The month in detail
What to expect in December
In December, Madeira sees 66°F during the day with 4.9h of sunshine per day. Expect rain on 28% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended. Not the best window, but acceptable if dates are constrained. August (9.0/10) is significantly better if possible.
December ranks 10 out of 12 months in Madeira. Compared to November: −4°F daytime, −0.6h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in December
UV index
3 · moderate
protect during midday hours
Feels like
comfortable
13°
Sea
21°C
cool, invigorating
Daylight
9.9h of daylight
Air quality
fair
AQI 40
Compare
Is December the right month?
The best month in Madeira is August (9.0/10), 1.7 pt higher than December.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Madeira
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Madeira
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a beach trip.
Country · Portugal
🗣️LanguagePortuguese
💶CurrencyEuro (€)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘCheap · 2/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTemperate oceanic
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthAugust · 79°F
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 64°F
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘDecember · 28%
🏖️ Beach trip
📅Peak seasonJuin → Sept
🏖️Swell (Sept–Mar) ⓘModérée
🛂VisaSchengen · 90 days
Explore
Other destinations in December
If December doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Madeira ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
PortugalTemperate oceanic climate with a 9.0 → 7.3 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
32.66°N · 16.92°W
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Madeira?
August is the best month with 79°F highs, 68°F lows, 7.6h of sunshine and 1.0% rainy days. The months of August & July offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Madeira get in August?
Madeira averages 7.6 sunshine hours per day in August. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 8.7/10.
What is the rainiest month in Madeira?
January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Madeira in August?
In August, overnight lows reach 68°F, while afternoon highs average 79°F.
Is Madeira good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Madeira scores 7.0/10 on average — Acceptable conditions for cultural visits.. The best month overall remains August with a score of 8.7/10.
When should you avoid Madeira?
January is the most difficult month to visit Madeira, with January has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in Madeira in December?
In December, the sea averages 71°F in Madeira: cool, invigorating. Swimming is possible but brisk; sensitive swimmers may prefer a wetsuit.
Do you need sun protection in Madeira in December?
The average UV index reaches 3 in December in Madeira (moderate), with about 9.9h of daylight. Protect during midday hours.