The climate of the Canary Islands: the ultimate guide

The Canary Islands are known for being the sunshine center of Europe thanks to their mild climate and eternal spring. But (there is always a but, isn’t there?) you are probably wondering if the weather is the same on all the islands, whether it is getting cold during the winter and which is the best month to go to the Canary Islands.

Read our guide to find the answer to all your questions about the climate in the Canary Islands:

• How is the weather in Lanzarote?
• How is the climate of La Graciosa?
• What type of climate does Fuerteventura have?
• When is the best weather in Gran Canaria?
• What is the best month to visit Tenerife?
• What kind of climate is there in La Gomera?
• When is the best time to travel to La Palma?
• What is the best time to go to El Hierro?
• Tips for your trip to the Canary Islands

Beautiful apartments with a sea view in the south of Tenerife

How is the weather in Lanzarote?

Lanzarote is the easternmost of the Canary Islands. Due to its location, its climate is subtropical and temperate with daytime temperatures ranging between 20ºC and 28ºC.

Tip: don’t forget to take sunscreen and a hat to enjoy the best beaches in Lanzarote during your carefree (and sunburn-free😛) vacation in the Canary Islands.

What is the best month to visit Lanzarote?

Thanks to the subtropical climate of Lanzarote, you can enjoy sunbeams kissing your skin all year round. If you’re dreaming of sunny days on the beach, the warmest months in Lanzarote are July and August with temperatures between 20ºC and 28ºC. 

As expected for a European winter, the coldest months are December and January, with temperatures ranging between 15ºC and 22ºC. The ocean temperature varies between 18ºC in winter and 22ºC in summer.

However, the weather is mild and it is great for swimming and water sports throughout the year. So, you can explore the beautiful island of Lanzarote whenever you want. If you prefer to avoid crowded beaches, we recommend you visit the island in May, June, September, or October.

And if you wonder which is the warmest side of Lanzarote, the answer is always south. Head to the southern part of the island for warmer weather as coasts are sheltered from the winds. Contrarily, the northern part of Lanzarote is usually a bit colder and cloudier due to the trade winds. 

Tip: due to the proximity of Lanzarote to the Sahara desert, there are occasional dust storms, but this is rarely a problem for daily or leisure activities.

How many days a year does it rain in Lanzarote?

You probably won’t see any raindrops in Lanzarote. It is one of the driest islands in the Canary Islands, so rain is very rare. It rains about 16 days a year, mostly in winter and in the north.

What months are windy in Lanzarote?

Lanzarote is a relatively windy island, with July being the windiest month of the year. The most sheltered area is the southern part of the Lanzarote and the best areas to do water sports such as surfing or windsurfing are Famara and Quemao beaches.

How is the climate of La Graciosa?

La Graciosa enjoys a hot desert climate with daytime temperatures that don’t usually drop lower than 15ºC and don’t exceed 28ºC.

Tip: if you are visiting Lanzarote just hop on the ferry and go on a day trip to La Graciosa. The ferry takes only 30 minutes!

When is the best month to go to La Graciosa?

The enchanting island of La Graciosa consists of dry soil, volcanic rocks and cones, remote paradisiacal beaches, and warm temperatures. Between July, August, and September, temperatures range between 21ºC and 28ºC, while they drop to 15ºC-20ºC from December to February. The water temperature is rarely below 18ºC.

As in the other Canary Islands, temperatures are stable with slight fluctuations between summer and winter. Therefore, La Graciosa offers the possibility of a relaxing beach vacation throughout the year! Plus, it is not very touristy, so no need to look for a parking space or a spot to plant your umbrella on the beach.

Is there wind in La Graciosa?

The windiest period is between May and September and the northeast part of La Graciosa is the windiest area on the island. However, where the winds blow, the waves roll! If you are a water sports enthusiast, La Graciosa is the place to be. It has several beaches ideal for surfing and amazing coves for snorkeling.

A sunny day on a cove in Fuerteventura

What type of climate does Fuerteventura have?

Fuerteventura is the aridest island of the Canary Islands. With a dry subtropical climate, it is hot throughout the year. The daytime temperature ranges between 20ºC and 27ºC.

Due to the wind that usually hits the island, Fuerteventura is a heavenly place to practice surfing, kitesurfing, and windsurfing. If you’re feeling excited, make sure to visit the best places to surf in the Canary Islands and tame the waves. 

What is the best time to travel to Fuerteventura?

The best time to visit Fuerteventura is during the months of July and August. The temperatures vary between 22ºC and 28ºC, while December, January, and February are cooler with temperatures between 15ºC and 21ºC. The water temperature drops to 18ºC in winter and rises to around 23ºC in summer.

If you want to avoid the hottest months, it is best to visit the island between November and May. However, any season is suitable for a beach holiday in Fuerteventura. The least crowded months are also the winter months, excluding the Christmas period.

Being a fairly flat island, Fuerteventura has fewer microclimates than other higher-altitude islands in the archipelago. Its northern part tends to be a bit cooler while the southern part of the island is warmer year-round as the sea breeze regulates and cools the coastal areas.

When and where is windy in Fuerteventura?

Fuerteventura is a windy island, making it ideal for surfers and windsurfers. The best wind season for water sports lovers is between June and October. The areas most sheltered from the wind are usually Costa Calma and the northwest part.

Where can you surf in Fuerteventura?

While Tenerife is known for its stunning landscapes and vivid nightlife, Fuerteventura is definitely a surf island! From east to west, you can almost always find big waves, making Fuerteventura a paradise for water sports lovers. 

The wild coasts of the island create several waves of different characteristics, suitable for all levels. The favorite area for kitesurfing and windsurfing is Jandía in the south, while you can surf along the entire coast. Head to El Hierro beach, the most famous surf spot on the island and make your vacation break count with an awesome wave break!

Tip: during your stay in Fuerteventura, don't forget to visit the famous Popcorn beach.

When is the best weather in Gran Canaria?

The island of Gran Canaria is also called a “Miniature Continent” since its altitude favors the appearance of microclimates creating a vast variety of landscapes. However, the weather is warm throughout the coastal area with an average temperature between 16ºC and 27ºC. 

Tip: keep in mind that temperatures can drop considerably in mountainous areas.

What are the hottest months in Gran Canaria?

The sun shines bright in Gran Canaria all year round! However, if you already see yourself in a sun lounger under an umbrella sipping an iced coffee, then the hottest months in Gran Canaria are July, August, and September. The weather is warm and the temperatures vary between 22ºC and 27ºC. Between December and March, temperatures drop slightly around 16ºC-21ºC. The water is around 19ºC in winter and around 23ºC in summer.

In the coastal area, any month is suitable for swimming and water sports. However, keep in mind that between mid-June and early September, a weather phenomenon popularly known as “Panza de Burro” (donkey's belly) occurs in the city of Las Palmas. Therefore, despite the heat, during the cloud phenomenon, the weather is usually cloudy and it can rain.

Due to the morphology of the island, the weather often varies from region to region. The coastal zone has a temperate and stable climate while the inland and the high altitude zone have more extreme temperatures, reaching over 30ºC in summer and falling below 0ºC in winter. The southern part of the island is the sunniest, with little rainfall. On the contrary, in the northern area, there are often clouds.

How many days of rain does Gran Canaria get per year?

In total, there are about 26 days of rain on average per year. The rainfalls are much more common in the interior and north of the island than in the south. On higher peaks, you may find snow in winter.

Where is it less windy in Gran Canaria?

Gran Canaria is not a particularly windy island, except for some areas such as Maspalomas or Agaete. However, its proximity to the Sahara desert means there may be some days of dust storms a year, but this phenomenon rarely hampers visitors from enjoying their vacation.

Snow covering the peak of Teide in Tenerife

What is the best month to visit Tenerife?

Tenerife is an island of contrasts as its altitude favors the existence of microclimates creating a vast variety of stunning landscapes. The average temperature ranges between 15ºC and 28ºC, depending on the season and the area.

What type of climate does Tenerife have?

The coolest season starts in December ending in April, with temperatures ranging from 15ºC to 22ºC in the coastal area. In the months of June, July and August, there is a noticeable rise in temperatures with a minimum of 22ºC and a maximum of 28ºC. The water temperature varies between 19ºC and 24ºC. 

In the coastal part of the island (especially in the south) the water of the sea is warm enough for you to swim all year round and freely enjoy deep dives in the crystalline waters of Tenerife. In the winter season, there is a slight drop in temperatures. 

If you want to avoid the months with the greatest crowds, it is preferable to plan your visit between September and November or from February to May. Also, if you travel to the island in February, you will have the opportunity to experience the carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, one of the most spectacular carnivals in the world!

The weather in Tenerife varies a lot depending on the area. The interior of the island tends to have more extreme temperatures, with heat in summer and snow in the high areas in winter. 

The southern part is the warmest and sunniest on the island while the areas of La Laguna, Anaga, and the north are usually more humid and cloudy. However, you should not worry as the distances in Tenerife aren’t long so you can move quickly to the warmer areas.

How many days of rain does Tenerife have?

In Tenerife, it rains around 31 days a year. Rainfalls are more frequent in winter and in inland areas. If you visit Tenerife during the winter, you may see some snowy peaks in the Teide and its surroundings.

Where is there less wind in Tenerife?

Tenerife is not a particularly windy island, although there may be times when the wind is stronger. So, if you want to hit the waves with your surfboard, you can find numerous beaches on the north coast and a few on the south that are perfect for water sports. El Médano beach is one of the best places in the Canary Islands for kitesurfing.

What kind of climate is there in La Gomera?

La Gomera is one of the wettest islands in the archipelago. Its climate is subtropical with temperatures that vary between 16ºC and 28ºC.

Tip: do you want to move from port to port in La Gomera? Do it by ferry!

What are the hottest months in La Gomera?

The hottest season covers the months of July, August, and September, with temperatures between 22ºC and 28ºC. In winter, between December and April, temperatures drop, with minimums of 16ºC and maximums of 21ºC. The water temperature is always between 19ºC and 24ºC.

Although temperatures do not usually drop excessively, the best time for a beach vacation in La Gomera is summer or autumn. You can enjoy cool dives on the beach all year round and relax on your sun lounge away from the crowds.

La Gomera is also an island with microclimates. The interior area, especially the one that includes the Garajonay National Park, is very humid and can be cold. On the other hand, the coastal side is warmer and drier.

How many days does it rain in La Gomera?

On the island, there are about 35 days of rain per year, with the interior and mountainous areas receiving the most rain. The rainy months extend from December to March.

Clouds descending in a green valley on La Palma

What is the best time to travel to La Palma?

La Palma is also known as a beautiful island due to its lush forests. Temperatures remain stable, between 16ºC and 27ºC throughout the year.

Tip: have you heard about astrotourism before? La Palma is one of the best places to observe the magical starry night sky. It’s the first Starlight Reserve in the world and stargazing in La Palma is an experience you shouldn't miss!

What kind of climate is there in La Palma?

La Palma is usually slightly cooler than the others. From December to April, the temperature is between 16ºC and 21ºC. In summer, between July and September, the minimum is 22ºC and the maximum is 26ºC. The ocean temperature rarely drops below 19ºC.

In general, winters in La Palma tend to be cool, and, although it is not cold, it can be less appealing to swim in the ocean. The rest of the year it is hot and you can swim and snorkel or dive.

As in the other mountainous islands, on La Palma there are microclimates. Therefore, the weather can vary sharply from the north to the south, or from the coast to the interior. The southern zone is the warmest and the interior is the coldest and most humid. Rain and fog are frequent in the eastern zone.

How much does it rain in La Palma?

In La Palma, it rains an average of 22 days a year. The winter and spring months are the rainiest and the interior areas are humid. It is very common for it to snow on the highest peaks of the island.

What is the best time to go to El Hierro?

El Hierro is the westernmost island of the archipelago and is known for its amazing hiking trails surrounded by otherworldly landscapes. It has a subtropical and slightly humid climate with temperatures ranging between 15ºC and 27ºC. The water temperature is around 20ºC.

What is the weather like in El Hierro?

The cool season lasts from December to March, with temperatures between 17ºC and 21ºC, while from July to October, these are between 20ºC and 26ºC.

El Hierro has cool winters and hot summers and you can swim on its idyllic beaches all year round. 

Microclimates are also prevalent on this island. The capital of El Hierro, Valverde, is relatively wet and cold, while the south of the island is much drier and hotter. Also, the areas at high altitudes are usually colder in winter and warmer in summer.

How often does it rain in El Hierro?

In El Hierro, it rains about 24 days a year, especially between November and April. The good news is that the coast is the least rainy area, while the highlands and humid forests are the ones having the most rainfalls.

Sunny day at a viewpoint in El Hierro

Tips for your trip to the Canary Islands

• Although the climate of all the islands is temperate, the eastern islands are warmer and the western ones cooler.
• The southern part of all the Canary Islands is usually warmer and sunnier, so if the weather is bad in the north, you can always head south!
• Beware of the microclimates! In all the islands, due to their particular orography, there are often sudden temperature changes, depending on the region. If you are going to visit the interior of an island, take a coat in case it gets cold.
• The proximity of the islands to the Sahara desert causes a phenomenon called Calima, a dust storm that occurs several times a year, in which the air carries sand particles. In general, this is not a problem for the population.
• If you go swimming, always look at the signs. On many beaches in the Canary Islands, especially the rocky ones, there may be currents.

How to get to the Canary Islands?

You can get to the Canary Islands by ferry and have a comfortable trip while gazing at the blue sea from the ferry deck! So, book your ferry tickets on Ferryhopper to move around the Canaries easily and download the Ferryhopper app to have all the information about your itinerary at hand.