We visited Madeira in low season and loved it. Here are nine reasons why autumn and winter, from November to February, are a great time to go.
Madeira, along with the Azores, is one of Europe’s best-kept natural secrets. In the cooler months the island is mild, green and far quieter than in summer, so it suits a few days away as much as a longer stay.
The Madeira archipelago is an autonomous region of Portugal, off the northwest coast of Africa. It has two inhabited islands, Madeira and Porto Santo, which were settled in the 1400s, and both have a warm, subtropical climate.
Most visitors are active travellers who come to hike along the old levadas (irrigation channels) in the mountains, run trails or play golf. There is plenty to do on the water too: sailing, dolphin and whale watching, surfing and stand-up paddleboarding at the Garajau Marine Nature Reserve.
Short on time? Our top picks are just below. After them you’ll find why we think Madeira is a great winter destination, based on our own visits, a month-by-month guide and answers to the questions we hear most.
Our top picks for Madeira in winter
Short on time? These are the tours we’d book first. All have free cancellation up to 24 hours before and let you reserve now and pay later.
Eco-catamaran dolphin and whale watching
- From Funchal Marina
- 2.5 to 3 hours
- Hybrid-electric boat with land spotters
Spotters on land guide the boat towards dolphins and whales, then you sail back past Cabo Girão. Sightings aren't guaranteed, and it's breezy at sea, so bring a windbreaker.
From €35 Check availability
Skywalk, Porto Moniz, Seixal and Fanal 4WD tour
- Free pickup in central Funchal
- Open-roof Land Rover with a live guide
The Skywalk, the Porto Moniz lava pools, Seixal beach and Fanal forest in one day. The Skywalk (€5) and the pools (€3) aren't included, and a jacket is worth packing for the mountains.
From €69 Check availability
Dolphin and whale watching catamaran cruise
- From Funchal Marina
- Bar and snorkel gear on board
A relaxed catamaran trip along the south coast with views of the Cabo Girão cliff. Sightings aren't guaranteed, and the swim stop is a summer thing.
From €35 Check availability
Sunrise Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike transfer
- Pickup at 4 stops in Funchal
- Transport only, self-guided hike
Transport for the PR1 “Stairway to Heaven” trail, about 10 km one way. The €10.50 trail permit isn't included, and the operator can help you book it. Bring layers and a torch.
From €33 Check availability
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Reason 1: fewer crowds
From November to February, Madeira is much quieter than in summer. You spend less time in queues at the main attractions, and the viewpoints and levada trails are less busy.
The exception is the Christmas and New Year week. The fireworks bring a crowd, and boats and tours sell out, so book those dates well ahead.
Even in the quieter months, book tours in advance. Some run less often in winter, and a few close for the season.
Reason 2: flights and getting around
Landing at Madeira Airport (FNC) is an adventure in itself: the short runway has mountains on one side and the ocean on the other. The airport has a single terminal, so it’s easy to find your onward transport.
If you want to explore at your own pace, hire a car in Madeira before you go.
From the UK, airlines flying to Madeira include British Airways, easyJet, Jet2 and TUI. Fares are usually lowest from January to March and rise around Christmas and in summer, so compare dates before you book.
From Portugal, flights cost more around the Christmas holidays and get cheaper after the New Year.
Reason 3: New Year’s Eve in Madeira
Madeira is famous for its New Year’s Eve fireworks. The show lights up the sky above Funchal and is one of the biggest in the world. The colours and lights reflect on the sea, creating a magical view.
The best way to see it is from the water. Many boats leave Funchal Marina on 31 December, and on board you can watch the whole bay sparkle at midnight. Some trips include drinks and music to make the night even more special. Tickets sell out fast, so book early.
Start the year with fireworks, the ocean and a memory you’ll keep.
Book a seat on a RIB to watch the fireworks in Madeira.
Reason 4 : Quieter beaches
In winter the beaches are quieter, which suits walkers and nature lovers. Most of Madeira’s beaches are pebble or black sand, and Porto Santo has a long golden beach. The sea is cooler than in summer, around 19°C in winter, so many people paddle or sunbathe rather than swim.
Reason 5: Green Nature
If you like trekking, hiking or trail running, autumn is a great time to go: the rain makes the trails and views even greener. Madeira is known as the island of flowers, so spring is also worth considering, when most plants are in bloom.
Reason 6: The weather
Autumn and winter in Madeira are mild, which makes them good months to wander around Funchal or explore the island. Summer can be quite hot, sometimes too hot for certain activities. The main risk in winter is rain, especially in January, so keep your plans flexible and choose tours with free cancellation. The sea is around 19°C in winter and reaches 24°C in summer.
Madeira month by month: November to February
| Month | What to expect | Good for |
| November | Quieter than summer, and the island is green after the autumn rain | Levada walks and hikes, whale and dolphin trips |
| December | Mild weather for wandering around Funchal, Christmas lights, and a busy Christmas and New Year week | Funchal on foot, New Year’s Eve fireworks by boat (book early) |
| January | Can be very rainy, but quiet | Surfing, since waves are usually better in winter, and tours with free cancellation |
| February | Still quiet, with Funchal’s Carnival | Island tours and sea trips; check the Carnival dates |
Reason 7: Great waves for surfing in Madeira
For surfers, the cooler months are the best time to enjoy Madeira’s waves. The waves are usually better all around the island, and there is a second reason: the crowds. In summer you may meet many tourists trying surfing for the first time and the waves get busy. In autumn and winter you get better waves and fewer people.
Book to Surf in Madeira.
Reason 8: Outdoor activities in Madeira
Most of the activities that people seek for at Madeira, like the previously mentioned trekking or surfing, are done outside and these seasons are ideal to practice them. Other popular things to do on Madeira include whale and dolphin watching.
In Madeira, we observe whales and dolphins all year around. May to October is the best season for the observation of these animals, the winter can be more special. In fact, between November and February, the number of cetacean species around the Madeira Archipelago is smaller, but we can find some very special species.
The Short-finned Pilot Whale, Common Bottlenose Dolphin and Short-beaked Common Dolphins are the most sighted species during the winter.
Chartering your own luxury yacht in Madeira is a unique way to enjoy the coastline of the island in style. You can book a half or a full-day tour and invite up to 8 friends.
Coasteering is also very popular in Madeira and can be done all year round. Coasteering in Madeira is a unique way to explore the coastline, by hiking, jumping, climbing and swimming.
The water temperature is very pleasant all year round, ranging between 19°C/66°F during the winter and reaching 24°C/75°F in summer.
Reason 9: Local people tend to be nicer
We noticed this quite clearly. For local people, like waiters, taxi drivers or tour guides low season is less stressful and so they have more time to dedicate to tourists, being friendlier during the low season.
There are many more reasons to visit Madeira. We’re sure you won’t regret it!
In fact, we’re not the only ones who love Madeira. The archipelago has Madeira has won the ‘Europe’s Leading Island Destination 2024 at the World Travel Awards. Madeira has won the award for eight consecutive years.
We are Madeira fans and have visited the islands a few times now. And will come back! We’d be happy to help you plan your holidays, so let us now if we can somehow support you in your holiday planning to Madeira or Portugal in general. Enjoy Madeira during the Fall/Winter!
Autumn and winter in Madeira are mild, which is why many people go. The sea is around 19°C in winter, compared with 24°C in summer. It can be very rainy, especially in January.
Yes. From November to February Madeira is much quieter than in summer, but the Christmas and New Year week is the exception. The fireworks bring a crowd, and boats and tours sell out, so book early.
The sea is around 19°C in winter, cooler than in summer. Water activities such as coasteering run all year round.
Yes, you can see them all year round. Between November and February there are fewer species, but short-finned pilot whales, common bottlenose dolphins and short-beaked common dolphins are the ones seen most often. Book a whale and dolphin trip.
The fireworks above Funchal are one of the biggest shows in the world, and the best way to see them is from a boat on the bay at midnight. Tickets sell out fast. Book the fireworks boat.
