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Questioning what it’s like to go to Lanzarote in winter? Heat climate, low season quietness and winter sale bargains… this time of 12 months is right for a break within the Canary Islands!
The Canaries could also be Spanish, however they’re truly a lot nearer to Africa than the remainder of Europe. Which suggests these lovely volcanic islands get pleasure from a lot hotter climate than anyplace else on the continent.
After my current winter solar getaway break in Lanzarote, I’m fairly properly satisfied that the low season of November by February is the very best time to go.
It’s nonetheless heat sufficient to swim, however not so scorching that it’s essential to spend all your time inside diving-in-distance of a pool! The cooler climate is right for sightseeing, strolling the coast path, and mountain climbing amidst volcanoes in Timanfaya Nationwide Park.
I’ve expanded on the explanations why winter is such an superior time to go to Lanzarote within the second part of this put up. Proper after I discuss concerning the climate (I’m British – I can’t assist it!) and what it’s like to go to Lanzarote within the colder months.
Lanzarote Winter Climate
Lanzarote is properly often known as a winter solar vacation spot in Europe. The island is way sufficient south that it enjoys heat climate virtually all 12 months spherical. The next climate averages have been all taken from the Met Workplace…
Common temperatures
In winter, the common every day most temperature sits between 20°C and 24°C relying on the month. January is the coldest month, with a median max of 20.8°C and a median min of 14°C.
Whereas the daytime temperatures are sometimes delicate to heat, after darkish it may be chilly: the common minimal temperature from December by to March is between 14-15°C. Meaning you’ll need to pack a cardigan or gentle jacket to put on within the evenings.
Wind and rain
Winter is the rainiest time of 12 months in Lanzarote, but it surely’s nonetheless a lot drier than the UK. The wettest months, December and January, have 23mm and 22mm common month-to-month rainfall respectively. Examine that to 127mm within the UK!
One factor to notice is that Lanzarote is famously fairly a windy vacation spot, hit by sturdy commerce winds just about all 12 months spherical. Nonetheless, winter is the least windy time of 12 months. Whereas July’s common wind speeds are 19.3mph, in November-Jan the wind speeds are round 10.5mph. That breeze could make it really feel just a little cooler at instances, although, so positively price packing a number of additional layers simply in case!
Actual-life experiences: Lanzarote climate in November and December
I used to be in Lanzarote for per week close to the beginning of December and had pretty pool climate just about daily. It was round 22°C with clear skies on most days – just a little breezy on the coast, however nonetheless very heat and nice. It was even heat sufficient to swim within the sea.
There have been a few overcast mornings and one wet morning, however the solar all the time got here again in full drive by the afternoon. On my final day, the temperature was solely about 19°C so it felt just a little cooler – however nonetheless good sufficient to swim within the pool.
The week earlier than my tip, although, Monica from The Journey Hack visited and mentioned she had fairly poor climate. It was round 15°C for a lot of the week and incessantly gray, cloudy, and windy – however she did get a little bit of sunshine too. That appears like a fluke primarily based on climate averages, however simply bear in mind that climate is – as all the time – unpredictable!
Lanzarote’s winter climate is unpredictable – however usually nice!
As you’ll be able to see, winter climate in Lanzarote is usually a little bit of a blended bag and there are not any ensures – but it surely’s nonetheless prone to be hotter and nicer than again within the UK!
Prime tip: I used to be staying in Playa Blanca on the island’s southernmost tip. This space can typically be a level or two hotter than the remainder of Lanzarote, so if you wish to maximise your probabilities of good climate that is in all probability the very best space to remain.
Why winter is a Good time to go to Lanzarote
Lanzarote is properly often known as a year-round seaside vacation vacation spot, and there are a number of perks to travelling out of season! Right here’s why I feel winter is the perfect time to journey to Lanzarote…
1. Winter solar – and fewer wind
As talked about above, the climate in Lanzarote stays fairly heat and clear all through winter. At simply over 4 hours flight time from London, this is among the closest winter solar locations to the UK
Winter can be the least windy time to go to the island on the whole (see the part above for more information).
2. It’s simpler to observe the dawn and sundown!
Winter’s shorter days imply that getting up for a magical island dawn is far much less painful than in summer season! With 6 to 7 hours of daylight (vs 9 hours in summer season), the dawn is at a way more palatable time.
On my current go to, the solar rose simply after 7am every morning and set simply earlier than 6pm every evening. I beloved sitting exterior with my morning espresso watching the solar creep over the horizon with the volcanoes within the distance! And it wouldn’t be in any respect tough to stroll all the way down to the seaside in time to observe the solar rising over the ocean (relying which a part of the island you’re on).
3. The cooler winter climate is right for mountain climbing
Lanzarote isn’t JUST a unbelievable seaside vacation spot. This lovely, rugged little island is the right place for outside adventures. There are a number of pretty coast paths to discover – stopping off at hidden seashores alongside the way in which. And within the island’s inside, you’ll be able to go mountain climbing amidst the volcanoes in Timanfaya Nationwide Park.
4. There are fewer vacationers round
Excluding the October half-term and the December holidays, autumn/winter is usually the off-season in Lanzarote. Which suggests quieter resorts, fewer our bodies on the seashores, and fewer busy eating places. Excellent if you would like a soothing escape.
5. Flights and lodging will most definitely be cheaper
Travelling out of season tends to be extra inexpensive than throughout peak instances, anyway. However you even have some unimaginable gives round Black Friday and Cyber Monday in November, in addition to the January gross sales. My Jet2 flight to Lanzarote in late November was slightly below £90 return with carry-on baggage – and there have been some even decrease costs with Ryanair (simply not for any dates/instances that suited me).
Should you can e-book final minute and be as versatile as attainable along with your dates, you’ll be able to decide up some nice offers. I noticed some bundle holidays to Lanzarote for lower than £300pp for per week!
Issues to do in Lanzarote in Winter (No Matter the Climate)
I feel it’s truthful to say that Lanzarote is, before everything, a seaside vacation vacation spot. Most individuals come for the year-round good climate, heat seas, and delightful seashores.
However should you’re visiting Lanzarote in winter, whereas the climate is definitely going to be higher than the UK, it could not all the time be sea-swimming climate. Fortunately, there’s lots extra to do on the island regardless of the climate. Listed below are a number of concepts…
1. Take a street journey (or bus tour) to discover Lanzarote’s highlights
A lot of the “essential” sights in Lanzarote will be explored whatever the climate. Should you’re hiring a automobile, why not spend a day or two road-tripping across the island’s varied highlights?
Take a look at this information to road-tripping in Lanzarote for some nice ideas. These are among the greatest sights so as to add to your itinerary:
- Timanfaya Nationwide Park – stand up near Lanzarote’s volcanoes (extra on this beneath).
- Mirador del Rio – a shocking clifftop viewpoint overlooking La Graciosa island.
- El Golfo and the Lago Verde – a vibrant inexperienced lagoon within the crater of a volcano.
- Cueva de los Verdes – an underground lava tube fashioned by the molten lava from volcanic explosions.
- Jameos del Agua – volcanic caverns fashioned when lava tunnels collapsed, which have been reimagined to deal with an underground live performance corridor and an out of doors swimming pool designed by native artist César Manrique.
- César Manrique Artwork – the island’s most well-known artist has left his mark throughout Lanzarote. Go to the César Manrique Home Museum in Haria, or the César Manrique Basis in Tahíche, to be taught extra concerning the artist and his works.
- Discover Lanzarote’s cute cities and villages – wander the sleepy streets between white homes for a slice of island life. I’d advocate Haría, Teguise, Arrieta or Famara to get began.
Different: Island Highlights Bus Tour
Don’t need to drive? I booked this Full Day Bus Tour of the island (9 hours, from £59.19pp). It takes in 4 of the island’s essential sights: Timanfaya, Cueva de los Verdes, Mirador del Rio, and Jameos del Agua. It felt a bit rushed at instances, however was a great way to see the main sights with out driving.
2. Volcano tour in Timanfaya Nationwide Park
Lanzarote is ALL about volcanoes. The island was fashioned by volcanic eruptions round 15 million years in the past – and has a captivating, otherworldly panorama dotted with cones and craters.
Solely one in all these many volcanoes remains to be lively: Timanfaya, which stands in a Nationwide Park of the identical title. The final eruption was in 1730 and lasted for 2055 days – however there are nonetheless many indicators of volcanic exercise.
Should you head to Islote de Hilario in Timanfaya Nationwide Park, you’ll be able to see demonstrations of this exercise. Probably the most thrilling of those is the man-made geyser. There are a sequence of pipes operating all the way down to about 10m underground: the information pours water in, and two seconds later it erupts again out in an enormous steam geyser! There’s additionally a restaurant right here the place they serve meat cooked utilizing the warmth from the volcano!
Entry to Timanfaya Nationwide Park is restricted as a way to shield the panorama. You possibly can drive to the customer centre and Islote de Hilario, however you’ll be able to’t drive across the park or enter on foot. If you wish to discover the panorama, you’ll must e-book a tour, resembling one of many ones beneath:
3. Go mountain climbing
I’ve already talked about that Lanzarote is a unbelievable mountain climbing vacation spot, and the cooler winter months are the very best time to do it. Take a look at a few of these nice mountain climbing excursions…
4. Discover the island by bike
Lanzarote is extremely standard with cyclists. The island’s quiet roads, volcanic hills, and sweeping vistas make for an excellent bike experience.
There are bike rental outlets in most cities on the island, or you’ll be able to pre-book bike rental from YOTOMU in Playa Honda (very near the airport) – click on right here to examine costs and reserve on-line. Alternatively, there are a number of nice biking excursions for a guided cycle experience:
5. Wine tasting
Do you know that wine is grown in Lanzarote? Regardless of its arid landscapes and year-round winds, Lanzarote is a surprisingly good wine vacation spot.
The wine is grown in an uncommon method right here: moderately than the standard rows of vines, wineries plant particular person grape vines in round depressions surrounded by semi-circular stone partitions, which give shelter from the wind. It appears to be like very surreal – and makes the expertise of visiting a vineyard in Lanzarote much more thrilling.
El Grifo Bodega is the oldest and most iconic vineyard on the island, so it is a excellent place to start out. There are a lot of others, although, largely dotted across the areas of La Geria, Masdache and Tinajo. A wine-tasting tour at El Grifo begins from £38.60pp – click on right here to examine availability.
6. Uncover the Artwork of César Manrique
Artist César Manrique (1919-1992) was born in Arrecife, Lanzarote and left an unimaginable mark on the island. Not solely are you able to see his artworks, sculptures, and structure all around the island – however as a nature activist, he additionally had an enormous affect on the way in which Lanzarote appears to be like as we speak.
Manrique lobbied efficiently to encourage a extra sustainable growth of the tourism trade – together with the ban of high-rise inns which remains to be in place as we speak, and which is an enormous a part of what makes Lanzarote such a particular place to go to.
You possibly can see examples of the artist’s work and be taught extra about him at these locations:
- César Manrique Home Museum in Haria – Manrique’s former house and studio, conserved simply as he left it.
- César Manrique Basis in Tahíche – a spectacular “volcano home” designed by César Manrique himself, constructed inside a lava coulee.
- Jardín de Cactus in Guatiza – Manrique’s ultimate venture, a shocking cactus backyard with some 450 species of cactus and succulents.
- Jameos del Agua – a cavern system created by the circulate of molten lava, which Manrique remodeled right into a centre of artwork, tradition and tourism with a live performance corridor, museum, restaurant, and outside swimming pool.
7. Head to a spa
If the climate turns significantly nasty, why not see it as the right excuse to move to a spa for a pamper session? There are many spas dotted round Lanzarote, from spa inns to easy salons. A fast Google Map search ought to allow you to discover the closest ones, or try these standard spots:
Lanzarote at Christmas
Contemplating visiting Lanzarote over Christmas? It is a nice time to go to the island – particularly if you wish to escape the dangerous climate! Right here’s what it’s essential to know:
Christmas closures
Take into consideration that there could also be some closures over the festive interval. Christmas Eve, often known as Nochebuena, is a large deal in Spain, so you might discover that many companies are closed, particularly locally-owned bars and eating places.
On Christmas Day, some bars and eating places keep open to cater to holidaymakers – however I’d advocate researching and reserving these upfront if attainable.
Look out for nativity scenes known as Beléns
The standard nativity scenes, often known as Beléns, are an enormous spotlight of the Christmas interval in Lanzarote. You possibly can see these elaborate, typically hand-crafted nativity scenes in church buildings and city squares all around the island.
Christmas markets in Lanzarote
Many cities throughout Lanzarote host Christmas markets in December. Store for native wines, cheeses and different goodies – or decide up some nice handmade items. The primary one is the Arrecife Christmas market within the island’s capital.
Los Reyes Magos (sixth Jan)
All through Spain, the sixth of January is a major pageant. That is the day that the the Three Sensible Males (Los Reyes Magos) are mentioned to have arrived on the steady to present Jesus his items.
As such, many households change items on the sixth. The day is marked with parades and the standard Roscón de Reyes fruit cake. In Lanzarote, there are normally parades in Arrecife and Teguise.
The place to remain in Lanzarote in Winter
As talked about earlier, the realm round the southwestern tip of Lanzarote enjoys marginally hotter climate than the remainder of the island. Playa Blanca is the primary resort right here – it’s one of many extra standard areas to remain in Lanzarote and has a number of facilities, however nonetheless has a chilled-out, small-town really feel. There are many bars and eating places, but it surely’s not likely a celebration space. Take a look at my information to the very best areas to remain in Lanzarote for extra data.
There are many good inns on the island to swimsuit all budgets, starting from backpacker-friendly hostel dorms to luxurious 5-star resorts. It actually relies upon on what you’re searching for.
Villas are possibility, as you don’t need to exit if the climate is dangerous. Having that self-catering possibility means you’ll be able to keep house and eat if wanted. You’ll usually have a bit more room than staying in a resort, too.
Should you go for a villa just a little method again from the coast, it’s going to be extra sheltered from Lanzarote’s winds and may give you a little bit of a suntrap – supreme if you wish to take in some vitamin D! Plus, some villas have washing machines so you’ll be able to wash any garments that get soiled or rained on and so on – and have loads of area to hold up any moist issues.
I stayed at one of many Playa Blanca Villas on my final journey – a beautiful, family-run firm with a number of fantastically appointed villas dotted across the city. My assessment is coming very quickly, keep tuned!
What to Pack & Put on in Lazarote in Winter
Questioning what to put on in Lanzarote throughout winter? On the whole, you simply must pack as you usually would for a warm-weather seaside vacation.
In the course of the day, I used to be lazing within the solar in a bikini, or wandering round in a costume with no outer layer.
However in winter, Lanzarote will be chilly within the early mornings and after darkish (bear in mind, the solar units round 6pm). So that you’ll need leggings or lengthy trousers and a cardi or gentle jacket. Go for light-weight layers so you’ll be able to simply alter your outfit because it will get hotter or colder.
20-odd levels doesn’t sound like a lot, however that solar can nonetheless be fairly fierce. Be sure you pack solar cream, a solar hat, and sun shades. Additionally, should you plan on snorkelling (or simply burn simply) I like to recommend a rash-vest like this one to guard you from sunburn while swimming. When you have mixture or oily pores and skin like I do, then I extremely advocate a non-greasy facial suncream. I swear by La Roche Posay’s SPF50+ Invisible Fluid – it’s a complete game-changer.
Lanzarote 4-Day Packing Checklist
Right here’s what I packed (travelling hand baggage solely) for my 4-day December journey to Lanzarote:
- 1 pair Converse
- 1 pair flip flops
- 2x maxi attire
- 2x quick attire
- I additionally packed an extended skirt and high combo which I by no means wore!
- 2x quick leggings (I take advantage of Snag tights as they’re tremendous skinny and light-weight) for beneath attire through the day. Helps with “chub-rub” and unintended flashing – Lanzarote could be very windy!
- 1x lengthy pair of leggings for evenings.
- Lengthy, skinny cotton trousers and a black t-shirt for the evenings
- Underwear (the same old)
- Bikini
- Massive scarf/sarong for sporting on the seaside
- This doubled as a seaside towel for me – however I’d extremely advocate taking a microfiber journey towel should you’re quick on area and plan on swimming within the sea.
- Sunhat
- Sun shades
- Cardigan
- Waterproof jacket (I didn’t find yourself needing this as I stayed in when it rained, however a light-weight jacket or small umbrella could come in useful should you do get dangerous climate)
Should you’re not a “costume particular person” you’ll be able to clearly commerce for skirts or shorts and t-shirts, no matter works for you. I used to be attempting to maximise packing with solely a cabin bag, and attire simply go from day to nighttime by including an additional layer in order that was my desire.
Additionally, should you plan on mountain climbing it’s a good suggestion to pack:
- A sweat-wicking sports activities t-shirt (I like the Columbia Zero Guidelines T-Shirt)
- Shorts or adjustable-length mountain climbing pants (these light-weight, zip-off Tresspass ones are my private faves)
- Alternatively, yoga/operating leggings would possibly work – though I felt mine have been too scorching.
- Trainers, strolling sneakers, or Birkenstocks (relying on what degree of mountain climbing you bear in mind)
Extra in and Round Lanzarote
Bought a query about visiting Lanzarote throughout winter? Scroll down to go away me a remark and I’ll attempt to assist!
I hope you discovered this information helpful – and have a tremendous time exploring Lanzarote. Under yow will discover hyperlinks to some of my different posts about Spain, in case you could have extra time to discover…
Finest Areas to Keep in Lanzarote
Finest Areas for Diving in Lanzarote
