Madeira's west coast is considered the sunniest part of the island. It's an area widely sought after by those who love the sea and nature, but also Madeira's century-old traditions.
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One of the greatest aspects of life in Madeira are its coastal villages. And Ponta do Sol is arguably the most beautiful.
Usually the south side of the island always presents itself with warmer temperature. When going to the north side, the temperature decreases, and in the center of the island, where the regions are higher, temperatures tend to be lower and there is some precipitation... some people call it the 4 seasons island.
The southern coast has the warmer temperatures; the southwest coast in particular, benefitting from being protected by the mountains, has the greatest amount of sun hours. The northern coast is much greener and less developed, and being more open to the prevailing climate, tends to be a little cooler.
The southwest is the place to be for more guaranteed sun; Ribeira Brava, Ponta do Sol and Calheta boast the best climates on the island followed by Funchal, Camera de lobos and Machico. Funchal still being a favourite with most tourists because of the centrality of the capital city and the array of choice.
Amazing and stable weather denotes April through November as the best time to visit Madeira. April to mid-June is known for price cuts and moderate crowds. This period can offer you unforgettable hiking among lush green vegetation, and you can join famous Madeira Flower Festival.
Climate-wise, Madeira is warmer and less wet/rainy. In the Azores, you'll get every season in a single day. You probably won't like that so much. In Madeira, because of the micro-climates, it'll probably always be sunny somewhere on the island - and you can always just go above the clouds.
For those searching for somewhere to stay in Funchal with easy access to the city's attractions, the Old Town – also known as Zona Velha – is your best option. This historic district is made up of ancient streets and traditional Madeiran buildings, many of which date back to the 15th century.
Considered one of the best beaches in Europe and enjoying the unique characteristics of the north coast, Seixal Beach is a paradise for all kinds of swimmers: from beginners to the most experienced ones. Calheta Beach is one of the island of Madeira's few yellow sandy beaches.
Malmsey (“Malm-see”) is the richest and sweetest style of Madeira. You can pair Malmsey with rich chocolate desserts, ice cream, and cheese, or just sit with a glass by the fireside. Malmsey is dessert in and of itself.
The Azores are serene, eco-friendly and have less modern development, and less tourism than the sister islands of Madeira. With secluded locations and a more relaxed, slower pace, the Azores are more of a destination for nature lovers and adventurous tourists.
The average standard of living tends to be a bit lower than in mainland Portugal, and the local autonomous government gives generous subsidies coming from the tourist industry revenues and from the Portuguese national budget. Go where the locals go and everything will be cheap.
True, Malta perhaps has the edge in terms of historical drama and Madeira has an altogether grander, rawer feel to its scenery, but neither of these edge-of-Europe getaways are going to leave you feeling short-changed.
Ponta do SolThis municipality on Madeira's west coast is considered the warmest and sunniest on the island. It is very popular with visitors seeking to enjoy the climate and the warm sea. In addition, Ponta do Sol presents very diverse landscapes, namely the mountain range, the coast and traditional villages.
The rainy season is between November and February, during which time rolling clouds and frequent rainstorms are typical. Most days during this time will have at least one rainstorm passing through. The months between May and August are the driest of the year.
Famous for it's year-round warmth and sunshine – choosing the best time to visit Madeira all depends on the type of holiday you're looking for… Let's start at the beginning of the year – January through to March is the coolest time of the year, but it's also the quietest and the cheapest.
Madeira is a pretty small island, and so luckily you don't need very long to see all of the incredible things that this destination has to offer. If you're looking to experience the must-dos then a short four-day break would be fine. However, a week is the perfect amount of time to really make the most of the island.
Find the best dealsAirfare to Madeira Island (FNC) varies throughout the year based on seasonal demand. You'll see the lowest rates for roundtrips to FNC in December and in December for one-ways.