I Visited Madeira in September: Weather, Hiking and What to Expect
Visiting Madeira in September wasn’t my first choice. But, you know how that saying goes: ‘The best things in life are often unexpected’…
What I didn’t realise is that September is one of the best times to visit Madeira!
The peak summer crowds are thinning, ocean temperatures are around their warmest and daytime temperatures hover around the mid-20s °C.
I spent every weekend hiking and attended some of the most memorable festivals I’ve experienced in Madeira!
Here’s what you can expect from Madeira in September, based on the entire month I spent there.
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Madeira in September: At a Glance
- Temperature: Around 22–26°C (72–79°F)
- Sea temperature: Around 23–24°C
- Rain: Generally fairly dry, but showers are possible, particularly in the mountains and north
- Crowds: Quieter than peak summer in my experience
- Hiking: Excellent, although mountain weather can change quickly
- Swimming: Excellent – the ocean is around its warmest
- Whale watching: Good; year-round pilot whales and dolphins
September is one of the best months to visit Madeira, hands down. With warm weather, very little rain forecasted and warm ocean temperatures, it’s an excellent month for hiking, swimming and whale watching.
It’s also less-crowded than the summer. Two big local festivals happen in September in Madeira, too: the Madeira Wine Festival and a large fishing boat procession in Caniçal.
My Experience Visiting Madeira in September
My first-ever trip to Madeira began in early September, and I ended up spending the entire month based in an apartment in Machico on the east coast.
I got incredibly lucky with the weather. I remember only around 1–3 properly rainy days all month, and the temperature was closer to 24–28°C in the daytime.
I lived in summer clothes. As you can see from my hiking pictures, I was still wearing vest tops and shorts most of the time in the mountains!
What surprised me most was how quiet Madeira felt. I spent every weekend hiking, regularly went swimming afterwards and rarely thought about crowds or traffic.
It wasn’t until I returned in May and June that I realised just how much busier the island could feel!
Planning your September trip? 🍇 Where you stay can make a huge difference in Madeira, especially if you want to hike or be close to the beach.
Start with my where to stay in Madeira guide, then use my Madeira packing list to prepare for warm September days and Madeira’s unpredictable mountain weather.
Is September a Good Month For Hiking in Madeira?
September is a fantastic month for hiking, but don’t assume sunshine on the coast means clear skies in the mountains.
Madeira has strong microclimates, so high-altitude trails can still be cloudy, wet or windy.
I always went prepared with a rain jacket and layers, just in case.
I’ve now completed 22 hikes across Madeira – you can find them all in my guide to the best hikes in Madeira.
What Are The Best Hikes to Do In September?
Hiking trails are generally less-crowded in September than in the peak summer months, so I’d take your chance to do some of the most popular island hikes while the weather is still warm.
The PR1 hike, if it’s open, is a good choice for September. In the summer, it can feel unbearably busy.
All The Hikes I Did in September in Madeira
1. Caminho das Voltas to Curral das Freiras (Nun’s Valley)
This downhill zig-zag hike into Nun’s Valley is easy and beautiful in warm September conditions. I did it by bus from Funchal, so you don’t need a car either.
Read my complete guide to Caminho das Voltas to Curral das Freiras.
2. PR1 (Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo)
Madeira’s famous point-to-point mountain hike was lovely and warm when I hiked it in September, although conditions at this altitude can change quickly.
IMPORTANT: Check the current status of PR1 before planning this hike, as closures and route restrictions can affect which sections are open.
Check availability for a PR1 hike transfer.
3. pico Grande
My favourite mountain hike in Madeira! It was slightly misty when I started in September, but the conditions cleared as I approached the summit.
Read my Pico Grande hike guide for the route and where I’d recommend starting.
4. Eagle Rock (Penha de Águia):
I also climbed Eagle Rock in Porto da Cruz. This shorter mountain hike can get muddy after rain, so the dry conditions I experienced in September were ideal.
Better yet, it finishes at one of the best cafés in Madeira.
Other Things to Do in Madeira in September
1. Visit Madeira’s Beaches and Natural Pools
I swear, when I wasn’t hiking, I was in the ocean!
September is a great month to make the most of Madeira’s beaches because the sea is around its warmest. (If you’re staying in the capital, check out my favourite beaches near Funchal.)
I regularly swam at Machico Beach and Prainha, which are two of Madeira’s very few sandy beaches.
If you have time to explore the north coast of Madeira, stop by Seixal beach. It’s easily my favourite, backed by green mountains and waterfalls.
September’s also a great time to see the best natural pools in Madeira. These volcanic pools are a big attraction in Madeira. The crowds aren’t quite as bad in September!
2. Go Whale Watching
I went whale watching in Madeira in September, and it’s such a good time for it! On my Magic Dolphin catamaran tour, I saw several pods of pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins.
Whale watching operates year-round in Madeira.
Sperm whales, pilot whales and Bryde’s whales are among the species seen around the archipelago, alongside bottlenose, spotted and common dolphins, although sightings are never guaranteed.
3. Take the Ferry to Porto Santo
If you have a few days to spare, September is also a good excuse to hop over to Porto Santo, Madeira’s much smaller neighbouring island.
I’ve visited Porto Santo myself, although not in September, and loved it. Unlike Madeira, it has a long golden-white sandy beach and a much flatter, drier landscape.
You can take the ferry from Funchal, and if you’re visiting in mid-September, I recommend timing your trip with the Columbus Festival in Vila Baleira.
Don’t Miss These Events in September in Madeira
September is also a surprisingly good month for local festivals. These are the big ones to look out for:
- Madeira Wine Festival (23rd August – 13th September): Expect wine events and tastings around the island, including the Madeira Wine Lounge in Funchal and concerts held in vineyards.
- Festa de Nossa Senhora da Piedade (third weekend of September): My personal favourite. This traditional religious festival in Caniçal includes a huge maritime procession. On Sunday, I boarded a working fishing boat and spent several hours at sea alongside boats filled with locals, music, food, drinks and dancing.
- Columbus Festival (17–20 September): Held on Porto Santo rather than Madeira itself, this festival fills Vila Baleira with historical recreations, performances and a 16th-century-style market.
Festival dates change each year, so check the official programme if you’re reading this after 2026.
If the Caniçal festival sounds as bizarre and brilliant to you as it did to me, read my complete guide to the Festa de Nossa Senhora da Piedade in Caniçal for tips on timings and how to join.
Is September a Good Time to Visit Madeira?
September is one of my favourite months to visit Madeira, especially if you want to combine hiking and swimming.
You still get warm, summery conditions, but in my experience the island felt noticeably quieter than during some of my later visits. Add warm sea temperatures and some brilliant local festivals, and September is a bit of a sweet spot.
FAQs
Yes. Daytime temperatures are typically in the mid-20s °C, and I personally experienced many days around 24–28°C during my September stay. However, temperatures can be considerably cooler in Madeira’s mountains.
Absolutely. Sea temperatures are around 23–24°C in September, making it one of the best times of year for swimming. I regularly went swimming after hiking during my September stay.
It can, although September is generally relatively dry. Rainfall also varies significantly around the island due to Madeira’s microclimates. During my month-long September stay, I personally experienced only a handful of rainy days.
In my experience, September felt noticeably quieter than other times I’ve visited Madeira. Beaches, roads and hiking trails rarely felt uncomfortably busy during my month-long stay, although popular attractions can still attract crowds.
Pack summer clothing, swimwear and hiking clothes, but bring a light waterproof and warmer layer for the mountains. I mostly hiked in shorts and a vest top during September, but conditions at altitude can change quickly.
Yes. Whale and dolphin watching takes place year-round in Madeira. Pilot, sperm and Bryde’s whales and several dolphin species are among those frequently observed around the archipelago, although sightings aren’t guaranteed
