Madeira in March is early spring: around 21 °C (70 °F) in the afternoon and 14 °C (57 °F) at night in Funchal, 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain over the month and a sea at about 17 °C (63 °F). Verdict: ⚠️ with reservations: very good for gardens, levadas and low prices, but showers are still frequent and some high-altitude trails may be closed.
March is a transition month between the wet winter and the good season that starts in April. The island is very green and still quiet. To compare with other months, see our page on the best time to visit Madeira.
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Madeira in March: key facts
- Verdict: ⚠️ mild and green, but still some showers
- Funchal: 20.6 °C (69 °F) in the afternoon, 14.3 °C (58 °F) at night, 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain
- Porto Santo: 18.9 °C (66 °F), 33 mm (1.3 in), drier
- Sea: about 17 °C (63 °F)
- Sunshine: 5.8 hours a day on average in Funchal
- Prices: among the lowest of the year, except around Easter (28 March in 2027)
Weather in Madeira in March: Funchal, Porto Santo and the mountains
| Place | Max | Min | Rain | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funchal (south coast) | 20.6 °C (69 °F) | 14.3 °C (58 °F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 17 °C (63 °F) |
| Porto Santo | 18.9 °C (66 °F) | 13.7 °C (57 °F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | – |
These figures apply to the south coast, the most sheltered and sunniest part of the island, where most visitors stay. The north coast (Santana, São Vicente, Porto Moniz) is cloudier, cooler and wetter; no official normals are published there, so we give no figures. Above 1,500 m (4,921 ft) (Pico do Arieiro, Pico Ruivo) it is much colder, fog is frequent and the wind can be violent.
In March it does not rain every day: showers alternate with sunny spells, but a spell of bad weather can last several days. Wind can also disrupt flights at Madeira airport, which has operating limits: allow some margin before a connecting flight.
Can you swim in Madeira in March?
The sea is at about 17 °C (63 °F), among the coolest of the year. You can still swim in the natural pools or in hotel pools, often heated, but this is not a beach month. For more comfortable water, aim for July to October.
Things to do in Madeira in March
- Low- and mid-altitude levadas: the laurel forest is very green and the waterfalls are well fed (Rabaçal and the 25 Fontes, Caldeirão Verde), as long as the trail is open.
- The gardens of Funchal: the botanical garden, Monte Palace, the first spring blooms.
- Funchal: the old town, the Mercado dos Lavradores, the Madeira wine lodges.
- Ponta de São Lourenço, the eastern tip, drier than the rest of the island: a good walk when the weather is uncertain.
- The viewpoints: Cabo Girão, Eira do Serrado, the Encumeada pass, best on clear days.
- Porto Santo as a day trip, for its long beach and drier climate, even though the water is still cool.
Hiking in March: the rules to know
Since 1 January 2026, access to the classified trails (PR) has been paid (€4.5 for the general public) and requires booking a slot on the regional SIMplifica platform. The status of each trail (open, restricted, closed) is published on visitmadeira.com and by the Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation (IFCN). In March, check it on the day: closures after rain or wind are more frequent than in summer. The UK FCDO adds that hiking in Madeira can be challenging, that paths can be narrow and uneven, and that you should take extra care after rain, when the ground may be slippery and unstable (GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026). Set off early and take a warm layer and a waterproof.
Events in Madeira in March
March is a quiet month for events: the carnival takes place in February (3 to 14 February 2027) and the Flower Festival starts at the end of April (29 April to 30 May 2027, according to the official calendar of the regional tourism board). In 2027 Easter falls on 28 March: Holy Week and the Easter holidays will push demand up at the end of the month.
Crowds and prices in March
March is one of the most affordable months, along with January (after the holidays) and November. Outside the end of the month, 1 to 2 months’ notice is usually enough. Most international visitors arrive at Funchal airport (FNC), often connecting through Lisbon.
Entry and time: for passport and entry rules, see our entry requirements for Madeira. Madeira is on the same time as the UK all year. To plan your stay, read our Madeira travel guide.
What to pack for Madeira in March
- Layers: T-shirt, sweater, a warm jacket for altitude
- A waterproof, windproof jacket
- Hiking shoes with a grippy sole (wet trails)
- A headlamp for the tunnels on some levadas
- Sunglasses and sunscreen: the sun stays strong between showers
Madeira in March: who is it for?
- Flexible hikers: ✅ if you are happy to adapt your plans to the weather and trail openings, day by day.
- Garden and nature lovers: ✅ the island is very green and the first flowers are out.
- Budget travellers: ✅ one of the cheapest months, outside the end of the month.
- Beach holidays: ❌ sea at 17 °C (63 °F) and showers; aim for July to September.
- Families: ⚠️ possible during school holidays, with a hotel that has a heated pool and short walks.
For a first week-long stay, base yourself in Funchal, on the sheltered south coast: you can head east (Ponta de São Lourenço, Machico), west (Calheta, Porto Moniz) or to the centre (Encumeada, Rabaçal) depending on the day’s forecast. A rental car makes these last-minute choices easier. Our guide to car rental in Madeira covers licences and roads.
If March does not suit you
A month later, rainfall drops sharply: Madeira in April (45 mm (1.8 in), gardens in bloom). If you were considering winter, see Madeira in February, the carnival month; for warmer sea, Madeira in October.
Other mild destinations in March: the Canary Islands, which are drier, Morocco in spring or Malta. More ideas on our page where to go in March.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Madeira in March?
Mild and changeable: 20.6 °C (69 °F) in the afternoon and 14.3 °C (58 °F) at night in Funchal, with 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain over the month, according to IPMA 1991-2020 normals. It is colder at altitude.
Can you swim in Madeira in March?
The sea is at about 17 °C (63 °F) according to the Deutscher Wetterdienst: that is cool. Hotel pools or natural pools in calm weather remain the best options.
Is March a good month for the levadas?
Yes for the scenery and vegetation, but check the trail status every day: closures after rain or wind are more frequent than in summer. Booking on SIMplifica is compulsory for the classified trails.
Does it rain a lot in Madeira in March?
Moderately on the south coast (62 mm (2.4 in) in Funchal), more on the north coast and in the mountains. Showers alternate with sunny spells.
Is Madeira expensive in March?
No, it is one of the cheapest months. Demand rises around Easter, on 28 March in 2027.
Is it better to visit Madeira in March or April?
April is a little warmer and has about half the rain of March; March is usually cheaper and quieter.
Our sources
- Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA): 1991-2020 normals for Funchal-Observatório and Porto Santo-Aeroporto
- Deutscher Wetterdienst, Klimatafel von Funchal: sea temperature and sunshine (1961-1990)
- Madeira regional tourism board (visitmadeira.com): events calendar 2026-2028 and trail access conditions (taken from our best time to visit page)
- UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Portugal, which also covers Madeira and Porto Santo (GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026; read 26 October 2026)
- Data taken from our page on the best time to visit Madeira
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.