March is Madeira's quiet shoulder month and a good one for walkers. Funchal's daily high averages 20.6°C, the overnight low 14.3°C, and rain eases to 62.3mm on IPMA's 1991–2020 average. The sea sits at 17.8°C – the coolest reading of the year – so this is a mild, uncrowded month for levadas and the peaks, not a beach trip.
What's the weather like in Madeira in March?
March is mild rather than warm. Funchal's daily high averages 20.6°C, the overnight low 14.3°C, and rain totals 62.3mm – down from February's 72.4mm as the wetter half of the year starts to loosen its grip. Sunshine holds at 6 hours a day, and daylight reaches 12 hours.
Those are Funchal figures, and the island doesn't behave as one place. The north coast and the mountains catch far more of March's rain and cloud, and the peaks run much colder than the seafront. Expect sunny south-coast afternoons alongside grey, damp days up high – often in the same week.
Is March a good time to visit Madeira?
Yes, if you're coming to walk or to save money. March sits just outside Madeira's busiest stretch – April to June and September to October, plus the Christmas and New Year fireworks week – so hotels and trailheads are quieter than they'll be a month later, and prices haven't yet made the spring jump.
Crowds do start building through the month, though, as the island heads into spring. Book earlier for late March than for early March, especially for central Funchal.
The trade-off is weather certainty. Rain is falling but not gone, and the sea is too cool for a beach-led trip. Come for the trails and the quiet, and treat any swim as a bonus.
What's the sea temperature in Madeira in March?
The sea averages 17.8°C in March, the lowest reading of the year – it lags the air by months, so it's still carrying winter's chill even as the days warm up. You can swim, but it's bracing rather than pleasant: fine for a short dip on a sunny afternoon, too cold for long sessions without a wetsuit.
If you're used to British seas in summer, March's water will feel familiar. If you want warm swimming, it doesn't arrive until the sea's peak of 23.7°C in September.
What should you pack for Madeira in March?
Pack layers and a proper waterproof jacket – March can be T-shirt weather on the Funchal seafront and cold, wet and windy at altitude on the same day. Add a warm fleece and a hat for the peaks, where it's far colder at 1,818 m than on the coast, plus walking shoes with real grip for wet levada paths.
With 12 hours of daylight, start longer walks early so you're off the trail before dusk. Every classified PR trail needs a pre-booked SIMplifica slot, so reserve ahead rather than relying on a walk-up booking.
Things to do in March
March has no major visitor festival – its real draw is the walking. Rain is easing, the trails are green from winter, and the midday heat that makes summer hiking hard hasn't arrived. Do the high routes on your clearest mornings and keep the lower, sheltered levadas for greyer days.
On the calendar, the Rali Município de Machico runs 13–14 March 2026 – a regional motorsport rally on the east coast, worth knowing about if you're staying nearby, but not a reason to plan a trip around. Flower lovers should note that the Flower Festival begins on 30 April 2026, so March is a preview of spring colour rather than the main event.
March rewards walkers and anyone happy to trade a warm sea for quiet trails and lower prices.
For how March compares with the rest of the year, see when to visit Madeira.
Featured image: Asurnipal / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
