Best Time to Visit Madeira: Month-by-Month Weather Guide
The best time to visit Madeira: weather by month, rain, sunshine and sea temperature, plus festivals, whale watching, hiking and beach season.
January 28, 2020 • 10 min read
Best Time to Visit Madeira: Month-by-Month Weather Guide
Madeira is mild all year: in Funchal, average highs range from about 20°C (68°F) in winter to 27°C (80°F) in August. For most travelers, the best time to visit is April to June or September, when it is warm, dry enough for hiking and quieter than midsummer. July and August are the hottest and driest months and the best for swimming. October to February is mild but wetter, with Christmas and New Year as the big festive draw.
This guide covers Madeira's weather month by month, each season, the best time for hiking, beaches, whale watching and festivals, and how to plan around the island's microclimates.
Best Time to Visit Madeira at a Glance
| If you want | Go in | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The best all-round weather | April to June, September | Warm days, little rain, fewer crowds than July and August |
| Beaches and swimming | July to September | Hottest and driest months, warmest sea |
| Hiking and levada walks | April to June, September and early October | Mild temperatures and drier trails |
| Flowers and festivals | Late April to May | The Flower Festival fills Funchal |
| Fireworks | June or New Year's Eve | Atlantic Festival fireworks contest in June, New Year's Eve fireworks over Funchal Bay |
| Winter sun | December to February | Highs around 20°C (68°F) when most of Europe is cold |
| Fewer crowds | November, January to March outside Carnival | Quieter months, with more chance of rain |
Madeira Weather Month by Month
Averages for Funchal, on the south coast, from the 1991 to 2020 climate normals of the Funchal Observatory. Rain days are days with at least 1 mm of rain.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20°C (68°F) | 14°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 6 |
| February | 20°C (68°F) | 14°C (57°F) | 72 mm (2.9 in) | 6 |
| March | 21°C (69°F) | 14°C (58°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) | 6 |
| April | 21°C (70°F) | 15°C (59°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 5 |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 16°C (61°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 3 |
| June | 24°C (75°F) | 18°C (65°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 1 |
| July | 25°C (78°F) | 20°C (67°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 0 |
| August | 27°C (80°F) | 21°C (69°F) | 1 mm (0.1 in) | 0 |
| September | 27°C (80°F) | 20°C (69°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 3 |
| October | 25°C (77°F) | 19°C (67°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 7 |
| November | 23°C (73°F) | 17°C (63°F) | 80 mm (3.2 in) | 7 |
| December | 21°C (70°F) | 16°C (60°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 9 |
The sea around Madeira ranges from about 18°C (64°F) in February and March to about 24°C (75°F) from August to October.
What the numbers tell you:
- Temperature barely changes. There is only about 7°C (13°F) between the average high in February and in August.
- Rain is seasonal. June to August are almost dry in Funchal. October to February bring most of the year's rain.
- Summer is the sunniest. July and August average more than 230 hours of sunshine.
Microclimates: why the forecast depends on where you are
These figures are for Funchal. Madeira is mountainous, and the weather changes with altitude and with the side of the island. The south coast, around Funchal, Câmara de Lobos and Calheta, is the warmest and driest. The north coast, around Porto Moniz, São Vicente and Santana, is greener and wetter. The high peaks, such as Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo, are much colder than the coast and often in or above the clouds. It can be raining in the north and sunny in Funchal on the same day, so check the forecast for the exact place you are heading.
Plan your trip
Madeira by Month
January
Mild and quiet after New Year, with about 20°C (68°F) by day and 14°C (58°F) at night. It is one of the wetter months, but often with sunny spells. A good month for low-key city breaks and winter sun, with the Christmas lights on until early January.
February
The coolest month on the coast, with about 20°C (68°F) by day and 14°C (57°F) at night. Carnival usually falls in February, with parades in Funchal. The sea is at its coolest, around 18°C (64°F).
March
Spring begins, with about 21°C (69°F) by day and 14°C (58°F) at night and nearly 200 hours of sunshine. Some rain is still likely, but the island is green and the hiking season starts to open up. Carnival falls in early March in some years.
April
A favorite month, with about 21°C (70°F) by day and 15°C (59°F) at night and less rain. Flowers are in bloom, and the Flower Festival usually starts at the end of the month. Easter can make it busier.
May
One of the best months to visit, with about 22°C (72°F) by day and 16°C (61°F) at night, little rain and more than 200 hours of sunshine. The Flower Festival runs through May in Funchal. Good for hiking, sightseeing and the first swims.
June
Warm and almost dry, with about 24°C (75°F) by day and 18°C (65°F) at night and rain on about one day in the month. The Atlantic Festival brings fireworks over Funchal Bay on Saturday nights in June.
July
Summer proper, with about 25°C (78°F) by day and 20°C (67°F) at night and almost no rain. Peak season for beaches, boat trips and swimming, and one of the busiest months.
August
The warmest month, with about 27°C (80°F) by day and 21°C (69°F) at night and the most sunshine. Book flights, hotels and rental cars early. The Madeira Wine Festival begins in late August.
September
Still summer-warm, with about 27°C (80°F) by day and 20°C (69°F) at night, a warm sea and fewer crowds than August. The Wine Festival continues into September, with harvest events and tastings. Excellent for swimming and hiking.
October
Warm and less crowded, with about 25°C (77°F) by day and 19°C (67°F) at night. The rainier season starts this month, with rain on about 7 days. The sea is still around its warmest, and the Madeira Nature Festival takes place in early October.
November
Mild and quiet, with about 23°C (73°F) by day and 17°C (63°F) at night, but one of the wetter months. Good value and fewer visitors, with good days for walks between showers.
December
Festive and mild, with about 21°C (70°F) by day and 16°C (60°F) at night and rain on about 9 days. Funchal's Christmas lights go on from December 1, and the year ends with fireworks over the bay.
MADEIRA IN DECEMBER
Weather, Christmas lights, Market Night and festive food: everything for a winter trip to Madeira.
Read the December guide →Madeira by Season
| Season | Weather in Funchal | Best for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (March to May) | Highs of 21 to 22°C (69 to 72°F), rain falling off | Hiking, flowers, the Flower Festival | Easter and the Flower Festival can be busy |
| Summer (June to August) | Highs of 24 to 27°C (75 to 80°F), almost dry | Beaches, swimming, boat trips | Peak season: book early |
| Autumn (September to November) | Highs from 27°C (80°F) in September to 23°C (73°F) in November, rain rising from October | Warm sea, wine harvest, quieter trips | October and November are wetter |
| Winter (December to February) | Highs around 20 to 21°C (68 to 70°F), wettest season | Winter sun, Christmas and New Year, Carnival | More rain; mountain trails can close after storms |
Best Time for Each Activity
Hiking and levada walks
April to June and September to early October are the best months: mild, with drier paths. Summer works too, but start early to avoid the heat on exposed trails. In winter, trails can be muddy, and some are closed after heavy rain or storms. Always check the official trail status before you go, and remember that the mountains are much colder than Funchal.
Hiking in Madeira
Beaches and swimming
July to September, when the sea is at its warmest, around 22 to 24°C (72 to 75°F), and rain is rare. Madeira has few sandy beaches, so most swimming is in natural lava pools, such as Porto Moniz, at beach clubs or on pebble beaches. For a long sandy beach, take the ferry or a short flight to Porto Santo.
Beaches
Whale and dolphin watching
Possible all year, because bottlenose dolphins and short-finned pilot whales live around Madeira, and sperm whales are seen regularly. The best season is spring to autumn. Bryde's whales are seen from April to October and sei whales mostly from June to August, while fin whales and common dolphins are more frequent in winter and spring. Calmer seas in summer also make the boat trip more comfortable.
Whale watching
Festivals and events
Madeira's main festivals follow a fixed pattern each year. Dates change slightly, so check the official calendar before you book.
| Festival | When | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Carnival | February, sometimes early March | Parades and street parties in Funchal |
| Madeira Flower Festival | Late April to the end of May | Flower displays and a flower parade in downtown Funchal |
| Atlantic Festival | June | Music and the Madeira International Fireworks Contest on Saturday nights |
| Madeira Wine Festival | Late August to mid-September | Harvest events and wine celebrations |
| Columbus Festival | September, on Porto Santo | Reenactment of Christopher Columbus's arrival on the island |
| Madeira Nature Festival | Early October | Outdoor activities and nature events across the island |
| Christmas and New Year | December 1 to early January | Christmas lights and the New Year's Eve fireworks over Funchal Bay |
Festivals
When Is the Cheapest Time to Visit Madeira?
Demand is usually lowest in November and in January to March outside Carnival and Easter, which are the best months to look for value. The most expensive periods are July and August, Easter, the Flower Festival and the week from Christmas to New Year. Book early for any of those.
MADEIRA PACKAGE WITH CAR
Six nights in a hotel in the Funchal area with flights and a rental car for the full stay, so you can follow the sun around the island.
See the package →More ways to book
Good to Know Before You Go
- Madeira is in Portugal. It is an autonomous region of Portugal, not Spain, and uses the euro.
- Time zone: Madeira uses Western European Time, the same as Lisbon and London: UTC+0 in winter and UTC+1 in summer. It is usually five hours ahead of New York.
- Getting there: Madeira is under two hours by plane from Lisbon, with direct flights from many European cities.
- Packing: bring layers and a light rain jacket in any month, plus warm clothes if you plan to go up to the peaks.
Plan it your way
Custom Your Trip
Tell our local travel advisors which towns, dates and experiences you want and we build the Madeira trip around you, whatever the season.
Start your custom trip →Limited time
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