When to visit Funchal (Madeira) without the crowds
Funchal (Madeira) (Portugal) is calmest in January, February, March, October, November and December: fewer people and better prices. It gets busiest in July and August. Below is every month with crowds, temperatures and festivals. Careful with March: the calm has a reason (see the seasonal heads-ups).
Best months
Jan–Mar & Sep–Nov
When everyone heads home
The second week of January.
Tip
The weather is mild all year; the northern levadas are cloudier in winter.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Avg. high | Festivals & holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1/5 · calm | 18 °C (65 °F)6 rainy days | New Year's Day |
| February | 1/5 · calm | 18 °C (65 °F)6 rainy days | |
| March | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 18 °C (65 °F)9 rainy days | School holidays: Easter holidays, Good Friday, Easter Sunday |
| April | 3/5 · moderate | 19 °C (67 °F)7 rainy days | Freedom Day |
| May | 3/5 · moderate | 21 °C (70 °F)5 rainy days | Flower Festival (Apr–May), Labour Day, Corpus Christi |
| June | 3/5 · moderate | 23 °C (73 °F)3 rainy days | School holidays: Summer holidays, National Day |
| July | 4/5 · busy | 25 °C (77 °F)1 rainy day | School holidays: Summer holidays |
| August | 4/5 · busy | 26 °C (80 °F)1 rainy day | School holidays: Summer holidays, Assumption Day |
| September | 3/5 · moderate | 25 °C (77 °F)3 rainy days | School holidays: Summer holidays |
| October | 2/5 · calm | 24 °C (75 °F)8 rainy days | Republic Day |
| November | 2/5 · calm | 21 °C (69 °F)7 rainy days | All Saints Day |
| December | 2/5 · calm | 19 °C (66 °F)7 rainy days | New Year's Eve fireworks (Dec 31), School holidays: Christmas holidays, Restoration of Independence, Immaculate Conception, Christmas Day |
⚠ = seasonal heads-up.
Before you go: seasonal heads-ups
- Storms (Mar): about 4 days a month with gusts over 75 km/h; the strongest in 10 years, 131 km/h on Mar 1, 2018.
Crowds are a relative index for each place: 1 is its calmest month and 5 its busiest. Temperatures: Copernicus ERA5, 2016–2025 average. Includes official tourism statistics (Eurostat, Madeira, 2023-2025). How it works
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Funchal (Madeira) without the crowds?
The calmest month is usually January and February (crowds 1/5). In January the average high is 18 °C (65 °F). All the calm months: January, February, March, October, November and December.
When is Funchal (Madeira) most crowded?
The busiest season is July and August. The second week of January.
What is the weather like in Funchal (Madeira)?
Average highs range from 18 °C (65 °F) in January to 26 °C (80 °F) in August, from Copernicus ERA5 (2016–2025). It rains most in March (about 9 days) and least in July (1).
What should I know before going to Funchal (Madeira)?
Storms (Mar): about 4 days a month with gusts over 75 km/h; the strongest in 10 years, 131 km/h on Mar 1, 2018.
What festivals are there in Funchal (Madeira)?
The main ones: Flower Festival (Apr–May) (May); New Year's Eve fireworks (Dec 31) (December).
More places in Portugal
- Lisbon calm in January, February, November and December; busiest in May, June, July, August and September
- Porto calm in January, February, March, November and December; busiest in June, July and August
- Sintra calm in January, February, November and December; busiest in June, July, August and September
- Lagos (Algarve) calm in January, February, March, November and December; busiest in June, July, August and September
- Faro calm in January, February, March, November and December; busiest in June, July and August
- Ponta Delgada (Azores) calm in January, February, March, April, October, November and December; busiest in June, July, August and September
- Évora calm in January, February, March, October, November and December; busiest in July, August and September
- Coimbra calm in January, February, March, April, October, November and December; busiest in July and August
- Douro Valley (Peso da Régua) calm in January, February, March, November and December; busiest in June, July, August and September
- Aveiro calm in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December; busiest in July and August
- Nazaré calm in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December; busiest in July and August