Madeira weather · September
Weather in Madeira in September
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.
September keeps August's weather and loses its crowds, especially after mid-month. The sea reaches its annual peak around 25 °C, the mountains stay dependable, and the light starts softening into autumn.
Madeira temperatures, rain and sea in September, coast to summit
| Where | Day / night | Rain | Rainy days | Sun/day | Peak wind | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funchal / south coast | 25.7 / 19.7 °C | 39 mm | 9 | 11 h | 13 km/h | 24.4 °C |
| Porto Moniz / north coast | 25.1 / 20.2 °C | 32 mm | 7 | 11 h | 15 km/h | — |
| Pico do Arieiro (1,818 m) | 14.2 / 7.6 °C | 53 mm | 12 | 10 h | 9 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 September 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 September
Arguably the smartest month to visit: summer conditions on the trails without summer queues. Everything from the peaks to the coastal paths is in play. The first Atlantic fronts can brush the island late in the month, so keep one flexible day in the plan.
Good starting points this month: coastal walks and summit hikes. Regulated classics like PR1 need advance booking via SIMplifica.
What September is like in Madeira
Harvest season in the vineyards, warm long evenings, and the best swimming of the year after a day on the trail.
Common questions
How warm is Madeira in September?
On the south coast around Funchal, September days average about 25.7 °C and nights about 19.7 °C. The mountains are a different world: at Pico do Arieiro (1,818 m) the average daytime high is around 14.2 °C. Pack for both if you plan to hike high.
Does it rain a lot in Madeira in September?
Funchal averages roughly 39 mm across about 9 rainy days in September, 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 September?
The Atlantic around Funchal averages about 24.4 °C in September, which is comfortably warm for swimming. The natural lava pools at Porto Moniz and Seixal are the classic post-hike swim spots.
Is September 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 September 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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