The study analysed destinations across the Northern Hemisphere using historical weather and climate data, including daylight hours, temperatures, visibility, rainfall, humidity, and cloud cover, to identify the places offering the best overall conditions during the longest day of the year.
Among the destinations featured, Funchal ranked fourth overall, making it Portugal’s highest-rated location for enjoying the summer solstice.
Only Bergen in Norway, Yosemite National Park in the United States and Amesbury in the UK ranked ahead of Funchal in the global listing.
According to research, Madeira stands out for its warm June temperatures, pleasant weather, and excellent opportunities for outdoor exploration. With average temperatures around 21°C during the solstice period, visitors can enjoy long days exploring Funchal’s lively streets, waterfront atmosphere, local gastronomy, and famous Madeira wine.
Madeira’s famous Levada walks were also highlighted in the report, with the island continuing to attract hikers and nature lovers from around the world. Thanks to the longer summer days, visitors have more time to explore the scenery, enjoy coastal sunsets and experience the island’s outdoor lifestyle well into the evening.
While Nordic destinations dominated the top of the ranking due to their exceptionally long daylight hours, the study notes that Funchal offers a more balanced summer solstice experience, combining sunshine, comfortable temperatures and scenic landscapes with a relaxed island atmosphere.
Commenting on the findings, Laura Mason, Head of Destinations at Inghams, said the summer solstice offers travellers a unique opportunity to explore destinations for longer and in more comfortable conditions than at many other times of the year.