Climate in Madeira
Madeira, the enchanting Portuguese island in the Atlantic Ocean, has mild temperatures all year round . In the coldest months of January and February you can expect average daily temperatures of around 19 degrees Celsius. In August and September the thermometer rises to an average of 26 degrees Celsius. The temperature fluctuations between day and night are around three degrees Celsius. The weather conditions are influenced in summer by the northeast trade wind and in winter by the west wind belt . The one in the northeast off the coast of Portugal resulting wind brings precipitation with it. It causes high waves on the north coast and inconsistent weather on the eastern side of Madeira. This occurs especially in the morning. Due to the winds and the height differences of up to 1,900 meters, there is a weather cut between the north and south of Madeira. Meteorologists call this different weather at different altitudes mesoclimate . In the north of Madeira it rains more frequently , while the south is subtropically warm . Take a look at the average measured temperatures on the Portuguese island in the climate table and find out when the best time to travel to Madeira is! I will explain to you in which months a beach holiday in Madeira is best suited and at what time of year an active holiday is worthwhile for hikers .
Climate table for Madeira
| Jan | Feb | March | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. Temperature in ° C | 19 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 20 |
| Min. Temperature in ° C | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 15 |
| Hours of sunshine per day | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 |
| Water temperature in ° C | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 19 |
| Rainy days per month | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 7 |
The best time to travel to Madeira
The best time to travel to Madeira is from April to October . Mild to warm temperatures between 21 and 26 degrees Celsius await you in Madeira’s summer season. There is very little rainfall and you can look forward to an average of ten hours of sunshine a day in the months of May to August.
The best months to travel to Madeira at a glance:
- April : 21 ° C, 9 hours of sunshine, 18 ° C water temperature, 3 rainy days
- May : 22 ° C, 10 hours sun, 18 ° C water temperature, 0 rainy days
- June : 23 ° C, 10 hours sun, 20 ° C water temperature, 0 rainy days
- July : 25 ° C, 10 hours of sunshine, 21 ° C water temperature, 0 rainy days
- August : 26 ° C, 10 hours of sunshine, 22 ° C water temperature, 0 rainy days
- September : 25 ° C, 8 hours of sunshine, 23 ° C water temperature, 0 rainy days
- October : 24 ° C, 7 hours of sunshine, 22 ° C water temperature, 4 rainy days
According to Ezinesports.com, the water temperature of the Atlantic Ocean is relatively fresh with an average of 18 to 22 degrees Celsius even in the summer months. Some love to cool off in the sea, others prefer a hiking tour to a visit to the beach. In general, if you decide on a Madeira holiday , you don’t just visit the island for a relaxing beach holiday. Madeira is a popular holiday destination, especially for nature lovers and hikers. Relaxation on the beach after kilometers of hikes can be part of your vacation. Therefore, in the following I will show you when the best travel time for a beach holiday in Madeira is and when you have the best weather conditions for special hikes through the unique landscape. In the winter months November to March it is Rainy season in Madeira . Five to seven rainy days per month and an average of five to six hours of sunshine a day enable a wonderful holiday on Madeira, even in the winter months. The special advantage of the low season are the prices for hotels, flights and package tours. In addition, in winter you can feel as though you have the island all to yourself. Those who like to enjoy the peace and seclusion on their vacation are best placed in Madeira during the winter.
Best travel time for a beach vacation in Madeira
Although Madeira is not the first island that comes to mind when it comes to a relaxed beach holiday , the Portuguese beauty has some artificially constructed stretches of beach and bays where you can have a lot of bathing fun in the sea. These include the various beaches in the capital Funchal and the most popular beach in Madeira: Prainha . When the weather is good, the beach at Porto da Cruz is also a highlight. Away from tourism, you can spend a nice beach holiday at Praia de Laje near Seixal on the north coast. If you have decided on a vacation in Madeira, you should also take a day trip to the neighboring island of Porto Santo. Here you can spend a relaxing beach holiday on the kilometer-long, light sandy beach. The best travel time for a beach holiday in Madeira is in the summer months of July, August, September and October . With an average of 24 to 26 degrees Celsius, you can enjoy the pure sunshine and relax wonderfully.
Best travel time for hiking and exploring the island
Madeira is particularly known as a paradise for hikers and nature lovers . With its miles of hiking trails along the artificial water channels (levadas), especially in the north of the island, it offers great opportunities for an active holiday. One of the most popular travel destinations for hikers is the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the area between Porto da Cruz and Santana in the north. The mountain hiking route between the third highest peak Pico do Arieiro and the highest mountain Pico Ruivo is a special highlight. The hikers start their mountain tour in the morning as it can be cloudy in the afternoon. The best time to travel to Madeira for a hiking holiday is spring. Between mid-April and mid-June, you have the perfect weather conditions for your hiking fun. Dry weather, pleasant air and temperatures that are not too hot are the best prerequisites for your kilometer-long walks.
Weather in Madeira – spring, summer, autumn and winter
The weather in Madeira is mild all year round. There are few or no rain showers and you can look forward to daytime temperatures of around 20 to 25 degrees. The mesoclimate means that different weather conditions prevail at the different altitudes of the island at the same time. It is not uncommon for the south to have blazing sunshine while it is raining in the north. The temperatures fluctuate only moderately. In spring you can expect a constant alternation between sun and rain , which promotes the growth of the various plants and leads to rare vegetation. Average temperatures in spring are 20 to 22 degrees Celsius during the day and around 14 degrees at night. In summer temperatures rarely drop below 20 degrees. With around ten hours of sunshine a day, you can look forward to pure sunshine with very little to no rainfall. As usual for Europe, with the arrival of autumn , the temperatures in Madeira are gradually falling . From the end of October it rains more often and at night it gets a little cooler at 16 to 18 degrees. Compared to Austria, Madeira is warmer in autumn and winter with average temperatures of 20 degrees Celsius during the day. The coldest months with the fewest hours of sunshine per day are January and February. Here, lows of 13 degrees are measured at night.
Conclusion
The climate in Madeira is mild and relatively dry all year round. With only four to seven rainy days per month in the rainy season, the Portuguese island is also well suited for a vacation in the off-season. However, the best time to travel to Madeira is from April to October . In the main season there are warm temperatures around 21 to 26 degrees Celsius and there is very little rainfall. If you want to swim on the beach during your Madeira vacation, the summer months July to October are best. For hiking spring is the best season. Between mid-April and mid-June, especially in the north of Madeira, the best weather conditions for a hiking holiday prevail. Since there are two climate zones on the island, it is worth renting a rental car on your Madeira vacation. So you can have wonderful trips to Madeira in every season. If it rains in the north, you just drive down to the south or vice versa. The size of the island, only 22 kilometers wide and 57 kilometers long, allows you to explore the entire island. Find out in my Madeira tips in the travel magazine what there is to discover and find the best deal for your Madeira vacation in the offers !
