The weather, the trails and the island's festivals, straight from official sources.
Official weather warnings for Madeira (wind, rain, sea) are issued by IPMA: see the current warnings before a walk or a boat trip.
Forecast: MET Norway (yr.no), CC BY 4.0, summed up per day by us.
Official recommended walks and whether they are open today. Trails can close at short notice: check again on the day.
0 open40 closed
Open Restricted Closed. Tap a dot for the trail's page.
Source: Visit Madeira, notice to walkers, the regional tourism board.
Since 1 January 2026 every classified trail (the PR walks) must be booked ahead on SIMplifica, the regional government's service, even by those who walk free. Slots start every 30 minutes.
Book a trailNo refund for rain, illness or a missed flight, only when a trail is officially closed or restricted.
Sources: IFCN, trail fees FAQ (2 June 2026) and Visit Madeira, advice to walkers.
From early December Funchal is lit up for Christmas, ending with the famous New Year's Eve fireworks over the bay.
Find a stay for these dates Photo: Dr. Thomas Liptak, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped
Costumed parades, samba groups and music fill the centre of Funchal, with the big evening parade the highlight.
Find a stay for these dates Photo: Dr. Thomas Liptak, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped
Spring in Funchal: flower carpets in the streets and a parade of floats covered in flowers through the city centre.
Find a stay for these dates Photo: Paul Mannix, CC BY 2.0, cropped
Fireworks over Funchal bay every Saturday in June, with concerts and street shows around the city.
Find a stay for these dates Photo: Michael Gaylard from Horsham, UK, CC BY 2.0, cropped
A weekend of classic cars on show in the gardens of Quinta Magnólia, at the end of July.
Find a stay for these dates Photo: Porto Bay Events, CC BY 2.0, cropped
Madeira wine celebrated in the centre of Funchal with tastings and folk music, and the grape harvest festival in Estreito de Câmara de Lobos.
Find a stay for these dates Photo: Karelj, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped
Porto Santo, where Columbus once lived, steps back to the Age of Discovery with a historic market, parades and street theatre.
Find a stay for these dates Photo: Nuno Capelo Caldeira, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped
A week of outdoor adventure across the island: walks, canyoning, climbing, paragliding and sea sports.
Find a stay for these dates Photo: Claudio Vosti, CC BY-SA 2.0, croppedSource: Visit Madeira events programme.
Daily from 08:30 to 22:00 from Madeira Airport to central Funchal: Mercado in about 22 minutes, Avenida do Mar in about 24.
Horários do Funchal runs the city's buses, with a route planner on its site. Routes were renumbered on 9 March 2026.
From the old town (Zona Velha) up to Monte and its gardens, about 15 minutes, daily from 08:45 to 17:45 except Christmas Day.
Taxis wait at ranks across Funchal; Uber and Bolt also work on the island. The main roads are free of tolls if you hire a car.
Sources: SIGA, Regional Government of Madeira (timetable from 1 April 2026, fares Portaria 128/2026); Horários do Funchal; Madeira Cable Car; Visit Madeira. Prices change: check before you travel.
Sources: Visit Madeira, SESARAM, Câmara Municipal do Funchal.
