Best time to visit · Madeira · Portugal
The best time to visit Madeira
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Madeira is a year-round destination. April to June and September to October offer the best mix of warm sun, wildflowers and good hiking conditions. July to September is best for swimming, with the sea at its warmest, while winter is mild in Funchal and ideal for escaping colder climates, though the mountains are wetter. New Year's Eve and the Flower Festival are the busiest times.
Key facts
- Best months
- April–June and September–October
- Shoulder season
- January–March, July–August and November
- Warmest month
- August (avg high 26°C (79°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 19°C (66°F))
- Rainiest month
- December (~8 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- November
Seasons
Madeira has a mild subtropical climate with little seasonal change on the south coast: Funchal averages about 19 °C in winter and 25–26 °C in summer. The north coast and mountains are cooler, cloudier and wetter, and weather can change quickly at altitude.
March–May
Spring
Flowers, green mountains and dry, sunny days in May; the Flower Festival makes Funchal busy around April or May.
June–August
Summer
Warm and dry with the best sea temperatures; busy with families and the highest prices in August.
September–November
Autumn
Warm seas and the wine harvest in September, with showers returning in October and November.
December–February
Winter
Mild in Funchal with more rain inland; Christmas lights and New Year's Eve fireworks draw big crowds.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19°C | 13°C | 7 | 18°C | 10.2 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| February | 19°C | 13°C | 6 | 17°C | 11 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| March | 20°C | 14°C | 6 | 17°C | 11.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| April | 20°C | 14°C | 4 | 18°C | 13 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| May | 22°C | 16°C | 2 | 19°C | 13.8 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| June | 23°C | 18°C | 1 | 20°C | 14.3 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 25°C | 19°C | 0 | 22°C | 14.1 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| August | 26°C | 20°C | 1 | 23°C | 13.3 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| September | 26°C | 20°C | 3 | 23°C | 12.3 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| October | 24°C | 18°C | 6 | 22°C | 11.3 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 22°C | 16°C | 7 | 20°C | 10.4 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| December | 20°C | 14°C | 8 | 19°C | 10 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | New Year's Day — end of the festive season in Funchal |
| February | Madeira Carnival — samba parades in Funchal (February or March, depending on Easter) |
| March | Madeira Carnival (in years when Easter is late) |
| April | Madeira Flower Festival — flower carpets and parade in Funchal (usually April or May) |
| May | Flower Festival (in some years) |
| June | Atlantic Festival — fireworks over Funchal Bay on Saturday nights (usually June) |
| July | Funchal Jazz Festival (usually July) |
| August | Nossa Senhora do Monte pilgrimage and festival (15 August); Madeira Wine Festival (usually late August to early September) |
| September | Madeira Wine Festival (usually early September); Columbus Festival on Porto Santo (usually September) |
| December | Christmas lights and market in Funchal (usually from early December); New Year's Eve fireworks over Funchal Bay (31 December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in November, and the sights are quietest in November.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Madeira?
Madeira is a year-round destination. April to June and September to October offer the best mix of warm sun, wildflowers and good hiking conditions. July to September is best for swimming, with the sea at its warmest, while winter is mild in Funchal and ideal for escaping colder climates, though the mountains are wetter. New Year's Eve and the Flower Festival are the busiest times.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Madeira?
Usually in November. Mild and quieter, with more rain in the mountains; some of the lowest prices of the year.
+What is the rainiest month in Madeira?
December, with about 8 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Madeira get?
The warmest month, August, averages highs of 26°C (79°F) and lows of 20°C (68°F).