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Climate

When to visit.

Lanzarote has a warm, dry climate year-round. There is no bad time to visit — but some months are better than others, depending on what you're after.

Best overall

May, Sep & Oct

Warm, dry, and less crowded than summer. Great for sightseeing and beach.

Best beach weather

Jul & Aug

Hottest months. Flat-calm seas. But also the busiest and most expensive.

Best value

May & Jun

Off-peak prices after Easter through June — excellent weather before the summer rush.

Month by month

Month Avg °C Sun Rain
Jan 18° 6h Low
Feb 18° 7h Low
Mar 19° 8h Low
Apr 21° 9h Very low
May 22° 10h Very low
Jun 24° 11h Minimal
Jul 26° 11h None
Aug 27° 11h None
Sep 26° 10h None
Oct 24° 8h Low
Nov 21° 7h Low–moderate
Dec 19° 6h Low

Average daytime temperatures in Playa Honda. Rainfall is low year-round compared to mainland Spain.

What to know

Wind

Lanzarote is windy — this is just a fact. The island sits in the Atlantic trade wind belt. The east coast (including Playa Honda) is generally more sheltered than the north and west. Wind is strongest from November to March and lightest in summer. The south-facing balcony at Casa Sol y Playa is sheltered enough to be usable most of the year.

Calima (Sahara dust)

Occasionally — usually in late winter or early spring — Sahara dust clouds roll in from the east, turning the sky orange-grey and reducing visibility. These typically last 1–3 days. It's not pleasant, but it passes. If you're travelling in January–March, there's a small chance of experiencing one.

Sea temperature

The sea is always cool by Mediterranean standards — the Atlantic off Lanzarote averages around 19°C in winter and 23°C in September, the warmest month. Most guests find it perfectly swimmable from May to November.

High season & prices

Peak periods

Lanzarote has two distinct peak periods: summer (July–August) and Christmas–New Year. Easter week is also busy. Prices for accommodation, car hire, and flights all increase during these periods.

The sweet spots

May–June is the off-peak pricing window — after Easter, prices drop and stay lower through June. You get excellent weather and fewer crowds before the summer rush. October is also excellent: very warm sea temperatures, near-guaranteed sun, and less crowded than August. Neither requires booking months in advance.

Car hire availability

Whatever time of year you come, book your hire car as early as possible. Lanzarote's supply is genuinely limited, and CICAR (our recommended company) sells out well in advance during high season. If you leave it to arrival, you may find nothing available.