Month guide · Funchal, Portugal
Funchal in December: weather and what to expect
In December, Funchal averages highs of 18°C and lows of 15°C, with about 14 rainy days and 86 mm of rain. Highs are 2°C cooler than in November and 1°C warmer than in January. Crowds in Madeira are medium. These are regional figures for the wider area.
Is December a good time to visit?
Good for
No verdicts for Funchal in December yet. They only use climate values that are precise enough to judge with.
Not ideal for
Nothing stands out as a weaker fit.
Daily highs through December
Regional · ERA5-Land 1991-2020Highs stay about the same through the month. A day above 20°C happens in roughly 1 December in 2.
December in detail
Regional · ERA5-LandCrowds, holidays and daylight
Public holidays in December 2026
- 1 Dec Restoration of Independence Day
- 8 Dec Immaculate Conception
- 25 Dec Christmas Day
- 26 Dec 1st OctaveMadeira
Local (municipal) holidays are not included.
Warmer in December
Where is warm in December →No town in Portugal with precise enough data has a warmer average December high than Funchal.
How December is changing
Regional · ERA5-LandDecember highs are 0.7°C warmer than in 1991-2000, and December rainfall is down about 35% (2016-2025 against 1991-2000). Days above 20°C in December went from 3.2 to 5.3 a year on average.
Questions about Funchal in December
How warm is Funchal in December?
Average highs are 18°C and lows 15°C. November averages 19°C and January 17°C. These are regional figures for the wider area.
Does it rain much in Funchal in December?
About 14 days have at least 1 mm of rain, with 86 mm in total over the month. These are regional figures for the wider area.
Is Funchal busy in December?
In December 2025, nights booked through online platforms in Madeira were about 55% of the busiest month, which we count as medium. The figure is for the whole region and leaves out hotels.
How long are the days in Funchal in December?
About 10 h 01 min from sunrise to sunset in the middle of the month.
Sources
Climate: ERA5-Land, Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) Climate Data Store, contains modified Copernicus information (CC BY 4.0). Crowds: Eurostat, nights spent in short-stay accommodation booked through online platforms (tour_ce_omn12) (CC BY 4.0). Place names and populations: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Climate averages cover 1991-2020. Daylight: calculated from the town's coordinates. Full methodology