Funchal in May: weather, sea and travel tips
Is May a good time to visit?
May in Funchal suits walks and exploring the city in mild weather: days average +18 °C. It may feel too cool if strong summer warmth is an essential part of your holiday.
Weather in May
For warmer daytime weather, consider late May: its average is higher than in the other parts of the month. If you prefer cooler walks, compare the other dates.
- Water
- +20 °C
- Daytime air
- +18 °C
- Night-time air
- +13 °C
Early, mid or late May?
| Travel dates | Day | Night | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–10 May | +18 °C | +12 °C | +19 °C |
| 11–20 May | +18 °C | +12 °C | +20 °C |
| 21–31 May | +19 °C | +14 °C | +20 °C |
Water in May
Seasonal data gives an average water temperature of +20 °C for the month. It averages +19 °C in the first ten days and +20 °C towards the end. These are seasonal averages, so the water on your travel dates can be warmer or cooler. Before your trip, check the water temperature and weather in the forecast for Funchal.
Rainfall in May
In May, the average is 15 days with precipitation. In 2020–2025, the number ranged from 10 to 20 per month. Light precipitation is included in the count. This does not mean that it rains all day.
April, May or June: which should you choose?
| Month | Day | Night | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | +16 °C | +11 °C | +18 °C |
| May | +18 °C | +13 °C | +20 °C |
| June | +20 °C | +14 °C | +21 °C |
May has warmer days than April. April offers cooler conditions for walks. June has warmer days than May. The difference matters if you prefer warmth to cooler walking weather.
The annual charts for Funchal compare air and sea temperatures with the rest of the year. For a closer look at May, see the May charts and archive by year.
Things to do in May
- On a dry day, Madeira Botanical Garden offers walks among its plants and viewpoints over Funchal.
- Zona Velha offers narrow cobbled streets for a town walk. Rua de Santa Maria and the surrounding streets are a place to look for painted doors.
- The Sacred Art Museum in the former bishop’s palace is an option for a rainy day, with Portuguese and Flemish painting and sculpture.
About the data
Air temperatures use the WorldWeatherAI archive for 2020–2025. Precipitation uses data for 2020–2025. Sea temperatures use WorldWeatherAI seasonal data.