Month guide · Madeira · Portugal
Madeira in May
What May is really like in Madeira: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
May is one of the best months to visit Madeira. Expect average highs of 22°C (72°F), lows of 16°C (61°F), about 2 rainy days and roughly 13.8 hours of daylight. Dry, sunny and green — one of the best months for hiking and sightseeing.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 22°C (72°F) / 16°C (61°F)
- Rainy days
- About 2
- Daylight
- About 13.8 hours
- Sea temperature
- 19°C (66°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in May
May is the 6th-warmest month in Madeira: days average 22°C (72°F) against a yearly average high of 22°C (72°F), and nights fall to about 16°C (61°F). Rain falls on roughly 2 of its 31 days. Compared with April (20°C (68°F)), May is warmer; by June highs stay near 23°C (73°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 07:09
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 20:59
- Daylight
- About 13.8 hours
- Sea
- 19°C (66°F)
Spring (March–May). Flowers, green mountains and dry, sunny days in May; the Flower Festival makes Funchal busy around April or May.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 4 for crowds (the peak is August at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in August). Book accommodation early: May is one of the pricier months.
Events in May
- Flower Festival (in some years)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in May
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time 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
Nature · Santana
Levada do Caldeirão Verde
Starting from the Queimadas forest park above Santana, this popular levada path (PR9) follows an irrigation channel through the Laurisilva forest and several dark tunnels to the 'Green Cauldron', a waterfall dropping into a pool surrounded by moss-covered cliffs.
- Time needed
- 4–5 hours return
- Cost
- Free
- Nature
- Active
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 22°C, lows near 16°C and 2 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Madeira?
One of the best months to visit Madeira, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are April, June and September–October. Compare every month.
Madeira in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Madeira?
It is one of the best months to visit Madeira. Dry, sunny and green — one of the best months for hiking and sightseeing.
+How warm is Madeira in May?
Average highs are around 22°C (72°F) and lows around 16°C (61°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Madeira in May?
Expect rain on about 2 days of the month, so it is usually dry.