Funchal in December

Is it worth going?

December in Funchal brings garden walks and festive evenings beside the Atlantic. Spend daylight hours among greenery or on the promenade, then return to the decorated centre after dark. For New Year, a place within walking distance of dinner and the fireworks makes the evening easier to enjoy.

Christmas atmosphere and New Year, Green gardens in winter, City walks beside the ocean

• Evenings beside the water call for a jumper and jacket
• A heated pool suits longer swims

Weather and rain

How warm is it?

Trousers, a light top and a jumper you can remove in the sun work well for daytime walks. Add a jacket after sunset and on a breezy promenade. A trip higher into the mountains needs another warm layer, so pack separately for that outing and an evening in town.

How much does it rain?

Stay around the centre during wetter spells: short walks between the market, museum and a café fit easily between showers. Save a garden for a clearer day. Waterproof footwear or a spare pair is useful, so you can head out for dinner in dry shoes.

Swimming and sun

Can you swim?

The ocean averages around 19.5 °C. The water is cool, and wind is especially noticeable when you get out. A hotel with a heated pool is convenient for swimming every day. Enjoy the waterfront on foot and save a brief sea swim for calm conditions if you enjoy cooler water.

Can you sunbathe?

A sunny spell is a good time for a sheltered terrace or a seat by the water with a book. Bring an extra layer for a longer stay in one place. Apply sunscreen before a long walk, even when the morning begins with cloud.

When to go

Weather at the beginning, middle and end of the month.

Early: days 1–10. Mid-month: days 11–20. Late: day 21 to the end of the month.

Early month

Early December is only slightly warmer than the end of the month, averaging 20 °C by day and 17 °C at night. There are about three rainy days between 1 and 10 December. These dates suit a trip centred on Funchal’s gardens and walking routes. A jumper and jacket make an evening on an open terrace more comfortable.

Mid-month

Mid-December averages around 19 °C by day and 16 °C at night, much like the end of the month. There are about four rainy days between 11 and 20 December. With roughly ten hours of daylight, visit a garden in the first half of the day and enjoy the festive lights after dark.

Late month

Late December averages around 19 °C by day and 16 °C at night, with about three rainy days between 21 and 31 December. Choose these dates for Christmas in Funchal or New Year beside the bay. A warm jumper and a jacket that keeps out wind and rain are useful for a long festive evening outdoors.

When does it get dark?

Plan countryside walks for daylight hours, with time to return before sunset.

Local time; dates are shown in the table.

How busy is it?

Christmas lights and the New Year fireworks draw people to the centre and the bay. Use mornings for quieter walks, then join the festive atmosphere in the evening. For New Year’s Eve, choose a place for dinner in advance and an easy walking route to the waterfront.

Things to do

A garden above the city

Monte Palace Madeira spreads across a hillside above Funchal, with steps, ponds and artworks among the planting. Give the garden an unhurried part of the day, wear shoes with good grip and bring a light jacket. Stone paths can become slippery after rain.

Walk beside the Atlantic

The western promenade works for a short look at the sea or a longer walk with a lunch stop. Start around Lido and choose the distance as you go. A windproof layer is useful on exposed sections, and in winter it helps to cover the farthest part of the route before dusk.

Pair the market with island history

Begin at Mercado dos Lavradores, then explore the neighbouring streets of the old town. Madeira Story Centre adds island history and an indoor stop on a wet day. Leave time between the two for a café and a short walk down to the harbour.

Where to stay

The centre is convenient for Christmas and New Year evenings, with festive streets and restaurants close by. Lido suits a quieter daily rhythm with walks along the waterfront. For swimming in December, choose accommodation with a heated pool.

City centre and Sé

The streets around Sé cathedral are a convenient base for a first visit, with cafés, shops and the harbour within walking distance. Staying closer to the waterfront reduces the uphill walk home. This area works especially well for days spent exploring the city on foot.

Zona Velha

Choose Zona Velha for old streets, restaurants and easy access to the market. Rua de Santa Maria makes a pleasant evening walk with plenty of places to stop for dinner. A courtyard-facing room is a good choice for early nights, as streets with bars become livelier after dark.

Lido and the western waterfront

Lido suits travellers who want daily ocean walks and an easy morning on the promenade. Allow separate travel time for the historic centre. For regular swimming on a winter trip, a hotel with a heated pool makes a comfortable base and leaves the rest of the day free for exploring.

What to pack

• Light trousers and tops for layering
• A jumper and a windproof waterproof jacket
• Comfortable shoes and a spare pair for wet days
• Swimwear for a pool
• A small day bag and sunscreen

Before your trip

Funchal days work well with one longer outing and a few easy stops. Give a garden or mountain trip the driest part of the day, and keep the market, cafés and museum for changeable weather. Carry water and an extra layer: the waterfront and higher slopes can feel very different.

Getting around

The airport is linked with Funchal by the Aerobus, and SIGA publishes urban and island routes. For a short stay, choose a base between the waterfront, market and Old Town so the central sights fit into walkable days. Streets climb steeply away from the sea, so treat Monte and the Botanical Garden as a separate uphill outing rather than adding them after a full day on foot.

Three days in Funchal

Visit Monte Palace on a dry day and return to the centre before evening. After a rest, walk through the decorated streets and have dinner nearby. Another day can follow the ocean, linking Lido, the western promenade and a leisurely café stop.

Market, Old Town and waterfront

Start at Mercado dos Lavradores, continue through Zona Velha and Rua de Santa Maria, then follow the seafront. This keeps the market, historic lanes and nearby coast in one compact day.

Monte and its gardens

Set aside a separate day for Monte Palace Madeira Garden in the hills above town. Use transport for the ascent and decide how you will return before setting out. Keep this outing distinct from a long central-city walk.

Lido and the western promenade

Walk the western seafront around Lido and Ponta Gorda. Leave time for the Lido bathing complex if conditions and access suit your visit; the coast and facilities shape this into a relaxed final day.

Traveller reviews: December

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