To compare with the other months, see our guide on the best time to visit Madeira.
Madeira in April: a very good month for hiking and sightseeing. In Funchal, it averages 21 °C (70 °F) in the afternoon and 14.9 °C (59 °F) at night, rainfall is easing (45 mm (1.8 in) over the month) and the gardens are in bloom. The sea is still cool, around 17 °C (63 °F): April suits walkers better than swimmers.
April opens Madeira’s best season, which runs until September. It rains far less than in winter, the levadas are more often open and the island is very green. Two calendar points matter: the Easter and spring holiday periods, which push up demand, and the start of the Flower Festival at the end of the month.
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Madeira in April: key facts
- Verdict: ✅ flowers in bloom, rainfall falling
- Temperatures: 21.0 °C (70 °F) in the afternoon, 14.9 °C (59 °F) at night in Funchal
- Rain: 45 mm (1.8 in) on average in Funchal
- Sea: about 17 °C (63 °F)
- Sunshine: 6.1 hours a day on average
- Event: the Flower Festival starts on 29 April in 2027
- Time difference: in April, Madeira (UTC+1, summer time) is on the same time as London (UTC+1) and 5 hours ahead of New York (EDT, UTC-4)
Weather in Madeira in April: temperatures, sea and rain
| Station / month | Max | Min | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funchal, March | 20.6 °C (69 °F) | 14.3 °C (58 °F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Funchal, April | 21.0 °C (70 °F) | 14.9 °C (59 °F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Funchal, May | 22.0 °C (72 °F) | 16.2 °C (61 °F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Porto Santo, April | 19.8 °C (68 °F) | 14.3 °C (58 °F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
According to the German Weather Service (DWD), the sea is at about 17 °C (63 °F) in April in Funchal and sunshine reaches 6.1 hours a day. These figures apply to the south coast, the most sheltered. The north coast (Santana, São Vicente, Porto Moniz) is cloudier and cooler, and above 1,500 m (4,921 ft) it is much colder, with frequent wind and fog.
Things to do in Madeira in April
- Levada walks: April is part of the best period (April to June). Rabaçal (25 Fontes), Caldeirão Verde and Ponta de São Lourenço are good choices.
- Peaks: the Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo route is possible, but it remains the most exposed to temporary closures. Start early and bring a warm layer.
- Funchal: gardens in bloom, the old town, the market and the cable car.
- Flower Festival: in 2027 it starts on 29 April, with the big parades on 2 and 16 May.
- Porto Santo: very quiet; the water there is still cool for swimming.
Important: according to Visit Madeira, access to the classified walking trails (PR) is by prior time-slot reservation on the SIMplifica platform and, in 2026, generally costs €4.50 per person (check each trail page for the exact amount; Visit Madeira FAQ, checked on 11 November 2026). The UK FCDO also notes that hiking in Madeira can be challenging and refers to Visit Madeira for walkway closures and access restrictions (GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026). Check the condition of each trail on visitmadeira.com or on the IFCN website on the day.
Can you swim in Madeira in April?
It is possible for the hardiest, with water at around 17 °C (63 °F). For pleasant swimming, aim for July to September. In April, heated hotel pools and natural pools in calm weather remain the best options.
Crowds and prices in April
Crowds are heavy around Easter (28 March in 2027) and during the spring holiday periods in April and early May. Prices are then medium to high. Outside holidays, April remains a reasonable month. The wind can disrupt flights at Madeira airport in any season: keep some slack. For a slightly earlier trip, before Easter, our page Madeira in March covers the weather, trails and crowds for that month. The following month, with the Flower Festival, is covered in our page Madeira in May.
What to pack for Madeira in April
- Layered hiking clothes: T-shirt, fleece, waterproof windbreaker
- Hiking boots with good grip
- A warm jacket for the peaks
- A swimsuit for the pools
For passports and other formalities for US and UK citizens, see the entry requirements for Madeira in our country guide.
A typical day in Madeira in April
The morning is often the clearest time in the mountains: set off early for the levadas and the peaks, before the clouds rise. It is cool at altitude, even when it is mild in Funchal.
In the afternoon, with 21 °C (70 °F) on the south coast, a visit to Funchal, its gardens and its market rounds off the day well. Showers remain possible, usually brief.
In the evening, the temperature drops to around 15 °C (59 °F) in Funchal: a light jacket is enough in town.
Our tips for a successful April trip
- Book your trail slots on SIMplifica as soon as your dates are fixed.
- Check trail conditions on visitmadeira.com the same morning: a temporary closure is always possible.
- Rent a car to reach the trailheads, which are poorly served by public transport.
- Avoid Easter and the spring holiday periods if you want lower prices.
- Keep some slack before a connecting flight: the wind can delay or divert flights.
Madeira in April: who is it for?
April suits hikers, garden and nature lovers, couples and travellers who want mild weather without the heat. It is less suited to a beach holiday: the sea is still cool, and Porto Santo is not yet in season. Families travelling during the spring holidays will find a good compromise if they book early. For children, choose short levadas without exposed sections, such as some stretches around Rabaçal, and keep a fallback day in Funchal in case of showers.
If April does not suit you
May is one of the best months of the year: 22 °C (72 °F), 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain and the Flower Festival. March is cheaper but still wet (62 mm (2.4 in)). For a warmer sea, aim for September.
Other ideas in April: Crete, Marrakech or the Canary Islands. More ideas: where to go in April. To plan your stay, see our Madeira travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is the weather good in Madeira in April?
For sightseeing and hiking, yes: around 21 °C (70 °F) in the afternoon in Funchal and 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain on average, according to the 1991-2020 IPMA normals.
Is it possible to swim in Madeira in April?
Yes, but the water is cool (about 17 °C (63 °F) according to the DWD). Swimming becomes really pleasant from July to September.
Are the levadas open in April?
Most of the time, but closures remain possible after a spell of bad weather. Book your slot on SIMplifica and check the condition of the trail on the day.
When is the Madeira Flower Festival?
In 2027, from 29 April to 30 May according to the official calendar, with the big parades on Sundays 2 and 16 May (Visit Madeira, checked on 11 November 2026).
Where is it warmest in Portugal in April?
Madeira stays milder at night than the mainland. To compare, see our page on the best time to visit Portugal.
Our sources
- Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA): 1991-2020 normals for Funchal-Observatório and Porto Santo
- Deutscher Wetterdienst, Klimatafel von Funchal: sunshine (1961-1990) and water temperature
- Madeira Tourism Board (Flower Festival and FAQ on trail access, visitmadeira.com): 2027 event dates and trail reservation, checked on 11 November 2026
- Hiking safety information read on 26 October 2026: UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Portugal (covers Madeira; GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026)
- Calendars taken from our page on the best time to visit Madeira
- Time rules: GOV.UK, When do the clocks change, and NIST, Daylight Saving Time
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.