travel to madeira in november

Visiting Madeira in November

Are you thinking of visiting Madeira in November? You’ve come to the right place! In this guide, we share everything you need to know about visiting this unique Portuguese tropical island in the month of November. We take a detailed look at the weather across the island, give recommendations on what to pack, where to stay and answer frequently asked questions.

Read our complete guide to visiting Madeira in November and be sure to let us know if you have any questions in the comment section below.

WATCH OUR TRAVEL GUIDE ON THE BEST THINGS TO SEE IN MADEIRA IN NOVEMBER

Is Madeira a good place to visit in November?

November is a great month to visit Madeira! As a year-round destination with much warmer temperatures than the rest of Europe in winter, it’s a welcome escape from cold and rain. As you’ll soon find out as you read our article, November has good weather at this time of year and it’s not overly busy. Furthermore, as a year-round destination, all bars, shops and restaurants are open and there’s plenty to see and do. It suits those that want a relaxing holiday, but also those that want to explore. It’s home to endless hikes, nature trails and stunning natural scenery.

You won’t find the hot temperatures of the summer months. Nevertheless, we found the climate in Madeira in November to be ideal. It’s warm but not overly hot, ideal for lying in the sun or going sightseeing.

How is Madeira weather in November?

In our opinion, the weather in Madeira in November is perfect. It’s not overly hot, so you can lie out on a sun lounger by the pool without feeling uncomfortable. It’s also good for sightseeing and long walks. You can explore as much as you like without feeling too hot and sweaty. As you’ll read below in the ‘Madeira temperatures’ section, it has a mild climate throughout the day and the temperature rarely drops below 18 degrees Celsius on an evening. Expect warm sunny days and mild evenings.

The weather in Madeira in November isn’t going to feel like summer and you may need a light jacket on occasion. Swimming pools can also be cold. However, compared to the rest of Europe, it feels like a tropical paradise at this time of the year.

Madeira also has a unique ‘micro-climate’. It’s lower elevation coastal areas feel somewhat tropical, with high humidity, making the air feel warmer than you’d expect for the temperatures. It’s also very interchangeable. It could be pouring of rain in the north or in the mountains, but Funchal could be warm and sunny. Nice weather is guaranteed at this time of the year, so although it could rain and you’ll see some cloud, you’ll still experience lots of sunshine.

What’s the average Madeira temperature in November?

The average Madeira temperature in November is 21 degrees Celsius (high), with an average daily temperature of 19 degrees Celsius. This covers the entire island and coastal areas may see warmer temperatures. During the day in Funchal, the temperature can reach high’s of 25 degrees, which is very pleasant for this time of the year.

At first glance, the temperature doesn’t look too high in November. However, as the climate on the island is very humid, it feels a lot warmer than what you’d expect.

Madeira’s temperatures in November are also fairly consistent throughout the day, falling only a few degrees on an evening. Expect warm evenings of 18 – 20 degrees Celsius.

One final thing to note about Madeira’s temperature in November is the difference around the island. Funchal, Ponta do Sol and the other towns to the south are generally warmer and have more sunshine. The north of Madeira has temperatures that are a couple of degrees cooler. You then have the centre of the island and its many peaks, which are cooler again and you’ll need a light jacket.

Does it rain in Madeira in November?

It most certainly does! However, it’s not bad at all. Weather is unpredictable and very different depending on where you are on the island at any given time. The higher elevation mountain areas see a lot more rain than lower land. Equally, the north of the island gets more rain than the south. If staying in Funchal or a town on the south coast, you’ll likely see very little rain in November. Showers come and go fast, lasting only a couple of hours.

We recommend preparing for rainy weather if travelling around Madeira, but expect it to be short lived. It’s always best to check the weather the day before a day-trip as the forecast changes fast.

In our opinion, rain is nothing to worry about for a November visit to Madeira. You’ll experience rain, but not much of it. Its unique tropical climate and many tropical plants need some water from time to time. 😊

What’s the water temperature in Madeira in November? Can I use the swimming pool?

The average sea temperature in Madeira in November is just under 22°C. This is cool and refreshing, but not so cold that you can’t swim. Expect outdoor swimming pools to be quite cool too, unless they’re heated. It’s not common for outdoor hotel pools to be heated in Madeira (with the exception of a few hotels). However, there are a lot of hotels with heated indoor pools.

You won’t enjoy the nice warm water temperatures of the summer months but can still use the pool or swim in the sea on a hot sunny day.

If you value a heated swimming pool on holiday, check out Porto Mare Hotel and The Cliff Hotel . Both have multiple pool options, some of which are heated.

What clothing should I pack

As we’ve already mentioned, Madeira is a destination of many climates. Weather can be unpredictable depending on where you’re visiting on a particular day. Therefore, we recommend packing the following for any November trip to Madeira:

• Sun cream and after sun. It often reaches mid-20-degrees and there are a lot of sunny days, especially in the south.
• Shorts, t-shirts, swim wear and light clothing, just as you would for any summer holiday.
• A light jacket, cardigan or jumper. This comes in handy when visiting the mountains or the cooler north. You may also want to wear a jacket on an evening when the temperature drops. We personally wore shorts day and night.
• A light waterproof jacket. This is perfect for those unexpected rain showers.
• Hiking shoes or boots if you plan on doing a Levada walk or mountain hike. Trainers can be quite dangerous to wear on some walks in November.
• Multiple types of footwear. You’ll want flip flops for relaxing pool or beach days, trail shoes for long walks and trainers for flat land walks around town. You’ll likely do a lot of walking!
• As you’ll be doing lots of walking, pack additional pairs of socks, ideally made from breathable materials.

Is Madeira busy in November?

November is a little quieter than other months of the year. However, as Madeira is a year-round destination, hotels are still fairly busy and everything is open. Expect the usual crowds at top Madeira attractions. Weekends tend to be busier than weekdays when visiting restaurants, bars and attractions, as the locals like to go out at weekends.

To summarise, expect it to be moderately busy, but not so much that you’ll struggle to get reservations or see the things you like to.

Is everything open in Madeira in November?

Madeira is a year-round tourist destination that’s popular no matter the month. Therefore, expect everything to be open, including all attractions, restaurants, bars, hotels and shops. November is a fairly popular time to visit, with many north Europeans escaping their own countries for some winter sun.

What are the best places to stay in November?

As already mentioned, Madeira has a unique climate with lots of microclimates throughout the island. The following areas are great places to base yourself for Madeira November trip. Saying that, we still recommend exploring as much of the island as you can!

Funchal Old Town – Funchal Old Town is the sprawling, cultural capital of the island. It’s an eclectic mix of tourists and locals and feels much like a European city break destination. Funchal in general has some of the best weather on the island, with guaranteed sunshine, little rain and warm temperatures.

Funchal Lido area – The most popular place to stay in Madeira, this stretched out resort area has a huge variety of hotels, bars and restaurants. It’s the go-to place to stay whilst visiting the island. It also has excellent weather year-round and a long promenade where you can walk to your heart’s desire.

Ponta do Sol – A sleepy beach town on Madeira’s south coast. It’s popular with digital nomads and expats, with its traditional white-washed buildings, quaint corner cafes and picturesque cobbled streets. Accommodation here is mostly small boutique guest houses and apartment rentals.

Calheta Beach – Another small beach town that boasts one of Madeira’s nicest beaches. It’s perfect for a long weekend getaway, some distance from busy Funchal.

Our top tips for visiting Madeira in November

• Expect nice sunny weather but prepare for a chance of showers and cooler spells. Weather is interchangeable so it’s good to be ready for all climates. Pack layers just in case.
• Stay on the south of the island for more hours of sunshine and less chance of rain. Funchal, Ponta do Sol, Câmara de Lobos and Calheta beach are top choices.
• There are some great deals to be found for last minute holiday in November. It’s not a super popular month to visit so you can save money by booking a package 1 week to 2 months before travel.
• Use the handy Madeira-Web site to view live webcams for different areas of the island. If the weather doesn’t look good, consider changing plans. For instance, when hiking Pico do Arieiro or walking Balcoes Levada, you want clear skies for the best views. Even though it’s sunny in one area, the weather could be completely different elsewhere.
• Keep a foldable rain jacket in your bag when you’re out and about. It’ll come in handy if it rains or gets a little cooler.
• Book a hotel with a heated indoor or outdoor swimming pool if you want a comfortable temperature to swim. Pools can be a little cold in November.
• Make the most of your day and head out earlier in the morning. The sun sets around 6pm.
• Consider making restaurant reservations for dining options that are popular, especially if visiting on a weekend.
• On a similar note, arriving at attractions earlier allows you to enjoy them with less crowds. Popular sites gets busier late morning and into the afternoon.

Thanks for reading our complete guide to visiting Madeira in November! In our opinion, it really is one of the best places to visit in Europe in November. It’s very affordable compared to the more popular Canary Islands and has a lot to offer for those that want some winter adventure or relaxation. We’ll personally return to Madeira for many more winter’s to come and would love to visit in December for Christmas, which is another great month to travel.

If you have any questions about visiting Madeira in November, be sure to leave a comment below.

By Ricky MARSHALL

An adventurer at heart that loves anything outdoors. Beaches, mountains and amazing scenery is everything I love about travel! I also enjoy home comforts and need a nice place to relax and re-charge after every trip.

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Comments (2)

Hi, just wondering if there are any Christmas markets going on in November time In or around Funchal.

Funchal is a great place to go for Christmas! The markets start on the 1st December all the way through to the 7th January. You can find more information here: https://www.europeanbestdestinations.com/christmas-markets/madeira/

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Madeira in November: Things to do & full guide for 2023

Are you planning on visiting Portugal’s Madeira in November? Here are all of my best tips!

As autumn leaves blanket much of Europe and winter begins to creep in, Madeira is an alternative getaway!

Known as the “Pearl of the Atlantic,” this Portuguese archipelago stays lush and warm throughout the year, making it an epic destination for November!

The month brings mild temperatures and fewer tourists – it’s an intimate setting to explore the island’s dramatic landscapes, historical sights, and unique flora and fauna.

From meandering through the iconic levadas to indulging in a traditional British tea at Reid’s, November opens up a side of Madeira that’s both authentic and comfortably unhurried.

So, are you ready? Let’s explore Madeira in November! 

Table of Contents

Reasons to visit Madeira in November

Madeira’s a year-round destination, with a mild climate and plenty of things to do. But why visit in November? Here are some top reasons! 

Ideal climate

November in Madeira brings daytime temperatures between 20-23°C (68-73°F) — perfect for outdoor activities!

Zip-line through the lush forest canopy or relax on a quiet beach; the weather is on your side.

It’s generally warmer than the rest of Portugal in winter , although it’s not a stranger to some rain too.

Beat the crowds

Tired of fighting for elbow room?

November sees fewer tourists, making it an ideal time for uninterrupted hikes and exploring the city.

You’ll be able to stroll through Funchal Old Town’s streets or along scenic trails, with fewer selfie sticks in sight!

Deep-dive into local culture

As November marks the build-up to Christmas, Madeira comes alive with local crafts and traditions.

Experience the intricate details of Madeiran embroidery, wickerwork, and other crafts at numerous local fairs; all this without the summer crowds stealing your focus.

Better value

Here’s a financial perk; everything from hotel rooms to experiential tours often comes at a discounted price in November.

Your money goes further, letting you enjoy the island’s offerings without emptying your pockets!

Madeira’s only a direct flight away from many European destinations, and often flights are cheaper too. 

Things to do in Madeira in November

From enjoying winter sun at the beach to checking out Madeira’s best museums, here’s what you can expect attraction-wise on the Portuguese island!

Levada Walks

Madeira is quite famous for its hiking trails, most specifically the Levada Walks. 

There’s no better time than November to hit the iconic Levada trails, and one that stands out is the Levada do Caldeirão Verde .

With less foot traffic, you can relish the sound of your steps echoing off the path and the smell of the forest in the air.

This 6.5-km route takes you through tunnels and along water channels, all surrounded by lush laurel forests.

The grand finale? A breathtaking waterfall cascading into a green lagoon.

With November’s mild weather, you’ll find it’s neither too hot nor too cold, making for a hike that’s just right!

Don’t forget your hiking shoes, as these trails can be a little intense. 

Madeira Botanical Gardens

November may not scream “flower season,” but don’t let that deter you from visiting the Madeira Botanical Gardens .

It’s more intimate, with fewer crowds to obstruct your view of the exotic plant species!

The cooler weather highlights the vibrant hues of subtropical flora, as well as the array of resident and migratory birds that make pit stops here.

Whether it’s the vivid Orchid Garden or the intricate Topiary Garden, the natural artistry of the Botanical Gardens comes alive in a more subtle yet still impressive way.

Whale and dolphin watching

While there are sea mammals in Madeira throughout the year, November is especially serene. 

With fewer boats out and about, the experience feels more intimate and respectful toward these majestic sea creatures.

You’ll likely spot common dolphins and sperm whales, among others, on these boat trips. 

Madeira Story Centre

Immerse yourself in Madeira’s rich history at the Madeira Story Centre .

This interactive museum brings the island’s past to life, from its volcanic origin to contemporary culture.

It’s quieter in November, so you can enjoy with each exhibit at a relaxed space.

Explore sections dedicated to the Age of Exploration, the wine industry, and local crafts.

Here’s a tip: Visit in the morning to avoid even the minor crowds that gather during the day.

Cabo Girão Skywalk

For a blend of beautiful views and a dash of adrenaline, head to Cabo Girão Skywalk .

Suspended at an altitude of 580 meters, this glass-floored viewing platform offers panoramic vistas of the ocean, Funchal, and Câmara de Lobos.

November provides clear skies and visibility; however, be aware that the platform can get slippery when wet!

So, check the weather forecast before you go.

The best part? The reduced crowds make it easier to snap that perfect photo without interference.

Funchal Market

A visit to Funchal Market is a feast for the senses.

Vibrant colours, diverse textures, and an array of smells fill the air!

In November, the holiday season’s onset means an uptick in unique offerings, from seasonal fruits to festive decorations.

Keep an eye out for passionfruit and cherimoya—these fruits are particularly delicious this time of year.

And don’t miss the fresh tuna and espada (black scabbard fish) at the fish market!

So, come with an empty tote bag; you’ll want to fill it.

Monte Palace Tropical Gardens

Meander through a world of exotic flora at Monte Palace Tropical Gardens .

The cooler November weather complements the stroll, as you encounter koi ponds, Oriental gardens, and terracotta statues.

Azaleas, heathers, and an impressive cycad collection thrive in the island’s subtropical climate. Birds such as peacocks and ducks add life to the landscape.

Pico do Arieiro

Elevate your Madeira adventure—literally—at Pico do Arieiro.

At 1,818 meters above sea level, it’s the island’s third-highest peak.

November offers clear skies for panoramic views that stretch as far as Porto Santo, Madeira’s sister island, on a good day.

Hiking up? Start early and pack layers, as temperatures can fluctuate.

Driving? The route is accessible but steep; make sure your vehicle can handle it.

Either way, reaching the top is a rewarding accomplishment!

Wine Tasting

Madeira wine steals the spotlight!

One renowned option is Blandy’s Wine Lodge in Funchal.

Their guided tours walk you through the intricate process of cask aging, blending, and even the history of wine on the island.

November is particularly good for this indoor activity, shielding you from the occasional rainy day while offering a warm, inviting atmosphere.

Cap off your tour with a tasting session and perhaps pick up a bottle of vintage Madeira as a keepsake!

Praia Formosa

Madeira’s largest public beach, Praia Formosa , is a mix of pebbles and black sand, a result of the island’s volcanic origin.

The Atlantic waves in November are moderate, making it suitable for both wading and a relaxed swim.

While you may find the water a bit cooler compared to the summer months, it’s well worth visiting for the smaller crowds!

Santa Maria de Colombo

Step back in time aboard Santa Maria de Colombo , a replica of Christopher Columbus’s flagship, and sail around the island!

In November, the sea conditions are still good enough to set sail for a unique tour around Madeira.

The ship departs from Funchal and offers stunning views of the island’s cliffs and coves from the water.

History buffs will appreciate the attention to detail on this vessel, right down to the hand-sewn sails and the wooden deck.

Tickets include a Madeira wine and honey cake tasting.

A trip on this ship is like walking into a living museum, complete with pirate actors for entertainment!

Scuba Diving

For underwater enthusiasts, Madeira’s clear Atlantic waters offer a memorable scuba diving experience.

One notable location is Ponta de São Lourenço.

This area’s biodiversity ranges from colorful wrasses and ornate wrasses to larger species like groupers.

In November, the water temperature is slightly cooler but visibility is often excellent, offering clearer views of the marine life and formations.

Diving centers like Azul Diving are available for both beginners and experienced divers, providing equipment and guided tours.

Tea at Reid’s

If you’re looking to bask in a bit of old-world luxury, don’t miss out on having tea at Belmond Reid’s Palace.

The experience is a nod to Madeira’s historical ties with the British , and it doesn’t disappoint. The tea service is elaborate, featuring a selection of scones, sandwiches, and a myriad of teas.

Even better, you get to enjoy this feast on a terrace overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The whole experience is heightened in November; fewer guests make for a more personalized service.

November’s cooler temperatures create the perfect backdrop for a spa day.

Consider spending time at the spa in Saccharum Hotel , known for its diverse range of treatments and therapies.

Opt for a seaweed wrap to revitalize your skin or a deep-tissue massage to relieve muscle tension.

The atmosphere is tranquil, and the panoramic ocean views add a layer of serenity to your wellness day.

Madeira Film Experience

While in Funchal, take 30 minutes to immerse yourself in the Madeira Film Experience.

This audiovisual journey is shown in a cozy theater and takes you through 600 years of the island’s history.

The film employs state-of-the-art technology, ensuring a rich visual and auditory experience.

Because November isn’t peak tourist season, you’re likely to have a more intimate viewing, making it easier to absorb all the intricacies of Madeira’s fascinating history.

Where to stay in Madeira in November

Most tourists stay in Funchal; where all the action is. Here are some suggested places: 

Residencial Pina

If you’re traveling on a budget, Residencial Pina offers a solid option that doesn’t compromise on quality.

Located within walking distance of Funchal’s city center, it provides easy access to local attractions.

The hotel is clean, comfortable, and staff are known for their hospitality.

Plus, many rooms offer balconies with city views, a great perk for the price point. In November, you’ll likely find room rates to be especially affordable.

Hotel Porto Mare

Situated within the Vila Porto Mare resort, Hotel Porto Mare offers an incredible array of amenities without breaking the bank.

Guests can access multiple swimming pools, restaurants, and even a spa.

The gardens surrounding the hotel are lush and well-maintained, a treat for anyone looking to experience Madeira’s botanical beauty.

The rooms are modern and spacious, complete with balconies for soaking in the ocean or garden views.

November visitors will find the hotel to be less crowded, allowing for a more relaxed atmosphere.

Belmond Reid’s Palace

For those who demand nothing but the best, Belmond Reid’s Palace is the epitome of luxury.

Overlooking the Bay of Funchal, this hotel offers exquisite rooms and top-tier services. From a world-class spa to Michelin-starred dining, your every need will be catered to.

Exclusive experiences, such as private cliffside dining, can be arranged by the hotel’s concierge service.

November brings fewer guests, so you’ll experience heightened personal attention, from poolside service to customized spa treatments.

Travel tips for Madeira in November

Here are my best travel tips for visiting this beautiful island in November, or throughout the cooler season!

Public Transport

Madeira’s public transport system, primarily comprised of buses, is reliable and efficient.

However, some routes may operate on reduced schedules in November.

Before setting off, check the latest timetables.

Car rentals

If you prefer the freedom to explore at your own pace, consider renting a car.

Companies like Sixt and Europcar offer competitive rates, especially in November when demand is lower.

Prices can range from €20 to €40 per day, depending on the type of car and the rental duration.

Booking in advance online could score you a better deal.

Warm Clothing for Evenings

Even though daytime temperatures are mild, evenings in November can be cool. Layering is key.

Consider packing a mix of light sweaters, a warm jacket, and perhaps a light scarf to ensure comfort during dinner on a terrace or a moonlit stroll along the beach!

Varied Openings

Before you make plans to visit specific attractions, note that there may be varied opening times or seasonal closures.

This is particularly true for outdoor activities and smaller, family-run businesses.

Always check operation hours in advance to avoid disappointment.

Weather in Madeira in November

In Madeira, November is fresh but still warm; it’s one of the warmest places in Europe this month !

Mixed weather is typically on the cards; there are plenty of hours of sunshine, although expect a fair amount of rain too. 

Here’s a table with the weather conditions that you can expect: 

Madeira in November FAQs

 Here are some frequently asked questions about visiting this Portuguese island in November!

Is November a good time to visit Madeira?

Yes, November can be a good time to visit Madeira, especially if you’re looking to avoid the crowds and high prices of peak season.

The weather is relatively mild, and while there might be some rain, the island’s natural beauty and plethora of indoor activities make it a worthy destination.

How hot is Madeira in November?

In November, Madeira experiences average temperatures ranging from 16-22°C (60-71°F).

It’s cooler than the summer months but generally still pleasant for outdoor activities. However, evening temperatures can drop, so packing some warm layers is advised.

What is Madeira like in early November?

Early November in Madeira tends to be less crowded and offers mild temperatures suitable for outdoor exploration.

You can expect less rainfall compared to the end of the month, making it a favorable time for activities like hiking and visiting gardens.

Can you sunbathe in Madeira in November?

While it may not be as warm as the summer months, sunbathing is still possible in November, especially around midday.

Just bear in mind that sea temperatures will be cooler, ranging around 20°C (68°F), and cloud cover may be more prevalent.

Is Funchal hot in November?

Funchal, the capital of Madeira, experiences similar temperatures to the rest of the island in November. Expect average temperatures between 16-22°C (60-71°F).

While not hot, the weather is usually mild and comfortable for exploring the city.

Are there flowers in Madeira in November?

Madeira is known as the “Island of Eternal Spring,” and you’ll find a variety of flowers blooming year-round.

November is no exception, although the types of flowers in bloom may vary compared to other seasons. Expect to see autumnal foliage and late-blooming species during this month.

Claire Martin

Claire is an expert in exploring Europe in the winter! She's from the UK and has been to over 20 countries on the continent in the winter season. She loves every bit of Europe in the cooler months, including finding winter sunshine in Spain, skiing in the Alps and the charm of the Nordic countries in the festive season.

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Weather in Madeira in November travel guide

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written by Olga Sitnitsa

updated 25.04.2024

November in Madeira marks a smooth transition from the mild autumn to the cooler, but still mild onset of winter. The island enjoys a comfortably cool climate, occasionally buffeted by a gentle Atlantic breeze. This pleasant weather in Madeira in November provides the perfect backdrop for walks through the majestic mountains, charming gardens and quaint villages of the island. The pleasant temperatures and welcoming atmosphere make November the perfect time to stroll the levadas, savour the local flavours and relax on quiet beaches that still have a hint of summer warmth.

Highlights Madeira weather in November

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Experience and discover the real Algarve – taste local produce, drinks and traditional dishes, visit heritage sites and participate in culinary activities. If you are passionate about the people’s culture and gastronomy and want to learn more, this itinerary is for you.

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A self drive to Portugal's North and Center

Starting in fascinating Lisbon, this trip allows you to discover Portugal both on your own as well as with guided tours. Driving further up north you'll explore Coimbra and Porto before heading to the Douro Valley and Alentejo.

Madeira enjoys a pleasantly mild climate in November, combining fall charm with lingering summer warmth. The key highlights of the weather in Madeira in November include:

• Moderate temperatures : Expect comfortably cool weather, ideal for outdoor activities without the summer heat.
• Soft Atlantic breezes : Soft breezes from the Atlantic add to the comfortable climate, making it refreshing.
• Intermittent rainfall : As November approaches winter, the likelihood of rain increases, which contributes to the lushness of the island's scenery.
• Outdoor adventures : The weather is still favorable for hiking through levadas, exploring gardens and visiting picturesque villages.
• Beautiful landscapes : The rains that fall in November highlight Madeira's natural beauty, making its gardens and mountains even more colorful.

Keen to visit Madeira? Talk to our local Portugal experts to kick-start creating your dream trip. And to ensure you're well-equipped for your trip explore our list of tips for traveling in Portugal .

Paul da Serra plain / Plateau Paul da Serra, Madeira © Shutterstock

November in Madeira is characterized by mild and transitional weather as the island moves from the tail end of autumn to the beginning of winter. This period is characterized by cooler temperatures and increased rainfall compared to the drier and sunnier months of summer. 

The weather in Madeira in November is conducive to hiking, exploring the island's rich gardens and charming villages, and even swimming as the sea remains relatively warm. However, you should still be prepared for occasional rain and weather conditions can be variable, which can affect outdoor adventure plans and transportation in the more remote parts of the island.

November falls during the shoulder season in Madeira. This means fewer tourists, more affordable accommodation and a generally quieter atmosphere than the busy summer months. It's an ideal time for those looking to experience the island's natural beauty and cultural attractions without the crowds.

In terms of rainfall, November is one of the wettest months in Madeira. The increased rainfall contributes to the lushness of the island's vegetation, making its landscapes particularly colorful. Nevertheless, it's worth preparing for rain in advance by bringing the appropriate gear and preparing alternatives indoors.

Overall, November can be a great time to visit Madeira if you prefer quieter travel and don't mind a little rain. The combination of milder weather, fewer people and the natural beauty of the island in its lush, autumnal state makes November an attractive choice for many travelers.

Editor’s tip: for a bigger picture of the weather, read up on the best time to visit Portugal .

Madeira  © Shutterstock

Madeira enjoys mild temperatures in November, making the island a pleasant vacation destination for those who want to avoid colder climates. The average high temperature for this month is around 21°C (70°F) , while the average low temperature hovers around 16°C (61°F) . These temperatures reflect Madeira's subtropical climate, which provides warmth throughout the year.

Day and night temperature fluctuations in November are generally moderate, meaning evenings can be cool, especially near the coast or at higher elevations. Visitors are advised to stock up on layered clothing to comfortably adapt to the cooler evenings and warmer days.

Comparatively, November temperatures in Madeira are cooler than the peak summer months, where average temperatures can reach 25°C (77°F) or more, and significantly warmer than the coldest months such as January and February, where average temperatures can drop to 13°C (55°F) . This makes November a transitional period offering a cooler but still warm alternative to the heat of summer, making it ideal if you prefer milder weather for outdoor activities and exploring the island.

Want even more inspiration for your Portugal adventure? Discover the best places to visit in Portugal .

In November, there is a noticeable decrease in tourist traffic on Madeira compared to the bustling summer months of June through August. This reduction in tourist numbers is a significant plus if you are looking for a quieter and more secluded vacation on the island. With fewer tourists, accommodation prices and costs associated with travel and entertainment often become more affordable, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of Madeira without the summer price tag.

In addition, November's shoulder season offers a more authentic local experience, with less crowded attractions and a more personal touch. In contrast, during peak season, prices are higher, and popular places can be crowded, which can disrupt the tranquility of the island. Thus, November is the ideal time if you want to enjoy Madeira's natural and cultural attractions in a more relaxed atmosphere and with the added benefit of lower prices.

Wine barrels in Madeira, Portugal  © Shutterstock

Are you ready to plan your dream trip to Portugal? The local experts at Rough Guides can help you create a fully customized and unforgettable itinerary tailored to your preferences . Here are three tantalizing travel options you should consider:

• Portugal – Cuisine and Culture from Porto to Lisbon (12 days): This culinary journey from Porto to Lisbon offers an insight into exceptional Portuguese culture. Taste port wine at a prestigious winery, savor gourmet cod and picnic in the oldest wine region in the world.
• Madeira and São Miguel - guided island adventures (9 days): Visit Portugal's two autonomous regions: Madeira, the island of eternal spring as it is known, and São Miguel, nicknamed the green island. Guided tours will introduce you to the highlights of both islands, with plenty of time to explore on your own or simply relax.
• Discovering the coast of Portugal (11 days): Explore the beautiful cities along Portugal's coast. Start your journey by exploring historic sites and wineries in Porto, and from there head south to Lisbon. Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to visit charming coastal towns, spectacular cliffs and national parks.
• Discover more of our Portugal itineraries .

A visit to Madeira in November offers a unique opportunity to experience the island's charms in a less crowded and mild climate, making it an ideal time to explore and relax. From wandering through ancient forests to tasting local wine, there are plenty of activities to suit a wide range of interests.

• Visit the historical sights of Funchal : The capital city of Funchal is less crowded in November. Explore historic sites such as Sé Cathedral and São Lourenço Palace without the hustle and bustle of the peak tourist season.
• Relax in the natural pools of Porto Moniz : Formed by volcanic lava, these natural saltwater pools provide a unique swimming experience. Even in November, the water is pleasant and the pools are not crowded, allowing you to relax and enjoy the stunning ocean views.
• Wine tasting tours : Madeira is famous for its wine. Take advantage of the quieter season to enjoy secluded tasting tours, learning about the island's unique wine production process and savoring its unique flavor.
• Visit the São Vicente Caves : These caves, formed by a volcanic eruption, offer a glimpse into the island's geological past. It is also home to the Volcanism Center, where you can learn about volcanic activity.
• Monte Cable Car and Tropical Garden : Take the Monte cable car up to enjoy breathtaking views of Funchal. Visit the Monte Palace Tropical Garden where you will find exotic plants, themed gardens and art collections.

Madeira offers only a fraction of the unique experiences that Portugal has to offer. For even more ideas for your vacation, see our guide to the best things to do in Portugal .

Madeira, Portugal  © Shutterstock

A year-round paradise, Madeira offers unique experiences every month to suit a variety of travelers' preferences. Whether you are looking for outdoor adventures, cultural events, or just a relaxing vacation in nature, Madeira's diverse climate and activities ensure that there is always something special to do here.

• December : Get into the festive spirit with Madeira's famous Christmas lights and New Year's Eve fireworks.
• January : Experience the tranquility of post-holiday Madeira, ideal for enjoying its natural beauty without the crowds of tourists.
• February : Take part in the vibrant festivities of the Madeira Carnival, one of the most colorful and lively events on the island.
• March : Spring awakens with blooming flowers and ideal temperatures for hiking and outdoor activities.
• April : Delight in the Madeira Flower Festival, where the island explodes with color and fragrant displays.
• May : Enjoy comfortable temperatures and the start of the season of outdoor activities, including the Madeira Island Ultra Trail.
• June : Take part in the Atlantic Festival with fireworks and music, which marks the beginning of the summer festivities.
• July : Enjoy the summer heat, ideal for beach walks and water sports in Madeira's crystal clear waters.
• August : Experience the peak of summer with lively street festivals, including the popular Madeira Wine Festival.
• September : Take advantage of warm seas and less crowded attractions as the high season comes to an end.
• October : Watch the leaves change and enjoy the mild weather, ideal for exploring the island's natural landscapes.

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A First-Timer’s Guide to Madeira for Winter Sun

If you’re wondering ‘ Where to go for winter sun ? ’, we may just have the answer. Let us introduce you to the Portuguese island of Madeira, which reaches 20 degrees in November and is just a 4 hour flight from the UK.

Written by our Editor Jessica Ruth Gibson, this guide to Madeira is perfect for first-timer’s on the island and covers the best time to visit Madeira, 8 great things to do in Madeira and the best hotels in Madeira, including her base of the famous Belmond Reid’s Palace.

When is the best time to visit Madeira?

Essential things to know about madeira.

• 8 Things To Do in Madeira
• Best Hotels in Madeira – Luxury to Budget

When I asked this question to our cab driver in Madeira (who was born and bred in Funchal) he told me that April and May are the best times to come. The weather is not too hot (18-20 degrees) and sunshine is guaranteed. However, Madeira really does have beautiful weather all year around and Madeira weather in November to January the temperature still ranges between 17-20 degrees . In the height of summer temperatures soar and prices increase too.

Browse cheap flights to Madiera .

Browse all hotels in Madeira . 

Madeira is a Portuguese island located 400km north of Tenerife. Think sparkling blue ocean, spectacular rugged coastlines and a balmy breeze . Think towns with cobbled streets, al fresco coffee shops and unmistakable European charm (It’s the closest thing you’ll find to the Amalfi Coast without the big price tag). Flights from the UK to Madeira take a maximum of 4 hours and direct flights are available from various regional airports.

Because of its Southern location, it’s one of the few European destinations where year-round sunshine is pretty much guaranteed (it’s closer to mainland Morocco than mainland Portugal). Because of the winter sun, visiting Madeira in November is a great option for plenty of sun. There’s plenty to do, you have the Madiera winter sun and flights from the UK to Madeira take a maximum of 4 hours, and direct flights go from various regional airports. I flew with British Airways from Gatwick Airport.

10 Things to Do in Madeira in November and Year Round

1. explore funchal old town.

Funchal’s quintessential Old Town has all the right ingredients for a bustling day out. It’s home to narrow alleyways, leafy piazzas, boutique shops and plenty of eateries. You can spend hours just getting lost amongst the streets and people-watching in one of the many cafes. The Central Market is a great place to pick up some local produce (passion-fruit seems to be all the rage) and it’s all a stone’s throw away from Funchal’s main harbour.

2. Ride The Funchal Cable Car

Funchal is connected to the hilltop town of Monte by the famous Cable Car. Take a ride up the Cable Car for an amazing panoramic view of Funchal and then spend a few hours exploring Monte.

3. Visit The Small Town Of Monte For The Famous Toboggan Run

The small town of Monte overlooks Funchal and is best known for its bizarre but novel toboggan run. Before the cable car was built, the wicker toboggan run was a mode of transport to get back down to Funchal, but the tradition has stood the test of time and is now a popular (albeit overpriced) tourist activity. Monte is also popular for its beautiful gardens, including the Jardim do Monte (public gardens) and Jardim do Palacio do Monte (tropical gardens).

4. Walk Through The Nun’s Valley or Visit the Viewpoint

For some breathtaking scenery, venture inland and take a half-day excursion to the Nun’s Valley. This lush green valley acquired its name in the 16 th century, when Nuns fled there to escape raiding pirates. The main viewpoint of Eira do Serrado is spectacular, so make sure your tour includes a stop there. You can also visit the villages at the bottom of the valley.

5. Indulge in Afternoon Tea at The Famous Reid’s Palace

For a break from sightseeing, head to Belmond Reid’s Palace in Madeira to experience the most famous Afternoon Tea on the island. The grand affair takes place on the hotel’s sun terrace, which overlooks the glittering ocean and the town of Funchal. I was lucky enough to sample the Afternoon Tea during my trip. Be sure to read my Belmond Reid’s Palace Review Post next.

6. Take In The Views at Picos dos Barcelos Viewpoint

The perfect place to begin your adventure in Madeira; this viewpoint gives you a panoramic perspective of Funchal and it’s mountainous surroundings. The street entertainers inject some atmosphere and the viewpoint looks over Santo Antonio Parish, the hometown of Cristiano Ronaldo.

7. Take a Dip in The Porto Moniz Sea Pools

The geography and volcanic terrain of Madeira means that coastlines are rugged and sandy beaches are non-existent. Some areas of sea can be too rough to swim in, but the sea pools of Porto Moniz allow you to get closer to the ocean. A series of man-made pools allow seawater in and keep the waves out – perfect for a bracing swim. Team up your trip to the sea pools with a wander through Porto Moniz village and lunch at one of the many cafes.

8. Brave The Cabo Girao Glass Floor View Point 

In the south west of the Island is the popular Cabo Girao view point, which is best known for its glass bottom and spectaculcar views of the coast line. It’s a popular stop for tour groups, and you can visit independently too with a hire car.

9. Visit the CR7 Museum

Madeira is the home island of world-famous elite footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite now being the world’s most famous footballer and most followed person on Instagram, he started with very humble beginnings on the island of Madeira. The CR7 Museum is located in Funchal and depicts the story of Cristiano’s career in an engaging and interactive way and displays over a hundred individual and collective trophies from his career.

9. Stroll Through Madeira’s Botanical Gardens

Spanning approximately 8 hectares, this lush green space has a wide variety of exotic plans, vibrant flowers and rare species unique to the island of Madeira. It also houses more than 2000 exotic plans from all continents of the world and also has a dedicated research and conservation area to preserve endangered species.

Where to Stay in Madeira – Best Hotels in Madeira.

We’ve put together a collection of the very best hotels in Madeira, from 5 star luxury hotels to 4 star boutique and 3 star budget. Take a look and choose a hotel to suit your budget and holiday style. 

Belmond Reid’s Palace – 5 Star 

For a luxurious and central stay in Funchal, I can highly recommend Belmond Reid’s Palace. This was my base for 4 nights in Madeira and I was so impressed by the food, service, style and attention to detail in this hotel. Belmond Reid’s Palace is dramatically perched on a rugged cliff face and behind the pink walls the interiors ooze 1920’s glamour and timeless elegance.

Read our full review of Belmond Reid’s Palace .

The Vine Hotel – 5 Star  

If you prefer more contemporary luxury, The Vine Hotels offers a sleek and sophisticated hotel experience in the heart of Funchal. The hotel is designed by renowned Portuguese designer Ninh Andrade Silva and represents a modern aesthetic inspired by Madeira’s wine culture. Vibrant colours feature in the rooms and suites and the hotel’s rooftop infinity pool boasts spectacular panoramic views of the city and coastline. There’s also no shortage of fine dining cuisine paired with the best wines on the island. 

Quinta da Casa Branca – 4 Star Boutique

This beautiful boutique hotel is nestled amongst lush botanical gardens and offers guests a little oasis in the heart of bustling Funchal. Rooms and suites are elegantly designed have private balconies overlooking the botanical gardens or the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy a poolside cocktail or dine on gourmet dishes at The Dining Room restaurant. Quinta da Casa Branca offers a boutique hotel experience with great attention to detail. 

The NEXT Hotel at Savoy Signature – 4 Star Boutique 

The NEXT at Savoy Signature is a blissful beachfront hotel designed with adventurous tech-savvy travellers in mind. The hotel has direct access to the ocean, luxury spa facilities, a pool with a unique underwater sound system and a chic rooftop bar and rooftop pool with beautiful coastline views. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and everything is just a short walk from Funchal’s charming Old Town and scenic harbour. It’s also the winner of a Trip Advisor Traveller’s Choice Award for 2023. 

Hotel Madeira – 3 Star Budget

If you’re seeking comfort and affordability, Hotel Madeira is a great option providing really good value for money in Funchal. It’s located in the town centre and within talking distance of all the top attractions. Guests receive a complimentary breakfast buffet and access to the hotel’s rooftop pool. 

Madeira Nightlife

It’s important to know that there are no beaches in Madeira, and the nightlife and clubbing scene is minimal. Because of this, Madeira attracts an older demographic, which is immediately apparent when you travel there. So honestly speaking, if you’re dreaming of nightclubs and sandy beaches then it’s probably not the right destination for you. However, Madeira has so much to offer and if you’re looking for a relaxing, scenic and glamorous getaway with endless European charm, Madeira might just tick all of your boxes.

The Verdict on Madeira

The main thing that amazed me about Madeira was the weather. Madeira weather in November is gorgeous ; we had bright blue skies and sunshine every day. You could sunbathe, swim in the sea and take a dip in the pool, so for that reason it truly is a winter sun destination. There are beautiful viewpoints, lush gardens, and towns to explore. Hiring a car for mini-road trips would be a great option if you’re visiting for a week or so.

What did you think of my Island Guide to Madeira? Have you considered going to Madeira before now or are you planning a trip? If you enjoyed this post or found it useful, please leave me a comment in the box below! If you’re looking for more travel inspo, make sure to check out our destination guides .

This post has been sponsored as part of collaboration with Classic Collection Holidays . All views are my own.

Jessica Ruth Gibson

Jessica Ruth Gibson is the Founder and Editor of Travelista and an award-winning travel content creator of 10 years. She lives in York, UK with her son and has travelled to over 50 countries; her favourites being Italy, Canada and Vietnam.

12 Comments

Thank you so much for sharing this! My husband and I are going to Madeira for the first time in March and so excited. Do you have links to your outfits or any packing tips for Madeira? Love all of your outfits!

After visiting Madeira, it is worth visiting the neighboring Porto Santo. 9 km of beautiful golden yellow beach is worth it

Angie Silver (@SilverSpoonLDN)

I would never have thought of visiting either but it’s truly beautiful!

Isn’t it just! It sounds like this post has made lots of people consider Madeira who would have never thought to go before. So pleased about that! 🙂 x

sophiecliff

Ohhhhh, it looks so pretty! Also, I love all of your outfits in this post – it made me really miss summer and pretty dresses! x Sophie Cliff

Ahh thank you Sophie! You’re right, it’s so nice to just throw on a pretty dress and enjoy the sun. Now it’s back to lots of layers hats and scarfs for me! Hope to meet you soon xx 🙂

andreaspassions5

Madeira looks STUNNING, as do you btw! Love all the shots you’re in 🙂 Would love to visit here! Love AP xo

Andrea’s Passions

Thanks so much Andrea! Make sure Madeira is on your list, it’s the perfect place for sunshine in springtime and winter. I couldn’t believe this was the weather in November. Happy Travels 🙂 xx

Planes & Champagne (@planeschampagne)

Really loved watching your video….it worked….you’ve made me want to visit Madeira now 🙂 xx

Hey love! Thank you for the feedback this is so great to hear! Make sure Madeira is firmly fixed on your list 🙂

Madeira looks stunning! Definitely type of place I’d love to visit. Thanks for sharing Jess xx

Hey Margita! Thanks for your comment. If you’re anything like me you will love Madeira 🙂 such an underrated little corner of Europe xx

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When Is The Best Time To Visit Madeira? (Month-By-Month Guide)

I’ve been holidaying in Madeira for the past twenty-plus years and I don’t plan on stopping any time soon. Safe to say, I love it there … no matter which month I travel in.

Madeira is the perfect escape into nature with warm temperatures year-round (at least compared to the UK) and lots of stunning areas to discover.  

If you’re wondering when is the best time to visit Madeira for flowers, walks or just great weather, then I’m ready to reveal all with this useful Madeira travel blog .

When Is The Best Time To Visit Madeira For Great Weather?

Madeira has a delightful year-round spring climate, making it the perfect destination for both winter escapes and fun in the sun. In fact, it’s often nicknamed ‘The Island of Eternal Spring’.

Even as early as February, you could be enjoying some much-needed Vitamin D in shorts and a t-shirt by your hotel pool. Although you’ll need to cover up if the clouds (or rain roll in), which is more likely this time of year (although still less likely than ye olde England!)

But if it’s fun in the sun that you’re truly after, then July to October has some of the hottest temperatures on record (usually in the mid-twenties Celsius). Perfect for sunbathing and splashing around in the volcanic rock pools in Porto Moniz (a must by the way!)

When Is The Best Time For Walking In Madeira?

The fact that Madeira is a cheerful little island of eternal spring means that the best time for walking in Madeira is pretty much any time of the year.

That said, you’ll probably want to avoid typically wet months and the hottest months to enjoy every moment.

So in that case, I’d recommend visiting Madeira between the end of April and mid-June. 

Temperatures will likely be in their low twenties celsius, so warm but not unbearably hot. It will also be relatively dry and is also the best time of year to see Madeira’s flora and fauna.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Madeira For Flowers?

Did you know that Madeira also has another nickname? It’s often referred to as the ‘Floating Garden of the Atlantic’ thanks to its colourful and varied flora and fauna.

The stunning scenery and escapes into nature are easily some of the top reasons to visit Madeira, so if you’re wondering when is the best time to visit Madeira for flowers then I’m here to reveal all. 

Even though you’ll be treated to mesmerising flower displays (both natural and man-made) throughout the year, there’s no better time to visit Madeira for flowers than in the spring (particularly in April and May).

Not to mention spring is also when the Madeira Flower Festival is in full swing. Festival dates change each year but it’s always after Easter and often in April or May.

But if you won’t be visiting Madeira in spring, then you’ll still get the chance to see an abundance of flowers. Madeira is truly a nature lover’s paradise and you’ll rarely be left disappointed!

Either way, the Madeiran flowers, plants and trees that are most worth finding during your trip are:

• Strelitzia: This interesting plant is Madeira’s signature flower and it grows in abundance throughout the island year-round. It’s often nicknamed ‘the bird of paradise’ as it looks like exactly that; an exotic bird.
• Poinsettia: Who doesn’t love a poinsettia with all its festive feels? This red flower known for its connection with Christmas is always a firm favourite. Best seen from October to February.
• Sword Aloe: If you’ve never seen a flowering aloe plant before then a sword aloe plant is a must to see in Madeira. While the stem of the plant will be its tell-tale sign, its red and yellow spiked flowers will surprise you. Its flowers can often be seen from October to December.
• Coral Trees: Although not strictly flowers, coral trees are still colourful and beautiful to see. Madeira’s Santa Catarina Park is home to a number of the ‘Erythrina speciosa’ variety. Best seen from January to April.
• Pink Ball Trees: Another pretty flowering tree is the Pink Ball Tree, which looks like it’s holding balls of pink flowers upside down. The flowers bloom from December to March.
• Jacaranda Trees : Showcasing pretty purple flowers that look a little like bluebells, Jacaranda Trees can be found all throughout Madeira and especially within Funchal. Best seen in April and May.

But in truth, these are just a handful of the striking flora and fauna you can see during your trip. 

Whether you’re walking along the Levadas or hiking through the clouds, strolling into Funchal or lazing by the pool, you’ll see a smattering of bright and beautiful flowers in Madeira that you can’t help but smile at.

Choose The Best Month To Visit Madeira With This Year-Round Madeira Travel Blog

In case you still can’t decide on when is the best time to visit Madeira based on what you want to see and do, then here’s my quick round-up of what Madeira is like throughout each month of the year…

Visiting Madeira In January

Although the winter months are the coldest time of year to visit Madeira, the temperatures of around 15-18℃ can still rival UK summers.

However, January is also one of the wettest months to visit Madeira (averaging 13 days of rainfall), so you might not always be able to enjoy the warm temperatures. Your best option would be to visit later on in the month when rain is less likely than in early January.

That said, given that January is totally outside of Madeira’s peak travel season, it’s a cheap time to visit and you’re also less likely to find crowds!

Visiting Madeira In February

February is still within Madeira’s winter season and the temperatures are much the same as in January (on average). 

That said, my first trip to Madeira was at the end of February and we enjoyed temperatures of around 20 degrees Celsius every day. At that point, Madeira officially became one of my favourite winter sun destinations .

Rain is a little less likely than in January but still averages around 11 days per month.

February is also a likely month to see the Carnival of Madeira , which happens annually around 40 days before Easter. It usually runs for a couple of weeks and is a dazzling display of glitzy over-the-top costumes, heart-thumping music and parading floats.

Visiting Madeira In March

March in Madeira sees the return of spring, and with it, comes slightly warmer temperatures of around 20℃. 

At an average of 11 days of rainfall per month, the likelihood of rain in March is the same as in February. But with this rainfall comes the return of spring flowers.

There’s no doubt that April and May are the best months to visit Madeira for flowers, but March helps to kick things off with its colourful floral displays that outshine those of February and the other winter months.

Visiting Madeira In April

At around 20℃ and 10 days of rainfall on average, April’s weather is much the same as March.

But one of the top reasons to visit Madeira in April is the annual Flower Festival , which is held after Easter and happens in either April or May.

Not only that, but the traditional village of Santana also holds an annual Lemon Festival, so a visit here during your trip will bring the sunshine colours and citrus scents of this delightful little fruit.

Visiting Madeira In May

May temperatures are usually ever so slightly warmer than March and April temperatures with averages of around 21℃.

But the likelihood of rain halves! May averages around 5 days of rain, so if it’s warmer temperatures, charming walks in nature and fun in the sun that you’re after, then May is a great time to visit.

Not to mention it’s also sometimes the month of the stunning Flower Festival (depending on when Easter is).

Visiting Madeira In June

June in Madeira welcomes the start of summer… but the temperatures aren’t quite the hottest of the year yet. 

June temperatures average around 22℃ (so slightly warmer than in May), but the average rainfall is 4 days so also about the same as May.

Throughout June, you’ll also get a chance to attend the Atlantic Festival , which happens on each Saturday of the month. This festival welcomes a dazzling display of fireworks and live music shows in Funchal .

Visiting Madeira In July

With average temperatures reaching around 24℃, July is when Madeira starts to sizzle… or at least the spring island’s version of sizzling.

Rain also almost comes to a complete stop with only 2 days of rain on average. Therefore, July is a great month to visit Madeira if you’re after some fun in the sun.

Visiting Madeira In August

August temperatures in Madeira reach higher still with averages of around 26℃ and the same likelihood of rain as in July (roughly 2 days per month).

The end of August also sees the start of the Madeira Wine Festival , which is a big hit come September. This festival takes place during Madeira’s grape harvest and pays homage to Madeira’s most loved cultural traditions.

Visiting Madeira In September

At 26℃, September temperatures in Madeira are about the same as in August, but rain is much more likely (with an average of 7 days in the month).

September is when the Madeira Wine Festival is in full swing, but towards the end of the month, another festival is also a big hit. 

The Columbus Festival is a popular re-enactment event of when Christopher Columbus lived on the nearby island of Porto Santo and the time he spent in Madeira.

You’ll need to travel to Porto Santo for this event, which is easily accessible by ferry from the Funchal Marina as either a day trip or overnight stay.

Visiting Madeira In October

October sees the return of temperatures starting to cool ever so slightly. But at 24℃, temperatures are still warm and delightful. 

That said, rain is more likely still with an average of 10 days in the month.

The start of October is also when the Madeira Nature Festival takes place, which encourages you to join a variety of outdoor activities and excursions… completely for free. 

October is when Madeirans celebrate just what makes this island so magical – its gorgeous and unique landscapes.

Visiting Madeira In November

With winter fast approaching, November is an unusual month to visit Madeira, but this also makes it one of the cheapest months to visit.

Temperatures are a comfortable 22℃ on average, and while average rainfall might be 12 days worth, this shouldn’t put you off from exploring Madeira’s top attractions and discovering its delicious food and wine.

Visiting Madeira In December

December in Madeira is the start of winter. Temperatures cool ever so slightly at 20℃ on average, while rainfall is 15 days on average, officially making December the wettest month to visit Madeira.

But with Christmas and New Year celebrations to look forward to, I doubt that you’ll be put off from visiting Madeira in December.

In December, charming Christmas markets spring up throughout Funchal where you can treat yourself and your loved ones to traditional Madeiran gifts like wicker creations, beautiful plants and tasty treats.

At the end of the month, the New Year celebrations kick off with a bang thanks to a dramatic 8-minute-long firework display in Funchal.

Final Thoughts On When To Visit Madeira

Hopefully, the above info helps you to decide when is the best time to visit Madeira for your trip and what you want to get up to. 

But I couldn’t possibly end this blog without giving you a few final thoughts on when I think is the best time to visit Madeira.

While Madeira is an incredible year-round destination, my favourite months to visit are April, May, June and September. 

These months welcome warmer temperatures (but ones that are not too hot!), so you can enjoy walks, hikes and other outdoor activities around the island. 

Crowds are also fewer, while the fantastic Flower, Atlantic and Madeira Wine Festivals are almost worth the trip in themselves.

Read More About Madeira

Read more Madeira travel blogs to help you plan your trip:

• Is Madeira Worth Visiting? 16 Reasons Why My Answer’s Yes!
• 18 Unmissable Things To Do in Madeira
• One Day in Funchal Itinerary
• 4 Days In Madeira Itinerary
• 7 Days in Madeira Itinerary (No Car Hire Required!)
• Tips & Tricks for Getting Around the Island of Madeira
• How Many Days in Madeira is Ideal (+ Itinerary Suggestions)
• 20 Best Things To Do in Funchal, Madeira
• 11 Incredible Day Trips From Funchal

Over to you now – when do you think is the best time to visit Madeira? Let me know in the comments below…

Did you like this? Pin it now, read it again later!

Justine Jenkins

Justine is one half of the married couple behind the Wanderers of the World travel blog. She lives in Bristol, UK and has travelled extensively within Europe and beyond since 2013. After her trips, she shares detailed travel itineraries, helpful travel guides and inspiring blog posts about the places she's been to. When she's not travelling overseas, you'll find her joining her husband, Scott on various day trips, weekend getaways and walks within the UK, which she also writes about on Wanderers of the World. Aside from travelling and writing, she also loves reading, crafting and learning about nature.

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When is the best time to visit Madeira?

In Madeira there is eternal Spring, mild sea and always beautiful landscapes. Any month of the year is good for visiting the island.

There will be few destinations around the world that can boast of continuing in all their splendor at any time of the year - either because there's a rainy season or it starts to get too hot or too cold. But Madeira is unique: any month of the year is ideal for visiting.

There are only two moments that you should pay attention to: in the Summer months (July and August) and at the end of December, due to the magnificent New Year's Eve and the consequent firework display, there are more people on the island. In any case, you will always feel welcome – in the Summer with a bit more heat, and in the Winter with much milder temperatures than in mainland Portugal (there is no need to take a warm overcoat in the suitcase, but be sure to pack t-shirts and a bathing suit all the same).

RECOMMENDED: 🏖️ A guide to Portugal's seven regions 📍 The best things to do in Portugal 🇵🇹 The ultimate 10 days in Portugal

Inês Garcia was previously the food and drink editor for Time Out Lisbon .  At Time Out, all of our  travel guides  are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our  editorial guidelines .

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Long days in April and May that are drier and warmer (perfect for giving the summer clothes an early run). Everything is in bloom in spring – and it is time for the annual Flower Festival (Festa da Flor), a colourful extravaganza with a pleasant bouquet that takes place all over the island. Another spring event is the Madeira Island Ultra Trail (MIUT), in which trail runners from all over the world test their endurance on the island’s tallest peaks.

This is when the islands is at its busiest, with domestic and foreign tourists. The average high temperature is 24-25 ºC, with warm sunshine, and rarely falls below 17 ºC, meaning you can be sure of mild nights. This is the perfect opportunity to do a two-for-one and head over to the neighbouring island of Porto Santo (a short flight or boat trip away) to spend a few days on the beaches of golden sand. It rarely rains and there are lots of summer festivals.

Madeira in autumn is always a good bet for prolonging the summer in continental Portugal. In October and November the weather is still warm and sunny, although there is more chance of rain. The sunrise takes on more pink tones. And it is fine for swimming without the shivers.

Think of a sort of sunny autumn. Go swimming in December? We are ready. There is no real concept of winter in Madeira and it is very unusual to see Madeirans wearing these big heavy, padded winter coats (they only wear them if they’re up early to catch the sunrise). It usually rains al little, and there might also be a passing storm, but by February the sun starts shining again. Daytime air and sea temperatures hover around 18-20 ºC. Be warned, though: flights get more expensive in December because of New Year.

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Things to do in Madeira in November

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Looking for a different month?

November is a good time to visit Madeira . The weather is usually cold with a gentle breeze, with temperatures ranging from 34—54°F (1—12°C).

Madeira has plenty to offer for visitors of all ages and interests. In this article, we tell you the top things to see and do for your November trip to Madeira. Get inspired by the events, activities, attractions, and experiences unique to November. We’ll let you know where to explore events based on your interests, whether that’s food, culture, art, music, sport or others.

We’ll let you know everything you need to prepare for the weather in Madeira in November. Learn about what to wear and pack for your trip, the average temperatures throughout November, temperature changes from morning to evening and much more.

Table of contents

• Experiences
• Weather and what to wear
• Attractions

Best events and things to do in Madeira in November

Top experiences in november, holidays in madeira in november.

There are no holidays in Madeira in November

Other notable holidays

• Columbus Day ( October 14 )
• Weather in Madeira in November

Temperatures on an average day in Madeira in November

The average temperature in Madeira in November for a typical day ranges from a high of 54°F (12°C) to a low of 34°F (1°C). Some would describe it as cold with a gentle breeze.

For comparison, the hottest month in Madeira , July, has days with highs of 88°F (31°C) and lows of 67°F (19°C). The coldest month, January has days with highs of 38°F (3°C) and lows of 22°F (-6°C). This graph shows how an average day looks like in Madeira in November based on historical data.

Visiting Madeira? See our Madeira Trip Planner.

Historical temperature average in November

General weather summary, what to wear in november, best attractions for madeira in november.

What's the weather like in Madeira?

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Madeira for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

• Weather in Madeira in January
• Weather in Madeira in February
• Weather in Madeira in March
• Weather in Madeira in April
• Weather in Madeira in May
• Weather in Madeira in June
• Weather in Madeira in July
• Weather in Madeira in August
• Weather in Madeira in September
• Weather in Madeira in October
• Weather in Madeira in December

Explore nearby places

• Camp Dennison
• Sharonville
• Elmwood Place
• Fort Thomas
• West Chester
• the Forest Park
• Colerain Hamilton County
• Mount Healthy

All related maps of Madeira

• Map of Madeira
• Map of Mariemont
• Map of Newtown
• Map of Blue Ash
• Map of Milford
• Map of Camp Dennison
• Map of Montgomery
• Map of Reading
• Map of Norwood
• Map of Evendale
• Map of Sharonville
• Map of Anderson
• Map of Elmwood Place
• Map of Glendale
• Map of Loveland
• Map of Dayton
• Map of Bellevue
• Map of Fort Thomas
• Map of Springdale
• Map of Newport
• Map of West Chester
• Map of Cincinnati
• Map of the Forest Park
• Map of Southgate
• Map of Colerain Hamilton County
• Map of Mount Healthy
• Map of Covington
• Map of Melbourne
• Map of Goshen
• Map of Wilder
• Map of Maineville

Madeira throughout the year

• Madeira in January
• Madeira in February
• Madeira in March
• Madeira in April
• Madeira in May
• Madeira in June
• Madeira in July
• Madeira in August
• Madeira in September
• Madeira in October
• Madeira in November
• Madeira in December

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A first-timer's guide to the magical island of Madeira

Jul 24, 2023 • 8 min read

Hiking on a levada trail is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Madeira © Paul Biris / Getty Images

Located off the coast of Africa but also an autonomous region of Portugal, Madeira has its own unique identity.

Rugged and subtropical, home to both tropical fruit and legendary wine, seaside resorts and remote mountain villages, misty forests and rocky beaches, it’s the kind of place that makes your head spin – in a good way.

In particular, Madeira has much to offer the independent and intrepid traveler. Hiking, swimming, diving and surfing are not only accessible but exist at a variety of skill levels. And a unique and delicious food and drink scene awaits you between pursuits.

When should I go to Madeira?

Madeira is blessed with a subtropical climate, and the island experiences an average temperature of 70°F (21°C).

January sees the most rainfall, while the waters surrounding the island are at their warmest in September. If you're seeking peace and quiet, you may want to avoid the crush of tourists in August. Otherwise, Madeira is a great vacation option virtually year-round.

Is it easy to get to and around Madeira?

Madeira is linked to the world via Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport (yes, he’s a native of the island), a destination for international flights, including  direct flights from New York City .

However, getting around the island is a bit more complicated. There is an extensive public bus transport system, but if you want to hit the more remote corners for hiking routes or beaches, you’ll almost certainly need a car. Several car hire companies have offices at the airport, although rates aren’t cheap.

Driving in Madeira has its challenges. The island is incredibly hilly, and its roads can be intimidatingly steep and winding. If you don’t feel confident driving in these circumstances, be sure to rent an automatic (more expensive than the standard European manual, but worth it in this case).

How long do I need in Madeira?

Because Madeira’s highlights are found at disparate points across the island, a stay of at least four days is necessary. Consider a night in Funchal to get oriented, and supplement this with stays in one or two more destinations elsewhere on the island – dedicate a day to active pursuits and, ideally, the following day to recover on the beach. Tack on at least another two nights if you plan to hit Porto Santo, the other inhabited island that forms part of the Madeiran Archipelago.

Top things to do in Madeira

Hike a levada or a vereda.

Nearly all of Madeira’s rain falls on the island’s north shore, so to facilitate agriculture on the island’s south, its early settlers created a series of man-made aqueducts known as levadas . Madeira is home to more than 804 km (500 miles) of levadas , a feat of engineering recognized by Unesco. Today, the island’s levadas , as well as its veredas (a general word for a path) double as hiking routes, which often pass through spectacular scenery and landscapes that include waterfalls, cliffs, jungle and incredible viewpoints.

Levadas exist in varying degrees of difficulty and repair; check out  WalkMe , a regularly updated guide, to see if the levada you have in mind is open and safe.

A popular, entry-level walk is the Levada do Caldeirão Verde , on the island’s west end. The hike spans a relatively easy 11.8km (7.3 miles) round trip, which passes through diverse scenery that includes a lagoon and waterfall. Another popular walk with an entirely different feel is the Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço , a 7.2km (4.4 miles) round-trip that tackles the island’s dry, rocky easternmost point and includes an opportunity for a refreshing dip in the ocean.

For those looking for more of a challenge, consider the trails that summit Pico do Areeiro and Pico Ruivo , the latter the island’s highest point, and a route that occasionally goes above the cloudline.

Ride a cable car

Madeira’s coast is home to fajãs , areas backed by cliffs that were previously only accessible to boats. That is until a series of cable cars were built. Originally used to shift goods and crops, today Madeira’s cable cars also transport tourists and day-trippers.

The Teleférico das Achadas da Cruz, on the island’s northwest corner, is 600m long, lasts five minutes and is one of the steepest cable cars in Europe. The destination is a vast, crowd-free rocky beach.

Also impressive is the cable car that descends to Fajã dos Padres , a rocky beach that is home to a farm and banana plantation, a cafe/restaurant and a dock for swimming.

Swim in a natural pool

The waters that surround Madeira have both an otherworldly azure hue and a temperature that’s accessible year-round. Unfortunately, the island’s rugged geography and stone beaches mean that accessing that water isn’t always easy. Thankfully, on a few different spots across the island, locals have taken advantage of lava outcroppings to sculpt oceanside swimming pools.

The most famous natural pool is in Porto Moniz, on the island’s northwestern corner, although with its extensive handrails, bathrooms and changing rooms, it doesn’t feel so natural these days. An even more dramatically-positioned version can be found at Doca do Cavacas, on the island’s south shore. For something much more natural, consider the pools in Seixal or Cachalote, both of which also have the benefit of being free.

Taste fortified wine

Madeira’s eponymous wine was created when barrels of the stuff spent months on ships baking in the hot sun. This happy accident caused the wines to oxidize, giving them an entirely new and desirable set of flavors and aromas. Today, seven houses on Madeira make fortified wines in this style, nearly all of whom offer tours and tastings. H.M. Borges , in Funchal, was founded over a century ago and is one of the more traditional houses on the island – they offer a visit and tasting with advance notice. Barbeito is one of the more progressive houses and offers a variety of tastings daily.

Madeira also used to be the most important center of sugar production in the world and there are still six operational sugarcane mills/distilleries on the island. Today, it’s the only place in Europe that produces agricultural rum – rum distilled from sugarcane juice rather than from sugar or molasses. North Mills Distillery , on the island’s north shore, is one of the only remaining steam-powered factories in Europe. Contact the distillery to arrange a visit and tasting, including a Rum Masterclass. In the island’s south, Engenhos da Calheta dates back to 1901, offers tastings, and is also a good place to buy bolo de mel , Madeira’s signature sweet that combines molasses, citrus juice, lard, Madeira wine and spices.

Much of the local rum makes its way into poncha , a drink that combines white rum, orange and/or lemon juice and honey and/or sugar, which is then whipped to a frothy consistency with a special wooden tool. One of the most popular places for the drink is Taberna da Poncha , located in a mountain town in the island’s interior.

Visit a beach

Specifically, a rocky beach. Madeira’s particular geography and location mean that the island’s beaches consist exclusively of round stones. Buy a pair of aqua socks to traverse this relatively challenging terrain, and take note of the haunting roar of tens of thousands of rocks spinning and shifting with each wave.

If you want sand, head to the man-made beaches at Calheta or Machico, or take the ferry to Porto Santo, which has a 7.5km (4.6 miles) fine-sand beach that’s considered one of Europe’s best.

Eat an espetada

Madeira’s signature dish is espetada , chunks of beef marinated in garlic and bay leaves, skewered on a laurel branch or metal skewer, and grilled. To serve, the skewers are hung from unique contraptions, and diners pair them with bolo do caco , a type of bread made in part with sweet potato that’s toasted and slathered with garlic butter; milho frito , cubes of deep-fried polenta; and a green salad.

It’s a delicious combination of dishes, not to mention the perfect post-levada-walk meal. It’s also a fun way to eat, with espetada venues in Madeira ranging from butcher shops, where you choose your cut and grill your own skewer, to old-school restaurants.

My favorite thing to do in Madeira

I love digging into regional food and the Sunday market in Santo António da Serra, a mountaintop village in the island’s east, is Madeira’s culinary scene in miniature. Vendors assemble in the early morning and bring a huge variety of tropical fruits – bananas, of course, but also passionfruit, guava, papaya, custard apple, pitanga, tamarillo and other fruit generally more associated with South America.

There are also beautiful vegetables, baked goods, dried herbs and local honey, among other items. A handful of stalls sell simple prepared foods, and a butcher provides a grill and tables for a DIY espetada . The market has a particular emphasis on drinks, with vendors selling pitchers of poncha , local cider, and even boozy coffee drinks, all of which are paired with dentinhos –  snacks that can range from deep-fried pork rinds to a tiny salad of favas.

How much money do I need for Madeira?

Unfortunately, Madeira isn’t exactly a budget destination. Accommodation is relatively expensive, with relatively few hostels or budget options, and a rental car is needed to get to the more remote corners of the island.

That said, this is Portugal – food and drink are pretty good value.

• Hostel bed: from €60
• Basic room for two: from €120
• Self-catering apartment (including Airbnb): from €120
• Public transport ticket: €1.35
• Coffee: €0.75
• Sandwich: €1.50
• Dinner for two: €40
• Glass of poncha : €2.50

Does it rain a lot on Madeira?

The north half of Madeira can be relatively wet, but the south, including Funchal, only receives between 600mm and 1000mm of rain per year. In general, and especially outside of the relatively wet period between November and February, rain is only an occasional concern on Madeira.

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Full Guide and Things To Do in Madeira: A 5-Day Itinerary for Off-Season Travel

One of the first catchphrases you’ll notice when you google anything about traveling to Madeira is how often it’s described as the “Hawaii of Europe” promising year-round spring weather. When deciding on my annual Thanksgiving travels, I figured it would be the ideal off-season destination with fewer crowds, yet still pleasant temperatures. Most travel blogs reassured me that this was a good idea.

In my itinerary below, I will talk about my experience of visiting Maderia in December and why it will not give you the full island experience that you are probably expecting. While I am not trying to discourage you 100% from visiting during that time, I hope my experience will better prepare you compared to what I was expecting. If I knew what I’d see and what I’d miss out on, I’d plan my itinerary totally differently than how I did. That’s what I hope to give you with this post, an off – season-optimized Madeira itinerary. To compare, a couple of years back, I visited Madeira’s southern neighbor Tenerife, during a similar time . My off-season vacation there was much better in terms of weather even though geographically, these two islands are pretty close.

While this itinerary tells you additional information about traveling to Madeira off-season, you can use it all year round to plan your travels too.

At the end of the post, you can download this guide as well as a map for your travels.

Traveling to Lisbon as well? Don’t forget to check out my Lisbon guide!

Madeira Logistics

Best time to visit madeira.

Let me just cut to the chase and tell you that if you want to experience all of Madeira, off-season time considered between November and April, might not be the best choice. Despite a lot of resources telling you that Madeira could be a year-round destination, I would argue otherwise. By visiting between May to late September, you’re maximizing your chances for clear skies and good temperatures.

There are some pros, however, to visiting during the off-season as I did. You will save on flights, accommodation, and car rental and you’ll avoid the crowds that come with the vacation season in Maderia. Although most attractions won’t be closed you might not be able to see everything, especially if the weather isn’t great.

Suggested length of stay

How long you will stay depends on what you’d like to do there. For example, some hikes can take an entire day, and there are multiple that people put on their Madeira itinerary. Again, when traveling off-season, you will not be able to check everything off your Madeira bucket list so 3-5 days is a decent time frame. In season, I’d say an absolute minimum of 4 days is needed to see everything, with 5-6 being more ideal for a short trip.

Traveling to Madeira

Flights to funchal.

Getting to Maderia is pretty easy with frequent flights from Lisbon and a couple of other European airports. I even saw one direct flight from NYC flying out once per week! I like breaking up my flights rather than automatically searching between origin and destination, meaning if I’m flying from NYC, I will search NYC to Lisbon and then Lisbon to Madeira. I compare my times with layovers and frequently find better deals, instead if I were to search NYC to Madeira in one shot. A round trip for the very end of November cost me under $450 for both flights. Although I’m here to argue that off-season travel isn’t ideal here, if you’re on a budget, Madeira in December might be a great money saver!

Getting around – Car rental in Maderia

Madeira is a small island and you can drive from one end to the other in a couple of hours. North to South is even faster. Seeing the whole island is indeed possible during a Madeira 5-day itinerary.

When other travelers pointed out that driving in Madeira is an adventure in itself, I didn’t quite believe it. I drove in tricky conditions and places but driving there will get its own category in my personal driving experiences. Before my trip, one of my friends said, “If it doesn’t look like a road in Madeira, it probably is” and looking back at this, that was an extremely accurate description of driving there. Most roads in Madeira are freeways and tunnels but once you venture into towns, one-way roads will magically fit two cars and 30-degree hill roads will become the norm.

I don’t want to discourage you from renting a car there but rather prepare you for what to expect. Renting a car is the absolute best way to see the island and it will save you a ton of time on sightseeing. I normally book through Rental Cars but I found a better deal on Holiday Autos . While I am a creature of habit and don’t trust new websites on deals, I had a very smooth experience will them and will rent in the future. For your reference, an automatic car rental in Maderia during the off-season cost me ~$250 for 5 days using Rodavante with car pick up and return right at the airport. A manual rental is much cheaper but unless you drive it regularly, I would not get one there.

Although driving there was certainly a challenge, I wouldn’t have done it any other way. If you’re planning to do mountain driving, watch for an automatic car’s brakes as they might start smelling, especially in wet conditions.

Where to stay in Madeira

Where you stay during your Madeira vacation depends on what you want to do. If you’re unsure, Funchal is the main city and can be a good base for taking drives throughout the island. If hiking is your main priority, consider staying in the mountains instead. Most importantly though, if you have a car, it’s fairly easy to see all nooks of the island no matter where you stay. Maderia has a ton of hotels, some hostels, and even more Airbnbs. Which you choose should depend on your personal preference. While Airbnb has its own issues, especially in bigger cities, I felt that renting one in Madeira where I was in communication with the hosts directly was the way Airbnb originally intended the platform to be.

Airbnb in Madeira

Traveling with my parents, we opted for two Airbnb in Maderia because we wanted a comfortable base for exploring. I spent a lot of time searching for the perfect combo of what we were looking for and I think I hit the jackpot with both of them. The first Airbnb located 7 min from the airport, was the entire first floor of a large house overlooking the ocean, with a beautiful pool and a walkway to the beach promenade. One of the downsides of traveling to Madeira off-season is that we didn’t get to use the pool or spend time in stunning outside space as much. As a bonus, the coolest part was watching the planes land at the nearby airport right from my bedroom.

The second Airbnb that we rented in Madeira was located near Sao Vincente. It was a huge home in the mountains with sick views and the best host I have ever experienced throughout my years of traveling. I loved having two locations, one with the ocean view and the other with the mountain one but for someone who doesn’t want to move between two locations, this might not be the best option. If you’re interested in booking either of these locations, send me an email and I’ll be happy to share the link.

What to pack for Madeira in December

Ok, I am only including this section because I packed like an idiot for this trip. Let me explain. A couple of years back, I traveled to Tenerife during a similar time of the year. I falsely assumed that the two destinations would have similar weather and that packing 5 dresses for each day would be the way to go. My outfits consisted of light athleisure, dresses, and a couple of cute outfits for the barn (shoutout to those who get the reference). I ended up wearing two heavier sweaters and the jacket that I packed for the plane for pretty much the entire time I was there. These are the items not to forget when you travel to Madeira during the off-season :

• A rainproof jacket and/or umbrella – The rain won’t last long but when it comes around, you want to have a raincoat on hand instead of looking for a place to hide.
• Light coat or cardigan – During the day, while you won’t need a heavy coat, it will get chilly when the sun is not out.
• Waterproof shoes – If hiking is on your list to do or if you want to check out the Fanal Pond, then sneakers won’t be sufficient. The ground is wet and puddly so good outdoor shoes that won’t soak are a must.
• (Bathing suit) – I saw a couple of brave souls swimming in the chilly waters of Porto Moniz pools, if you like cold swims, don’t forget to pack a suit.

People & Safety

Overall, I’d say that most locals in Madeira were really nice. My Portuguese is non-existent but I tried to use my hello/please and thank yous whenever I could. Side note, do not use Spanish in Madeira or in any of Portugal , it is not Portuguese and it’s a faux-pas there. For the most part, the experience was very positive. In terms of safety, Madeira is a very safe destination. Some common travel scams to watch out for include the following:

• Taxi scam – This isn’t so much a Madeira scam but rather a worldwide one where dishonest taxi drivers charge you ridiculous amounts for short rides. Always demand the meter to be turned on to avoid this. It has been reported to happen in Funchal on some travel forums.
• Market fruit sample – When you go to Funchal, one of the main attractions in town is Mercado dos Lavradores. It’s a cute and colorful market filled with merchants offering you fruit samples. However, a lot of the fruit is enhanced with syrup and when you taste it, you’ll naturally want to purchase some for later. The fruit will cost you an insane amount and when you get home, it will not have the same taste as that first bite you had at the market. We bought fruit in Funchal, a couple of streets away from the market but I still got ripped off. While not a true scam, just be aware of this little selling trick.

WARNING! TRAVEL SCAM IN MADEIRA

Restaurant bill additions – As a former waitress/bartender, I’d like to think that my bullshit meter is pretty good when it comes to other waiters. I could easily tell when you’re actually in the weeds or if you’re just being lazy, because hey, I’ve done the same shit 🙂 What I always make sure to do though is check the itemized bill no matter where I’m dining. During busy moments, it is genuinely possible to make a mistake and charge extra or add a wrong item. However, when your bill magically increases by 100 euros, you know something is up. This was the case at Taberna , a small highly rated restaurant in Santa Cruz. While the nice waiter chatted with my family all dinner, when the bill came, suddenly he started rushing us with the credit card machine. That triggered a red light in my head and I asked to see the itemized bill before blindly swiping my card. Our small appetizers and a couple of drinks added to over 130 euros. I noticed that one 10 euro app was charged 10 times on the bill, a small trick that made the bill look legitimate.

Now, if I wasn’t a waitress in my past life, I would buy the story that this was an honest mistake. However, when I brought up the price discrepancy to the waiter, he quickly looked at it and said, “Oops, silly me” and didn’t apologize or display any sort of remorse for what had happened. The fact that he was quick to run to us with the credit card machine was also sus. I heard about this scam in cities like Rome or even in Lisbon but I never assumed it would happen in Maderia. So despite the food being tasty and the restaurant being super cozy, don’t assume it won’t happen even in less touristy parts of any town.

Food and Drinks to try in Madeira

Out of the entire time I spent on the island and the numerous meals I ate, I only had one mediocre meal and tbh at my own fault. The lesson I fail to learn over and over is never to order pizza outside New York or New Jersey or Italy of course. Back to Madeira food though, it is so so tasty and actually extremely affordable. Here are my top picks for food to try in Madeira:

• Prego sandwich : This is the most amazing sandwich I had in my entire life. I’m serious, nothing compares. You can get it almost anywhere. It’s a steak sandwich on buttery and garlicky bread that comes in a couple of variations.
• Espetada: A long skewer of hanging meat. Its simplicity makes it super tasty.
• Espada or black scabbard fish : This was my mom’s favorite, it is usually served with bananas. This is one weird looking creature but it tastes delicious!
• Bolo de molo de mel: This traditional honey cake is pretty tasty!
• Madeira Wine: It’s heavy and has a very distinct taste and you’ll certainly feel it going down your throat! Blandy’s Madeira is a very popular spot to consume this beverage.
• Poncha: Poncha is the most delicious alcoholic drink. It’s made of cane rum and had different fruit flavor options. Get the traditional kind and enjoy the happiness that comes after drinking this 🙂

For more interesting food finds, I used Brogan Abroad’s guide before traveling to Madeira for the tastiest food finds!

Random Useful Tips for Madeira Travel

• If the weather is acting up during your visit, check the live cams! I used these to see whether mountain peaks were clear from clouds or where I could find the sun on the island.
• Miradouros are viewpoint spots all throughout the island. Some are simple pull-over style along the highway, others require short walks to reach the spot. My advice is to stop at all of them 🙂
• When visiting Tenerife which has similar viewpoint parking areas as Madeira, my car window got smashed and all my belongings got stolen during that trip a couple of years back. When you leave your car anywhere, take everything with you. Even small stops that seem safe can be targets for petty theft.

Things to do in Madeira

In terms of the number of things to see in Madeira, I’d say you can stay pretty busy during your trip. The majority of the attractions throughout the island include outdoor activities. One of the most important things to consider when traveling off-season is how important certain attractions are to you. If you need a dense itinerary with lots of outdoor attractions, consider in-season travel. Instead, if you need a simple getaway with a couple of things to do here and there, the off-season is probably a better choice.

Below, I bring you a 5-day Madeira itinerary that also gives you an off-season expectation. However, you can use my travel plan for any time of the year. Since Madeira is a small island, for the most part, it doesn’t matter which order you do the days in. However, note that the first two days are optimized for the Funchal area and the remaining for the other parts of the island.

5-day Madeira Itinerary

At the bottom of this post, you can download this travel guide to Madeira to bring along on your trip. Additionally, you will find a map of all the attractions so you don’t have to worry about saving them yourself.

We’ll call your arrival day, Day 0. Arriving at Madeira airport (Ronaldo Cristiano Airport 🙂 ) can be quite the experience on a windy day. If you’re a nervous flyer, I wouldn’t YouTube any videos of landings there. However, despite its windy challenges, there only has been one accident in the late 1970s. Since then, the runway has been extended and only experienced pilots are allowed to approach a landing there.

The airport is on the east side of the island and is located a short ~25 min drive from Funchal. When you get off the plane, have all your paperwork ready as you’ll be asked for your Madeira Safe bar code. If you’re renting a car (which I highly recommend), the pick-up process once you land is super easy, my checkout took under 10 mins. The rental car lot is located across the street and you should be on your way within a short time of arrival. If you require public transportation, here is a helpful official link.

Flights arrive all day long so the timing of your Day 0 will depend on where you’re coming from. I personally arrived around 8 pm but my Airbnb was located 7 mins away from the airport so I was “home” very quickly. Note that restaurants and stores aren’t open too late so if you are planning a later arrival, make sure to eat before your flight.

Day 1 – Southern Part of Madeira

Valley of the nuns.

Now that you settled in, there is no better place to start your vacation than by seeing Curral das Freiras or Valley of Nuns in Madeira. It’s located a short drive from Funchal and it’s an in/out kinda trip. This small town has a couple of restaurants and tourist shops but aside from the views, there isn’t much to do there. However, these viewpoints are crazy beautiful and you shouldn’t skip this area on your Madeira adventure.

There are two major viewpoints, the first being Eira do Serrado , a very popular spot on the island. Once you arrive at the spot, there is a small parking spot with a café. In order to get to the viewpoint, you’ll have to take a short 5 min walk. I recommend grabbing a coffee and a pastel de nata at the cafe for a little longer appreciation of the area. The second point, Paredão Viewpoint , is located above the clouds and it’s not too far from the first one. It’s also a short walk from the parking area.

After admiring the views from the top, I recommend grabbing lunch in the little town which will give you a slightly different perspective of the area. Everyone recommends a restaurant called Sabores de Curral but I opted for La Perla instead. I was extremely impressed with the food but the views along with a cold beer made it even more delicious.

Off-season struggles: The area gets mixed weather during the off-season but the good news is that if it starts raining, the clouds will most likely pass. Pack an umbrella or a rain jacket. We waited out the rain having a coffee and then got rewarded with a beautiful rainbow!

For the second part of the day, visiting Funchal will give you the exact opposite vibes from your nature-filled morning. Funchal is the capital of Madeira and is certainly worth spending some time in. If you’re driving in, the streets can get really narrow so rather than looking for street parking, I recommend finding a parking garage near the center. Garage prices are very cheap and it will save you time and a headache.

I would simply recommend walking around Zona Velha, seeing the market, and most important feeling the liveliness of the town by spending some time by the waterfront. Don’t forget a mandatory stop for some good poncha either. Note that I am not including the botanical gardens just yet. Funchal is safe but make sure to watch your belongings for pickpockets. Here are some known attractions in the city for you to check out:

• Mercado Lavaradores: Yes it is a tourist trap but hear me out for a second. The market has really pretty colors and cute souvenirs to look at. I certainly wouldn’t buy fruit here (read my scam warning above) but I do like browsing through places like these.
• Avenida Arriaga: Right next to the market, you will find this shopping street with a lot of tourists. It’s a good spot to take a stroll and window shop for a bit.
• Zona Velha: This is the Old Town part of town which includes cobblestone streets, restaurants, bars and lively nightlife.
• Cathedral of Funchal: A pretty local catholic church right in the heart of town.
• Praça do Povo & Funchal Marina: Walk along the waterfront to catch the nice atmosphere of locals and tourists. When I visited in late 2021, that area had a cute little town fair with rides.
• Parque de Santa Catarina: Cute little park with views of the town and the incoming ships.
• Cristiano Ronaldo Statue : If you make your way by the park, grab a photo with the icon of Madeira, the one and only Cristiano Ronaldo. Since he was born on the island, you will see a lot of references to him. There is even a museum 🙂

Make sure to stop at Rei da Poncha , a very popular hole in the wall with some great tasting poncha and some great snacks too. The outdoor tables might be full but just linger around for a couple of minutes and a table will free up in no time.

Off-season struggles: Day one of your Maderia travel will actually work in your favor if you’re traveling off-season. Funchal won’t be too crowded with people and if you’re visiting in late November or December you will get to see fun holiday decor. The southern part of the island is usually sunny and even if it rains, the rain should pass by quickly. Places like Rei da Poncha won’t have a line and you won’t be annoyed with the crowds.

(Pico do Arieiro)

Pico do Arierio was one of the most anticipated spots I wanted to see in Madeira. A simple google search will show you why. It’s the third-highest peak and one of the only that you don’t actually have to hike. Yes, you can simply drive there and see the most amazing views without any pain 🙂

I wanted to see the incredible sunrise overlooking Madeira under the clouds. However, we attempted this sunrise once in person and then checked the webcams for both, sunrise and sunset for the entire time we were there and were not able to successfully see this spot. One of the biggest risks you take with traveling off-season is missing amazing spots like this one. I’m including this on Day 2 because you might have to attempt to see it multiple times during your trip.

However, if you’re traveling in season, you have to check this couple’s guide to visit Pico Arieiro and actually all their Maderia guides which are extremely detailed and resourceful. There is a very popular day hike from Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruvio and I recommend that blog to give you the best details on it.

Back to Funchal

While the first day in Funchal consisted of exploring the basics of the city, I did don’t want to include the botanical gardens then, as the whole experience would have been very rushed. So for day two, you can explore either Monte Palace or Madeira Botanical Garden s (or maybe even both if you love gardens). I personally only visited Monte Palace and it was a super beautiful place that I’ll recommend to you.

Here is some info on them:

• Monte Palace – An additional attraction to this place is the fact that you can take a cable car from Funchal on the Funchal – Monte line to get here scoring some awesome views from above of the city. A one-way ticket is 11 euros and a roundtrip is 16. Their Japanese-style gardens were stunning and I had a great time taking random turns and not following the map per se. We spend about 3 hours exploring which included a stop at the gift shop for some complimentary Madeira wine tasting. To get back to Funchal you can simply take a cable car back or take a ride in the famous Toboggan cart ride . It was a little too touristy for me but people swear this is a fun activity.
• Botanical Gardens – The second gardens are located not too far from Monte Palace and are connected by the Botanical – Monte line in case you wanted to take the cable car again. I haven’t visited these gardens but people often prefer Monte over this location.

Cabo Girão Skywalk

After exploring the gardens, take a short ride to the famous glass skywalk with great ocean and Funchal views. To be honest I expected a much bigger platform however it was still pretty impressive. There is no entrance fee and the spot gets pretty crowded. One thing that I loved more than the views was the strong eucalyptus scent from all the trees as you walk around. There is a small cafe with overpriced food and drinks on site but I recommend stopping there for a little break to enjoy the view even more.

Options for the afternoon

Personally, this is where I would take a little break and head back to my hotel and Airbnb to relax. Sometimes I tend to overlook how important relaxing is during vacation 🙂 However, if you’d like to continue with your day two activities, here are some ideas for the afternoon:

• Vinhos Barbeito : I found a nice family-owned winery near Funchal. It has great reviews and I imagine the wine tastes really good! Madeira wine is special within itself so why not drink it from someone that knows what they’re doing.
• Ribeira Brava: Explore this cute little town with shops, restaurants and nice mountain and ocean views. Beaches in Madeira are located all over the island but I actually found people swimming in this one off-season as the sun likes this place no matter what the month.
• Funchal at night: Local cuisine is bomb. So make sure to take yourself to a nice place, have some good traditional food and then walk around the town at night. Most towns should always be seen during the day and night. There is a whole new vibe that emerges when the lights dim!

Day 3 – Sao Lourenco toward Sao Vincente

For Day 3 of your awesome Madeira adventure, I recommend heading to the northern part of the island. Now that you got to see most of the Funchal area and its surrounding gems, it’s time to head to the super green part of the island. The one thing to note when you’re traveling to Madeira off-season is that the weather in the northern part is almost always more cloudy and wet compared to the southern part. This is what will make the biggest distinction between traveling in the off-months compared to peak season.

Ponta de São Lourenço

This awesome hike is certainly not a hidden gem of the island. If possible try to arrive before 10 am as the spot gets pretty crowded. Even better if you can make a sunrise hike! If you’re worried about weather conditions, don’t forget to check out the webcams.

This hike starts at the parking trail and goes all the way to the tippy top of Madeira. You won’t be able to reach the very end of these crazy rock formations because the very last part is separated by the ocean. The hike should take you between 1.5 to 2.5 hours each way depending on how many times you take picture stops. Towards the end, you will find a small cafe where you can use the bathroom or grab a coffee. This is a very popular part of the island so expect some crowds.

For a very detailed plan for this hike, I found this blog which does an excellent job of preparing you for it.

Off-season struggles: The weather is not going to be your best friend here. It might get more chilly and windy in the months of November and December. However, since peaks might not even be doable during that time, this is one of the few chances you have to experience Madeira’s nature.

Northern Drive Toward Sao Vincente

After the hike, you won’t probably want to do any more walking so I recommend a scenic drive along the northeastern part of the island. Here are a couple of stops to consider. Depending on the timing of your morning, you will not be able to do all of them so check out my photos below to see which ones you think you’d like best:

• Faial Beach : This little beach is located about 25 minutes from Sao Lourenco parking lot. I found it on accident while driving in that area. I wouldn’t swim there per say but the landscape is really nice! Off-season you probably won’t see another soul there!
• Miradouro do Guindaste : Right above Faial Beach, there is a nice coastal viewpoint offering the awesome view the beach does but from slightly above. I’d say do one or the other since the views will be very similar.
• Miradouro do Curtado : This one is located a short 10 min drive from the point mentioned before. It offers a nice view of local town as well as the northern coast nearby.
• Santana Houses: This was the most crowded place I encountered on my off-season trip to Madeira. Why you ask? I have no clue because as cute as the Santana Houses are unless you have some sort of historical curiosity about them, there really isn’t that much to see there. I don’t know what I expected but certainly not what I saw. I’d say you can pass this location if touristy places bother you.
• Hotel & Restaurante Quinta do Furão: This is a good place for an early dinner but before you head to the restaurant, go on a little walk around the property. There is a vineyard in the back and a garden in that is accessible to walk around patrons and it was a (hidden) place during out little drive. It’s super pretty and you can even catch a view of a waterfall from there.
• Miradouro da Beira da Quinta: Super quick stop but nonetheless a nice viewpoint of the local area.
• Sao Vincente: This is a small town that’s the base of a lot of northern hikes for people. We stayed at an Airbnb for the second part of our trip here and loved the quiet atmosphere and more local vibe compared to Funchal. The small town has a couple of restaurants and bars by the water. If you’re not staying in the area, I’d recommend grabbing some food before heading back home. I ate at Restaurante Calamar which had delicious food for amazing prices and Poncha de Sao Vincente , a local bar with awesome apps.

Off-season struggles: The northern part of the island is the rainiest and most cloudy off-season. Consider that when packing clothes for your exploration there. All the spots I mentioned above were cloudy and chilly when I visited. Comparing photos of them in the sun from other travel blogs, I certainly feel like I didn’t get the proper experience of them.

• Quinta do Furão

• Miradouro da Beira da Quinta

Drive toward Porto Moniz

Before you head to see the famous swimming pools of Porto Moniz, there is a couple of quick stops you can make before heading over.

• Miradouro do Véu da Noiva : This is a very popular viewpoint on the island and while I think it was cute, I didn’t find it as fascinating as others have described. The main highlight of this stop is a waterfall that drops into the ocean but since it is pretty far and the road to access it is closed, it’s just a small stop. There is a gift shop there but it was very pricey compared to others I’ve seen.
• Seixal: What many describe as the best beach in Madeira is located in Seixal, a small town on the northern coast. It’s all black sand contrasting with vibrant green nature and surrounded by mountains. There are also small natural swimming pools located in town. While during off-season travel you won’t be able to swim, it’s worth visiting for the picturesque views.

Porto Moniz

The Porto Moniz natural swimming pools are swimming areas formed by lava and filled with fresh seawater on the northwestern side of the island. They are one of the coolest outdoor swimming pools I have seen. I hate to break it to you this early in the description but unless you like cold swimming, traveling during the off-season will unfortunately not allow you to fully enjoy them. I was super upset that I wasn’t able to swim in them, after naively reading some online comments claiming that late November is sometimes ok for swimming.

There are two pool areas in town. One with an entrance fee but only 1.5 euros, there you will find lockers and snack bars the other is free but more rocky and natural. The actual town is super small, you can walk from one pool area to the other in under 10 mins. However, my friends, I do not think you should skip visiting the town even without swimming. It is indeed impressive to see them and take some pictures in the area. I recommend making a stop in Porto Moniz for lunch or a drink.

Fanal Forest

Quick Tip: If you’re heading to Fanal Forest or Fanal Pond from Porto Moniz, make an easy and quick stop at Miradouro da Eira da Achada for more island views from above.

Fanal Forest is the one place that should work in your favor during off-season travel. Why? Because people love this place for a mystical experience of the fog and creepy vibes. If you visit during the summer peak months, the chances of the fog are said to be greatest in the morning. However, in the “winter” months, you can catch it at pretty much any time. Simply put Fanal Pond in your GPS and you will arrive in a small parking lot, then walk towards the forest. I recommend packing waterproof shoes and a waterproof jacket if you’re planning to walk around. I got soaked and cold while exploring and it wasn’t too pleasant. Overall it’s a cool place to visit for some awesome pictures. Put a pin in your map as the further you walk in the fog, the more likely you are to get lost.

There are many cows in that forest so be careful not to step in some cow poo as you’re taking your picture 🙂

If you followed my itinerary, by day 5 you’ve seen top places that Madeira is known for. For this last day, I will give you options of things to do that are worth seeing on this stunning island depending on what you like to do.

Hikes & Levada Walks

Madeira is known for many hiking trails and Levada walks. I’m more of a drive-to-a-peak kinda gal unless I’m feeling inspired to hike as I did in Poland this summer (You can read my guest post on We Are Travel Girls about my super awesome hike in the Tatra Mountains). I did not hike in Madeira therefore I cannot give you solid advice on it. However, I found this amazing and super informative post from Claire on her blog and I recommend you follow her for the best hiking advice.

Small things to do in Madeira on the western side of the island

The western side is not as touristy as the other side of the island but that doesn’t mean if you should skip it. Although there aren’t as many attractions, here are a couple of spots to visit there:

• Garganta Funda Viewpoint : Although you will need to walk about 15 minutes to reach this viewpoint, the awesome waterfall that you will see at the end will make it worth it. The nice thing about traveling off-season is that you’re likely to see it in full action compared to the summer when it dries up. I regret not seeing this place during my visit.
• Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse : A small picturesque lighthouse on the far end of the island. It might not be a super exciting spot, but you can take a small walk in the area and admire the calm atmosphere.
• Cascata dos Anjos : The famous waterfall that falls on your car as your drive on ER101 is certainly a cool experience. If you’re driving toward the west side, you can even pull over and see it up close.

Speaking of the western side …

There is a less-known thing you do on the western side which is Achadas da Cruz cable car bringing you in the (almost) empty small local village. It’s an area only accessible by cable car (between 8 am to 6 pm) or a super steep trail. Not many (if any) locals stay there full time, it’s more of a nature getaway for them. For you, it means exploring two remote villages with stunning surrounding nature. I found a very detailed and informative guide on this hidden Madeiran location. Journey Era gives you more than enough detail about this place, he even takes the hike back up the hill in the evening.

Madeira Beaches

Although you won’t be able to comfortably swim in the ocean if you’re traveling off-season, or if you like cold water, spending some time near the beach even at a local cafe or bar is really nice.

• Calheta Beach has white imported sand and gives some nice tropical vibes. There are some all-inclusive hotels in the area too.
• Seixal Black Sand Beach: I mentioned this beach earlier but if you like black sand vibes, you should spend some time enjoying the beauty of Seixal.
• Ponta do Sol Beach: In the (almost always) sunny part of Madeira, you can find a nice small beach to enjoy without the crowds.

Porto Santo

If you’d like to do something more unique, take a day trip to Porto Santo, a small island located a 2-hour ferry ride away or even a short plane ride. There are daily morning departures with evening returns. Some people recommend spending more than a day there, while others do a day trip and are content. Here are two contrasting opinions, a day trip one , and a longer excursion . Hopefully, this lets you decide whether a day trip is worth it for you. Nonetheless, Porto Santo is a stunning destination that could be added as a bonus if you’re already in the area 🙂

Madeira Tours

If organized tours are something you enjoy, consider booking one in Madeira. Some of the more popular choices include dolphin/whale watching boat trips, jeep tours through the island, or even organized hikes. While these are not something I would opt-in to do in Madeira, as the majority of the things can be done solo, a lot of people enjoy having a pre-planned day.

While short excursions are not my thing, I personally always recommend food tours through which not only can you learn about the local cuisine, but see the area, learn history and interact with other like-minded people. I found a highly-rated tour, Madeira Food on Foot which offers different tours and even pre-made picnic baskets. I’d say that’s the best Madeira tour there is 🙂

Download this Madeira guide

Here is a free downloadable guide for you of all the places I talked about above. It’s a pocket version so I recommend reading everything above before downloading the guide for your travels 🙂

Download It HERE

Map of Madeira

Final thoughts on things to do in Madeira in December or any other off-season month

As promised at the start of the post, I tried to give you a realistic expectation of Madeira off-season. I’d say that I romanticized it too much and imagined that I could do more than I did even in the “winter” months.

To recap, here are the cons of things to do in Madeira during off-season times:

• Higher chance of poor weather : The rain and clouds will limit what you can see and do. What you imagine to be a sunny afternoon hike or a beach day will turn into hiding in cafes until the rain passes.
• Not seeing the best sunrise and sunset spots : The chances of having a clear sky up in the mountains which would normally give you out-of-this-world sunrises and sunsets are very slim. For 5/5 days of travel, there wasn’t a single day that we were able to see any peaks. I anxiously kept checking weather cams and even drove to two spots to check myself and I was not successful of seeing either of them.
• Natural Lava Pools: Despite having lava in its name, the swimming pools of Porto Moniz or Seixal will be chilly to comfortably enjoy in the colder months. They’re a really awesome way to spend a day in Madeira so the fact that I missed out makes me irked.
• Hikes: Again, this being related to the weather, everything will be wet. Walking in chilly and wet conditions is not a pleasant experience to me.

BUT, here are some pros:

• There will be very few tourists.
• Prices are usually better for hotels and flights.
• You will have a lot of places to yourself.

Sometimes off-season travel is the only time you have to take from work so you make it work. I wish I instead visited Madeira during shoulder season for example. Visiting in the months of May or September would give me the off-season vibes I love but not have limited me in the number of things I wanted to do. Knowing what I know now I would not have traveled to Madeira in December but I hope I gave you enough realistic expectations to make the decision for yourself.

Gladly, this itinerary is informative enough for any season so feel free to download it when you travel to Madeira. If you do, share a photo! Don’t forget to comment down below on whether you think Madeira is worth traveling off-season and what experiences you might have had there!

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Kasia is a travel blogger that loves to share her detailed itineraries and travel tips with her community. She's traveled to numerous countries and makes it a priority to explore her home state of New Jersey while still being passionate about her 9-5 career.

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Great info, thanks for putting this together in such detail!!

Thank you for reading!

Your blog is really helping us plan our Madeira trip for the end of the month. Do you mind sharing the links to the air bnbs you stayed at? Thank you

Hi Emily! Please send me a message via the contact form and I’ll be happy to send you the links!

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The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Trip to Madeira

Did you know that Europe had its own Hawaii?

Yes, that's right!

Portuguese archipelago Madeira is often compared to Hawaii and I do not wonder why anymore. During my visit in May 2018 it has surprised me so much how many similarities Madeira and Hawaii islands really had.

Madeira is such an incredible place to visit and for many reasons. Whether you are planning a romantic honeymoon , family vacation , if you travel for adventure or if you just wish to escape less gloomy weather . Another name Madeira has been called is the island of eternal spring, so expect pleasant temperatures and fresh air pretty much all year round.

Madeira truly is a European gem which suits to every traveller and you should visit the islands as soon as possible . Each year Madeira is experiencing more and more visitors. Whether you want to swim with dolphins, explore deep canyons, or enjoy delicious dinner at the beach, go and book your ticket now.

I spent in Madeira one week in May 2018 and wanted to share my experience and a little bit of knowledge. Let's take a look on this very detailed guide, where I share with you some of the best places to see, adventures to enjoy, how to travel around the island, where to stay, what to pack, what to eat and a few more handy tips . Are you ready with a big bowl of popcorn?

When is the best time to go to Madeira

If you want to avoid crowds

When I was searching for the best time to visit Madeira, many people were talking about how busy Madeira is at any time of the year. Honestly, that scared me a bit because as you might already know, I don't like crowded places. In fact, I love exactly the opposite. I am not looking for parties or any Eiffel Towers, or Niagara Falls, or Hollywood signs where I have to deal with too many people.

But my fear melted really quickly when we arrived to Madeira. Of course, there are crowded places like almost in any other destination, but it's very easy to avoid them if you want to. I am talking now especially about Funchal and some other places in the southern island. But nothing crazy  - and that means a lot coming from someone like me :)) Northern and Eastern part of Madeira is less crowded in general.

When you want to avoid crowds and book the best hotels without any problem, try to avoid summer holidays. In fact, try to avoid any kind of holidays in general, like Christmas or Eastern. But that's a tip for visiting almost any destination, right?

If you want the best weather... hmmm, what's the best weather?

Good news! Weather in Madeira doesn't have to play a big part in vacation planning. The temperatures are nicely stable throughout the year which makes Madeira a dream destination! Although winter can be slightly more rainy with lower temperatures in the night and early mornings.

Do you want to come when there's the most sunny and dry weather?  Then June is your best bet, but anything between March to September will work too

Are you planning to do lots of hiking and walking? Then April and May are the best months to visit. Any later might get a bit hot for walking, and winter/early spring can be rainy (can be, but not talking about rainy season like they have in Asia ,)

April and May are also the best months to go to Madeira for enjoying all the beautiful flowers ? So if you're keen to visit one of the world's most beautiful garden which is in Funchal, if you want to those iconic sceneries with flowers in the foreground, or rather flowers everywhere, April and May it is.

Madeira is also famous for swimming with whales and dolphins . If you are planning to do anything like this, then the best time to come is between April and October. That's when the highest number of mammal species are in waters of Madeira.

How to get to Madeira

Although, from one quick look at the map, it may seems that getting to Madeira is long and pricey journey, it's not really true.

Nowadays there are many direct flight from Europe which can cost you under 200 dollars return. Those flights can take only about three four hours. You can try connections from London , Amsterdam or Lisboa . But there are many more cities you can fly to Madeira. See them all here .

My go to website to find  the cheapest flights  possible is  Momondo , so definitely check that one first and go from there. If you have any doubts and questions about how to reach Madeira, feel free to send me a message and I'll be happy to help you.

How long should I plan my vacation for?

I only had a spare week and even before I went to Madeira, I had a feeling that it won't be enough. And I was more than right. Yes, you can see the most beautiful/popular places in Madeira in just a week, but hands down, you will be rushing. 

If you can, I would recommend you to stay at least 10 days ! And if you have three weeks, then fine, take it slowly and soak all the relaxing vibes in!

I know, I know, Madeira seems like a tiny island, so you are probably asking now, holly molly, what would I do there for three weeks?! But trust me, there are so many hikes, adventures, culture, and beautiful viewpoints to enjoy, that you will be thanking me for those three weeks :)

What to pack?

When packing for your holidays, please remember that it's not a tropical island you're going to . Frankly, if you are looking for a tropical vacation, white sand beaches and hot hot air, then Madeira is probably not the best pick. There are not so many beaches, all of them (on the main island) are black because of their volcanic origin and water for swimming is quite cold as well.

Madeira is a diverse island and even though at the beach is 25°C or more, within half an hour driving up to 1800 meters above sea lever, temperatures can drop down to zero and wind will be so strong that you will have troubles to stand straight.

Before I will write more detailed post on what to pack and what to leave behind, here is the quick sum up (linked products are the ones I have an experience with and that I am genuinely recommending):

• day backpack
• water bottle
• comfortable walking / hiking shoes
• flip flops / sandals
• warm hoodie / sweater (some days and places are cooler than others)
• softshell jacket (you can thank me later)
• rain jacket
• headlamp (if you plant to hike some of the trails with long dark tunnels)
• waterproof camera/phone case (if you are going to do canyoning / coasteering / swimming with dolphins and whales)

How to get around

When in Madeira you will have have pretty much four options to explore this green island:

• Base yourself in Funchal and hire a taxi driver
• Base yourself in Funchal and book day tours
• Base yourself in Funchal and get around by bus

1. RENT A CAR

Definitely the most convenient way how to explore the island. I probably don't have to name all the reason why renting your own car is the best. It will save you time, nerves and very probably lots of money as well.

• The best deal we found was via rentalcars.com and we only paid around $250 USD for an economy class car for the whole week!!
• I recommend to pay extra for a full insurance , especially if you are not use to drive tight roads. I've been travelling and driving a lot in my life, but nothing was as crazy as Madeira's roads.
• Also, try to avoid renting mini cars . You will need a strong car to get you up the steep hills with no big issues. And make sure you get the most compact car possible. Especially in towns, parking spots are not very spacious and you will be sweating (at least if you're not a parking master just as me, haha).
• Over a week we drove around the island, and criss crossed it many times and one tank of gas was sufficient. We paid 75 EUR for a full tank.

2. BASE YOURSELF IN FUNCHAL AND HIRE A TAXI DRIVER

If you don't want to/ can't drive yourself, but still you want to stay as independent as possible, you can hire a taxi driver. 

In Madeira there are plenty of taxi operators who are offering a various taxi excursions. It will cost you around 100-120 EUR per day (60 EUR / half day) per car (4 people). If you're a bigger group of people (up to 8), it's also possible for an additional cost.

Some of the taxi companies/drivers you can look into:

• Daniel Madeira Taxis
• Madeira Island Taxis
• Manuel Taxi Tours
• Madeira Travel Taxi

3. BASE YOURSELF IN FUNCHAL AND BOOK DAY TOURS

If you like things nicely organized and don't plan to rent a car, this could be a perfect option for you.

You can book some great tours in Madeira with Get Your Guide . They offer a wide variety of activities suitable for anyone.

4. BASE YOURSELF IN FUNCHAL AND GET AROUND MADEIRA BY BUS

Exploring Madeira is definitely the best option for those who seek the cheapest vacation possible. But it sure comes at a cost - you will spend lots of time waiting for buses, trying to figure out schedules and places, you won't afford to be flexible and free and most likely you will miss plenty of breathtaking places that are not on the route of the public buses. 

Yes, public transport in Madeira works well, but frankly, I don't recommend it.

There are three kinds of buses :

• orange buses - operate only within Funchal city and its surroundings, you can buy one week unlimited bus ticket for 15 Euros (buses routes and schedules Horários do Funchal )
• red buses - operate in the western part of Madeira (buses routes and schedules Rodoeste  bus service)
• green buses - operate in the eastern part of Madeira (buses routes and schedules SAM  bus service)

Tickets for all bus services can be purchased onboard.

Driving those crazy roads

I am not a scared driver and I've been driving many insane roads around the world, but Madeira is special. Please note, that the last thing I want to do is to scare you. I am writing this so you know what to expect and so you can be more conscious. And I am convinced that driving Madeira roads is part of the travel experience. 

Madeira is full of long tunnels, steep driveways and sharp curves above the cliffs. Nothing for faint hearted. Roads are often not very specious, which is something you might won't be adjusted to when coming from North Americas or so. But again, you got this! Just drive slowly and you'll be sweet.

As I mentioned above, I recommend you to rent a more powerful car and get a car insurance.

Also it can take really long time to ge from point A to B. Sometimes we were driving 15 kilometres in 17 minutes. Why? Imagine rain, thick fog, steep and curvy roads and there you go. Always count with some extra time for driving in Madeira. Especially in the mountains and on the west and north coast.

Where to stay

Since Madeira is such a small island, you can get around the island in a day. That's the reason why most of the tourists stay in Funchal and do day trips from there. I did it differently which I will describe soon.

Advantages of having an accommodation in Funchal: 

• you can choose from many delicious restaurants and vibrant bars
• you can do shopping if that's something you like to do on your vacation
• you can choose the accommodation that suits the best to your budget and other preferences
• most of tour operators are offering tours from Funchal

Disadvantages of having and accommodation in Funchal:

• because most of tourists stay there when visiting Madeira, city centre can get crowded
• since the tourism boomed, Funchal centre is less authentic than other parts of Madeira
• obviously, you will always have to drive back to Funchal after long day of touring to other sides of the island

What's my recommendation?

To each their own, but here's what I did during my one week in Madeira:

I am not a huge fan of cities and crowded in generally, but I still wanted to explore around beautiful and historical Funchal. Therefore I decided to  stay in Funchal for one night . After that I moved for three days to Ponta do Sol in the south coast of the island and last three days I was in Ponta Delgada at the north.

After our trip, me and my friend we agreed that it was the greatest plan for a week in Madeira we could have ever had. It was never too far to any places we planned to visit, therefore never too tiring to be coming back to our accommodation.

If you only have a week I wouldn't recommend to stay in more than 2-3 places as you will feel like always packing and unpacking.

Here is an interactive map of places where I stayed, so you can imagine the distances of places I stayed (and the airport) a little better:

Accommodation in Funchal

If you decide to stay in Funchal, you can choose from hundreds of different types of accommodation that suits your budget. As always, I recommend my favourite search engine  Booking.com   to find the best deals.

Since we were looking for a place just for one night, we had only a few conditions. It had to be a private room with bathroom, within a short walk to the city centre with free parking and under 50 EUR / night per room.

Free parking combined with the city centre of Funchal was the hardest one to find, but  Pensao Residencial Mirasol  seemed had it all. Free parking, in the city centre, with a private bathroom and also a cute little balcony with mountain views . We only paid 38 EUR / night per room including continental breakfast!! The owners and staff here are really friendly, so there's no wonder that budget travellers keep staying here for weeks.

Various high rated places to stay in Funchal:

Madeira Happy Hostel

Vitorina Corte Guesthouse

Monumental Apartment

Quinta Sao Goncalo

Residencial Pina

ARTS IN Hotel Conde Carvalhal

The Cliff Bay - PortoBay

Quinta Jardins do Lago

Belmond Reid's Palace

Accommodation in Ponta do Sol

Ponta do Sol is a lovely little coastal town and probably the sunniest place on the whole island . During our three days in Ponta do Sol it was really ALWAYS sunny although there was rain or overcast in other parts of Madeira.

We were invited to stay in Estalagem do Ponta do Sol and my oh my! We've never stayed in any similar place to this. It was such a paradise with the best views you could imagine.

Since Estalagem do Ponta do Sol hotel is built on the high cliff, you need to take multiple elevators to get to the reception and your room itself.The views from our room and basically from anywhere within the hotel were nothing short of spectacular and you could watch both sunrise and sunset from the infinite pool.

Estalagem is a peaceful complex with beautiful gardens and modern exteriors and interiors. You can relax in a hot tub with sunset views, you can get your favourite cocktail bar with crazy views or play a table pool in one of the public spaces. Oh, and did I mention breakfasts? Buffet breakfast is included  in the price of the room and something we looked forward to each morning. D-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s!

During our stay there was a lack of parking spots below the hotel, but it's because there was a festival and parking spots were precious. The staff of the hotel were super helpful and when we brought our car keys to them, they were more than happy to park our car for us.

Accommodation in Ponta Delgada

Our accommoddation for last three days was up in the north coast in Ponta Delgada. North was a completely different experience than the south. There was way less tourists, and moutains forests and cute vineyards were everywhere. 

We stayed in Casa do Miradouro and if you are looking for a place to find the peace, this magical villa has it all . Mountains and vineyards behind the house and amazing ocean views in front. From the photos I knew, that sunrises and sunsets from this place are incredible. Unfortunately we did not see the sun at all during our stay, but the rainy mood was suiting this place just as much plus it was a perfect for soak in the hot tub. The villa consist of only three apartments, so we have had plenty of privacy. And I can't imagine better place for my yoga practise and everyday meditation.

We loved the design of the villa, but even more we loved that it is enviromentally sustainable building  (for example cork insulation, natural materials used in interior, solar water heating, no chemicals in the garden). 

If you stay in Casa do Miradouro, please ask Zelio to cook for you! Zelio not only takes care of the villa but he's also amazing cook and a lovely company. We spent last evening with him and he cooked the best food we've tried in Madeira. Fresh fish and limpets with a light cheese dessert were amazing and he deserves nothing less than a Michelin star! So please please please, don't miss out this once in a lifetime opportunity! :)

Live like a local

Are you looking to live like a local or always keen to have unique accommodation experience? Then definitely check AirBnB in Madeira  (if you register through this link, you will get up to 35 dollars to spend for your first stay.)

AirBnB in Madeira is very popular and the list of accommodations is full of design villas, cottages on the clifs or luxurious tents in forests . Just hop on the AirBnB website and explore. The prices are really friendly!

Live with the locals

If you are outgoing and want to meet and live with locals and also if you are a lowcost traveller, you can also try Couchsurfing .

Insider's Tip: Please don't do couchsurfing just for the sake of free accommodation. That's not what this wonderful community is about. It's about sharing. Sharing time, sharing experience and making each others life richer. If you don't feel like talking to someone when travelling, but don't have money for hotels, please look for different options like hostels :) I barely do couchsurfing lately, because after long day of travelling or exploring, I am just happy to sit on my bed and don't talk to anyone, but if I want to talk to someone I can always get out of the hotel and go exploring.

What to see?

So much to see and so much to do in Madeira, that one month wouldn't be enough to explore it all throughout. (I am working on detailed itineraries, so feel free to subscribe to my newsletter . Once it's ready I can send it to you directly into your mailbox).

Here's an interactive map of interesting places, photography spots, view points, activities and restaurants I created for my trip. Of course I didn't have time to do and see everything in a week, but thought it could help you to create your own trip :)

Tropical Garden Monte Palace

Madeira is a paradise for flora lovers. So many flowers and trees, so many colours and heavenly smells.

One of the places you can admire flora the most is Jardim Tropical Monte Palace in Funchal. You will find there some rare flora species both from Madeira and the rest of the world. The entrance fee is 12,50 EUR.

The most popular way to get to the gardens is to take a cable car from the city center . Return ticket is 16 EUR (11 for one way). If you buy just one way ticket, you can experience something truly unique and something what only in Madeira can be experienced :) You can do tobogganing in a wicker basket mounted on wooden runners . It was invented by Madeirans already in 1850 as a form of transportation down the steep hills (did they have to drag it back after?). When you are at the top nearby tropical garden, look for handsome guys in white shirts holding onto the big basket sled.

Sunrise at Pico do Arieiro

Please, make yourself a favour, get up early and drive about 30 minutes from Funchal up to about 1800 metres above the sea level. Most likely you will be driving through the rain and clouds and will be cursing me why would I recommend you such a crazy thing. But hold on and you will eventually  get above the clouds and experience one of the most beautiful sunrises of your life. And all without any huge effort - you can get all the way to the top of the Pico do Arieiro just by your car. 

Tip: Get ready for strong winds and cold temperatures especially early in the morning. I was so happy I've had my icelandic sweater and softshell jacket with me. Wished to have a hat as well. Just be prepared, so you can enjoy the beautiful views. 

This is a must stop when you are in Madeira. I won't be taking it away from you, because with its 580m it's the tenth highest cliff that is above the sea (the highest one is Mitre Peak in New Zealand) and so the views are truly amazing. It's usually packed with lots of tourist and honestly, I enjoyed some of the views in Madeira way better. So, at the end of the day, I don't think I would miss much if I wouldn't go there. But if you are curious and have enough time, definitely give it a go.

Sugar Cane Factory Museum

In Calheta you will find this very unique exhibition , which can make a nice stop when you are driving on the south coast. You can see here how the rum is made from start to finish.

The admission is free and for a small fee you can try different rums.

Ponta do Pargo

To me, this was one of the most beautiful spots I've seen during a week of travelling in Madeira. It's the most western point in Madeira with a lovely lighthouse and absolutely gorgeous cliff views. I could have been sitting there for hours, watching the waves crashing along the shore!

This place is a perfect spot for watching sunset and you won't be sharing it with many. Very likely you'll be here alone when coming later in the evening.

Achadas da Cruz

This place must be on of the best kept secrets in Madeira! By taking a 3 EUR (return) cable car ride off the cliff, you'll get to in Fajã da Quebrada Nova. It somewhat looks like a tiny village but in real, nobody lives there. Some farmers come down from time to time and take care of their land. You can only get there by a boat or a cable car, or hike a steep trail down and back up. It's so beautiful, colourful, remote and looks like a scene from a historic/fantasy movie. It's easy and worthy to spend there at least two hours. Just so you know :) 

The cable car operates from 10am to 6pm every day unless the weather conditions like strong winds won't allow it. It happened to us, so we called them and came back two days afterwards.

The phone number is +351 291 852 951.

(During this trip, my fog was foggy inside, hens this dreamy effect on the photos bellow).

Porto Moniz

On the western part of the island you find something unique, something you might have never seen before. Beautiful lava pools filled with turquoise clear water from the ocean were converted into something we can call a spa. For a small fee 1,50 EUR (free for children under 3yrs) you can go and have a swim in several pools of different depth while enjoying waves crashing against the beautiful cliffs.

The pools are the most popular between July to September when the air temperature is around sweet 25°C and water is bearable 21°C. 

Tip: If you will walk in Porto Moniz towards the eastern part of the town, where is the Cachalote restaurant, you will find there similar lava pools . They are a bit smaller, but they are free and usually with less people.

Sao Vicente Caves

If you are a fan of geology, then you shouldn't miss these volcanic caves Sao Vicente.

A walk through the lava tubes takes about 30 minutes and admission is 8 EUR.

Traditional houses in Santana

Traditional Madeira houses are amongst the most popular attractions and nobody seems to be leaving Madeira without visiting them. It can be a nice short stop, but frankly, don't you expect more than seeing a few iconic houses that you know from the postcards and magazines. I know some people came from there disappointed and gave it bad ratings on Tripadvisor. It is nice, it is traditional and highly photogenic, so come without any expectations and enjoy. 

Ponta de São Lourenço

Situated on the eastern tip of the island Ponta de São Lourenço is a great place for sunrise. This place is quite unreal and looking totally different than the rest of Madeira. You can easily spend here the whole day, walking about 8 km of trails with spectacular coastal views. I recommend to stay reserve at least two hours, so you can enjoy a bit of this place without rushing.

Tip: Ponta de São Lourenço is a popular place and also it is very easy to reach from Funchal and other nearby towns. Hence the parking lot starts to fill up early in the morning. After 11 am the line of the cars is really long and there is quite a bit of tourists and hikers on the trail. So, wake up early, enjoy the sunrise and disappear before the crowds arrive.

Things to do

For such a small island, Madeira has so much to offer in terms of adventuring and activites . Just find something that suits you the best.

Swim with whales and dolphins

There are not so many places where you can swim both with dolphins and whales in one day. But did I already said that Madeira has it all?

If you only want to do dolphin and whale watching, I highly recommend to go with Lobosonda . They are environmentally responsible family owned company and I really liked that they always put animals on first place. On our complimentary trip with Lobosonda we had an amazing guide Fatima, a very kind lady with a great knowledge of the ocean mammals and also marine ecology.

We started at 10am and boarded Ribeira Brava, the traditional fishing boat and launched towards the open ocean. After some time Fatime has pointed her finger towards the ocean where a school of dolphins appeared. Since then we saw more and more dolphins and I am sure we saw more than a hundred that day. And four different species! The water surface literally looked like a one big marine party!

When to go? The best time to watch or swim with dolphins and whales is summer. That's when the highest amount of marine mammals species are gathering in waters of Madeira. Also the waves are more gentle and water warmer. But like any other tours and activities, you can also do this at any time of the year.

Now, canyoning is a big thing in Madeira. I didn't know much about canyoning before I arrived. And surprisingly, it became a highlight of my trip.

Did you know that Madeira is one of the world's prime locations for canyoning (and there are not as many as you might would think)? Well, then put one and one together and you know you can't leave this island without trying canyoning at least once.

I did a wonderful tour with Francisco and Joao from Epic Madeira   and it was absolutely fabulous. Our Intermediate tour included rappelling down the 50m waterfall (you can try a beginner tour for the beginning if you are new to any kind of hiking or climbing). The tour took us almost five hours and I couldn't stop smiling of joy! 

Coasteering

Have you heard about coasteering? No? Then it's two of us. Till now tho :)

Coasteering is basically walking along the coastline in the wetsuit and the helmet and jumping to the ocean whenever it's possible  and also includes snorkelling in crystal clear waters.

Yes, you hear me right! Doesn't it sound great? I was a little sad that we didn't have more days in Madeira as it sounds like a lots of fun (you know I love to dive to water from high cliffs :) ). I save it for the next time then!

You can do coasteering also with my friends from Epic Madeira .

Day boat trips to nearby islands

Madeira archipelago consists of four islands . If you have a little bit more time, you will love exploring some of them as they are so different from what you will see on the main island.

Porto Santo - once you start to miss sandy beaches, hop on the boat and enjoy a day on the small island of Porto Santo where you will find 9 km beach of golden sand and breath taking views

Deserta Island and Farol Island (by a catamaran) - while Madeira has black sand beaches and Porto Santo which beaches, Deserta and Farol islands are having white sand beaches , so it's a completely different world again

Kayak / SUP

You can take lessons or tours to breathtaking sea caves with Azul Diving Center .

Paragliding

Let's fly over the mountains, over the ocean with  Madeira Paragliding .

Horse riding

You can also see the island from the horseback if you want to! Check guys at  Quinta do Riacho .

Scuba diving and Snorkelling

Madeira is an outstanding scuba diving destination. And together with Azores it makes the largest whale sanctuary in the world! Scuba diving here is so diverse as you can spot anything from ship wrecks, manta rays, dolphins or the whales. Also the water visibility is amazing (talking about 20m!) 

There are a few diving centers like Atalaia Diving Center , Azul Diving Center Madeira , Explora Madeira Diving Center  (they also offer freediving).

Surfing and bodyboarding

There are some wonderful breaks for surfing. In fact Madeira is one of the best surfing locations in Europe.  All the breaks are in the west part of the island . For a beginner, there is only one sand beach to learn and it's in Porto do Cruz. Rest of the spots are quite rocky. If you want to learn surf in Madeira, then the best time is summer. In summer the waves are coming not so quickly, so you will struggle less. 

You can take classes, rent a gear with Madeira Surf Camp  or Calhau Surf School .

If fishing is something you enjoy, then you are in the right place! Madeira has some of best fishing areas in the world. Fish for Tuna and Blue Marlins! You can choose between half-day and full day fishing boat tours .

All around the island is about 2000 km of trails , many of them being popular levadas - irrigation channels. Various trails will take you along the coast, accross the mountains and through the valleys full of waterfalls and beautiful forests. Some of them are easy walks and some of them require certain level of hiking experience. But there is something for everyone.

There is a phone app for hiking in Madeira that is called  WalkMe . It includes navigation, offline maps and more than 50 hikes and is definitely worth the 5 Euros!

Remember that if you don't feel like hiking alone, you can always take a tour or hire a private hiking guide .

Some of the most beautiful and popular hikes are:

• Vereda do Arieiro (PR 1) - Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo route is considered to be the hardest but also the most beautiful on the island. I would say it's not as hard if you are use to do some walking and hiking. Reconsider to go if you are too scared of heights tho :). To truly enjoy this hike without unnecessary rushing, allow yourself a full day.
• Levada do 25 Fontes (PR 6)  - Probably the most famous levada, so early morning or late afternoon start is necessary if you want to avoid crowds.
• Levada do Caldeirao Verde (PR 9) - Very fun hike going through a couple of long tunnels (take a headlamp with you) and it ends with fantastic 100m waterfall
• Vereda do Larano  - This hike starting at Machico will allow you to see absolutely amazing ocean views. It is recommended for experienced hikers with sturdy boots as there are some sketchy parts. And if you are unsure, you can always do the guided tour .
• Vereda da Ponta do Sao Lourenco (PR 8)  - this very east part of the island looks like another world. There are no trees, the rock formations you will see have incredible colours and the ocean and cliff views are nothing short of spectacular!

Mountain Biking

Seriously, who would voluntarily go and ride those crazy hills of Madeira? Haha, I wouldn't, but I know some of my friends would love that! Again, you can go with the epic team from Epic Madeira .

Jeep Safari

Explore secret and hidden places in the valleys and mountains with jeep tours . This way you will get the chance to also explore famous laurissilva forests , the evergreen and believed to be primary forests on Madeira. Definitely something you should see.

Catamaran Sunset Tours

Sunsets in Madeira are absolutely spectacular and to watch them from the boat will take your breath away!

What to eat and drink

Fish and seafood is very popular food of locals and tourist. Amongst the typical fish and seafoodd that you can try in Madeira is:

• Codfish (Bacalhau)
• Tuna fish (Atum)
• Black swordfish (Espada) - my personal favourite, it has a fery soft meat which taste is very close to lobster
• Octopus (Polvo)
• Limpets (Lapas)

Important note : Before ordering a fish in restaurant, please ask them whether is the fish from a fish farm of from the ocean. Recently, in Madeira they are dealing with an ecologic disaster that are fish farms. For one kilogram of fish from the farm is needed about 12 kg of fish from the ocean - crazy, huh? Plus fish from the farm is treated with antibiotics, so not only you eat something you really don't want to eat, but also all the antibiotics go into the ocean, causing fatal problem in the ecosystem

Espetada Madeirense is another favourite meal in Madeira. It's beef cubes on skewer grilled on wood or charcoal.

Honey cake  (bolo de mel de cana) is one of the main desserts and you will be able to buy it in almost any souvenir shop. It's not made from honey but dark sugar cane molasses with nuts and sultanas in it. It is very rich, and should last long months after it's baked. Well, we ate it in two days because it was so delicious!

Probably the most popular drink on the island is wine which is world famous. Beautiful vineyards are all around the island! Also it's very cheap, be ready to pay for a bottle of wine in the store 2 - 3 euros, yay!

The most traditional drink of Madeira is poncha  and unless you are a person who never touches the alcohol, you shouldn't leave Madeira without trying it. It's made from brandy cane sugar, bee honey and lemon juice. I am a baby drinker and can't even smell rum without instantly feeling like throwing out, but surprisingly I really enjoyed drinking poncha. But be careful, it's as strong as it is delicious :) They say that the best poncha is to be found in Taberna da Poncha in Serra de Água.

Useful resources whilst you are in Madeira

Accommodation - www.booking.com

Live webcams all around the island - www.netmadeira.com

Weather updates - www.vedur.is

Flight connections to Madeira (from Europe) - Airlines & Airports

Phone app for hiking in Madeira - WalkMe  (available for Android and iOS) 

Have a question? Feel free to ask in the comments below.

Wanna know what camera gear I use?

Thank you for reading and go ahead and  follow me on facebook  or instagram to explore the world with me as I publish pictures and stories along the way.

*Thank you Estalagem da Ponta do Sol , Casa do Miradouro , Epic Madeira and  Lobosonda for having us. As always the opinions are of my own.

**Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission if you make a booking using the link. It won't cost you a penny but it will help me to maintain this website and write more helpful articles in future. 

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Oh hello! Welcome to my page where we all are allowed to Dream Big and we all are encouraged to Wander Far. My name is Marti and  here you can read more about me . I am originally from Czech Republic and my story isn't different from stories of many other travellers - in 2011 I quit my well-paid job in film industry to travel the world which was always my dream. I visited 70+ countries and you can find me exploring deserted islands in South Pacific or diving with whale sharks in Philippines, prospecting for gold in New Zealand or building an igloo above the Polar Circle. Let's join me on my journey around the globe!

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Best time to visit Madeira (weather, whales, flowers…)

Last updated on November 1, 2023 by Claire Robinson - this article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I get a small commission ( more )

When is the best time to visit Madeira? Well, it depends on your criteria.  Below is my complete guide with details to help you make your decision based on:

• Weather (temperature, rain, water…),
• Crowds and price,
• Whale watching opportunities,
• Hiking conditions,
• Winter sun,

Before my tips + photos, here are my favorites for Madeira:

My favorite platform to rent a car in Madeira: DiscoverCars

The unmissable boat tour: Catamaran tour to go whale watching

My favorite excursion from Funchal:   4×4 tour of East Madeira

MMy favorite places to stay in Funchal:  Les Suites at the Cliff Bay  (Luxury) –  Sé Boutique Hotel  (4 stars) –  Market Place by Storytellers  (apartments)

My favorite places to stay outside Funchal:  Saccharum Resort  near a beach (Luxury) –  Estalagem da Ponta do Sol  (4 stars) –  Engho Velho Hotel  (mid-range)

Best time to visit Madeira – Summary

Best month to visit madeira.

Madeira is enjoyable all year long, but if I had to pick one month as the best months, I would choose: JUNE because of:

• Great temperatures,
• Hardly any rain,
• Before the Summer crowds,
• Flowers still blooming,
• Good whale activity,
• Morning clouds of great sunrises.

Best time to visit Madeira – Criteria

If you don’t want to read the entire article, here is a summary depending on what you are looking for:

• Weather, Rain – The driest months are June, July and August, the wettest months are October to mid-April.
• Weather, temperatures – Summer temperatures are around 24°C at water level, and also hot in the mountains. Some days, when wind blows from the Sahara, temperatures can climb above 30°C Winter daytime temperatures are around 20°C on the lower parts of the island (it can be cold in the mountains).
• Swimming – Best time to swim in the ocean is from June to October with sea temperature averaging 23°C
• Crowds – September to October tend to be the quieter months on the island. But there is a general flow of tourists all year-long. The busier months are July and August. Christmas time and winter holidays are also popular times.
• Price – Prices are of course higher when the island is the most crowded – Summer 

• Flowers – Spring of course, and the flower festival in Funchal takes place in May.
• Whales – The best time to see whales is in Summer (there are more of them).
• Hiking – May, June, September and October – temperature are great for hiking – and, since many hiking paths are narrow, it is better to avoid the Summer crowds
• Festivals – Check out dates if you want to participate of avoid them.The famous Carnival celebrations take place around the end of February.
• For photography – Great lights can be found all year-round June and July have more chances to have blankets of clouds early morning, to offer you unforgettable sunrise above the clouds

Visual overview – best time to travel to Madeira

Below is an infographics to help you visualize the best times and decide the best time to go to Madeira based on your criteria.

If you are looking into visiting specifically in Winter, check out my article about Madeira in Winter .

Need help to plan your trip to Madeira? Check out my travel guide eBook that simplified planning:

Plan your dream trip in Madeira thanks to my guide

• 7 maps to easily plan your itinerary
• 120+ pre-selected locations
• GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
• Tips to make the most of your time
• 260+ original photos to help you choose

Best times to go to Madeira for WEATHER, crowds…

When is the best time to visit madeira for great weather.

Overall, the climate can be described as meditteran-subtropical, offering an “ eternal spring “. It is rarely particularly cold or particularly hot. At sea level, temperatures are comfortable all year long. Just know that:

• Some days in Summer, the wind can blow from the Sahara and create over 30°C temperatures
• in Winter, the temperatures are pleasant at sea level, but can be cold in the mountains (with snow sometimes)

Because of the mountains in the middle of the island, there are different climates. So if you don’t like the weather where you are , check out the other side of the island.

• The north of the island has more rainfall and, therefore, lush vegetation. 
• The south is drier and offers more hours of sunshine.

Length of the days & amount of sunshine

• in Winter – 10 hours of daylight with sunrise around 7am to 8m and sunset from 6pm to 8pm
• in Summer – 12 hours of daylight with sunrise around 7am to 8m and sunset from 8pm to 9pm

Because of the mountains, blankets of clouds can appear anytime of the year. They are very frequent in the mornings in June and July. The South receives more sunshine than the North.

Rain in Madeira

Rainfall is concentrated from October to mid-April. In Summer, rains are quite rare, especially on the South side of the island.

Temperatures in Madeira

As written earlier, Madeira has an Eternal Spring weather, at sea level.

• In Spring, you are at around 20 to 22°C during the day and 13 to 17°C during the night
• In Summer, you are at around 22 to 26°C during the day and 17 to 19°C during the night
• In Autumn, you are at around 22 to 25°C during the day and 15 to 19°C during the night
• In Winter, you are at around 19 to 20°C during the day and 13 to 14° during the night.

Just remember that there is greater variation in the mountains. They can be cold in Winter, with even snow.

Water temperatures in Madeira

The sea in Madeira is never very high in temperature. It is deep around the island.

• In Spring, expect 17 to 18°C
• In Summer, 21 to 23°C
• In Autumn, 20 to 22°C
• in Winter, 17°C to 19°C

Because of the Eternal Spring weather, Madeira receives a constant flow of tourists all year-round. However, the busiest times are:

• the Summer holiday months of July and August,
• Christmas time,
• and the Winter European holidays, for people looking for Winter Sun.

Need to rent a car in Madeira?

• Compare prices on my favorite platform:   Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
• Choose a car with enough power for the mountain roads
• And choose a car not too big, to easily manoeuver
• Consider their full coverage option – it for peace of mind! 
• Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!

See all my tips

Best time to visit Madeira for FLOWERS

Spring explosion.

Madeira is sometimes referred to as the ‘floating garden of the Atlantic’. Thanks to the combination of the Location and the mountains in the middle of the island, Madeiras has a lush, varied and colorful flora.

You can see lush vegetation and beautiful flowers all year-round, however the full bloom and color explosion is, of course, during Spring time.

Plus, during that time, you can have a chance to be traveling during the Madeira Flower Festival, which includes:

• performances of folk groups,
• construction of beautiful floral carpets,
• music and concerts…

Special flowers to find

And if you are after specific flowers, know that, for example:

• Strelitzia: Madeira’s signature flower, “the bird of paradise” – grows throughout the island year-round. 
• Poinsettia: Red flower – Best seen from October to February.
• Sword Aloe: best seen from October to December.
• Pink Ball Trees: The flowers bloom from December to March.
• Jacaranda Trees : with pretty purple flowers, bloom in April and May.

Best time to travel to Madeira for WHALES and dolphins

Overall best time to go dolphin- and whale-watching in madeira.

Many species of dolphins and whales visit the island during different seasons. But as general rules:

• You can see whales and dolphins all year,
• There are always at least 2 or 3 species of whales around,
• Tours are running year round,
• The highest quantity of species is  from April to September,
• In Summer, the dolphins generally gather closer to the coast, in more shallow waters
• There is a much bigger chance of seeing dolphins than whales (they spend a lot of time underwater)

Learn more in my article about Whales and Dolphins in Madeira .

Species  of dolphins & best months

The most common species of dolphins you will see in the waters surrounding Madeira are the  Bottlenose dolphins . They live there year round.

Other species depending on the season:

• Common dolphin – January to July
• Striped Dolphin – February to April and July to November
• Atlantic Spotted Dolphin – March to October
• Rough-toothed Dolphin – May to September
• Risso’s Dolphin – May to October

Best time to visit Madeira for HIKING

The island of Madeira offers some wonderful hiking opportunities:

• Over volcanic cliffs,
• Along levadas (irrigation systems) surrounded by lush vegetation,
• On top of the mountains,

Check out my article with the best hikes and levada walks in Madeira .

You can hike all year round, but here are a few things to be aware of to make your decision:

• In Summer, temperature can raise quite high in the afternoon – you should start hiking early morning
• Most hikes have narrow pathways and can have hikers in both directions (many levada walks are return hikes, not loops). Therefore, in Summer they can feel crowded.
• In Winter, the mountains can be a lot colder and occasionally have snow
• In Winter, there is more rain and the waterfalls will be fuller.

Therefore, the best months to hike in Madeira are in the shoulder seasons – May, June, September, and October, unless you want to see the waterfalls in full force.

Where to stay in Madeira?

My favorite places:

• Funchal , for a choice of restaurants and if you don’t rent a car –  see best-rated accommodations
• Funchal Lido , for luxury resorts – see best-rated hotels
• Machico , for a sandy beach – see best-rated accommodations
• Porto da Cruz , for a quiet village in beautiful scenery – see best-rated accommodations
• Ribeira Brava , for a practical location to explore the island – see best-rated accommodations
• Porto Moniz , to enjoy the natural pools – see best-rated accommodations

How is Madeira at Christmas?

What is Madeira like at Christmas? Madeira is a popular destination for Christmas. Christmas and the New Year are celebrated at the same time everywhere in the “Christian world”.

Weather conditions

Temperatures at sea level are very pleasant, around 19/20°C during the day. Water temperature is low (around 17°C), so it is not the best time for swimming.  But the weather is pleasant for walking and exploring the whole coast of the island.

Christmas trees & decorations

Because of the mild climate, you won’t find many traditional pine trees, but mostly artificial trees. They are traditionally decorated with balls, Christmas Lights, snowflakes, bows, wreaths, etc. 

Madeirans love decorating for every festival and events. You will see a lot of decorations, especially in Funchal.

If you walk around, you will also see many Nativity scenes in the form of a staircase or in a rock-shaped form (like a cave). Locals call them “lapinha”. It is often a small altar of three hauls, covered with a red and a white lace tablecloths. At the top is a small statue of the Baby Jesus, and on the other steps the shepherd, other figures and fruits.

Around Christmas events

Madeira has several traditions around Christmas:

• The Childbirth masses, a set of nine religious ceremonies (called “novenas”), taking place at dawn in parishes throughout the island. They happen between December, 16th and Christmas Eve. They are often followed by singing gatherings.
• On December 23rd, there is a Market night in Funchal at the Mercado dos Lavradores – where people shop for fruits and flowers
• On December 31st, there is a special fireworks show that entered the Guinness book of records as the largest show in the world (from 2006 to 2012)

Christmas food

Of course, no tradition is complete without food specialities:

• Madeira Honey cake – can be bought all year round, but linked to Christmas
• Christmas in Madeira is filled with sweets and the cookies
• “Carne Vinha D’Alhos”

I don’t drink coffee

But I also like other drinks and sweets! Do you like the free content you find on my blog? All my tips and practical information, without intrusive advertising…

Best months to visit Madeira – pros and cons

Madeira in winter , madeira in january.

• Pros – Winter Sun – pleasant temperature Great time to surf in Madeira Christmas lights until the 6th January Cheap outside of Christmas Great for waterfalls
• Cons – One of the rainiest months (but not that much…) Cold in the mountains

Madeira in February

• Pros –  Winter sun, and pleasant temperature Carnival at the end of the months Rain is less likely than in January – still great for waterfalls
• Cons –  Coldest month of the year (but not that cold…) Still some rain

Madeira in March

• Pros –  Temperatures are starting to rise, reaching around 20°C in average during the day Some flowers start blooming Winter Sun
• Cons –  Still some rain, as in February – still great for waterfalls

Madeira in Spring 

Madeira in april.

• Pros –  Flowers are blooming Flower Festival takes place in April or May Lemon Festival in Santana
• Cons –  Roughly the rain level as March and February

Madeira in May

• Pros –  Flowers are abundant Flower Festival takes place in April or May (depending on Easter) Many festivals are taking place Temperatures are a little bit warmer A lot less rain than in March (half the chances of rain)
• Cons –  Sea water has not warmed up yet

Madeira in June

• Pros –  Great temperatures around 22°C Many flowers still in bloom Sea temperature start to rise Morning clouds for photographers Atlantic Festival and fireworks Hardly any rain, in theory
• Cons –  Morning clouds can be a negative for those looking for sun…

Madeira in Summer 

Madeira in july.

• Pros –  Warm weather Comfortable water temperature Hardly any rain Morning clouds for photographers
• Cons –  More crowded

Madeira in August

• Pros –  Warm weather Comfortable water temperature Hardly any rain Madeira wine festival starts at the end of the months (with harvest starting)

Madeira in September

• P ros –  Warm weather Comfortable water temperature Madeira wine festival Columbus Festival  Less crowded than August
• Cons –  A little bit more risk of rain, but not much

Madeira in Autumn 

Madeira in october.

• Pros –  Temperature still warm at 24°C Water can still be warm Madeira Nature festival with outdoor activities Prices start dropping
• Cons –  More chances of rain 

Madeira in November

• Pros –  Cheap Less crowded Temperature are still pleasant Waterfalls can have more water
• Cons –  Sea water is now cooler

Madeira in December

• Pros –  Christmas and New Year’s festivities Still enjoyable temperatures
• Cons –  Rain is more likely

Best time to travel to Madeira and more – FAQs

Best time to visit funchal.

Funchal is a great destination all year round. There is no difference between Funchal and the rest of the island. This entire article applies. Funchal is on the South Side of the island, so it has more sun and is protected from most winds.

Is Madeira worth visiting?

Whatever the time of the year, Madeira is a worthy destination with mountains, beaches, cliffs and volcanic features. The landscapes are simply breathtaking. Check out my selection of 40 pictures to get an idea.

What is the hottest month in Madeira?

August is normally the hottest month in Madeira with temperature around 25 and 26°C during the day (but they can go above 30°C when the dry wind from the Sahara is blowing).

How many days do you need to visit Madeira?

The island is not that big. From Funchal you can reach almost all destinations within 1h, thanks to the many tunnels. The minimum to visit Madeira is a week, but I really think that 10 days is a better timeframe. With only one week, you would have to rush your experience or make some choices of places to see.  I think the best length for your Madeira trip is between 10 days and 2 weeks (and more if you want to explore the island of Porto Santo as well).

Don’t visit for a long weekend. The island is far from Europe and landings can be delayed because of wind. Learn more on my 42 Madeira Travel Tips.

Want to see more of the best Madeira offers?

• 42 Madeira travel tips to plan an unforgettable trip –  read article
• Where to stay in Madeira – best areas – read article
• 35 best things to do in Madeira – read article
• The best landscapes in Madeira in 40 pictures – read article
• The 7 cables cars in Madeira and their amazing views – read article
• 10 best hikes & levada walks in Madeira – reach article
• Tips to drive around Madeira – read article
• 12 Madeira Hidden Gems – read article
• 4 Madeira Natural Pools (and 6 coastal alternatives) – read article
• 18 best beaches in Madeira – read article
• 7 best Madeira boat tours & trips – read article

Planning a trip to Madeira?

Check out my travel guide to help you plan:

And keep track of your own trip!

Want to see more of MADEIRA?

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18 best Madeira Tours

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Madeira in Winter

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Find cheap flights to Madeira from $249

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a kayak user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from the united states to madeira departing on 8/20. fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. click the price to replicate the search for this deal., search hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to madeira.

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Best Madeira Flight Deals

Cheapest round-trip prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 72 hours

Good to know

Faqs - booking madeira flights, how long is the flight to madeira.

An average nonstop flight from the United States to Madeira takes 18h 30m, covering a distance of 3927 miles. The most popular route is Newark - Funchal with an average flight time of 9h 55m.

What is the cheapest flight to Madeira?

The cheapest ticket to Madeira from the United States found in the last 72 hours was $241 one-way, and $542 round-trip. The most popular route is Newark to Funchal Madeira and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was $647.

Which airlines fly to Madeira?

Azores Airlines & TAP AIR PORTUGAL fly the most frequently from the United States to Madeira.

What are the most popular destinations in Madeira?

Based on KAYAK flight searches, the most popular destination is Funchal (87% of total searches to Madeira). The next most popular destination is Porto Santo (13%).

How does KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy?

KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a given destination and date is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to Madeira

• Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest Madeira flight deals.

Top 5 airlines flying to Madeira

Great. Loved that there was WiFi on flight to keep in touch and excellent service of beverages and snacks.

Business class is great. New airplane, very comfortable, better than some of the major airlines I am used to

Terrible. Flight was cancelled due to the weather in the east and sout east(florida). Did not get any compesation of any kind. According to them, it was not under their control so I lost all the money paid for the 2 fairs from Raleigh, NC to Orlando, Fl.

great flight. Pilot was communicative, flight attendants were excellent. Really nice experience except my tv didn’t work.

Overall, the flight was better than the flight I took to go to Florida, which had a bunch of problems. The crew is really nice and the plane was new so it had a small problem when we were on the runway, but the flight itself was great. They even made some time back up, which is always a good thing.

at the time for boarding the lady just call Group A and no other goups and everybody from A to F go inside without the right turn,and when we get in theres no more spsce for carry on , the ones that get in at not correct group from the back occupy our space !!!!! a mess !!!!

There were multiple delays but JetBlue tried to make the boarding and departure process as quick and efficient as possible. The crew was as detached from reality as could be, meaning: not very friendly and just doing things by the numbers.

I had back trouble prior to my flight and everyone was great about helping me.

Jetblue needs to improve on Onboarding as it seems to always be behind on departing. It never leaves on time. I would recommend to have an earlier Onboarding in order to leave on time and respect your customers time as well.

40 minute delay before take off after boarding flight. Bright lights throughout night flight due Issues with light panels. In flight Entertainment nonfunctional

I paid $380 for my one-way ticket from California to Minnesota. The fair did not include online check-in. I received instructions from their app to check in at a kiosk. At the kiosk, the boarding pass would not print until an actual person came to verify that I had a personal item and not a carry-on item, On the plane, the person next to me was drunk and allowed to continue to order alcohol. United is garbage I’d rather fly spirit.

The plane was dirty and the in seat air wasn't blowing as planes usually do.

Generally good but there wasn’t any staff available when my luggage didn’t appear at baggage claim in Fresno. It took about half an hour to locate a staff member to open up the locked room where it was being kept.

Do not like the feeling of being in the basic economy. Everyone should feel good no matter what.

All flights were on time and boarding was issue free

Terrible! The plane was old and you are required to connect your own device to their Wi-Fi rather than have entertainment options in the back of the seat in front of you. The Wi-Fi went out during the flight and there was only one plug for the devices every two seats. Three out of five surrounding my family did not work. The seats and spaces under them were so small I could not fit my backpack, which I’ve always brought on flights and fit before no problem. The crew were unpleasant and patronizing.

Great! The plane was decently sized and comfortable. The staff was nice and there was great in flight entertainment

Food was terrible Not many options Stewards dont care Delay

Water service would be great. The way they board is terrible. Slow passengers first😂😂 They need to smart up a bit

Our original business class flight was cancelled so we not only downgraded but we were also spread out across the plane not sitting together in separate middle seats. My poor kids were scared and couldn’t see me on the flight and the crew wasn’t sensitive to the situation and what the airlines did to us. Very dissatisfied with United airlines.

All four American Airlines flights I took in last seven days were delayed. Caused me loads of problems, missed meetings, loss of time and money.

American cancelled our flight home. Zero option for hotel, alternative transportation and took 3 hours to find our bags so we could take a 3 hour UBER ride home on our dime. Never flying AA again.

They gave my seat away although it was a connecting flight with them and the flight was a bit delayed.

Flight was cancelled had to move to another gate late again no internet paid for the month and never can use it waste of money

Not being able to purchase my check in baggage online was a negative.

LATE LATE LATE!!! Plagued by late AA flights on this trip. Such a drag. This one was by far the worst.

WiFi connected but only let you go to the AA website, not even text messaging worked.

Too bad that first class seats do not recline significantly causing discomfort

I think the seats on some of their planes are uncomfortable. You can be ok on a short flight of two hours but no more than that. The delays, and also the refreshments on the plane were not enough.

Flight delayed over an over all day until it cancelled at 1:30am. Would not repeatedly delay that late. Offer hotel rooms and rebook early. Very difficult for families with small children

The crew was not great or professional. It seemed like they didn't really want to be there. A true lack of effort for accommodating customers.

Everything was really good but the seats are not very comfortable.

I paid for WiFi, but it (WiFi) was very very slow, will never take again! Impossible open Utube 😤😤😤

I had no legroom, although I paid for extra legroom. I could barely put my bag in front of my feet and under the seat. The Wi-Fi was horrible. In fact the flight attendant said that they had to reboot it and see if it was going to work and never did.

The guy with severe body odor sat next to me. For the whole duration of the flight it was a torture. The airline should have better policy on limiting people with bad body odor to board the flight. Passengers should not be the ones to endure bad odor for the whole duration of the flight. The airline should be e the one to ensure decent air quality for ever passenger.

Overall it was a miserable experience... I will never fly spirit for more than a 3 hour flight or overnight.

The boarding attendant was slightly rude when I asked about checking our stroller. Made me feel like I was bothering her.

My wife and I are both handicapped and at boarding they upgraded us to a seat closer to the front rather than all the way towards the back. Much appreciated.

Not much seat room, but that was unexpected. But the seat headrest was very uncomfortable.

First the good, everyone was friendly and efficient. Flight was smooth and plane was very clean and new. Now the bad, seats have almost no padding on your behind. I was in exit row so I had tons of leg room for a 6' 2" bean pole with long legs. Everything was extra - water, soda, snacks everything besides oxygen. Ya get what you pay for, and my flight was cheap as you could ever want it, so no worries.

Six hour delay. Poor customer service. No voucher. Bad communication. Missed important appointments.

Our flight was delayed an hour, then when we got to board our flight finally, we were waiting in our seats for take off for 45 minutes before it was communicated that there was a maintenance issue therefore we waited on the plane for over an hour while that was resolved. We did not get to Phoenix until almost 3 hours after we were originally supposed to. This was the first and last time I will be flying Frontier.

Flight was canceled with little warning. Flight was rebooked through Ontario, California and connecting flight was delayed by over three hours. Frontier is living up to their Greyhound of the skies reputation for sure.

I purchased a carry on bag online…was supposed to cost $72 but after a whole slew of bs charges, the total was over $175.00. Because of these hidden charges, I will not even consider flying Frontier ever again. It’s just not worth the hassle. I’m scratching this company off my list forever.

Flight was OK. Seats were good no cell phone charges on the plane no TVs or entertainment.

There were 3 leg for the trip and each leg was delayed by 90 minutes or more. The boarding process takes forever with people waiting on the jetway even though most folks do not have carry-on. The whole process is poorly managed.

Flight cancelled and was told by a rude gate agent that they don’t accommodate on other airlines. Had to wait 5 hours for a connecting flight that had a 7 hour layover. Would not allow bags to be checked early so we couldn’t go through security .Had to rent a car for the afternoon to store bags and get a meal. Also incurred a hotel fee. No apology or reason given for the cancellation- just rudeness.

They cancelled the flight then did nothing to help us rebook. It was awful - I won’t fly with them again

The process of buying the ticket and navigating all the hidden charges that Frontier throws at you was a terrible experience. The actual airport experience and flying was fine.

The truck that was refueling the plane drove away with the hose still connected to the plane and ripped part of the plane off with it

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