Madeira in May: weather, events and what to pack
Madeira in May: the Flower Festival parades, settled weather around 22 °C, long days and some of the best walking of the year.
Funchal, averages 1991–2020. Source: IPMA; sunshine: Deutscher Wetterdienst, 1991–2020; sea temperature rounded.
May belongs to the Flower Festival. Funchal is decorated with flowers, the parades fill the streets, and the weather is usually lovely: warm days, cool evenings and little rain.
The weather in May
Days are around 22 °C and nights around 16 °C, with about three rainy days on average. The sea warms to about 19 °C. The north coast and mountains can still be misty, especially in the afternoon.
Mid-month you get about 14 hours of daylight, with sunrise around 07:09 and sunset around 20:58. For today’s conditions, see our weather page and the live webcams.
Festivals and events
The Flower Festival runs through May. In 2027 the Great Allegoric Flower Parade goes through Funchal on 2 and 16 May, and the Wall of Hope, where children place flowers in the main square, is one of its most moving moments. See our Flower Festival guide. The full list of dated events for May is below, taken from our calendar.
What to do in May
- The Flower Festival parades and flower carpets
- Long levada and mountain walks
- Whale and dolphin trips, as more species pass the island
- The first swims at the lidos
What to pack
- Light clothes plus a fleece
- A light rain jacket for the mountains
- Walking shoes
- Swimwear for warm afternoons
See the full packing list.
Crowds and prices
Busy around parade weekends, quieter in between. Prices rise for festival dates.
Good to know
Find a spot on the parade route early, or book a seat in the stands. Read the best time to visit Madeira to compare the months.
What’s on in May
Full calendarStaying on Madeira?
Holiday homes around the island, from apartments in Funchal to houses with a sea view.
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