Best time to visit Madeira

Madeira is an archipelago made up of four volcanic islands in the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of Morocco. It is an autonomous region of Portugal and enjoys a subtropical climate with warm, sunny weather all year round, which makes it especailly popular for winter sun.

Madeira by month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

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The main island of Madeira is where you'll find the capital, Funchal. Madeira is known for its rocky beaches, dramatic Levada walking routes through its mountainous interior, which is also where exotic fruits and vines to produce its fortified wine are grown.

Top Madeira destinations

Below are the temperatures expected today at popular countries, regions and places in Madeira. Select a destination to compare today's forecast with average weather conditions.

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When is the best time to visit Madeira?

The best time to visit Madeira (Funchal) is July and August based on the following average weather conditions.

Maximum daytime temperature = 22 - 30°C [remove]
Daily hours of sunshine = 10 hours or more [remove]

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Max Day Temperature (°C)

  • 15°C maximum daytime temperature in January in Madeira (Funchal)15
    Jan
  • 15°C maximum daytime temperature in February in Madeira (Funchal)15
    Feb
  • 16°C maximum daytime temperature in March in Madeira (Funchal)16
    Mar
  • 16°C maximum daytime temperature in April in Madeira (Funchal)16
    Apr
  • 18°C maximum daytime temperature in May in Madeira (Funchal)18
    May
  • 20°C maximum daytime temperature in June in Madeira (Funchal)20
    Jun
  • 22°C maximum daytime temperature in July in Madeira (Funchal)22
    Jul
  • 23°C maximum daytime temperature in August in Madeira (Funchal)23
    Aug
  • 23°C maximum daytime temperature in September in Madeira (Funchal)23
    Sep
  • 21°C maximum daytime temperature in October in Madeira (Funchal)21
    Oct
  • 18°C maximum daytime temperature in November in Madeira (Funchal)18
    Nov
  • 16°C maximum daytime temperature in December in Madeira (Funchal)16
    Dec

Hours of Sunshine (daily)

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Which is the hottest month in Madeira?

The hottest time of year in Funchal, Madeira is normally August. Expect maximum daytime temperatures to reach 23°C.

Which month has the most rain in Madeira?

In terms of rainfall, January is usually the wettest month in Funchal, Madeira with 112mm on average. There are normally 12 days in January with some rain.

When is it sunniest in Madeira?

The sunniest time of year in Funchal, Madeira is normally August with bright sunshine on average for 59% of daylight hours; that's 8 hours of sunshine per day.

When is the sea warmest in Madeira?

The sea is usually at its warmest in Funchal, Madeira in September when the water temperature reaches 24°C.

Best time to visit

The weather guide for Madeira (Funchal) shows long term weather averages processed from data supplied by CRU (University of East Anglia) & today's weather forecast provided by meteoblue. Find out more about our data sources.

Metric (°C / mm)  |  Imperial (°F / inches)

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Madeira overview

The Madeira group of islands are an integral part of Portugal and lie around 720 kilometres (450 miles) off the coast of Morocco.

The main island of Madeira is mountainous and volcanic, and indulges in Mediterranean climate tempered by the seas which surround it.

You will rarely feel uncomfortably hot or unpleasantly cold on Madeira but expect to be rained on in the winter months, especially on higher ground.

North coast of Madeira, Portugal
North coast of Madeira, Portugal © Anilah - Fotolia.com

On this island, the weather can change dramatically the higher up you go, so you can progress from bright sunshine on the coast to chilly fog and heavy rain within the course of a morning.

What to pack for Madeira weather

You should always supplement light clothing with warm cover-ups in summer and take medium to warm clothes for the winter months.

Rain is sparse in mid summer (May to September) but take a raincoat at other times of the year.

Madeira travel features

Do you want to learn more about Madeira? Read our latest features covering travel tips and insider destination guides on where to go and what to do in Madeira.

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