Best Time to Visit Gran Canaria

Playa Amadores - Gran Canaria - October 2011 (Cristian Bortes)  [flickr.com]  CC BY 
License Information available under 'Proof of Image Sources'
On this page, you will find information about the climate and the best time to visit Gran Canaria. We created climate tables and charts for the location of Las Palmas. These contain details about temperatures, precipitation and more.

Furthermore, we analyzed all climate data and provide a recommendation about which months are best to visit Gran Canaria for your holiday.

Climate Overview

Thermometer Symbol 16 °C to 26 °C
Waves Symbol 18 °C to 23 °C
Rainy Cloud Symbol 00.83 in (0 – 5 Days of Rain)
Show temperatures in degree

Geographical location

After Tenerife and Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria is the third largest of the Canary Islands in the Atlantic.

About 130 miles off the African coast, the almost circular island of Gran Canaria is home to around 850,000 inhabitants and is also one of the most popular holiday regions in Europe.

The scenic and geographical diversity have also earned the Canary Island the nickname “mini-continent”.

While the interior of the island is mainly mountainous and protrudes up to 1949 meters at Pico de Las Nieves, the south of Gran Canaria is mainly barren and dry. In contrast to this rather desert-like landscape, the north is much greener due to increased rainfall.

Capital of Gran Canaria is Las Palmas with the important cargo and cruise port Puerto de la Luz.

Climate in Gran Canaria

dunes maspalomas - gran canaria (Tobias Scheck)  [flickr.com]  CC BY 
License Information available under 'Proof of Image Sources' The Canary Island of Gran Canaria has 14 microclimate zones, although precipitation is very rare in all areas. Gran Canaria is directly affected by trade winds that divide the climate and rain on the northern slopes.

Therefore, the north is much wetter than the south, where dry Sahara winds can sometimes even cause sandstorms and enormous temperature rises (Calima). In the region around Las Palmas you often meet a dense cloud cover, which is also colloquially called “donkey belly” by the locals.

Especially in the popular holiday regions in the south, the subtropical climate provides pleasant temperatures between 20 °C to 29 °C a day all year round, the weather is very constant and balanced. In the summer months almost no rain falls, even in autumn and winter it remains very mild with daily temperatures above 20 °C.

Best Time to Visit Gran Canaria: Overview

JanuaryJan
WinterWinter
yet mildmostly mild
FebruaryFeb
Pre-SeasonPre-Season
sea a little bit coldMeer etw. kühl
MarchMar
Pre-SeasonPre-Season
sea a little bit coldMeer etw. kühl
AprilApr
Good time to traveltime
PleasantPleasant climate in
Gran Canaria
MayMay
Best time to traveltime
PerfectPerf. climate in
Gran Canaria
JuneJun
Best time to traveltime
PerfectPerf. climate in
Gran Canaria
JulyJul
Best time to traveltime
PerfectPerf. climate in
Gran Canaria
AugustAug
Best time to traveltime
PerfectPerf. climate in
Gran Canaria
SeptemberSep
Best time to traveltime
PerfectPerf. climate in
Gran Canaria
OctoberOct
Good time to traveltime
After-Season, freshNach-Saison, chilly
NovemberNov
Suitable time to travelsuitable time
usually Pleasantmostly Pleasant
DecemberDec
WinterWinter
yet mildmostly mild

When to travel to Gran Canaria?


Due to the mild, pleasant climate, the Canary Islands are real year-round destinations and also in winter very popular retreats for sun-hungry holidaymakers. Even in the coldest month of February, the average night temperature is still around 16 °C.

So it’s no wonder that the winter months are the most popular travel season on Gran Canaria and especially around Christmas ensure a real high season. However, our experience and evaluations show that the weather between November and February has been rather volatile in recent years.

Our recommendation for the best time to travel on Gran Canaria is therefore April and November, although it can be very full (and expensive) between July and August due to the summer holidays in many European countries. Therefore, the months April to June and September to November are ideal.

Climate Chart Gran Canaria

Las Palmas

Climate Chart Las Palmas
Show temperatures in degree

Source of Data: German Weather Service (Offenbach) and Wikipedia

Climate Table Gran Canaria

In the following, you will find the climate table for Gran Canaria, containing information about Temperatures, Precipitation, Water Temperatures, and Hours of Sunshine.

Temperatures, Precipitation, Sunshine in Las Palmas (Gran Canaria)

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Day Temperature20°21°21°22°22°24°25°26°26°26°24°22°
Night Temperature16°16°17°17°18°20°21°22°22°21°19°17°
Water Temperature19°18°18°18°19°20°21°22°23°23°21°20°
Precipitation (inch)0.590.790.430.240.120.04000.20.350.790.83
Rainy days433210001345
Hours of Sunshine6778891098766
Show temperatures in degree
Temperatures
The annual average temperature in Las Palmas is 21.1 °C.

For comparison: London 11 °C, NYC 12 °C, LA 17.9 °C

Warmest month: September (24.3 °C)
Coldest month: January (18.4 °C)

The maximum water temperature in Las Palmas is 23 °C. You can take a bath at these temperatures.

Months with water temperature of at least 17 °C (Limited bathing is possible):
all months

Months with water temperature of at least 21 °C (adequate for beach vacation):
July, August, September, October, and November

Precipitation
Overall annual precipitation: 4.37 inch on 26 rainy days

For comparison: London 24.06 in, NYC 41.57 in, LA 12.01 in

There is no rainy season (months with more than 6.9 in of precipitation).

You cannot expect snow in any month in Las Palmas.

Sunshine
As our climate table shows, July is the sunniest month with an average of 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. Over the year, there are 7.5 hours of sunshine per day on average. For comparison: London has 4.1, NYC has 7 and LA has 8.9 hours of sunshine per day on average.

Sights and Highlights


The main tourist centres of Gran Canaria are located in the south of the island, especially near the dunes of Maspalomas and the adjacent Playa del Inglés. The towns of Fataga, Puerto de Mogán, Puerto Rico and San Agustin also have first-class hotels and tourist highlights.

Puerto de Mogán in particular is also perfect for day trips and with its colourful houses and the promenade at the harbour is considered one of the most beautiful sights of Gran Canaria. But the interior of the island and the north are also full of exciting attractions.

Explore the lively Las Palmas, admire the small village of Tejede above the clouds overlooking Roque Nublo, be enchanted by the Guayadeque Gorge and the Bandama Basin.

More information about the best things to do: Gran Canaria

Popular Activities

More attractions

Gran Canaria: Canyoning Trip | Las Palmas: Old City Private Walking Tour | Las Palmas: Vegueta Old Town Walking Tour | Las Canteras Scuba Diving | Canteras Beach: Scuba Diving Discovery Tour | Las Canteras: Snorkeling Private Guided Tour | Las Palmas: 3.5-Hour Full City Guided Taxi and Walking Tour |

Current Weather and Forecast

Current Weather in Las Palmas
broken clouds     broken clouds, 14.8 °C
Clouds: 56 %       Wind: 15 mph NNW
Air Pressure: 1021 hPa       Humidity: 66 %
Last updated: 7th Feb 2023, 09:52 am
The next days …
7th Feb 20238th Feb 20239th Feb 202310th Feb 202311th Feb 202312th Feb 2023
light rain16 °C to 18 °Cbroken clouds16 °C to 17 °Cscattered clouds15 °C to 17 °Csky is clear15 °C to 18 °Cscattered clouds16 °C to 18 °Cscattered clouds17 °C to 19 °C
16 °C to 18 °C16 °C to 17 °C15 °C to 17 °C15 °C to 18 °C16 °C to 18 °C17 °C to 19 °C
Clouds: 60 %Clouds: 83 %Clouds: 50 %Clouds: 0 %Clouds: 31 %Clouds: 33 %
0.07 in of rainNo PrecipitationNo PrecipitationNo PrecipitationNo PrecipitationNo Precipitation
Weather information provided by OpenWeatherMap. (CC BY-SA)
Show temperatures in degree

Canary Islands: Regions

Gran Canaria is part of the holiday destination Canary Islands. We analyzed the climate for additional regions, in order to provide you with information about the best time to visit and the expected holiday weather:

Gran Canaria: Experiences of our Visitors

There are 13 reviews for Gran Canaria holiday already. Average rating is 4.7 of 5 stars.
  1. Avatar Preview
    Dani, 43 years old was there in June

    Just right, not too hot, not too cold, no rain 🙂

    Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent

  2. Avatar Preview
    Kurt, 88 years old was there in February

    We are already for 15 years about 4 weeks in beautiful hotel
    Suite Princess Playa Taurito,were very satisfied with the weather,
    only nature has changed a bit, it was very warm at noon
    and sun, but there was lots of cloud wind, and sometimes some rain.
    in the last few years. but still recommendable for a nice
    relaxing vacation

    Weather Rating: 4 stars – Good

  3. Avatar Preview
    Petra , 57 years old was there in January

    We drive every year from January to February and always had the best weather, except for a few days. Since we are both enthusiastic about sports, this is the best climate for us.

    Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent

  4. Avatar Preview
    Tanja, 46 years old was there in November

    1 week. It was warm and sunny every day, but also a little windy.
    Temperatures 23 – 26 °C.

    Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent

  5. Avatar Preview
    Daniela, 45 years old was there in July

    It was wonderfully warm and sunny every day, also at night it was pleasant.

    Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent

  6. Avatar Preview
    Ute, 64 years old was there in September

    We were on GC for 6 weeks and had only one day very easy.
    Spray! Otherwise only sunny weather.
    Grade: 1

    Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent

  7. Avatar Preview
    Johanna, 40 years old was there in March

    We were on GC 11 years ago at the beginning of March and had fantastic weather (27*) unusually warm for the time. That was our happiness

    Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent

  8. Avatar Preview
    Ruth , 56 years old was there in December

    Except for a small rain shower on 3.12. the weather was excellent. The temperatures were between 22 and 27 degrees. Wonderful for a cruise. The sea was also very calm.

    Weather Rating: 4 stars – Good

  9. Avatar Preview
    Doris, 46 years old was there in December

    partly the sky was overcast and it was very windy, the temperatures did not rise above 24 degrees

    Weather Rating: 3 stars – Mixed

  10. Avatar Preview
    Ute, 52 years old was there in June

    We had only sunshine every day for 14 days and it was 25 – 30°.

    Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent

  11. Avatar Preview
    Werner, 65 years old was there in January

    I was on GC once in early December for a week. It was pleasantly mild and not too hot. On the beach you could lie in the sand. In summer the sand is too hot-you need to lie there. I was already on GC in June. That was a wonderful bathing holiday. But also to drive around with the car it was great, because it is longer bright. In December it usually got dark around 18 o’clock. In summer only around 9.30 pm. Advantage in winter. All restaurants are open. In summer they are often closed from June to the end of August, when they themselves go on holiday and go to cooler regions. In June I myself had seen a fire in the dunes because it was so hot. In summer it is also too hot to lie in the dunes. Everything then takes place either at the pool or at the beach/sea. However, the water is not as warm as on the Adriatic Sea, which is ok. In winter a little too fresh and often too windy (red flag) due to storm. So everything has advantages and disadvantages, but despite everything GC is a great island where I would like to live from December to May and maybe some day will.

    Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent

  12. Avatar Preview
    Franz, 50 years old was there in June

    Bathing weather up to 30 degrees on the beach. In the evening pleasantly warm to sit outside, but not as hot as on Mallorca

    Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent

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Salida de la regata ARC 2015 desde Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (El Coleccionista de Instantes  Fotografía & Video)  [flickr.com]  CC BY-SA 
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Playa Amadores (Cristian Bortes)  [flickr.com]  CC BY 
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