Month guide · Madeira · Portugal
Madeira in December
What December is really like in Madeira: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Luke H. Gordon, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
December is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 20°C (68°F), lows of 14°C (57°F), about 8 rainy days and roughly 10 hours of daylight. Funchal's Christmas lights go up early in the month, and the New Year's Eve fireworks fill hotels weeks ahead.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 20°C (68°F) / 14°C (57°F)
- Rainy days
- About 8
- Daylight
- About 10 hours
- Sea temperature
- 19°C (66°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in December
December is the 10th-warmest month in Madeira: days average 20°C (68°F) against a yearly average high of 22°C (72°F), and nights fall to about 14°C (57°F). Rain falls on roughly 8 of its 31 days. Compared with November (22°C (72°F)), December is cooler; by January highs stay near 19°C (66°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 08:03
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 18:04
- Daylight
- About 10 hours
- Sea
- 19°C (66°F)
Winter (December–February). Mild in Funchal with more rain inland; Christmas lights and New Year's Eve fireworks draw big crowds.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 5 for crowds (the peak is August at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in August). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- Christmas lights and market in Funchal (usually from early December)
- New Year's Eve fireworks over Funchal Bay (31 December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Garden · Monte
Monte Palace Tropical Garden
Next to the Monte cable car station, these hillside gardens wind through ponds with koi, tree ferns, cycads, Chinese and Japanese-style gateways and long panels of Portuguese azulejo tiles.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Garden · Funchal
Madeira Botanical Garden
Combine it with Monte by taking the connecting cable car across the João Gomes valley.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Views
- Outdoors
Viewpoint · Câmara de Lobos
Cabo Girão
One of Europe's highest sea cliffs, Cabo Girão drops about 580 metres to the ocean, with a glass-floored skywalk at the top looking straight down onto terraced fields called fajãs at the foot of the cliff.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Iconic
- Photo spot
Nature · Central mountains
Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike
Bring a head torch for the tunnels, warm layers and plenty of water; it is cold at dawn even in summer.
- Time needed
- 5–6 hours return
- Cost
- Free
- Views
- Active
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Iconic
What to pack
For highs near 20°C, lows near 14°C and 8 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Madeira?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–June and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Madeira in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Madeira?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Funchal's Christmas lights go up early in the month, and the New Year's Eve fireworks fill hotels weeks ahead.
+How warm is Madeira in December?
Average highs are around 20°C (68°F) and lows around 14°C (57°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Madeira in December?
Expect rain on about 8 days of the month.