Madeira weather · March
Weather in Madeira in March
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.
March is the hinge between winter and spring. Days stretch noticeably, the first sustained dry spells appear, and the island starts flowering from the coast upward. Rain still shows up, but it clears faster.
Madeira temperatures, rain and sea in March, coast to summit
| Where | Day / night | Rain | Rainy days | Sun/day | Peak wind | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funchal / south coast | 19.1 / 13.8 °C | 85 mm | 13 | 10 h | 17 km/h | 19.4 °C |
| Porto Moniz / north coast | 18.4 / 14 °C | 125 mm | 16 | 10 h | 18 km/h | — |
| Pico do Arieiro (1,818 m) | 7.6 / 1.6 °C | 111 mm | 15 | 10 h | 12 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 March 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 March
A good month for the middle heights: the levadas between 600 and 1,000 m are green, full and mostly mild. Summit days start becoming reliable again, though the top can still be wintry. Morning starts beat the afternoon cloud that builds on the plateau.
Good starting points this month: easy levada walks and coastal walks. Regulated classics like PR1 need advance booking via SIMplifica.
What March is like in Madeira
Wildflowers get going along the coastal paths, and the water channels are still running high from winter. Sea temperature bottoms out around now, so swimming is for the committed.
Common questions
How warm is Madeira in March?
On the south coast around Funchal, March days average about 19.1 °C and nights about 13.8 °C. The mountains are a different world: at Pico do Arieiro (1,818 m) the average daytime high is around 7.6 °C. Pack for both if you plan to hike high.
Does it rain a lot in Madeira in March?
Funchal averages roughly 85 mm across about 13 rainy days in March, 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 March?
The Atlantic around Funchal averages about 19.4 °C in March, which is brisk, for determined swimmers. The natural lava pools at Porto Moniz and Seixal are the classic post-hike swim spots.
Is March 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 March 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.
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