Best time to visit
Best Time to Visit Madeira
A subtropical Atlantic island famous for mild temperatures all year, levada walks, flowers and dramatic cliffs. Its capital is Funchal.
Best time to visit: Year-round; spring and autumn are especially pleasant for hiking.
Local tip: Weather varies a lot across the island: the south around Funchal is usually sunnier than the north.
Getting around: Buses serve the main towns; a car or guided tour makes it easier to reach trailheads.
Good to know: Mountain trails can be cold, wet or closed after storms — check conditions before hiking.
What to plan your trip around
- Funchal Old Town
The capital's historic centre, markets and cable car to Monte.
- Levada walks
Paths along historic irrigation channels through the mountains.
- Pico do Arieiro
One of the island's highest peaks, known for sunrise views above the clouds.
- Porto Moniz
Natural volcanic rock pools on the north-west coast.
Madeira weather by month
Madeira weather by month
Average temperatures and rainfall Madeira gets in each month (2011–2020). Tap a month for the full breakdown.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18°C | 16°C | 22 mm | 77% |
| February | 17°C | 15°C | 25 mm | 76% |
| March | 18°C | 15°C | 26 mm | 77% |
| April | 18°C | 16°C | 23 mm | 76% |
| May | 20°C | 17°C | 19 mm | 77% |
| June | 22°C | 19°C | 6 mm | 78% |
| July | 23°C | 20°C | 5 mm | 78% |
| August | 24°C | 21°C | 8 mm | 78% |
| September | 24°C | 22°C | 14 mm | 76% |
| October | 23°C | 20°C | 43 mm | 77% |
| November | 20°C | 18°C | 46 mm | 76% |
| December | 19°C | 17°C | 39 mm | 78% |
Madeira through the year
January · 18° / 16°C · 22 mm
- January is among Madeira's three coolest months.
- Days and nights are close, only about 2°C apart.
April · 18° / 16°C · 23 mm
- There's little difference between day and night (around 2°C).
- Comfortable temperatures make it easy to walk between Funchal Old Town and Levada walks.
July · 23° / 20°C · 5 mm
- July is Madeira's third warmest month.
- It's one of the drier months, with about 78% less rain than Madeira's average.
October · 23° / 20°C · 43 mm
- Rain is above Madeira's usual level, by about 87%.
- There's little difference between day and night (around 2°C).
The best time to visit Madeira is January, February and March, when average highs are 17–18°C and rainfall is around 24 mm a month.
At a glance
When to go to Madeira, season by season
December – February
Best time18° / 16°C · 29 mm
Pleasant temperatures and relatively little rain: the best window for sightseeing and time outdoors.
March – May
Good19° / 16°C · 23 mm
Comfortable weather overall, with fewer visitors than peak season.
June – August
Good23° / 20°C · 6 mm
Comfortable weather overall, with fewer visitors than peak season.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the best time to visit Madeira?
- For pleasant, fairly dry weather, go to Madeira in January, February and March. Average highs are then 17–18°C.
- Why is January a good time to visit Madeira?
- In January, Madeira averages 18°C by day and 16°C at night, with about 22 mm of rain and 51% cloud cover: warm enough to be outdoors without the peak heat or the wettest weather.
- What is the warmest month in Madeira?
- August is the warmest month in Madeira, with average highs of 24°C and lows of 21°C.
- What is the coldest month in Madeira?
- February is the coldest month in Madeira: average highs of 17°C, dropping to 15°C at night.
- When does it rain the most in Madeira?
- November is the wettest month in Madeira with about 46 mm of rain. The driest is July, with around 5 mm.
- When is the worst time to visit Madeira?
- Madeira has no really bad month for weather: average highs stay between 17 and 24°C all year.
- Is the shoulder season a good time to visit Madeira?
- Yes. April and December sit just outside the best months for Madeira, with average highs of 18–19°C and about 31 mm of rain a month. Weather-wise, they are a good alternative to the peak months.
- How can I check the weather in Madeira before I travel?
- Compare the live forecast for Madeira from three independent weather services on WeatherCompare. When they agree, the forecast is more reliable.
Cite or embed this data
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Best time to visit Madeira. WeatherCompare, 2026 (climate averages: NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020). https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/portugal/madeira
<a href="https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/portugal/madeira">Best time to visit Madeira</a> (WeatherCompare)
<iframe src="https://weathercompare.eu/embed/portugal/madeira" width="300" height="160" style="border:0;border-radius:12px" loading="lazy" title="Best time to visit Madeira"></iframe> <p style="font-size:12px"><a href="https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/portugal/madeira">Best time to visit Madeira</a> – WeatherCompare</p>