What is the best month to visit Madeira?
September is the best single month for most visitors: Funchal averages 26.6 °C by day and 20.4 °C at night, with only about 3 rainy days, and the sea is at its warmest. For hiking, May and June are better: dry, around 22 to 24 °C, and cooler on the trails than July and August.
Madeira month by month
Funchal climate averages from IPMA, Portugal's weather service (1991-2020). Highs, lows and rainfall on the south coast:
- January: 20.0 / 14.3 °C, 67 mm of rain on about 6 days
- February: 19.9 / 13.9 °C, 72 mm on about 6 days
- March: 20.6 / 14.3 °C, 62 mm on about 6 days
- April: 21.0 / 14.9 °C, 45 mm on about 5 days
- May: 22.0 / 16.2 °C, 27 mm on about 3 days
- June: 23.7 / 18.2 °C, 8 mm on about 1 day
- July: 25.4 / 19.7 °C, almost no rain
- August: 26.8 / 20.7 °C, almost no rain
- September: 26.6 / 20.4 °C, 23 mm on about 3 days
- October: 25.2 / 19.2 °C, 91 mm on about 7 days
- November: 22.8 / 17.0 °C, 80 mm on about 7 days
- December: 21.0 / 15.5 °C, 95 mm on about 9 days
Which month for what
For warm sea and long beach days, go from July to September. For hiking, May, June and September give dry trails without the strongest summer heat. For winter sun, December to March is still around 20 °C in Funchal, though it is the wettest time of year. July and August are the busiest months, so popular hikes sell out first then.
The mountains have their own weather
These figures are for Funchal on the south coast. The north coast is cooler and wetter, and the peaks around Pico do Arieiro (1,818 m) are often about 10 °C colder than Funchal, with fog and strong wind at any time of year. Check the conditions on the day before you drive up.
FAQ
- What is the best month to visit Madeira?
- September for warm, dry weather and the warmest sea. May and June are best for hiking, with dry trails and milder temperatures.
- What is the rainiest month in Madeira?
- December, with about 95 mm of rain on 9 days in Funchal. October and November are also wet, with 80 to 90 mm.
- Is Madeira warm in winter?
- Yes, by European standards. Funchal averages about 20 °C by day and 14 °C at night from December to February, but the mountains can be close to freezing.
- When is Madeira busiest?
- July and August, plus the New Year week for the fireworks. Book hiking permits and accommodation early for those dates.