The best time to visit Madeira is ANY TIME OF THE YEAR. Madeira has a tropical climate with mildly hot, dry summers and moderate, rainy winters. In the summer, temperatures normally range between 25°C to 30°C, making Madeira vacations the perfect choice if you enjoy relaxing by the pool or the beach.
Climate variations occur as a result of the island’s mountainous landscapes, which means that there are distinct weather patterns in different parts of the island. The southern and western parts of the island have adequate protection from winds coming from the northeast, but the northern and eastern parts receive less protection and tend to be slightly colder and wetter.
Most of the year, the humidity ranges from 67% to 72%, which is mild and pleasant for most part of the year. On a lot of days, you get warm winds coming in from North Africa creating pleasant weather for visitors to the island. As a result, the average temperature seldom dips below the mid-20s, making it an excellent vacation location at any time of year.
If you’re searching for some winter sun, you won’t have any problem finding it in Madeira, since the island has plenty of it. The daily temperatures may reach 22°C in the southern parts of the island. These parts of the island are known as the “banana line,” where the climate is ideal for producing, bananas, between the months of December to February. On a lovely, bright winter day you can gaze up at the mountains from Funchal, and may be able to see snow covering the mountaintops. The first touristic event of the year is the Carnival which is normally held in the last week of February until the first week of March.
Carnival
The main carnival event is on a Saturday night, where thousands of visitors and residents flock to Funchal’s center for the colourful and bright float procession. Over a thousand participants dressed in eye-catching costumes, as well as a dozen elaborately painted floats, take part. The parade begins with music: the vibrant enthusiasm and rhythm of the costumed dance groups are contagious. They parade joyfully to the sound of selected songs that were choreographed and rehearsed over the year, beaming with delight in front of the public.
Flower Festival
The spring season in Madeira may very well be the most pleasant time to visit. During the months of March, April, and May, and particularly towards the conclusion of the season, you can expect shorts and T-shirt weather, however, there is the possibility of heavy rain at times. Walking through the forests in the spring, you will see the vibrant colours of the leaves and wildflowers. You’ll also see a lot of colour in Funchal during the Flower Festival, which takes place in May and attracts a lot of attention since the streets are filled with parades and floats decorated with fragrant blossoms.
Summer Boat Tours
Whale and dolphin viewing is most enjoyable during the summer months. During June to August, temperatures may reach as high as 33°C, thanks to the leste (the leste is a dry, scorching breeze blowing westward from the Sahara), but normally range in the pleasant higher ’20s. In June and July, the island is frequently shrouded in clouds in the early morning hours, which progressively evaporates throughout the day.
In Madeira, the fall months of September, October, and November tend to be a lot calmer, but the weather is still great and the sea is warm enough to go swimming comfortably. The amount of rain is beginning to increase, although temperatures are remaining steady. You can anticipate temperatures to hover around 24°C, which is ideal for strolling due to the abundance of shade available.
