Decision guide · reviewed on 8 October 2026
Funchal, levadas or Porto Santo: choose the pace of the week.
Madeira is more than a Funchal postcard. You can base yourself in the city — gardens, the old town, viewpoints — and walk levadas on half-day outings. You can want a south-coast hotel with a view and little driving. Or you can cross to Porto Santo, flatter, with a long sandy beach and a different tempo. Official tourism pages treat Christmas and New Year as the archipelago’s big festival: that changes dates, demand and the kind of nights you need in Funchal.
| Priority | Funchal and the south coast | Levadas and mountains | Porto Santo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Experience | City, gardens, restaurants and half-day trips. | Walks beside irrigation channels, forest and viewpoints. | Beach, rest and a simpler pace. |
| Logistics | The airport is relatively close to the city; confirm the transfer and traffic. | Car or excursion; the weather changes with altitude and aspect. | Ferry or a domestic flight; build the crossing into the plan. |
| When it matters most | New Year, illuminations and anyone who wants services on the doorstep. | Spring to autumn for walking with more margin; in winter check underfoot conditions and rain. | If you want sand more than footpaths. |
| Watch-outs | The centre and bay fill up at New Year; book ahead. | Not every levada is easy; ask about distance, exposure and kit. | Less “city”; confirm connections and what the hotel includes. |
December in the city is mild; the mountains are another climate.
In the IPMA 1991–2020 normals for Funchal, December has a mean maximum of 21.0 ºC, a mean minimum of 15.5 ºC and about 95 mm of rain, with an average of 8–9 days of at least 1 mm. It is a mild city month and one of the wetter months in the series. At altitude and on the north coast the picture is usually damper and cooler. Check the forecast close to your dates, especially if the plan includes levadas or outdoor fireworks.
Planning example (not a package): for six nights away from New Year I would start in Funchal, with two levada days matched to the group and one more urban day. If the priority is 31 December, I would first look for a hotel with a bay view or easy access to the centre, and only then add walks. Porto Santo would be a separate trip, or for anyone with extra nights who accepts the crossing.
What should appear in the proposal
Location in Funchal or on another coast, airport transfer, meal plan, and — at New Year — whether you have a viewpoint for the fireworks. If you want levadas, ask for the grade and whether a guide is included. Say if you are travelling with children or with walking limits.
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Sources: Visit Madeira — Christmas and New Year and IPMA — 1991–2020 climate normal, Funchal. Confirm the official festival programme and the forecast for your dates. Forecasts: IPMA.