Best time to visit Funchal
The best time to visit Funchal is during the summer season from July through September, when the weather is warm and sunny, and rainfall is low.
However, given the very mild climate, Funchal can be visited year-round. Lovers of flower and nature may prefer spring.
Funchal weather
Funchal has a mild climate with a small temperature range.
The northern side of Madeira is rainier and windier than the southern one, due to the prevailing north-east trade winds, which blow throughout the year.
The capital, Funchal, being on the southern side of Madeira, is quite sheltered from the wind. However, as the city climbs to an altitude of 800 meters (2,600 ft), the higher neighbourhoods are cooler than those below.
Here are the average temperatures for Funchal, on the southern coast.
What is the best month to visit Funchal?
July, August and September are the best months to visit Funchal – the climate is perfect with warm, sunny weather and little to no rainfall.
August is especially popular, since this is the peak tourist season in Funchal.
To avoid the crowds, higher prices and extreme heat of summer, the months of June and October are also good for a range of outdoor activities.
Which is the hottest month in Funchal?
The hottest month of the year in Funchal is normally August, with an average daily high temperature of 27°C (80°F), with moderate heat and a low of 21°C (69°F)
The warm summer season lasts from early-July to early-October, with an average daily high temperature above 25°C (77°F).
Which is the coldest month in Funchal?
The coldest months of the year in Funchal are January and February, each with an average high of 20°C (68°F) and a low of 14°C (57°F).
The cool winter season lasts from mid-December to mid-April, with an average daily high temperature below 21°C (69°F).
Which is the sunniest month in Funchal?
The sunniest time of year in Funchal is usually July with an average of seven hours of sunshine per day; that's on average 59% of daylight hours.
In June, a blanket of clouds, called capacete ('helmet') often forms, which covers the island in the early morning but thins out during the mid-day sun.
When is the sea warmest in Funchal?
The sea is usually at its warmest in Funchal in September when the water temperature reaches 24°C (75°F), which is acceptable for swimming.
The time of year with warmer water lasts from late-July to late-October, with an average temperature above 22°C (71°F).
Which month has the most rain in Funchal?
December is usually the wettest month in Funchal with 100mm (4in) of rainfall on average. There are normally 13 days in December with some rain.
The rainy period of the year lasts from mid-October to early-April, with a greater than 9% chance of a given day being a wet day.
The drier season lasts from early-April through to mid-October, with little or no rainfall during July and August. July has the least rainfall.
Which is the windiest month in Funchal?
The windiest month of the year in Funchal is December, with an average hourly wind speed of 22 kilometres per hour (14 mph; 12 knots).
The windy part of the year lasts from November to early-May, with average wind speeds of more than 20 kilometres per hour (12 mph; 11 knots).
The less-windy time of year lasts from early-May through October. The calmest month of the year in Funchal is September, with an average hourly wind speed of 17 kilometres per hour (10.6 mph; 9 knots).
The predominant average hourly wind direction varies throughout the year in Funchal.
Funchal Weather Averages
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Average high temperature (°C) | |||||||||||
| 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 22 | 21 |
| Average low temperature (°C) | |||||||||||
| 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 14 |
| Average daily sunshine (hrs) | |||||||||||
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 |
| Average daily daylight (hrs) | |||||||||||
| 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 |
| Comfort level | |||||||||||
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| UV Index (max) | |||||||||||
| 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| Average days of rainfall (≥1mm) | |||||||||||
| 12 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 13 |
| Average monthly rainfall (mm) | |||||||||||
| 105 | 85 | 65 | 40 | 20 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 35 | 75 | 100 | 100 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | |||||||||||
| 21 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 22 |
| Average sea temperature (°C) | |||||||||||
| 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 20 |
| Funchal, Madeira, Portugal | |||||||||||
Holiday seasons
High season: From July through August; advance bookings are generally necessary at the top hotels.
Low season: Spring and autumn is a good time to visit as the weather is generally warm and the crowds have gone home.
Source: Meteorological data for Funchal is based on weather statistics gathered for the 30-year period 1991 to 2020 by the Instituto Português do Mar e da Amosfera (IPMA) – Portugal's meteorological agency – from the nearest weather station: Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira Airport Funchal, commonly known as Madeira Airport (FNC), located 18km (11mi) northeast of Funchal.
Advice on the best time to visit a particular destination is based on average local weather statistics, when the weather conditions are generally better than at other times of the year. We consider high and low temperatures, risk of rain (and thunderstorms, etc.), amount of sunshine and sea temperature. For general outdoor activities we favour clear, rainless days with a temperature range between 18°C (64°F) and 27°C (80°F); and for hot-weather activities we favour clear, rainless days with a temperature range between 24°C (75°F) and 32°C (89°F). Often, the best times to visit correspond to high season and therefore involve higher prices.
Latest update: Best time to visit Funchal: 12 May, 2024
Disclaimer: The information on this site is provided as is, without any assurances as to its accuracy or suitability for any purpose. Weather data and conditions at any given location and time are unpredictable and variable. We assume no responsibility and can not be held legally responsible for any decisions made on the basis of the information presented on this site.
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