What to wear in Madeira in September: a packing list

Pack summer clothes for Madeira in September, plus one warm layer and a light rain jacket for the mountains. In Funchal the month averages 26.6°C (80°F) by day and 20.4°C (69°F) at night, with about three days of rain, according to the 1991 to 2020 climate normals of IPMA, Portugal's weather service. The north coast and the peaks are cooler and cloudier than the capital.

September is still summer on the coast. Days in Funchal are warm, and nights rarely need more than a light top. Rain is uncommon (IPMA's normal is 23 mm for the whole month), but a shower is more likely in the north of the island and in the mountains, where cloud often sits while Funchal has sun.

Light, breathable fabrics such as cotton and linen work for city walks and hikes. Shorts, T-shirts and a couple of dresses or casual shirts for the evening cover most days.

• Comfortable walking shoes for Funchal's cobbled streets
• A light jacket or cardigan for evenings and for trips up the mountains
• A sun hat and sunglasses

Bring a swimsuit if you plan to swim at a beach or in the natural pools of Porto Moniz. Flip-flops are handy on the island's pebble beaches.

For walking you need sturdy boots and a small backpack. The levadas, Madeira's irrigation channels, carry some of the island's best trails, and many of them climb into cooler, wetter air, so pack a lightweight raincoat even on a sunny morning. Five levada walks you can do without a guide gives routes and how to reach them.

• Hiking boots with grip for rough, often wet paths
• A small backpack
• A reusable water bottle

Bring a camera or a phone with enough storage for the views. If you fly a drone, check the local rules before you take off. Portugal uses the two-pin European plug (type F) at 230 V, so you need an adapter only if your devices have a different plug, for example from the UK or the US.

The island's microclimates catch people out: a morning that starts sunny in Funchal can be misty in the mountains, so keep a layer in your daypack. Packing cubes help keep a suitcase in order.

Leave some room for food or souvenirs to take home. Madeira wine is the usual choice, and a bottle or two fits in most bags.

Before you close the case, check that you have travel-size toiletries and any medication you need. More month-by-month advice is on the packing topic page.

Summer clothes for the day, a light jacket or cardigan for the evening, and a waterproof layer for walks in the mountains. Funchal averages 26.6°C by day and 20.4°C at night (IPMA, 1991 to 2020).

Not much. Funchal's normal is 23 mm of rain and about three days with 1 mm or more in the month. Showers are more likely in the north and on the high ground.

Yes, if you plan to walk levadas or mountain trails. Paths can be uneven and wet even in a dry month.

Only if your devices do not use the European two-pin plug. Portugal uses type F sockets at 230 V.