Madeira

Madeira – What you should know

Madeira bears the nickname "Island of Flowers" — and the climate explains why. The combination of warm, moist trade winds and volcanic mountains creates extraordinary vegetation. At the same time, Madeira is a year-round destination: temperatures barely fluctuate between seasons (typically 17–25°C), and extreme heat or cold is virtually unknown.

Madeira's climate varies greatly by location, however: the south coast with Funchal is noticeably drier and sunnier than the north, which can be characterised by cloud and rain. Hikers should know that the mountains at the centre of the island have their own microclimate — mist often drifts past up top while the sun shines below.

Winter and spring are particularly beautiful on Madeira: in January and February the island blooms in full splendour, and the weather is considerably milder than on the European mainland. The New Year's Eve fireworks in Funchal are considered among the largest in the world and attract visitors from around the globe.