September is one of the best months for Madeira: it is still 26.6 °C (80 °F) in the afternoon in Funchal, the sea reaches its yearly peak (about 23 °C (73 °F)) and rainfall stays low (23 mm (0.9 in)). The wine festival fills the start of the month. The only reservation: the first showers return at the end of the month, ahead of a much wetter October.
Madeira in September is the end of summer without the full crowds of August. Days are still long (more than 12 hours on 21 September), high-altitude trails remain passable and swimming is at its best. This page covers the month’s weather using the official normals of the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), sea temperature from the German weather service (DWD), the 2027 events from the official calendar and what to plan for. For the whole year, see our page on the best time to visit Madeira.
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Madeira in September: key facts
- Verdict: ✅ a very good month, for swimming and for hiking
- Funchal: 26.6 °C (80 °F) in the afternoon, 20.4 °C (69 °F) at night, 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, about 3 rainy days (IPMA, 1991-2020)
- Sea: about 23 °C (73 °F), the yearly peak (DWD)
- Sunshine: 7.5 hours a day on average at Funchal airport (DWD)
- 2027 events: wine festival until 12 September; Columbus Festival on Porto Santo from 23 to 26 September
Weather in Madeira in September
| Indicator | August | September | October |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average maximum in Funchal | 26.8 °C (80 °F) | 26.6 °C (80 °F) | 25.2 °C (77 °F) |
| Average minimum in Funchal | 20.7 °C (69 °F) | 20.4 °C (69 °F) | 19.2 °C (67 °F) |
| Rain | 1 mm (0.04 in) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Rainy days | 0.4 | 3.1 | 7.0 |
| Sea temperature | 22 °C (72 °F) | 23 °C (73 °F) | 22 °C (72 °F) |
| Sunshine per day (airport) | 8.2 h | 7.5 h | 6.6 h |
What our comparison of the three months shows:
- September keeps August’s warmth: only 0.2 °C (0.4 °F) less in the afternoon, and nights still above 20 °C (68 °F) in Funchal.
- The rain returns, but gently: 23 mm (0.9 in) in September, about a quarter of what falls in October (91 mm (3.6 in)). Most of the showers arrive at the end of the month.
- The gap between air and sea narrows: 26.6 °C (80 °F) in the afternoon for water at 23 °C (73 °F), a difference of 3.6 °C (6.5 °F), against 4.8 °C (8.6 °F) in August (calculated from IPMA and DWD): the water feels less cool at the end of summer.
- The heights are cooler: the normals above apply to Funchal, on the south coast. In the mountains and on the north coast, expect lower temperatures, clouds and wind.
Things to do in Madeira in September
Swimming
The sea is at its warmest: about 23 °C (73 °F) according to the DWD. The natural pools of Porto Moniz and Seixal and the sandy beach of Porto Santo are the best-known options. Check the sea conditions locally before swimming.
Hiking the levadas and in the mountains
September is part of the good season for the levadas and mountain trails, such as Pico Ruivo or the Ponta de São Lourenço. The UK FCDO notes that hiking in Madeira can be challenging, that you should choose paths to suit your fitness and experience, and that walking with a group or a guide reduces the risk (GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026). Before each outing, check the hikers’ notice and the list of trails on the official Madeira tourism website (visitmadeira.com): a trail can be closed after bad weather or a fire.
Enjoying the wine festival
According to the official calendar of the Madeira regional tourism board, the wine festival runs from 22 August to 12 September 2027. It celebrates the grape harvest and Madeira wine, with among other things the Madeira Wine Lounge on Praça do Povo in Funchal and the Estreito grape harvest festival (Estreito de Câmara de Lobos), held every year in the first half of September. The dates of the detailed programme are published on visitmadeira.com.
Porto Santo and the Columbus Festival
The neighbouring island of Porto Santo, with its long sandy beach, is well suited to swimming in September. From 23 to 26 September 2027, the Columbus Festival recreates the atmosphere of the Age of Discovery there: street shows, concerts and a 16th-century market, according to the official calendar.
Crowds and prices in September
There is no official monthly visitor statistic that we can cite. Note that the wine festival, until 12 September 2027, and the Columbus Festival on Porto Santo, from 23 to 26 September, concentrate the events: if you are aiming for these dates, book flights and accommodation early. We do not give specific prices: they vary too much with the date and the airline.
What to pack for Madeira in September
- Summer clothes for Funchal and a light sweater for evenings at altitude
- Swimsuit and water shoes for the natural pools and pebble beaches
- Hiking shoes with a grippy sole, waterproof windbreaker
- Headlamp for the tunnels on some levadas
- Sunscreen and a hat
Before you go
Madeira is part of Portugal: for passport and entry rules, see our entry requirements for Madeira. The UK FCDO warns of a high risk of wildfires in Portugal during the summer season from April to October, and says that starting a fire, even by accident, is illegal and can lead to a fine or a prison sentence (GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026). Time difference: Madeira is on the same time as the UK all year.
If September does not suit you
Neighbouring months: August is a little hotter, almost without rain, but in higher demand; Madeira in October is still warm (25.2 °C (77 °F)), with a sea at 22 °C (72 °F), but the rain clearly returns, and the nature festival takes place from 5 to 10 October 2027.
Other destinations in September: the Canary Islands for a drier climate, or the Azores if you are torn between the two Portuguese archipelagos (read Madeira or the Azores). All our ideas: where to go in September.
To prepare the rest of your stay, see our Madeira travel guide and our page on Funchal.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Madeira in September?
Warm and still dry: 26.6 °C (80 °F) in the afternoon, 20.4 °C (69 °F) at night, 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain and about 3 rainy days in Funchal, according to IPMA 1991-2020 normals. The heights are cooler and cloudier.
Is the sea warm in Madeira in September?
Yes, it is the month when it is warmest: about 23 °C (73 °F) according to the Deutscher Wetterdienst. Swimming is pleasant in the natural pools and on Porto Santo.
When is the wine festival in 2027?
From 22 August to 12 September 2027, according to the official calendar of the Madeira regional tourism board. The Estreito grape harvest festival takes place in the first half of September.
September or October for Madeira?
September: it is a little warmer (26.6 °C (80 °F) against 25.2 °C (77 °F)) and rains about four times less (23 mm (0.9 in) against 91 mm (3.6 in)) according to IPMA. October suits you if you want fewer people and can accept showers.
Can you hike in Madeira in September?
Yes, it is a good time. Check the trail status on visitmadeira.com before you go, and note the UK FCDO advice to walk with a group or a guide on challenging paths.
Our sources
- Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA): 1991-2020 normals for Funchal-Observatório, read via Wikipedia (article citing the IPMA sheet « Normal Climatológica – Funchal 1991-2020 ») on 23 October 2026
- Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD): Klimatafel for Funchal airport (sea temperature, sunshine), read on 23 October 2026; comparisons between months and air-sea gap: Destination de Voyage calculation
- Madeira regional tourism board (visitmadeira.com): Official Calendar 2026-2029 (wine festival, Columbus Festival, nature festival) and hikers’ notice, read on 23 October 2026
- UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Portugal, which also covers Madeira and Porto Santo (GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026; read 26 October 2026)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.