Madeira in November
Wetter and quieter, the locals' favourite month for laurisilva walks.
Weather
20–22 °C in Funchal. The wet season starts on the north coast.
Sea temperature
21 °C, still swimmable on the south coast.
Month at a glance
November starts the wet season but the south coast often stays mild and sunny. The trade-off is the laurisilva at its most lush, Fanal, Caldeirão Verde and the upper levadas are at their photogenic best.
Why go in November
- Lowest non-Christmas prices
- Laurel forests at their greenest
- Very quiet trails
- Christmas lights switch on late November in Funchal
Trade-offs
- More rainy days, especially on the north
- Some attractions on reduced winter hours
What's on in November
ADN Race Ponta do Sol
Trail race in Ponta do Sol on 22 November 2026, part of the Regional Trail Championship, organised by ADN Ponta do Sol with the Madeira Athletics Association: Long Trail 33 km (+1,100 m) and Short Trail 14 km (+800 m), about 600 runners in total.
Festa da Castanha (Chestnut Festival)
Traditional two-day autumn chestnut festival in Curral das Freiras organised by the local Casa do Povo, roasted chestnuts, chestnut liqueur, cake and soup, a big allegorical parade on the Sunday, and folk music in the village square. 42nd edition on 31 October – 1 November 2026.
Mountain Bike Madeira Meeting
International mountain-bike gathering in Porto Moniz with organised rides on the north-west trails, enduro descents and skills workshops. The organiser confirms the 2026 edition for 8–15 November (checked 1 September 2026).
Madeira International Bridge Open
Long-running international bridge tournament at the VidaMar Resort in Funchal: ITF-affiliated rankings, teams from across Europe. Full window 29 October – 9 November 2026; main events 2–8 November.
São Martinho / Magusto (Saint Martin's Day)
Island-wide 11 November tradition, magustos (community chestnut roasts) with the season's new wine (água-pé) and poncha, folk music and small parish street parties across Madeira's rural villages.
Madeira Ladies Open – W50 Funchal
7th edition of the ITF World Tennis Tour W50 women's professional tournament at the Quinta Magnólia tennis courts in Funchal: singles and doubles. 8–15 November 2026.
Biathle & Triathle World Championships 2026, Funchal
Funchal hosts the UIPM Biathle, Triathle and Laser Run World Championships from 26 October to 1 November 2026, with more than 1,400 athletes from 50 countries racing at the Centro Náutico de São Lázaro. Biathle is a run and an open-water swim in one continuous race; triathle adds laser shooting. Swimmers dive straight into Funchal harbour, runners loop the quayside, and every age group from under-9s to masters chases its own world title, plus para races. Racing starts at 08:00 each day and the mixed relays go off in the afternoon. Watching is free from the quayside, an easy flat walk along Avenida do Mar from the marina or the Old Town. Organised by the Associação Regional de Triatlo da Madeira and the Federação Portuguesa de Pentatlo Moderno.
What to prioritise
Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo
trailMadeira's most iconic ridge hike, from Pico do Areeiro (1,818 m, the island's third-highest peak) to Pico Ruivo (1,862 m, the highest) across exposed ridges, stairs and tunnels.
Levada do Caldeirão Verde
trailThe PR9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde is a 17.4 km out-and-back walk from Queimadas Forest Park above Santana, following an 18th-century laurisilva levada to a 100 m waterfall dropping into a green rock amphitheatre. Almost flat, four unlit tunnels, moderate exposure, one of the two most famous levada walks on the island.
Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço
trailThe arid eastern peninsula. Volcanic colours, dramatic sea cliffs, almost no shade. A complete contrast to the green interior.
Levada das 25 Fontes
trailWalk through Rabaçal's laurisilva to a lagoon fed by 25 springs. One of the most popular routes, go early.
Vereda do Fanal
trailOfficial 10.8 km route (about 4 h) from Assobiadores on the Paul da Serra plateau down through laurel forest to the Fanal forestry post, famous for its ancient til trees in the fog.
Funchal
townMadeira's capital and largest city. Home to the cable car to Monte, the historic Old Town and the cruise port.
Câmara de Lobos
townColourful fishing village just west of Funchal, famously painted by Winston Churchill.
Santana
townNorthern town known for its triangular thatched-roof houses (palheiros) and access to the laurisilva.