When to go to Lanzarote
Well, that depends on your criteria.
Here’s my complete guide with details to help you make your decision based on:
- Weather (temperature, rain, wind, etc.),
- Crowds and prices,
- Dolphin-watching opportunities,
- Sea temperature, when to swim in Lanzarote,
- Winter sunshine,
- …
Our favorite car rental platform: DiscoverCars
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
When to go to Lanzarote – Summary
Best month to visit Lanzarote
Lanzarote is one of the islands of eternal spring. It’s an excellent year-round destination. Our favorite months are September and October, because there are fewer people, less wind and the water is warm for swimming.
See our advice on where to stay in Lanzarote.
Best time to visit Lanzarote
It all depends on what you’re looking for:
- Best time for sunbathing: June to September, but some days it can be too windy.
Best time to swim in the ocean: August to October - Best time for hiking: November to May
- The best time to escape winter and soak up the sun: December to March, of course…
When to visit Lanzarote – Criteria
If you don’t want to read the whole article, here’s a summary based on what you’re looking for:
- Weather, Temperature, Wind –
Summer temperatures average 24°C. On certain days, when the wind blows in from the Sahara, temperatures can exceed 30°C, but this is not a frequent occurrence.
In winter, daytime temperatures are a pleasant 20°C. You may need a sweater in the evening. - Swimming –
The best time to swim in the ocean is from June to October, with an average water temperature of 23°C.
- Crowd –
September and October are generally the calmest months on the island. But there is a general flow of tourists throughout the year.
The busiest months are July and August. Easter, Christmas and the winter vacations are also popular periods. - Price –
Prices are of course higher when the island is busiest – in summer and during the European school vacations (spring, autumn and winter).
Visual overview – When to go to Lanzarote
Here’s an infographic to help you visualize the best periods and decide the best time to go to Lanzarote based on your criteria.
CHOOSING A HOTEL IN Lanzarote
Choosing where to stay:
Select by hotel type:
- 5-star hotels
- Best boutique-hotels
- Best adults-only hotels
- Best all-inclusive hotels
- Best hotels for families
Our favorite: Hotel Cala Lanzarote – See prices, photos and availability
Select by city:
When to go to Lanzarote – Weather and conditions
When is the best time to visit and enjoy exceptional weather?
Climate
The climate in Lanzarote is that of eternal spring.
It rarely rains.
You’ll enjoy year-round sunshine.
It’s hot in summer, but rarely too hot.
It’s warm in winter: a t-shirt during the day with an average temperature of 20 to 22°C, and a light sweater in the evening with an average temperature of 16 to 18°C.
North or South? East or is
The island really isn’t big, so you’ll get similar conditions wherever you go.
Length of day and sunshine
The Canary Islands and Lanzarote are closer to the equator, so the days are a little longer in winter than in Europe. The average length of day is:
- 10:20 am, the shortest day of the year, December 21
- 13:56, the longest day, June 21.
In terms of sunshine, Lanzarote enjoys plenty of it: an average of 8.5 hours a day.
So you can enjoy plenty of sunshine, whether you go there in summer or even winter.
Rain in Lanzarote
Lanzarote receives very little rain. Its summit is 672m high, not high enough to stop the clouds. In fact, you’ll see very little vegetation on the island.
Wind in Lanzarote
Yes, it’s windy on Lanzarote. It’s a fact.
Not as many as in Fuerteventura, the Windward Island, but there are some.
However, it’s often a welcome refreshment, and rarely a problem in our opinion. And he’s not there all the time.
The two windiest months in Lanzarote are normally July and August.
This is actually good news, as it makes temperatures bearable.
And the wind isn’t blowing hard all the time!
Crowds and prizes
There’s a general flow of tourists all year round…
But, with the wide open spaces, we find there’s never a crowded effect on Lanzarote, apart from the water parks and the most popular beaches.
The most popular periods are school vacations in European countries:
- July and August
- Noël
- Easter
- Autumn vacations
As a result, prices are higher during these periods.
September and October are generally fairly quiet.
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Lanzarote
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- A small car is all you need.
- But you can also choose a larger one if you wish, as the parking spaces are rather large.
- Demand is high, so book early.
Sea temperatures in Lanzarote – when to swim
Swimming is possible all year round, depending on the water temperature you prefer.
Sea temperatures in Lanzarote vary:
- January, February, March, April: between 18 and 19°C
- May and June, between 19 and 21°C
- July and August, between 21 and 22°C
- In September and October, between 22 and 23°C
- November and December, between 20 and 21°C
Discover our list of the most beautiful beaches in Lanzarote.
When to watch whales and dolphins
Numerous species of dolphins and whales visit the island in different seasons.
But all year round you have two resident species:
- Bottlenose dolphins
- Pilot dolphins
As a result, you can choose these tours all year round.
For whales, it’s less clear-cut. They are observed for a few days each month, by different species, but often by resident sperm whales.
To find out more, see our article on dolphins in Lanzarote.
HAVE FUN WITH THESE Lanzarote activities
- Dolphin watching
- Buggy / Quad
- Kayak excursion
- But also: Diving at the Museum of the Atlantic, Catamaran outings, Paddle excursions, Parasailing
Best time to go to Lanzarote – other criteria
When to hike in Lanzarote
If you’re traveling during the summer months, we recommend hiking early in the day.
Otherwise, the rest of the year offers excellent hiking conditions on Lanzarote. But the sun can still be a nuisance. We always recommend walking in the morning.
When to surf in Lanzarote
Generally speaking, the best time to surf is from autumn to the end of winter, usually from October to March.
However, Lanzarote offers waves all year round.
Surfing is still possible in spring, but this is a less popular period for this activity.
Description of the seasons in Lanzarote
Summer in Lanzarote
It’s hard to resist Lanzarote’s charm when the summer season rolls around. As on the other Canary Islands, temperatures are rising, as is the sea temperature.
However, it’s worth noting that during this period, Lanzarote is generally subject to stronger winds. Summer in Lanzarote is therefore excellent for kitesurfers and windsurfers.
Winter on Lanzarote
Lanzarote, like the other Canary Islands, is perfect for enjoying a mild and very pleasant winter. It’s good to be sunbathing in the dead of winter!
From December to March, daytime temperatures range from 18 to 22°C. Rains are rare.
You can wear a T-shirt during the day, but the evenings will be cooler.
See our article on Lanzarote in winter.
Spring and autumn in Lanzarote
If you want to avoid the crowds, these are the best seasons (outside school vacations).
Temperatures are pleasant for sunbathing and hiking…
We prefer the autumn months when the water temperature is higher.
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Events to see or avoid
Depending on your interests, you should also take into account events that could have a major impact on your trip, and adapt your departure dates accordingly:
- If you really want to see a party
- If you don’t want to be blocked by an event
Festivals in Lanzarote (music and culture)
- January
Three Kings Parade - February / April
Carnival in Lanzarote - May 30
Canary Islands Day - November
Club La Santa Night Run in Tinajo
Sports competitions in Lanzarote
- July
Saint Genesius International Regatta - October
Lanzarote Ocean Lava Triathlon
International Strait Crossing La Bocaina - November
Lanzarote International Running Challenge
Best month to go to Lanzarote
And if you’re asking month by month, take a look at our dedicated articles:
- Lanzarote in January
- Lanzarote in February
- Lanzarote in March
- Lanzarote in April
- Lanzarote in April
- Lanzarote in May
- Lanzarote in June
- Lanzarote in July
- Lanzarote in August
- Lanzarote in September
- Lanzarote in October
- Lanzarote in November
- Lanzarote in December