Although the Portuguese island of Madeira is known for its mild weather, year-long sun, tropical fruits, and lush greenery, those fruits can’t grow without a little rain. Having your hike or whale tour rained out may seem disappointing, but don’t worry! Madeira has plenty of rainy-day activities to turn your frown upside down.
Get Above the Clouds
High altitudes may be above the clouds, so you may still be able to enjoy Madeira’s most famous hike: the PR 1.
Just be aware: Altitude changes mean drastic temperature differences. It was a windy 7°C on Pico Areeiro last time I was there while my husband was sunning himself down in Boa at 21°.
Do not attempt hiking in the hills if trails are closed, there is a severe storm, wind, or rain warning on the island, or if conditions don’t feel right.
Use this website to check trail conditions and closures and for weather warnings before heading out. Extreme weather forces the National Forest Service to close trails, and dangerous conditions make rescues difficult.
If you ignore trail closure signs, you will be charged for rescue operations.
See if the Grass is Greener
The steep peaks of Madeira often mean the weather in the north and south is completely different. Who knows, the grass might actually be greener on the other side.
We’ve experienced this phenomenon quite frequently – we’ll drive into the tunnel on the island’s north side during a rainstorm and emerge on the south into a brilliant, sunny day.
You never know what the weather will be like on the island, and you certainly can’t know where the sun will be shining! Our favorite insider tip? Check these webcams before making your plans for the day. They’ll show you where the sun is shining better than any app.
You can book a car by checking rates on DiscoverCars.com. We use them for all our rental needs on the island. They have the best rates and great insurance options.
Leave the Island
Madeira’s neighboring islands, Porto Santo and Ilhas Desertas, may have gorgeous sunny days while Madeirans huddle inside.
You can book a semi-private boat tour of the Ilhas Desertas. These islands are protected, and visitors can disembark only for 20 minutes to preserve the natural environment. Most boats offer snorkeling or even swimming with dolphins along the way.
A ferry trip to Porto Santo costs roughly 110 Euros per adult. Kids are free! You can book Ferry tickets here. The ferry ride takes roughly 2 hours and 15 minutes.
The ferry company even offers combination tickets with an overnight stay in a 4* hotel or rental bikes to make the most of an overnight visit. You can also fly from Madeira to Porto Santo – the flight takes less than 30 minutes.
If you prefer to book accommodation separately from your ferry tickets, check out these hotels.
Fair warning: The Ilhas Desertas boats tend to be for children ages 6+.
Go to the Spa
If you’re after relaxation, get a day pass for a hotel spa.
The Palheiro Spa offers day passes with multiple pools, a fitness studio, and a sauna. Day pass holders can add a massage to their treatment plan for as little as 35 dollars. The Thalasso Sea Spa offers visitors a wide range of wellness treatments, with half-day passes costing as little as 20 Euros.
If you’re coming to Madeira during the off-season (November – March), book a hotel with an in-house spa. You’ll thank me later!
Soak Up Some Culture
Madeira is more than beaches, mountains, and delicious food. There are a number of interesting museums that deserve a visit. The Ethnographic Museum shows visitors the interesting history of the Madeiran people. The Sugar, Sacred Arts, and Quinta das Cruzes tour takes visitors on a delicious tour through the sweet history of sugar cane growth on Madeira. Bummed about missing a chance to see whales in the wild? Check out the Madeira Whale Museum.
Teenagers, older kids, and photogenic adults will get a kick out of the 3D Fun Art Museum in Funchal. A visit to the Handicraft Museum + Embroidery Shops will fascinate crafty visitors and find fascinating and unique souvenirs for your friends and family back home.
Go shopping!
While Madeira isn’t known as a world-renowned shopping hub, the shops of historic downtown Funchal sell unique handmade clothing, jewelry, and household accessories. My favorite streets for shopping are the Rua Fernão De Ornelas and Rua Do Aljube.
Go Rainbow Hunting
My all-time favorite activity on Madeira can only be done on rainy days – Rainbow Hunting.
If Madeira’s steep slopes make you nervous, you want to enjoy a Poncha while touring the island, or you’re an inexperienced driver, try booking a private tour. Local guides are extremely knowledgeable about the island and will show you the best of Madeira.
This Classic Car Tour will cruise you around the island in style. Their fleet of classic cars makes for great photos on top of the majestic hills. Adventurous groups can opt for a Range Rover Tour of the island. These off-road tours will take you down unpaved roads, up muddy hills, and hit up all the most important sightseeing spots.
Hop-On Hop-Off Tours may get a lot of bad press, but I personally love them, especially when traveling with kids. They give us a much-needed break from walking and allow you to easily explore around the most famous viewpoints on the island.
Check out my blog on Zietkoffs in Porto to hear all about our time on a hop-on hop-off bus in Porto.
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry!
Madeira has got some delicious food – especially for meat eaters. A rainy day is the perfect excuse to eat some delicious Honey Cake and learn how this traditional Madeiran dessert is made. We’ve brought these honey cakes to all our friends and family back home everytime we leave the island – they’re a hit! Another option for families with childcare, or older kids, is to join this Madeiran Dinner and Show. We’re not in our eating dinner in a restaurant era at the moment, so I don’t have firsthand knowledge of the show.
This Microclimate Appropriate Dinner Trip is the best of both worlds – a weather-appropriate tour of the island followed by a delicious typical Madeiran meal.
Wine and Port connoisseurs will devour this Madeira Wine Tour. Madierans view drinking as a social activity to be enjoyed as a family – you can bring a baby to a Port brewery and not expect any sideways glances!
Embrace the Weather
Although it may feel like your vacation has been rained out – it’s not! Madeira is a wild island, and like most wild places, travelers here learn to respect the weather and adjust their plans.
Madeira shows its best side after a big storm. Waterfalls appear everywhere on the island, and some hikes, like 25 Waterfalls, are better after a couple of days of rain. Fanal Forest is most famous for it’s ability to catch the clouds – something you can’t witness on sunny days.
Another positive about the rain? Unlike Hamburg (or the UK), rainy days in Madeira seldom last the whole day. The weather here is temperamental, and the wind often blows the rain past the island in minutes, meaning you can go from pouring rain to brilliant sunshine in the blink of an eye.
No matter how you choose to spend your rainy day on Madeira, I implore you to respect the weather conditions and warnings. The weather on this island is no joke – landslides, flooded trails, and strong winds can make some trails impassible and rescues impossible. Check the weather (and the warnings) at OpenWeather.org before heading out.
More Posts About Madiera
The last (and best) thing to do on a rainy day in Madeira is plan your next adventure! Rainy days are seldom on this island, and the rain is what keeps it so beautiful and green. While you’re stuck indoors, check out these blogs for inspiration – they’re full of insider tips, toddler-friendly activities, and the best hikes for adventurers of all ages!
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Although the Portuguese island of Madeira is known for its mild weather, year-long sun, tropical fruits, and lush greenery, those fruits can’t grow without a little rain. Having your hike or whale tour rained out may seem disappointing, but don’t worry! Madeira has plenty of rainy-day activities to turn your frown upside down.
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