Planning a holiday in Lanzarote and wondering what weather to expect? This Lanzarote weather guide covers average temperatures month by month, the best time to visit, what to pack and how the climate varies across the island — with a focus on the resort of Playa Blanca.
Lanzarote has a subtropical desert climate, making it one of the warmest and driest destinations in Europe. The island is the second sunniest in the Canary Islands after Fuerteventura. It sees fewer than 150mm of rainfall per year and enjoys 7 to 10 hours of daily sunshine depending on the season.
Because Lanzarote has no high mountains, it gets fewer clouds than the other Canary Islands. As a result, it has the most consistent climate in the archipelago. Daytime temperatures range from around 20°C in winter to 28°C in summer. Even in the coolest months, the thermometer rarely drops below 15°C at night.
Here’s a month-by-month breakdown of the Lanzarote weather you can typically expect. All temperatures are averages for the south of the island (Playa Blanca area), which is warmer than the north.
| Month | Avg. High | Avg. Low | Sunshine (hrs/day) | Rain (mm) | Sea Temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°C | 14°C | 7 | 17 | 19°C |
| February | 21°C | 14°C | 7 | 12 | 18°C |
| March | 22°C | 15°C | 8 | 10 | 18°C |
| April | 23°C | 16°C | 9 | 5 | 18°C |
| May | 24°C | 17°C | 9 | 2 | 19°C |
| June | 26°C | 19°C | 10 | 1 | 20°C |
| July | 28°C | 20°C | 10 | 0 | 21°C |
| August | 29°C | 21°C | 10 | 0 | 22°C |
| September | 28°C | 21°C | 9 | 3 | 23°C |
| October | 26°C | 19°C | 8 | 12 | 22°C |
| November | 24°C | 17°C | 7 | 18 | 21°C |
| December | 22°C | 15°C | 7 | 22 | 20°C |
The honest answer is: any time of year. Lanzarote was once dubbed one of the “Fortunate Islands” and it’s easy to see why. Temperatures rarely fall below 20°C during the day, even in January. That said, each season has its own character.
Summer (June–September) is the hottest period, with highs of 26–29°C and virtually no rain. It’s the busiest time for tourism. Sea temperatures peak at 22–23°C, making it ideal for swimming and water sports.
Autumn (October–November) is a popular choice for visitors looking to avoid the crowds. Air temperatures are still warm (24–26°C) and the sea remains comfortable. October is our recommended month — the weather is excellent, prices are lower and the island feels less busy.
Winter (December–February) offers mild, pleasant conditions. Daytime highs of 21–22°C are far warmer than anywhere in northern Europe. There’s a little more chance of rain, but showers tend to be short-lived. It’s a great time for walking, cycling and exploring the island’s volcanic landscapes without the summer heat.
Spring (March–May) sees temperatures climbing from 22°C to 24°C. Rain drops off quickly from March onwards. It’s a lovely time to visit, especially for excursions and outdoor activities.
The weather in Lanzarote varies across the island. Two mountain ranges block the prevailing northeast trade winds, which means the south is typically drier and warmer than the north. Playa Blanca sits right at the southern tip of the island. It enjoys more sunshine and higher temperatures than anywhere else on Lanzarote.
Even in winter, there’s a noticeable difference between north and south. On a day when the north coast is cloudy and breezy, Playa Blanca can still be warm and sunny. This microclimate is one of the main reasons the resort has become so popular with holidaymakers.
In Playa Blanca, you can typically expect daytime highs of 28–29°C in summer and 21–22°C in winter. The lows rarely drop below 15°C, even at night. All of our villas are located in and around the resort, so our guests enjoy the best of the Lanzarote weather year-round.
Lanzarote is an exposed, low-lying island, so wind is a factor — particularly on the north and west coasts. The northeast trade winds blow steadily for much of the year. Playa Blanca is more sheltered than the north, but you may still feel a breeze on some days. This is rarely unpleasant and often provides welcome relief from the heat in summer.
Occasionally, Lanzarote experiences the calima — a hot, dry wind that blows in from the Sahara Desert. This can push temperatures above 35°C and reduce visibility with dust and haze. The calima usually lasts 2–4 days and has become more frequent in recent years. When it passes, normal conditions return quickly.
Packing for Lanzarote is straightforward. Here’s what we’d suggest:
Most major weather apps give generalised forecasts for Lanzarote that don’t reflect conditions on the ground — especially in the south. For more accurate, local forecasts, we recommend the Wind Guru website. It provides detailed wind and temperature data for 14 spots across the island and is the resource most locals rely on.
The AEMET (Spain’s national weather service) is another reliable option for official forecasts.
Despite being close to Africa, Lanzarote is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) — the same as the UK. The clocks change on the same dates too. So there’s no jet lag and no time adjustment needed for British and Irish visitors.
For more information about the Lanzarote weather and other visitor tips, browse our Lanzarote Travel Guide or visit our FAQs page.