In a nutshell
- The best time to visit Madeira is during April, May, September, and October — it’s warm, there’s little rain, and the weather is perfect for hiking.
- That said, Madeira is a great year-round destination — temperatures are always mild. Learn more about Madeira and we’ll walk you through the climate and what to expect in every month.
- We’ll also cover the best time for hiking, when flowering season peaks, and when you have the best chance of spotting whales.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Madeira?
You can take a year-round road trip around Madeira, since the island enjoys a mild climate.
For us, the best months to visit are April, May and September, October. It’s warm, there’s little rain, and it’s not too hot for hiking and sightseeing on Madeira.
The peak season from June through August also has great weather. However, prices are at their highest and there are the most tourists around.
If you travel to Madeira in winter from November through March, temperatures are a bit cooler but still mild. It rains more frequently during this time, but the sun often comes out too. That’s why it’s also one of our favorite winter destinations.
Climate Chart for Madeira
What Is the Climate Like on Madeira?
Even though the weather on Madeira looks consistent on the climate chart, it can actually be really unpredictable. In a single day, you might get rain, sunshine, strong winds, or brilliant blue skies.
Here are a few rules of thumb about the weather on Madeira that you should keep in mind:
- The north is rainier than the south.
- If it’s raining in the south, head north — and if it’s raining in the north, head south.
- Just because it’s sunny at sea level doesn’t mean it’s sunny in the mountains.
The Weather on Madeira Month by Month
Madeira in January
- Daytime: 20°
- Nighttime: 15°
- Water temperature: 18°
- Rain days: 8–10
In January, temperatures are mild at around 68°F during the day, making it great for hiking and day trips on Madeira. Swimming in the ocean is a bit too cold — unless you’re a die-hard.
Rain is more frequent in January — around nine rainy days on average — though you’ll still get plenty of dry, sunny stretches.
Madeira in February
- Daytime: 20°
- Nighttime: 14°
- Water temperature: 18°
- Rain days: 5–7
The weather in February is similar to January — but already a little less rainy. Temperatures are mild and the sun comes out on many days. It’s a solid choice if you’re looking to escape a cold winter back home.
Madeira in March
- Daytime: 20°
- Nighttime: 14°
- Water temperature: 18°
- Rain days: 5–7
In March there are occasional rainy days, but it’s mostly dry and sunny. The ocean is still fairly cool, while temperatures are perfect for hiking.
We visited Madeira ourselves at the end of March and had really great weather all but one day.
Madeira in April
- Daytime: 21°
- Nighttime: 15°
- Water temperature: 19°
- Rain days: 2–4
April is one of our top picks for the best time to visit Madeira.
There are only a few rainy days left, and on most days it’s dry with sunshine. Temperatures are slowly climbing. We also visited during the first week of April, and the weather was truly ideal — especially for hiking.
Madeira in May
- Daytime: 22°
- Nighttime: 16°
- Water temperature: 19°
- Rain days: 2–4
May offers perfect travel weather on Madeira. Hardly any rain, not too hot, not too cold. On top of that, flowering season is in full swing and colorful blooms appear all across the island.
Note: Every year in May (sometimes in April as well), the capital city Funchal hosts the Flower Festival. Expect higher prices, and book your accommodation as early as possible.
Madeira in June
- Daytime: 24°
- Nighttime: 19°
- Water temperature: 20°
- Rain days: 0–1
In June, peak season on Madeira slowly gets underway. It barely rains at all and it’s already genuinely warm. Temperatures are ideal and you get to see Madeira in full bloom.
Madeira in July
- Daytime: 26°
- Nighttime: 20°
- Water temperature: 22°
- Rain days: 0–1
July is a very dry, sunny, and warm month. It falls right in the middle of vacation season, so there’s a lot going on and accommodation prices rise sharply. Weather-wise, July is ideal — the water temperature is already great for swimming.
Madeira in August
- Daytime: 27°
- Nighttime: 21°
- Water temperature: 23°
- Rain days: 0–1
August is peak travel season and the weather is perfect for sun, sand, and sea. It’s almost a little too hot for hiking, but otherwise you really can’t go wrong weather-wise on a trip in August.
Madeira in September
- Daytime: 27°
- Nighttime: 21°
- Water temperature: 24°
- Rain days: 2–4
September is a fantastic time to visit Madeira. Both the water and the air are seriously warm, and it rains very little. Plus, there aren’t quite as many tourists around as in August.
Madeira in October
- Daytime: 25°
- Nighttime: 19°
- Water temperature: 23°
- Rain days: 5–7
October is a transitional month. It’s still very warm and you can enjoy the ocean and the natural pools on Madeira, but rain gradually increases. Still, there are plenty of sunny days, the island is less crowded, and the weather is great for hiking.
Madeira in November
- Daytime: 23°
- Nighttime: 17°
- Water temperature: 22°
- Rain days: 8–10
In November it’s still pleasantly warm on Madeira, but it rains more than in the preceding months. You can absolutely visit in November, but pack for a few rainy days.
Madeira in December
- Daytime: 21°
- Nighttime: 16°
- Water temperature: 20°
- Rain days: 8–10
In December it cools down a little, but temperatures stay mild. That makes Madeira a great destination for New Year’s Eve and Christmas if you want to spend the holidays somewhere warm. Just be prepared for rainy days in December.
The Best Time to Visit Madeira for Hiking
We think spring and fall are the sweet spot for hiking — specifically the months of April, May, June, September, and October.
In spring, you get to hike through the island when the flowers are in bloom, which makes the scenery even more stunning. In fall, the ocean is warmer, which is perfect for a beach visit on Madeira after a long trail.
In general, though, you can go hiking on Madeira year-round. We’d recommend avoiding windy and rainy days, as conditions can get more dangerous on the trails.
More tips for hiking on Madeira can be found here:
When Is Flowering Season on Madeira?
Flowering season on Madeira runs from April through June.
Since the island is known for its incredible variety of flowers, this is a real highlight — not without reason is it also called the Island of Flowers.
Every year in April or May, Funchal celebrates the Flower Festival. It lasts two weeks, and the entire city is decorated with colorful blooms. There are also parades and countless events — a great excuse for exploring Funchal.
Here you’ll find even more travel tips for Madeira
The Best Time to Visit Madeira for Whale Watching
You can theoretically spot whales on Madeira year-round.
However, the best time for whale watching is during the fall months from September through November.
Book the whale watching tour on Madeira
Just keep in mind that there’s never any guarantee you’ll actually spot whales on a whale watching tour.
