The best time to visit Madeira?
When is the best time to travel to Madeira? We get asked this question time and time again. For us, there is only one correct answer: Always! 😎
We love that Madeira spoils its visitors with up to 300 days of sunshine per year on the south coast and that the sun shines for over 3000 hours. If you dream of getting away from it all and relaxing in the midst of breathtaking nature in pleasant temperatures, Madeira is the perfect place for you. Thanks to its mild climate, Madeira is always worth a visit.
Let's discover together when the best time is for you to visit "our" enchanting island.
General information
We deliberately do not want to present you with a climate table for Madeira. Instead, we would like to give you a vivid impression of the seasons in Madeira. The uniqueness of the climate impressed us right from the start. You can drive through several of the 24 microclimate zones during a short car journey - the inhabitants of the island often say that you can experience all four seasons in one day.
Imagine, for example, that it is "winter" on Madeira. At the hideaway, it's a pleasant 21 degrees and slightly cloudy. After a short drive to Fanal (find out more about Fanal), you find yourself in fabulously dense fog at 13 degrees and a few kilometers further on in Calheta on the beach, tropical 27 degrees and bright sunshine await you. This interplay of microclimates is what makes Madeira so diverse. Our magic word for the climate in Madeira is: "onion look". We recommend that you always have a light jacket with you that you can quickly slip on if necessary.
🌸 Spring awakening on Madeira
The months of March to May are an excellent time to experience the beauty of Madeira. The flower island in the Atlantic is in full bloom. It is pleasantly mild with daytime temperatures between 22 and 25 degrees and ideal for hikes along the levadas and through the mountains (Discover our favorite hikes in the southwest of Madeira...). The spring season on Madeira promises not only colorful flowers, but also lots of great festivals such as the famous Flower Festival, where almost every village lays magnificent flower carpets and displays beautiful floral decorations. In Funchal, the capital of Madeira, there are great parades with breathtaking flower costumes at the weekends.
The sea is usually so warm during the day that you can easily enjoy a day at the beach. Incidentally, this is true all year round. As already mentioned, the island spoils you with up to 300 days of sunshine a year.
☀️ Summer magic on the island
Summer - from June to September - brings warm temperatures of around 25 degrees, sunny days and balmy nights. In July and August, the thermometer often cracks the 30 degree mark.
Summer in Madeira is perfect for sun worshippers and water sports enthusiasts. The beaches invite you to relax, while the clear water is perfect for activities such as diving, snorkeling or dolphin and whale watching. Don't forget to bring sun protection, as the sun on Madeira can be particularly intense in summer - the island is at the geographical height of the Sahara!
The summer months are ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain tours or canyoning. The paths are easily accessible and the viewpoints offer spectacular panoramas. Remember to start early in the day to escape the midday heat. Discover our favorite hikes in the southwest of Madeira...
🍂 Autumn's Symphony
If you want to extend the Central European summer, fall is the perfect travel time for you. In October and November, the weather is very pleasant with temperatures between 21 and 26 degrees. It is also the time of the grape harvest. You can visit picturesque wineries and taste the island's local wines.
Autumn is a quieter tourist season than summer. The autumnal calm offers you a great opportunity to experience Madeira's culture. Visit local festivals, stroll through markets or try traditional dishes and immerse yourself in the island's relaxed atmosphere.
🎆 Winter magic in Madeira
When it's cold and rainy on the continent and everything is bathed in dreary gray, we personally think it's the best time to visit Madeira. From December to February, temperatures remain mild and rarely fall below 20 degrees during the day. You can go on long hikes undisturbed, but also soak up the sun on the beach - the brave can plunge into the Atlantic Ocean, which is up to 20 degrees, for a dip. If that's too "refreshing" for you, you can do a few laps in the Hideaway's heated pool.
We feel like kings when we sit in the sun on the terrace of a cozy restaurant in winter and enjoy the delicacies of Madeira - pure luxury in our eyes.
For us as "Christmas nerds", the absolute highlight is the Christmas decorations in Madeira. If you think New York or London are festively decorated, then you haven't seen Madeira yet! From Dead Sunday to Epiphany, every traffic circle and hairpin bend on the island shines with festive lights. Funchal's promenade is beautifully decorated and the island's villages compete to have the most magnificent nativity scene. There is even a Christmas market in the old town of Funchal.
New Year's Eve in Funchal is another highlight and an unforgettable experience. The promenade becomes the setting for a spectacular fireworks display, which is one of the most impressive in Europe every year. The fireworks have even made it into the Guinness Book of Records. People from all over the world gather in T-shirts in mild temperatures to welcome in the New Year in a relaxed atmosphere. New Year's Eve in Funchal is not just a firework display, but a magical experience that makes visitors' hearts beat faster.
We hope these insights will help you plan your trip. Get ready for unforgettable moments in Madeira!