Madeira in February: weather, events and what to pack

February is Carnival month. For most of the month the island is quiet and good value, then for a week or so Funchal fills with music, costumes and parades. The days are getting longer and the first spring flowers appear.

The weather in February

Days are around 20 °C and nights around 14 °C, much like January, with a little less rain on average. The sea is at its coolest, about 18 °C. Sunny days can feel warm in sheltered spots on the south coast, while the mountains stay cold and often cloudy.

Mid-month you get about 11 hours of daylight, with sunrise around 07:52 and sunset around 18:52. For today’s conditions, see our weather page and the live webcams.

Festivals and events

Madeira’s Carnival is one of the biggest in Portugal. In 2027 it runs from 3 to 14 February, with the great Allegoric Parade through Funchal on 5 and 6 February and the comic Slapstick Parade on 9 February. See our Carnival guide. The full list of dated events for February is below, taken from our calendar.

What to do in February

• Carnival parades and street parties in Funchal
• Walks at low and middle altitude
• Whale and dolphin trips on calm days
• Museums and wine lodges on rainy days

What to pack

• Layers and a warm jumper
• A rain jacket
• Something colourful for Carnival
• Water shoes if you plan to brave the sea

See the full packing list.

Crowds and prices

Quiet and cheap, except around the Carnival parade weekend, when Funchal hotels fill up.

Good to know

Book well ahead if you want to stay in central Funchal for the Carnival parades. Read the best time to visit Madeira to compare the months.