Lanzarote is one of the driest and sunniest places in Europe. Its airport records about 111 mm of rain a year — less than many European cities get in two months — and close to 3,000 hours of sunshine. Average daytime highs never fall much below 21°C, even in January, and rarely climb above 29°C, even in August. In short, there is no bad time to go.
But the island does change through the year. The sea is cool from January to May and warmest in September; the trade winds blow hardest in summer; most of the little rain falls between November and February; and prices and crowds follow European school holidays more than the weather. This guide uses the official climate averages of Spain's meteorological agency, AEMET, for Lanzarote Airport to show what each month is really like, and who it suits.
The Short Answer
Best Overall
Warm, dry and sunny, with fewer crowds and lower prices than summer.
Warmest Sea
The Atlantic peaks at around 22–23°C in late summer and early autumn.
Best for Hiking
Mild days around 21–24°C make the shadeless volcanic trails far more comfortable.
Best Value
Quiet weeks between holiday peaks, when hotels and flights are usually cheapest.
Lanzarote Weather by Month
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Sea °C | Rain (mm) | Rain days | Sun h/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21 | 14 | 19 | 16 | 3 | 6.5 |
| February | 21 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 3 | 7.1 |
| March | 23 | 15 | 18 | 12 | 2 | 7.8 |
| April | 24 | 16 | 18 | 5 | 1 | 8.5 |
| May | 25 | 17 | 19 | 2 | <1 | 9.6 |
| June | 26 | 19 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 9.7 |
| July | 28 | 20 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 9.9 |
| August | 29 | 21 | 22 | 0 | <1 | 9.5 |
| September | 29 | 21 | 23 | 2 | <1 | 8.3 |
| October | 27 | 19 | 22 | 10 | 2 | 7.6 |
| November | 24 | 17 | 21 | 15 | 3 | 6.9 |
| December | 22 | 15 | 20 | 29 | 4 | 6.3 |
Air temperature, rain and sunshine: AEMET climate normals 1981–2010 for Lanzarote Airport. Sea temperature: approximate monthly averages for Arrecife. Rain days are days with at least 1 mm. Individual years vary, and recent summers have tended to run warmer than these averages.
Lanzarote by Season
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Highs around 21–22°C, sea at 18–20°C, and the year's few rainy days. Busy at Christmas and Carnival, quiet in between. Best for sightseeing and walking.
Spring (Mar–May)
23–25°C, almost no rain and more than eight hours of sunshine a day from April. The sea is still cool. Busy around Easter, otherwise calm.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
26–29°C, no rain and strong trade winds that keep the heat bearable. The busiest and most expensive season, especially July and August.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Still summery in September and October, with the warmest sea of the year. Crowds thin out after mid-September, apart from the late-October school break.
Month by Month
January
High 21°C · Sea 19°C · Quiet after EpiphanyThe island is busy until Epiphany on 6 January — the Three Kings parades on the evening of the 5th are a big local event — and then empties fast. The rest of the month is one of the quietest and cheapest times of the year. Days are mild and mostly sunny, with a few cloudier spells and the odd shower. It's too cool for most people to spend whole days in the sea, but ideal for driving round the island, visiting Timanfaya without queues and walking the volcanic trails.
February
High 21°C · Sea 18°C · CarnivalThe sea is at its coolest, but the reason to come is Carnival. Arrecife's Carnival lasts about two weeks, with parades, costume contests, street parties and the Burial of the Sardine that closes it; other towns hold their own celebrations on different dates. The date moves with Easter: in 2027, Carnival Tuesday falls on 9 February, so the main events will be in late January and early February. Book early if you're going for Carnival, and be aware that the UK half-term break in mid-February also brings a short peak in families and prices.
March
High 23°C · Sea 18°C · Spring sunshineAn underrated month. Rain becomes rare, days are noticeably longer and the island is calm. It's a good month for a self-drive trip: the north of the island, the Famara cliffs and the Papagayo beaches are uncrowded, and walking is still comfortable. The sea is cool, so for swimming choose a hotel with a heated pool. Easter falls on 28 March in 2027, which means the holiday peak lands at the end of the month.
April
High 24°C · Sea 18°C · One of the best monthsFor many travellers, the best month of all: more than eight hours of sunshine a day, almost no rain and warm, comfortable afternoons on the beaches of Papagayo or Famara. The sea is still fresh at around 18°C. Outside the Easter holidays, prices are reasonable and the island is relaxed. In 2027, Easter falls in late March and many school breaks run into early April, so the second half of the month will be the calmest.
May
High 25°C · Sea 19°C · Beach weather without the crowdsProper beach weather arrives, and summer crowds haven't. May is one of the sunniest months of the year, rain is almost unknown and the beaches feel spacious. It's an excellent month for couples and anyone free to travel outside school holidays. The Ironman Lanzarote triathlon has traditionally been held in May, based in Puerto del Carmen, which fills hotels in that resort for a few days — check the date if you're staying there.
June
High 26°C · Sea 20°C · Early summerThe first half of June is a sweet spot: settled, sunny weather, warmer water and prices that haven't yet reached their July peak. The trade winds strengthen through the month, which keeps the heat comfortable and brings windsurfers and kitesurfers to the north coast. Crowds build in the second half of the month as school holidays begin in some countries.
July and August
High 28–29°C · Sea 21–22°C · Peak seasonPeak season: hot, dry, windy and busy. Hotels are at their fullest and most expensive, and the popular sights — Timanfaya, Jameos del Agua, the Papagayo beaches — are crowded, so book tickets and tours ahead and arrive early. The trade winds make 28–29°C feel more comfortable than the same temperature in the Mediterranean, but the sun is intense and there is almost no shade outdoors. The Virgen del Carmen festivities in mid-July, with sea processions in fishing towns, and the fiestas of San Ginés, Arrecife's patron saint, in late August, are the big local celebrations.
September
High 29°C · Sea 23°C · Summer without the crowdsSummer weather with the warmest sea of the year, but with European schools back from early in the month. Crowds and prices fall steadily, especially after mid-September, and the wind eases. On 15 September, the pilgrimage of the Virgen de los Dolores, the island's patron saint, takes place in Mancha Blanca, together with Lanzarote's main craft fair.
October
High 27°C · Sea 22°C · One of the best monthsAutumn's best month. The air is warm rather than hot, the sea is still around 22°C and the softer light suits the volcanic landscapes. The first rains of the season usually arrive late in the month, but they are short. The late-October school holidays in the UK and other countries bring a busy week, so book early for those dates; the weeks before are calmer.
November
High 24°C · Sea 21°C · Off-season valueA good-value month with warm afternoons and a sea that still holds much of its summer heat. Cloudier days and showers become more frequent, but they rarely last long. It's an excellent month for walking, for César Manrique's houses and gardens and for visiting the sights without queues.
December
High 22°C · Sea 20°C · Quiet, then ChristmasStatistically the wettest month, though that still means only about four days with rain. The first half of December is quiet and good value; from around 20 December to Epiphany, the island fills with families and winter-sun visitors and prices rise sharply. Book well ahead for Christmas and New Year.
Best Time for Each Activity
| Activity | Best months | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Beach and swimming | June–October | The sea is above 20°C and the weather is reliably dry |
| Hiking | November–April | Milder days on trails with no shade; see our best hikes guide |
| Surfing | October–March | Winter Atlantic swells reach Famara and La Santa |
| Windsurf and kitesurf | June–August | The trade winds are at their strongest |
| Families | Easter, June, September | Warm weather with fewer crowds than July and August |
| Timanfaya and sightseeing | All year; best November–May | Comfortable temperatures and fewer queues |
| Culture and fiestas | February, July–September | Carnival, Virgen del Carmen, San Ginés and Los Dolores |
The Cheapest Time to Visit
Prices in Lanzarote follow holidays more than the weather. The most expensive dates are Christmas and New Year, Easter, the UK February and October half-terms, and July and August. The best value is usually in the gaps between them: from Epiphany to the end of January, the first half of December, November, early March and the first half of June. Booking flights and hotels a few months ahead matters more than the month itself, especially if you're tied to school holidays.
Compare fares to Lanzarote across airlines and dates to find the cheapest week to fly.
Where to Stay, Season by Season
The south and east coasts are the sunniest and most sheltered all year; the north is greener and cooler, and best for walkers outside summer. For a full comparison, see our where to stay in Lanzarote guide.
Be Live Experience Lanzarote Beach
An all-inclusive across the road from Playa de las Cucharas in Costa Teguise, made for school-holiday trips.
Check Prices →
H10 Rubicón Horizons Collection
In Playa Blanca, the sunniest and most sheltered corner of the island in winter.
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Hotel Floresta
A well-priced base near the beach in Los Pocillos, minutes from the airport.
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La Casa de los Naranjos
An eight-room manor house in the palm valley of Haría, close to the northern trails.
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Finca Marisa
A small rural finca near Timanfaya and the volcano trails.
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Casa Serena 10
A quiet adults-only guest house in Macher, central for the whole island.
Check Prices →Tours Worth Booking in Every Season
Mini Cruise to Papagayo
A short boat trip from Playa Blanca along the Papagayo coves, best in the calm summer sea.
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Timanfaya Volcanoes and Caves with Lunch
Timanfaya and the lava caves of the north in one day, without the driving.
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Walking Tour in Los Volcanes
A guided walk among the volcanoes next to Timanfaya, at its best in the cooler months.
Check Prices →Practical Tips for Any Month
Pack a Layer
Evenings from November to April can feel cool in the wind, and the north is several degrees fresher than the resorts.
High-Factor Sun Cream
The sun is strong all year, even when the wind makes it feel cool.
Book Timanfaya Ahead
Tickets are sold online. In busy months, buy them before you go. See our Timanfaya guide.
Stay Connected
A Yesim eSIM keeps maps and weather forecasts on your phone from the moment you land.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Honest Verdict
If you can choose, go in April, May, late September or October: you get warm, dry, sunny days, a sea that's pleasant (cool in spring, at its warmest in autumn) and an island that isn't yet, or is no longer, full. Winter is the best season for hiking and sightseeing, and still far warmer than most of Europe; summer is reliable and lively but expensive and windy. Whatever month you pick, book early if your dates fall in a school holiday.
To plan the rest of your trip, see our Lanzarote travel guide, 5 days in Lanzarote itinerary and best beaches in Lanzarote.