The best time to go to Madeira: Weather, Festivals & Activities

Think you know Portugal? Think again! If you’ve never been to the island of Madeira, you’re in for something special. These days, this subtropical island may be best known as the birthplace of one Cristiano Ronaldo, but you don’t need to be a football fan to appreciate it. A trip to Madeira is always special. The only question is, when should you go? Read on for our top tips for holiday planning…

Madeira weather by month

Madeira’s subtropical climate makes it very different from continental Portugal. In fact, the island is almost 1,000 kilometres from Lisbon, so the climate of Madeira really has nothing in common with the rest of the country. Temperatures in Madeira are usually warmer than on the mainland for most of the year. Here’s what to expect each month:

Madeira January weather

January is the ideal time to visit Madeira if you’re in search of winter sunshine. In the south of the island, the temperate area below the Banana Line, days are mild and pleasant, with temperatures up to 20°C. However, you’ll still find snow in the mountains near Funchal this month. Watch out for some rain showers during this month — winter is generally the wettest time of the year.

Madeira temperature in February

Outside the carnival dates, February may be one of the cheapest months to visit Madeira. It’s also a good time for sunshine, with temperatures in the low 20s. The weather is drier than in January as the rain eases off for the year.

Madeira temperature in March

When spring arrives in Madeira, it’s very much shorts and t-shirt weather. Expect daily highs in the low 20s — but if you travel to the highlands, make sure to bring a jacket. It still gets quite chilly at night when you’re above sea level.

Madeira temperature in April

With average highs of around 21°C, April might just be the best time to visit Madeira. The nights are starting to warm up, too, with minimums of around 12-14°C. The hiking season is in full swing, as the mild but sunny weather is just perfect for days on the trail.

Madeira temperature in May

The month of May sees the Madeira Flower Festival, a very popular time to visit. The warm weather is sure to put a smile on your face. By this time, nightly minimums are about 17°C, so there’s no need to bundle up warm after the sun goes down.

Madeira weather in June

By June, the hottest parts of the island are recording daily temperatures over 25°C. The nights are pleasant and mild, and this is your last chance to enjoy some early summer warmth in Madeira before the summer tourist crowds descend. Be warned: at the end of June 2023, the hottest temperature ever in Madeira was recorded — a whopping 39°C.

Madeira temperature in July

Highs can move into the 30s in July, although on most days, the temperature stays in the mid to high 20s. This is a particularly crowded month on Madeira’s beaches, and the hiking trails are now too hot for comfort.

Madeira temperature in August

August is the busiest month of the year in Madeira. Temperatures soar this month, and you may find it’s too hot to do anything but lounge around by the pool. It’s also the driest month of the year.

Madeira temperature in September

As the big crowds of tourists have gone home, many people say that September is the best time to visit Madeira. With highs in the mid-20s, it’s the perfect time for a late beach holiday.

Madeira temperature in October

In October, Madeira temperatures are only slightly lower than in September. Expect daily highs of 21-22°C, but be aware that the rain is starting to return to the island.

Madeira temperature in November

With temperatures of around 18°C by day, November isn’t particularly chilly — but it is wet. There’s a big increase in rainfall in November, which makes a holiday in Madeira a little less appealing.

Madeira temperature in December

The rain continues in December, and it’s the coldest month of the year. That being said, daily highs are 16°C, and nightly lows are around 11°C, so you won’t exactly freeze to death.

The best time to travel to Madeira for local festivals and events

Whenever we travel, we can’t resist the opportunity to party like a local. We love checking the calendar to see what’s going on — and here are our top tips for the coolest events in Madeira.

Madeira Carnival

Can’t afford a flight to Rio de Janeiro? Go to Madeira instead! This is one of the biggest carnivals in Europe, with a true samba spirit thanks to the island’s large Brazilian community. The exact dates change every year, as it depends on when Lent falls. However, the carnival usually takes place in February. This is the best time to visit Madeira with your dancing shoes on.

Madeira Flower Festival

The Flower Festival isn’t recommended if you suffer from hay fever! During the entire month of May, the city of Funchal is transformed into a floral wonderland. It all kicks off with the Children’s Parade, which is when hundreds of local kids parade through the streets carrying flowers, which they deposit in the central Praça do Município to create the Wall of Hope. For the rest of the month, the city comes to life with elaborate floral displays, parades, open-air concerts and other special events.

Madeira Atlantic Festival

The Atlantic Festival, which takes place in June, is one of the biggest parties of the year in Madeira. Expect spectacular displays of fireworks, amazing open-air concerts and huge beach parties. There are also smaller events as part of the Atlantic Festival, including the Regional Arts Week.

Christmas

Who doesn’t love Christmas? During December, you’ll find traditional nativity scenes in the windows of shops and restaurants throughout Funchal. On the evening of the 23rd, Madeirans flock to the Christmas Night Market to buy last-minute gifts. After that, they spend a quiet few days with their families before New Year’s Eve, which is huge in Madeira. In fact, this tiny island has previously boasted the biggest firework display in the world.

Remember that in Portugal, Christmas doesn’t end until Three Kings’ Day, on the 6th of January. This is when the kids finally get their presents, and the whole island celebrates. In Madeira, Three Kings’ Day is a musical affair known as Cantar os Reis or “Sing the Kings”. Huge, open-air concerts are held across the island, and entire families go to join in the fun.

The best time to visit Madeira for foodies

Madeira has its own culinary traditions distinct from mainland Portugal. To make the most of them, try visiting during the Lapa Festival in July. This three-day event pays homage to limpets, one of Madeira’s most beloved delicacies. Locals enjoy them fresh from the sea, served with a simple dressing of lemon and garlic butter.

Autumn is also a top time for foodies to take a trip to Madeira. October sees the Wine Festival as the traditional grape harvest begins. You can join in with the fun of stomping grapes to turn them into wine or —if that sounds like too much exercise— just sit back and sample the local wares. This is followed in November by the Stars Route Food Festival, where Michelin-starred chefs from across Portugal and beyond flock for a tasting extravaganza on the island.

The best season to visit Madeira for whale and dolphin watching

Madeira is one of Europe’s best destinations for whale watching, thanks to its great location out in the Atlantic Ocean. You can see dolphins most of the year, but whales —like humans— prefer to travel in particular seasons.

There are two main whale-watching seasons in Madeira: May to June and September to November. A huge number of whale species can be seen in the waters around the island, including humpbacks, minke whales, Bryde’s whales and more. Some lucky visitors even spot orcas, but they’re a sadly rare sight.

The best time to visit Madeira for scuba diving

Madeira boasts beautiful, crystal-clear waters, which makes scuba diving around the island a sheer pleasure. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot sting rays, moray eels and octopus, as well as all kinds of fish and shellfish, during your dives here.

In theory, you can go diving at any time of year in Madeira. However, the best months for it are from June to November. There’s more marine life to admire during this peak scuba season, and visibility is at its best. Try diving in winter, and you might find it hard to see very much due to the rain causing sediment to rise.

The best season to visit Madeira for hiking

Generally, there are two great times of year to hike in Madeira: spring and autumn. In summer, the trails are uncomfortably hot, while the winter rains can leave them dangerously slippery.

Of the two seasons, we have to say that spring is the best time to hike in Madeira. That’s because the flowers are blooming all over the island, giving you gorgeous, colourful scenery to admire everywhere you turn. Madeira’s subtropical climate means that it doesn’t have impressive autumn foliage like you’ll find in cooler climates. As such, we reckon spring is the best time to hit the trails. The flowers generally start blooming from mid-March.

The best time to visit Madeira to avoid the peak season

If your dream holiday involves sharing a beach with a thousand other people, then head to Madeira in July or August. However, if you’d rather have some peace and quiet, you’ll need to plan a little bit more carefully.

Madeira has three main peak seasons when everything is a bit more crowded and expensive. Those are the summer months of July and August, the two weeks over Christmas, and the flower festival in May. At other times of the year, it’s a bit quieter, although you will see a smaller spike during carnival.

We think the best time for good weather and fewer crowds has to be June or September. You’ll avoid the massive summer rush, but you’ll still have a great sunshine holiday. As an added bonus, September has the warmest sea temperatures of the year, so it’s the perfect choice if you want to go for a dip in the ocean. The sea around Madeira is swimmable all year, but this is when it’s at its best.

We’re planning an 8-day trip to Madeira, and it’s going to be amazing for anyone who loves adventure. You’ll go hiking and canyoning in the island’s mountainous interior and spend plenty of time splashing around in the sea. Want to join us? Check out the details and sign up for an action-packed week!