BEST TIME OF THE YEAR TO VISIT MADEIRA
Are you wondering what is the best time of the year to visit Madeira?
Well the good news, is that Madeira is an all-year-round destination. However, to avoid rainy days some months are better than the others…
Located in the heart of the Atlantic, the island of Madeira has a subtropical climate.
When to Visit Madeira?
WINTER TO SKIP THE CROWD AND ENJOY SOME WARMER DAYS COMPARED TO THE REST OF EUROPE!
Temperatures fluctuate on average between 15°C at night and 20°C during the day in winter in Madeira. The weather can change quickly, with the rain.
It rains most between October and February and it can be quite windy. So be careful and watch the weather forecast carefully if you want to hike in the mountains or go on excursions.
As for us, we visited Madeira during a month in February. We had wonderful days, and could even spend a few days sunbathing at the beach. There were a few days with lots of showers, especially in the north, but at least the temperature was so much better than the rest of Europe during that time.
READ: 30 INCREDIBLE THINGS TO SEE IN MADEIRA
IN SPRING TO SEE THE ISLAND FULL OF COLOURFUL FLOWERS
Spring is certainly one of the most pleasant seasons to visit Madeira. During this period, the temperatures vary respectively from 17 to 20°C. You may observe a light cloud cover during the mornings in June: a phenomenon called the “capacete” by locals. But this disappears as the day progresses. Rain showers are rare between May and August. Indeed, the rainy season ends in April
Spring is ideal for going on a hike and discovering the stunning landscapes that the island has to offer. Also note that the flower festival, the most famous festival in the archipelago, is in May. The island is covered with colorful flowers everywhere. It’s magical!
READ: 3 BEST AREAS TO STAY DURING YOUR TRIP TO MADEIRA
IN SUMMER FOR THE WARMEST DAYS AND BLUE SKY
On average, temperatures hover between 20°C with a maximum of 25-26°C during the day in summer.
However, summer is the busiest period to visit Madeira as it attracts lots of tourists. Therefore if you like to have peace when visiting Madeira’s main sights or when going on a hike, choose Spring or Autumn to visit the island.
READ: 20 AWESOME THINGS TO SEE IN FUNCHAL
IN AUTUMN TO ENJOY THE ISLAND BY YOURSELF
Although there is more rain during this season, it is a great time to visit Madeira, as there won’t be as many tourists as in summer and temperatures are still reasonably warm reaching 24°C on average during the day. The water temperature is still mild which is great for swimming too.
READ: FULL GUIDE FOR HIKING LEVADA CALDEIRAO VERDE IN MADEIRA
IS IT WINDY IN MADEIRA?
The quick answer is: YES! It can get very windy in Madeira. It is in fact, not uncommon to have flights cancelled due to strong wind. Indeed the flights are not able to land at the airport in Madeira. This is exactly what happened to us. The day we were supposed to leave, the wind was so strong that for 2 days no flights could land or take off!
Well, we didn’t really mind, as we were on a sabbatical anyway, with plenty of time ahead of us. Thankfully we were able to fly out 2 days later.
The predominant wind in Madeira is the North-East wind during summer. From October to March, it is more of a westerly wind: it is the Azores anticyclone, which brings rains to the island.
Overall, the wind is stronger in the north of the island. The mountains culminating at more than 1400 meters of altitude block the gusts and the clouds. Therefore they protect the south from rain, humidity, and wind in general.
WHAT IS THE WATER TEMPERATURE IN MADEIRA?
The ocean temperature fluctuates between 18 and 23°C all year round. The coldest months are December to April. You can therefore swim all year round in Madeira if you are not chilly.
If you want to enjoy time at the beach in Madeira, then head to the neighboring island of Porto Santo with its super large 7 km long beach!
ARE THERE ANY FESTIVALS IN MADEIRA?
There are many festivities in Madeira throughout the year. We listed the main ones below:
NEW YEAR’S EVEN! ONE OF THE BIGGEST FIREWORKS IN THE WORLD!
New Year’s Eve in Madeira? Funchal is where you want to be! The incredible fireworks is considered one of the most spectacular in the world and even entered the Guinness Book of World Records. The New Year is in high season in Madeira, it is necessary to prepare everything in advance. The harbor is full of cruise ships.
CARNIVAL, ONE OF THE MAIN EVENTS IN MADEIRA
The carnival is held 40 days before Easter. A traditional parade and one of the major events in Madeira, where people from all over the world come to see the extremely well-organized Samba troupes that fill the streets of Funchal with music and dancing. There are two carnival parades, the largest taking place on Saturday evening, the Allegoric Parade (Cortejo Alegórico) with lively and colorful costumes. The last parade, on Tuesday, the Humorous Parade (o Trapalhão), renowned for its humor and social satyrism, is the funniest parade and the one everyone is waiting for.
THE FLOWER FESTIVAL, A MUST-SEE IN MADEIRA!
The Flower Festival in spring is one of the most colorful traditional events held in Madeira and it takes place every spring. Many activities and parties take place around Funchal, starting with a carpet of flowers on the sidewalks, concerts and folk groups dancing in the open air. There are also many flower shows. During the big main parade many diverse groups line up and dance through the streets of Funchal, in their beautiful embroidered Madeiran costumes full of colors, floats are decorated and filled with a wide variety of Madeiran flowers.
RECAP FOR THE BEST TIME TO VISIT MADEIRA
With a small variation in temperature according to the seasons, Madeira is an all-year-round place to visit. There are many things to do in Madeira in any season. Surfing enthusiasts can practice in all seasons, enjoying great waves. Hikers can venture in the many trails in Madeira to see the countless waterfalls. If you want to go for a swim you can also do so at any month of the year.
However, to avoid rainy days choose summer to visit Madeira. If you want to skip the crowd and still enjoy optimal conditions, then choose Spring or Autumn for your visit of Madeira.
We wrote many posts to help you plan your trip in Madeira, check it out below:
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