths or enjoy the view with a picnic lunch. In the afternoon the view can get quite smoggy, so for the best views head up in the early morning or early evening.
Picos de Europa National Park – Spain
If you’ve done the whole Tenerife, Ibiza Spanish holiday scene, try something different. Instead of heading to the islands, grab flights to Oviedo and explore Spain’s northern mountains. This cable car takes you up 6,000+ feet. From the top you can enjoy the best view of this huge national park. Warning: the views of these spectacular mountains are known to inspire multiple return trips to northern Spain.
Zacatecas – Mexico
This ride is pure magic. The cable car, called a teleférico in Spanish, takes you above the colonial streets of Zacatecas. The narrow streets look even smaller from above, the plazas less crowded and the roofs… it’s all a beautiful rose-coloured ceramic mosaic as you go up towards Cerro de la Bufa. The trip only take a few minutes so make sure you enjoy every second of it while you’re on holidays in Mexico.
Rio de Janeiro – Brazil
If you’re heading to Rio de Janeiro, this cable car ride should be on our list of top 5 sites around the old Brazilian capital. There are two stops on this ride. The first part of the journey takes you up to Urca Hill, with great views over Guanabara Bay. The next leg goes up to Sugarloaf Mountain which reaches a height of 1,300 feet. In the distance on a clear day you’ll be able to spot Rio’s most famous monument, Christ the Redeemer on top of Corcovado Mountain. Best time to go up is at sunset.
Have you ever gone up in a cable car? Where was it?
