Madeira weather · December
Weather in Madeira in December
A monthly average blurs the two Madeiras together: a drier south, a wetter and greener north. The numbers below are the island averaged out. On the day you actually walk, one coast is clear and the other is under cloud.
December is mild, festive and changeable. Funchal glows with Christmas lights all month, the coast holds around 19 °C, and the mountains alternate between storm cloud and crystalline post-frontal clarity.
Madeira temperatures, rain and sea in December, coast to summit
| Where | Day / night | Rain | Rainy days | Sun/day | Peak wind | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funchal / south coast | 19.5 / 15 °C | 91 mm | 11 | 8 h | 16 km/h | 21.1 °C |
| Porto Moniz / north coast | 19.5 / 15.4 °C | 111 mm | 14 | 8 h | 16 km/h | — |
| Pico do Arieiro (1,818 m) | 7.8 / 2.6 °C | 131 mm | 16 | 8 h | 11 km/h | — |
10-year monthly averages (2016-01-01 to 2025-12-31), historical archive. See all months
Why Madeira's weather differs by coast and altitude
The three rows above are the point: in the same December week, Funchal and the summits behave like different countries. Madeira's mountains split every weather system in two, so "weather in Madeira" is really the weather of whichever coast and altitude you stand on. The pattern is explained in our microclimate guide; for a specific day, live per-trail conditions beat any monthly average.
Hiking in Madeira in December
Chase the windows. A clear December day on the peaks is as good as hiking gets, with cold sharp air and huge visibility, and the low winter sun makes even familiar levadas look new. After storms, stick to the coast and the sheltered south until paths drain.
Good starting points this month: easy levada walks and coastal walks. Regulated classics like PR1 need advance booking via SIMplifica.
What December is like in Madeira
Funchal's New Year's Eve fireworks are one of the largest displays in Europe and the island fills around the holidays. Book trails, restaurants and hire cars well ahead for the last two weeks.
Common questions
How warm is Madeira in December?
On the south coast around Funchal, December days average about 19.5 °C and nights about 15 °C. The mountains are a different world: at Pico do Arieiro (1,818 m) the average daytime high is around 7.8 °C. Pack for both if you plan to hike high.
Does it rain a lot in Madeira in December?
Funchal averages roughly 91 mm across about 11 rainy days in December, one of the wetter months on the south coast. The north coast and the mountains always catch more. Rain is usually local: when one coast is wet, the other is often dry, which is why a single island-wide forecast misleads.
Can you swim in the sea in Madeira in December?
The Atlantic around Funchal averages about 21.1 °C in December, which is fresh but fine once you are in. The natural lava pools at Porto Moniz and Seixal are the classic post-hike swim spots.
Is December a good month for the levada walks?
Yes. Levada walks work all year because most sit in sheltered valleys and forest, and Madeira has no real off-season. What changes in December is which side of the island has the better day, so check live per-trail conditions on the morning rather than trusting a single island-wide forecast.
Nearby months: November · January
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