November is Madeira at its quietest, and one of its wetter months. Funchal's daily high averages 22.8°C, the overnight low 17.0°C, and 80.3mm of rain falls over 7.3 days – close to October's wet stretch, on IPMA's Funchal average. The sea sits at 21.5°C, still mild but cooling from its autumn peak.
The island's own Chestnut Festival in Curral das Freiras usually lands around this time, though the exact 2026 date wasn't confirmed at time of writing – the 2025 edition ran 31 October to 1 November. Outside it, November is calm, cheap and green.
What's the weather like in Madeira in November?
November sits firmly in Madeira's wetter half. Funchal's daily high averages 22.8°C, the overnight low 17.0°C, and rain totals 80.3mm across 7.3 days – slightly fewer millimetres than October but spread across marginally more days, so grey spells are common even when the totals aren't extreme. Sunshine drops to 5 hours a day, and daylight falls to 10 hours.
The sunny south, including Funchal, still stays the brightest side of the island, while the north coast and the high peaks catch the bulk of November's cloud and rain. Save sunrise trips and the higher levadas for the clearest mornings, and keep the lower, southern routes as the fallback.
Is November a good time to visit Madeira?
Yes, for a quiet, good-value trip. November sits outside Madeira's busiest months – April to June and September to October, plus the Christmas and New Year fireworks week – so prices and crowds drop close to their lowest of the year.
Trails, restaurant tables and tours are all easy to book, and the island stays green and mild rather than genuinely cold. The one date worth checking is the Chestnut Festival in Curral das Freiras, which draws a small, local crowd to the village when it runs.
The trade-off is the rain rather than the cold – layer for showers, not for low temperatures, and November rewards a flexible plan over a fixed one.
What's the sea temperature in Madeira in November?
The sea averages 21.5°C in November, cooling from autumn's warm spell – the sea ran 23.1–23.7°C in September and October – but still mild by winter's standards. It's swimmable for the hardy, though most visitors will find it more suited to a sea pool dip than a long swim. Treat November as a walking and sightseeing month, with the water a pleasant bonus rather than the main event.
What should you pack for Madeira in November?
Pack layers and a proper waterproof rather than a winter coat – November is mild, not cold, but it's one of the wetter stretches of the year, and comfortable, waterproof walking shoes matter more than anything else in the bag.
With daylight down to 10 hours and sunshine to 5 hours a day, plan outdoor days to start early and have an indoor backup – a wine cellar, a museum, a long lunch – ready for the wetter afternoons.
Things to do in November
Curral das Freiras usually holds its Chestnut Festival around the end of October or start of November – the 2025 edition ran 31 October to 1 November, though 2026's exact date wasn't confirmed at time of writing. It's a small, local affair: roasted chestnuts, regional food stalls and a genuine village atmosphere rather than a tourist show.
The village of São Martinho also usually marks its own saint's day festival around 10–11 November, though again the 2026 programme wasn't confirmed. Beyond the festivals, November suits quiet levada walks on the clear days and whale and dolphin watching, which runs year-round off the south coast.
Time a visit around the festival dates if they appeal, and around the clear mornings if they don't – either way, November gives you Madeira at its calmest and cheapest.
For how November compares with the rest of the year, see when to visit Madeira.
Featured image: Ximonic (Simo Räsänen) / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
