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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 yr is good 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 stunning 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 nicely satisfied that the low season of November by means of February is the most effective time to go.
It’s nonetheless heat sufficient to swim, however not so sizzling that you have to spend all your time inside diving-in-distance of a pool! The cooler climate is good for sightseeing, strolling the coast path, and mountaineering 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 publish. Proper after I speak in regards to 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 nicely often known as a winter solar vacation spot in Europe. The island is much sufficient south that it enjoys heat climate virtually all yr spherical. The next climate averages had been all taken from the Met Workplace…
Common temperatures
In winter, the typical day by day most temperature sits between 20°C and 24°C relying on the month. January is the coldest month, with a mean max of 20.8°C and a mean min of 14°C.
Whereas the daytime temperatures are sometimes gentle to heat, after darkish it may be chilly: the typical minimal temperature from December by means of to March is between 14-15°C. Which means 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 yr in Lanzarote, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a lot drier than the UK. The wettest months, December and January, have 23mm and 22mm common month-to-month rainfall respectively. Evaluate 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 yr spherical. Nonetheless, winter is the least windy time of yr. 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 slightly cooler at instances, although, so undoubtedly 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 every week close to the beginning of December and had beautiful pool climate just about daily. It was round 22°C with clear skies on most days – slightly 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 pressure by the afternoon. On my final day, the temperature was solely about 19°C so it felt slightly 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 continuously gray, cloudy, and windy – however she did get a little bit of sunshine too. That feels like a fluke primarily based on climate averages, however simply remember that climate is – as all the time – unpredictable!
Lanzarote’s winter climate is unpredictable – however usually nice!
As you may see, winter climate in Lanzarote could be a little bit of a blended bag and there are not any ensures – nevertheless it’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 most likely the most effective space to remain.
Why winter is a Good time to go to Lanzarote
Lanzarote is nicely often known as a year-round seashore vacation vacation spot, and there are a whole lot of perks to travelling out of season! Right here’s why I believe 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 also 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 look at the dawn and sundown!
Winter’s shorter days imply that getting up for a magical island dawn is way much less painful than in summer time! With 6 to 7 hours of daylight (vs 9 hours in summer time), 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 right down to the seashore in time to look at the solar rising over the ocean (relying which a part of the island you’re on).
3. The cooler winter climate is good for mountaineering
Lanzarote isn’t JUST a unbelievable seashore vacation spot. This stunning, rugged little island is the proper place for out of doors adventures. There are a number of beautiful coast paths to discover – stopping off at hidden seashores alongside the best way. And within the island’s inside, you may go mountaineering 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 in order for you 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 provides round Black Friday and Cyber Monday in November, in addition to the January gross sales. My Jet2 flight to Lanzarote in late November was just 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).
In the event you can guide final minute and be as versatile as attainable along with your dates, you may choose up some nice offers. I noticed some package deal holidays to Lanzarote for lower than £300pp for every week!
Issues to do in Lanzarote in Winter (No Matter the Climate)
I believe it’s truthful to say that Lanzarote is, at the start, a seashore vacation vacation spot. Most individuals come for the year-round good climate, heat seas, and exquisite seashores.
However if you happen to’re visiting Lanzarote in winter, whereas the climate is actually going to be higher than the UK, it could not all the time be sea-swimming climate. Fortunately, there’s a lot extra to do on the island irrespective of the climate. Listed here are a number of concepts…
1. Take a highway journey (or bus tour) to discover Lanzarote’s highlights
Many of the “primary” sights in Lanzarote will be explored whatever the climate. In the event you’re hiring a automotive, why not spend a day or two road-tripping across the island’s varied highlights?
Try this information to road-tripping in Lanzarote for some nice ideas. These are a few of the greatest sights so as to add to your itinerary:
- Timanfaya Nationwide Park – stand up near Lanzarote’s volcanoes (extra on this under).
- Mirador del Rio – a shocking clifftop viewpoint overlooking La Graciosa island.
- El Golfo and the Lago Verde – a brilliant 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 accommodate an underground live performance corridor and an outside 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 study extra in regards to 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.
Various: 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 primary 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 foremost 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 an enchanting, otherworldly panorama dotted with cones and craters.
Solely one in every of these many volcanoes continues to be energetic: Timanfaya, which stands in a Nationwide Park of the identical identify. The final eruption was in 1730 and lasted for 2055 days – however there are nonetheless many indicators of volcanic exercise.
In the event you head to Islote de Hilario in Timanfaya Nationwide Park, you may see demonstrations of this exercise. Essentially the most thrilling of those is the man-made geyser. There are a sequence of pipes operating right 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 with the intention to defend the panorama. You possibly can drive to the customer centre and Islote de Hilario, however you may’t drive across the park or enter on foot. If you wish to discover the panorama, you’ll must guide a tour, resembling one of many ones under:
3. Go mountaineering
I’ve already talked about that Lanzarote is a unbelievable mountaineering vacation spot, and the cooler winter months are the most effective time to do it. Try a few of these nice mountaineering excursions…
4. Discover the island by bike
Lanzarote is extremely widespread with cyclists. The island’s quiet roads, volcanic hills, and sweeping vistas make for an excellent bike experience.
There are bike rental retailers in most cities on the island, or you may pre-book bike rental from YOTOMU in Playa Honda (very near the airport) – click on right here to test 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 approach right here: slightly than the normal rows of vines, wineries plant particular person grape vines in round depressions surrounded by semi-circular stone partitions, which offer shelter from the wind. It seems to be 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 spot to begin. There are various 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 test 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 best way Lanzarote seems to be in the present day.
Manrique lobbied efficiently to encourage a extra sustainable improvement of the tourism trade – together with the ban of high-rise lodges which continues to be in place in the present day, 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 study extra about him at these locations:
- César Manrique Home Museum in Haria – Manrique’s former dwelling 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 last venture, a shocking cactus backyard with some 450 species of cactus and succulents.
- Jameos del Agua – a cavern system created by the move of molten lava, which Manrique reworked right into a centre of artwork, tradition and tourism with a live performance corridor, museum, restaurant, and out of doors swimming pool.
7. Head to a spa
If the climate turns notably nasty, why not see it as the proper excuse to go to a spa for a pamper session? There are many spas dotted round Lanzarote, from spa lodges to easy salons. A fast Google Map search ought to enable you to discover the closest ones, or take a look at these widespread 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 you have to know:
Christmas closures
Consider that there could also be some closures over the festive interval. Christmas Eve, often known as Nochebuena, is a large deal in Spain, so it’s possible you’ll 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 prematurely if attainable.
Look out for nativity scenes referred to 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 choose up some nice handmade presents. 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 big competition. That is the day that the the Three Smart Males (Los Reyes Magos) are mentioned to have arrived on the steady to present Jesus his presents.
As such, many households alternate presents on the sixth. The day is marked with parades and the normal Roscón de Reyes fruit cake. In Lanzarote, there are often 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 principle resort right here – it’s one of many extra widespread areas to remain in Lanzarote and has a whole lot of facilities, however nonetheless has a chilled-out, small-town really feel. There are many bars and eating places, nevertheless it’s probably not a celebration space. Try my information to the most effective areas to remain in Lanzarote for extra data.
There are many good lodges 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 a superb choice, as you don’t must exit if the climate is dangerous. Having that self-catering choice means you may keep dwelling and eat if wanted. You’ll usually have a bit extra space than staying in a resort, too.
In the event you go for a villa slightly approach again from the coast, it would be extra sheltered from Lanzarote’s winds and may give you a little bit of a suntrap – preferrred if you wish to absorb some vitamin D! Plus, some villas have washing machines so you may 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 Vacation Villas on my final journey – a stunning, family-run firm with a number of fantastically appointed villas dotted across the city. My overview is coming very quickly, keep tuned!
What to Pack & Put on in Lazarote in Winter
Questioning what to put on in Lanzarote throughout winter? Typically, you simply must pack as you usually would for a warm-weather seashore 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 (keep 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 may simply regulate 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. You should definitely pack solar cream, a solar hat, and sun shades. Additionally, if you happen to 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’ve got 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 Record
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 clothes
- 2x brief clothes
- I additionally packed a protracted skirt and prime combo which I by no means wore!
- 2x brief leggings (I take advantage of Snag tights as they’re tremendous skinny and light-weight) for beneath clothes in the course of the day. Helps with “chub-rub” and unintended flashing – Lanzarote may be very windy!
- 1x lengthy pair of leggings for evenings.
- Lengthy, skinny cotton trousers and a black t-shirt for the evenings
- Underwear (the standard)
- Bikini
- Massive scarf/sarong for sporting on the seashore
- This doubled as a seashore towel for me – however I’d extremely advocate taking a microfiber journey towel if you happen to’re brief 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 turn out to be useful if you happen to do get dangerous climate)
In the event you’re not a “costume particular person” you may 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 clothes simply go from day to nighttime by including an additional layer in order that was my desire.
Additionally, if you happen to plan on mountaineering 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 mountaineering pants (these light-weight, zip-off Tresspass ones are my private faves)
- Alternatively, yoga/operating leggings may work – though I felt mine had been too sizzling.
- Trainers, strolling footwear, or Birkenstocks (relying on what degree of mountaineering you bear in mind)
Extra in and Round Lanzarote
Acquired 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 an incredible time exploring Lanzarote. Beneath you will discover hyperlinks to some of my different posts about Spain, in case you’ve extra time to discover…
Finest Areas to Keep in Lanzarote
Finest Areas for Diving in Lanzarote
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