Should you visit Lanzarote in Winter?
Absolutely! Below is my guide to help you decide and plan your trip:
- Lanzarote Winter Sun, temperature and weather,
- Reasons the visit Lanzarote between December and March,
- Tips & Things to do in Lanzarote during Winter,
- Christmas and New Year's Eve in Lanzarote.
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Is Lanzarote a Winter destination? Short answers
What to expect when visiting Lanzarote in Winter?
Lanzarote has a lot to offer all year round. Specifically for Winter, you should expect:
- Days are long - the shortest day of the year still has 10hours of sunlight (sunrise around 7:30am and sunset around 6pm)
- Warm winter sun - It is not hot like in Summer, but warm. Especially when the sun is out. Daytime temperatures between 18°C and 24°C
- It is a desert climate, but there can be some rainy day - but rains are normally short.
- Sea temperature around 18°C to 20°C
- Beautiful beaches, less crowded than in Summer
- Stunning volcanic landscapes
- Great hikes to enjoy thanks to the cooler temperature
- Almost everything stays open through the Winter
So, is Lanzarote a good destination in Winter?
Absolutely.
If you are looking to escape the cold of Winter, enjoy some warmth and stunning landscapes, traveling to Lanzarote is an excellent idea.
You can enjoy longer days, warm temperatures and plenty of activities.
6 Reasons to visit the island of Lanzarote during Winter
#1. Climate
Lanzarote offers a warm climate during Winter, great to escape the cold.
Temperatures are Spring-like - around 18 to 24°C during the day.
There is rain but not as much as in Northern countries, and they don't last long.
#2 - Tours don't shut down
Since it is a year-round destination, you can enjoy most of the tours and activities in Winter too.
Boat tours, wine tasting tours...
See great activities in Lanzarote
#3 - Lesser crowds (kind of)
Lanzarote is very popular, especially during Summer (peak season). Beaches can be packed.
In Winter, it is still popular (it is an all-year destination), but you can more easily find quieter places.
However, Christmas and Easter holidays are really packed too!
#4 - Nature comes to life
Lanzarote is has a desert climate. The volcanic land does not have much vegetation.
It is during Winter, with the little bit of rain, the island receives that greenery and a few flowers appear, creating beautiful Landscapes.
#5 - Surfing
If you want to surf, Winter is considered one of the best times to surf in Lanzarote with great waves.
The water temperature is ideal and the waves are here.
#6 - Less Wind
Lanzarote can have winds all year round. However, the windiest months are in Spring and Summer.
You will feel less wind (especially with lower temperatures) in Winter.
Discover all my favorite places (with GPS coordinates and practical tips) included in my travel Guide eBook that helps you easily plan your Lanzarote trip:
Plan your perfect trip around Lanzarote!
- 7 easy-to-plan maps
- 55 Scenic locations in Lanzarote
- 19 Scenic locations in Fuerteventura
- Planning tips + Best times
- 140+ large photos to decide where to go
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
Lanzarote in Winter - Sun, Warmth, Weather
Is Lanzarote warm in Winter?
In Winter, temperatures to be expected are:
- around 18 to 24°C during the day
- 13 to 17°C during the night.
Therefore, it is one of the warmest places in Europe in Winter.
Lanzarote Winter Sun - how much sun can you expect?
With climate, nothing is guaranteed.
But because of the island's geography, most days offer a beautiful blue sky.
It can rain, but not that much compared to the rest of Europe, and mostly in short bursts. So you just have to wait a little.
In Winter you have:
- at least 10 hours of daylight,
- 7 to 9 hours of sunshine during the Winter days out of those 10 hours.
Can you sunbathe in Lanzarote in Winter?
Absolutely.
As written earlier in December, January and February, the temperatures during the day at beach level are around 18 to 24°C.
When the sun is out, because of the low latitude of the island, it is quite warm.
See my selection of the best beaches in Lanzarote.
Visiting Lanzarote in the Winter Months - Tips
All of my normal tips about Lanzarote apply also to Winter.
But here are a few special tips to keep in mind.
Best time
There is no better month. Just avoid Christmas and Easter Spanish holidays to avoid the crowds.
Otherwise, my only tip tips is:
In Summer, I recommend starting hike and activities early to avoid the harsh heat of the sun.
In Winter, the advantage is that it is more comfortable in the afternoon. So you have all days to explore the beauties of the islands and to hike.
How to get around the island of Lanzarote in Winter
In Winter as in Summer, I think renting a car is the best way to explore the island.
It gives you freedom to go see the most beautiful viewpoints and stop whenever you want.
There are busses, but the frequency is not ideal.
Nothing special to think about the car for Winter. The same applies as in Summer.
Need to rent a car in Lanzarote?
My tips:
- Compare car rental prices on Discovercars.com - one of the best customer-rated comparison sites!
- Choose the car and company you prefer
- Consider their full coverage option - I always take it for peace of mind!
- Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!
How long to stay in Lanzarote in Winter?
It depends on what you want to do.
To explore the entire island 10 days to 2 weeks is ideal.
But if you just want to enjoy the Winter Sun, 5 days to a week will give you the boost you need to go through the rest of the Winter.
Best place to stay in Lanzarote
The entire island gets overall the same weather.
So, there is no better place to stay in Winter.
It all depends on the type of towns and accommodations you prefer, what your criteria are.
Just know that pools are not always heated...
Playa Blanca
Where to stay in Lanzarote?
My tips:
- Most enjoyable Resort Town - Playa Blanca - see best rated accommodations
- Main resort town (without car & nightlife) - Puerto del Carmen - see best rated accommodations
- Best location to be able to explore Lanzarote - Costa Teguise - see best rated accommodations
- Coastal Charm and Quiet - Punta Mujeres - see best rated accommodations
- Scenic Views - Famara Beach - see best rated accommodations
- Original & isolated - La Graciosa - see best rated accommodations
More tips on my article about where to stay in Lanzarote
Lanzarote Winter Activities
What is there to do in Lanzarote in Winter?
Almost the same things as in Summer. Check out my full article on the 21 best things to do in Lanzarote.
Below are some of the highlight activities.
Enjoy the beaches
Papagayo beaches
As written above, you can sunbathe and enjoy the beaches in Lanzarote in Winter.
For something wilder, head to Papagayo.
Located on the South Coast, it is the most ancient part of the island. The small cove has a beautiful shape and emerald waters.
There are no paved roads to get there, only a very bumpy track (where you are normally not allowed to go with rental cars). The other option is to walk from Playa Blanca to Papagayo (along other beaches) which is a great walk.
Learn more on my Papagayo article.
Visiting Timanfaya National Park
Bus in Timanfaya National Park
The most famous activity in Lanzarote is the coach tour inside Timanfaya National Park (see my Timanfaya guide). Located in the West, it is one of the best parts of the island, the most scenic. It is entirely made up of volcanic soil. There are not many ways to experience it. The main one is the coach tour through the one road in the park. You can't get out of the bus so as to protect the park, but you get to see some of the most unique views you could imagine. It is like visiting another planet!
If you don't want to rent a car, half-day tours take you from all the resort towns, to experience Timanfaya. Check out program.
Hiking around volcanoes
Montana Cuervo
With ideal temperatures, Winter is the perfect time to enjoy those special hikes around and on top of volcanoes.
The volcanic landscapes of Lanzarote are mesmerizing.
There are several hikes with various levels of difficulties.
Montana Cuervo is one of my favorites: you can walk all around and enter the dome.
But others are more colorful.
Explore la Graciosa island
La Graciosa is a small island Located North of Lanzarote.
You access it by ferry, and there are no roads at all, just tracks in the sand. So you explore it either on foot or with one of the 4WD taxis.
Contrary to Lanzarote, it is covered by white sand. But it also has a few volcanoes. The colours are stunning and you can enjoy different landscapes: beaches, volcanoes and basalt columns. See my article about La Graciosa for more photos.
Ferries depart from Orzola. Note that for people staying in Playa Blanca, it is quite a drive to get all the way to the North (1h10min drive)
2 companies propose ferries from Lanzarote to La Graciosa. Check out the departures.
Another option, if you don't rent a car, is to join a day out sailing on a catamaran around la Graciosa - Check out program
Enjoy the work of César Manrique - great Lanzarote attractions
Thanks to the singular vision of César Manrique, Lanzarote has some unique locations where architecture is integrated with nature.
He imagined many amazing Lanzarote Attractions that are some of the best things to do on the island, such as: Cactus Garden, Mirador del Rio, Jameos del Agua...
See all the amazing Manrique attractions in this article.
Feel vertigo in a lava tube
This picture was taken in Cueva de los Verdes, in the North of the island. Jesus Soto set up lights in the lava tunnel to create a fascinating experience. I will not say too much, because I risk spoiling the surprise. But I was very impressed by the experience at the end!
Have fun
Lanzarote is a great Winter destination for the whole family.
YOu can enjoy many activities:
- Sailing,
- Diving in a yellow submarine,
- Buggy driving off-road,
- Parasailing,
- ...
And so much more
There is a lot to see in Lanzarote.
Check out the 21 best things to see in Lanzarote (in this article) or my selection of hidden gems (in this article).
Christmas in Lanzarote
How is Christmas in Lanzarote?
Lanzarote is a popular destination for Christmas.
It is a big even with festivities, decorations, delicious food...
There will be quite a lot of visitors. So book things early.
Temperatures are sea level are very pleasant, around 18/22°C during the day.
What are the official holiday dates around Christmas?
In Lanzarote you enjoy:
- The 25th December
- The 1st of January
- The 6th of January
On those days, many businesses are closed.
Is Lanzarote hot in December for Christmas?
The weather is not hot, but it is warm. You can be in t-shirt during the day.
You just have to carry a jumper for the evening.
There is an average is 6 to 8 hours of sunshine over the 10 hours of daylight.
There is a chance of rain, but nothing like in northern Europe...
Christmas decorations
Because of the mild climate, you won't find many traditional pine trees, but mostly artificial trees.
They are traditionally decorated with balls, Christmas Lights, snowflakes, bows, wreaths, etc.
Therefore, it does feel Christmassy.
You will hear Christmas music being played
If you walk around, you will also see many Nativity scenes.
Christmas Events - Epiphany
Christmas day is, of course, a day of gathering.
However, know that Christmas festivities last until the 6th of January, the Epiphany.
The big celebration on the island is King’s day on 6th January, when kids get their presents.
It refers to the day the three Kings visited Jesus bearing gifts.
On the 5th, all over the island, the Kings make an appearance in all the towns of the island riding camels for the Kings’ parade.
Christmas Food
Of course, no tradition is complete without food specialities.
Most resort hotels will serve a British or Irish typical Christmas meal.
Most restaurants will also be serving classic meals: fish, tapas, met...
New Year's Eve in Lanzarote
New Year's Eve in Lanzarote & the 12 grapes
Lanzarote celebrates New Year's Eve like all around the World.
One specificity is that Spaniards eat twelve grapes at midnight, one with each toll of the bell.
Almost every restaurant on the island does a special meal on New Year’s Eve that finishes at midnight.
Best places to watch fireworks
Fireworks display in all the main coastal towns:
- Arrecife,
- Costa Teguise,
- Puerto del Carmen,
- Playa Blanca
Some can be quite late in the night, to allow people to finish their celebrations in the restaurants.
Want to see more of the best Lanzarote has to offer?
- 21 Best things to do in Lanzarote - read article
- Best Lanzarote Photography Locations - read article
- Lanzarote Attractions by César Manrique - read article
- Best Beaches in Lanzarote - read article
- Best Lanzarote Volcanoes - Tours & Photos - read article
- Best places to stay in Lanzarote - read article
- Timanfaya National Park Lanzarote - read article
Planning a trip to Lanzarote?
Check out my travel guide to help you plan:
Plan your perfect trip around Lanzarote!
- 7 easy-to-plan maps
- 55 Scenic locations in Lanzarote
- 19 Scenic locations in Fuerteventura
- Planning tips + Best times
- 140+ large photos to decide where to go
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
And keep track of your own trip!
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