Seasonal listPortugal
Winter sun in January: 20 °C in Madeira
Which European winter-sun place is actually warmest in January, with the numbers, and the honest catch.
“I'd pick Madeira over the Costa del Sol in January, as long as you come to walk, not to swim.”
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Before you book
- 01January highs, 1991 to 2020 averages:
- 02Funchal, Madeira: 20.0 °C, lows 14.3 °C
- 03The honest catch: Funchal gets 161 hours of sun in January, fewer than Málaga's 183.
- 04It's warm, not cloudless, with about 6 rainy days, and the north and interior of the island are wetter.
- 05The sea is around 18 °C at its coldest, so this is a walking trip, not a beach one.
- 06The famous 25 Fontes levada now has access controls, so check before you go.
- 07February is almost the same: 19.9 °C and a little sunnier.
Checked when the guide was written (27 Oct 2026). Confirm times and prices with the operator before booking.
The full guide, as text+
20 °C in January, and it's Portuguese ☀️
I'd pick Madeira over the Costa del Sol in January, as long as you come to walk, not to swim.
January highs, 1991 to 2020 averages:
1️⃣ Funchal, Madeira: 20.0 °C, lows 14.3 °C
2️⃣ The levadas: Madeira's winter walks along old irrigation channels
3️⃣ Málaga: 17.2 °C
4️⃣ Seville: 16.3 °C
5️⃣ Faro: 16.3 °C
The honest catch: Funchal gets 161 hours of sun in January, fewer than Málaga's 183. It's warm, not cloudless, with about 6 rainy days, and the north and interior of the island are wetter. Stay on the south coast.
The sea is around 18 °C at its coldest, so this is a walking trip, not a beach one. The famous 25 Fontes levada now has access controls, so check before you go. February is almost the same: 19.9 °C and a little sunnier.
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Warmer and cloudier, or cooler and sunnier? 👇
📷 Rumman Amin, darolti dan, Kirill Khripunov, Hikerwise.com, William V / Unsplash
