Warmest Canary Island in Winter - December, January & February
The Canary Islands have become a very popular destination during the last years, especially during the winter months. The no.1 reason is the warm weather, so if you want to know which is the hottest Canary Island in winter, depending on the month when you plan to visit, we have made a comparison between the most visited destinations in the archipelago.
For people who are looking to escape the cold back home (if you live in Northern Europe you understand very well what we mean), the Canary Islands archipelago is one of the most accessible destinations, being only a short flight away from the European continent.
All following numbers are based on data from the airport weather station on each island (in the case of Tenerife, the data shown is from the meteorological station at Tenerife South airport).
If you want to know more details about a specific island during a specific month, just click the corresponding links below and you can see data from several other locations on that island.
Warmest Canary Island in December
Tenerife and Gran Canaria are the warmest Canary Islands in December.
See the temperatures, sunshine hours, and amount of precipitation for each individual Canary Island in December.
Tenerife South in December
- Average high temperature: 22.8 °C / 73 °F
- Record high temperature: 30 °C / 86 °F
- Record low temperature: 10.4 °C / 50.7 °F
- Average hours of sunshine: 6
More info about Tenerife weather in December
Gran Canaria in December
- Average high temperature: 22.2 °C / 72 °F
- Record high temperature: 29.4 °C / 85 °F
- Record low temperature: 9.7 °C / 49.5 °F
- Average hours of sunshine: 6
More info about Gran Canaria weather in December
Fuerteventura in December
- Average high temperature: 22 °C / 71.6 °F
- Record high temperature: 29.5 °C / 85.1 °F
- Record low temperature: 9 °C / 48.2 °F
- Average hours of sunshine in December: 6
More info about Fuerteventura weather in December
Lanzarote in December
- Average high temperature: 21.8 °C / 71.2 °F
- Record high temperature: 27.5 °C / 81.5 °F
- Record low temperature: 9 °C / 48.2 °F
- Average hours of sunshine in December: 6
More info about Lanzarote weather in December
HOTTEST CANARY ISLAND IN DECEMBER: GRAN CANARIA & TENERIFE
| December Weather | Average High °C (°F) |
Average Low °C (°F) |
Rain mm (inches) |
Rain Days |
Average Sun Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenerife | 22.8 (73) | 16.5 (61.7) | 30 (1.19) | 4 | 6 |
| Gran Canaria | 22.2 (72) | 16.2 (61.2) | 31 (1.22) | 5 | 6 |
| Lanzarote | 21.8 (71.2) | 15.4 (59.7) | 29 (1.15) | 4 | 6 |
| Fuerteventura | 22 (71.6) | 15.9 (60.6) | 26 (1.02) | 3 | 6 |
| La Palma | 21.8 (71.2) | 16.7 (62.1) | 80 (3.15) | 8 | 5 |
| La Gomera | 22.8 (73) | 17.4 (63.3) | 33 (1.31) | 3 | 5 |
| El Hierro | 22.2 (72) | 17.8 (64) | 33 (1.3) | 4 | 5 |
Gran Canaria is the warmest Canary Island in December usually, which is why we would recommend it as a destination for a Christmas holiday. The warmest places in Gran Canaria in December are located in the south: Maspalomas, Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogan.
Our second choice is the southern part of Tenerife, which is also hot and sunny most of the time in December. In Tenerife, we recommend staying either in Los Cristianos or Costa Adeje, for the sunniest weather in December and also the lovely atmosphere.
Warmest Canary Island in January
Tenerife is the warmest Canary Island in January, but only the southern towns and resorts.
See the temperatures, sunshine hours and amount of precipitation for each individual Canary Island in January.
Tenerife South in January
- Average high temperature: 21.7 °C / 71.1 °F
- Record high temperature: 29.3 °C / 84.7 °F
- Record low temperature: 9 °C / 48.2 °F
- Average hours of sunshine in January: 6
More info about Tenerife weather in January
Gran Canaria in January
- Average high temperature: 20.8 °C / 69.4 °F
- Record high temperature: 29.5 °C / 85.1 °F
- Record low temperature: 8 °C / 46.4 °F
- Average hours of sunshine in January: 6
More info about Gran Canaria weather in January
Fuerteventura in January
- Average high temperature: 20.6 °C / 69.1 °F
- Record high temperature: 28.5 °C / 83.3 °F
- Record low temperature: 8 °C / 46.4 °F
- Average hours of sunshine in January: 6
More info about Fuerteventura weather in January
Lanzarote in January
- Average high temperature: 20.7 °C / 69.3 °F
- Record high temperature: 27.9 °C / 82.2 °F
- Record low temperature: 8 °C / 46.4 °F
- Average hours of sunshine in January: 7
More info about Lanzarote weather in January
HOTTEST CANARY ISLAND IN JANUARY: TENERIFE
| January Weather | Average High °C (°F) |
Average Low °C (°F) |
Rain mm (inches) |
Rain Days |
Average Sun Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenerife | 21.7 (71.1) | 15.2 (59.4) | 17 (0.65) | 2 | 6 |
| Gran Canaria | 20.8 (69.4) | 15 (59) | 25 (0.98) | 3 | 6 |
| Lanzarote | 20.7 (69.3) | 14 (57.2) | 17 (0.65) | 3 | 7 |
| Fuerteventura | 20.6 (69.1) | 14.7 (58.5) | 14 (0.55) | 3 | 6 |
| La Palma | 20.6 (69.1) | 15.5 (59.9) | 49 (1.93) | 5 | 5 |
| La Gomera | 21.6 (70.9) | 16.2 (61.2) | 12 (0.46) | 2 | 6 |
| El Hierro | 20.9 (69.6) | 16.6 (61.9) | 28 (1.1) | 3 | 5 |
Tenerife is the hottest island in the Canary Islands archipelago in January and our recommended destination for the month.
The warmest resorts in January are Los Cristianos, Playa de Las Americas, Costa Adeje and Puerto de Santiago.
Warmest Canary Island in February
Gran Canaria is the warmest Canary Island in February.
See the temperatures, sunshine hours and amount of precipitation for each individual Canary Island in February.
Tenerife South in February
- Average high temperature: 22 °C / 71.6 °F
- Record high temperature: 30 °C / 86 °F
- Record low temperature: 9.8 °C / 49.6 °F
- Average hours of sunshine in February: 7
More info about Tenerife weather in February
Gran Canaria in February
- Average high temperature: 21.2 °C / 70.2 °F
- Record high temperature: 30.9 °C / 87.6 °F
- Record low temperature: 7.5 °C /45.5 °F
- Average hours of sunshine in February: 7
More info about Gran Canaria weather in February
Fuerteventura in February
- Average high temperature: 21°C / 69.8°F
- Record high temperature: 30.8°C / 87.4°F
- Record low temperature: 8°C / 46.4°F
- Average hours of sunshine in February: 7
More info about Fuerteventura weather in February
Lanzarote in February
- Average high temperature: 21.3 °C / 70.3 °F
- Record high temperature: 29 °C / 84.2 °F
- Record low temperature: 9 °C / 48.2 °F
- Average hours of sunshine in February: 7
More info about Lanzarote weather in February
HOTTEST CANARY ISLAND IN FEBRUARY: GRAN CANARIA
| February Weather | Average High °C (°F) |
Average Low °C (°F) |
Rain mm (inches) |
Rain Days |
Average Sun Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenerife | 22 (71.6) | 15 (59) | 20 (0.78) | 2 | 7 |
| Gran Canaria | 21.2 (70.2) | 15 (59) | 24 (0.94) | 3 | 7 |
| Lanzarote | 21.3 (70.3) | 14.3 (57.7) | 18 (0.72) | 3 | 7 |
| Fuerteventura | 21 (69.8) | 14.8 (58.6) | 16 (0.63) | 2 | 7 |
| La Palma | 20.7 (69.3) | 15.3 (59.5) | 57 (2.24) | 4 | 5 |
| La Gomera | 21.1 (70) | 16.1 (61) | 24 (0.94) | 3 | 6 |
| El Hierro | 20.8 (69.4) | 16.4 (61.5) | 29 (1.14) | 2 | 6 |
Although it might not seem like it from the data shown above, the south of Gran Canaria is the warmest part of the Canary Islands in February.
The data above is extracted from the Airport weather station, but the southern resorts in Gran Canaria are much hotter and have warmer weather.
In February we recommend Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogan as the hottest and dryest places in the Canary Islands.
Fuerteventura, although not exactly the warmest, does get the least amount of precipitation during the month of February, which is why we also recommend it. The best resorts for February would be in the south: Costa Calma and Morro Jable.
CONCLUSION - Which is the hottest Canary Island in winter?
Tenerife and Gran Canaria are the warmest islands in the Canaries during the months of December, January and February.
What you need to keep in mind is that those temperatures refer only to the weather in Tenerife South and also the south of Gran Canaria. In the north, it can be much cooler, cloudier and it rains more often.
Tenerife has an ideal location, so it will have lots of days with temperatures above 22°C, even up to 28°C in the sun and the water can reach temperatures between 19 - 22 °C.
December is generally the month with the most rain out of the entire year, but the weather will still be warmer and better compared to the rest of mainland Europe.
The south of Gran Canaria has a climate that is similar to the south of Tenerife, so it's a great option for your winter holiday.
Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are also great options for a winter sun holiday and the differences in temperature and weather between the north and south of the island are not as striking as in the case of Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
Tenerife and Gran Canaria are mountainous islands, the highest peak in Gran Canaria is Pico de Las Nieves at 1,949 meters (6,394 ft) and the highest peak in Tenerife is Mount Teide at 3,715 m (12188 ft), which means that the high mountains influence the climate a lot and there are big temperature differences between the south (where all the tourist resorts are located) and the north, that tends to be cooler and greener, which comes with more rainy days that occur especially during the winter months.
Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are relatively flat islands compared to Tenerife and Gran Canaria, so there isn't anything to massively influence the weather like it is in the case of the mountainous islands.
So if you want to visit Lanzarote or Fuerteventura in winter you can stay in any of the resorts on the island, since the differences in temperatures are minimal and you can simply choose the area that you like best.
Our recommendation for the best Canary Islands for winter sun is either TENERIFE or GRAN CANARIA.
This doesn't mean you should avoid the other islands because the weather will still be warmer than most other places in Europe, but you will just have to expect more wind and a few more showers during the day.
We usually spend our winters either in Tenerife or Gran Canaria, which is why we recommend them. In Tenerife, we prefer to stay in either Puerto de Santiago, Playa La Arena, or Los Cristianos, while in Gran Canaria we prefer to split our time between Las Palmas and either Arguineguin or Puerto de Mogan.
Besides the weather, it all comes down to personal preference, since each island has its unique feeling and atmosphere and you should also take this into account.
READ ALSO
How warm are the Canary Islands at Christmas?
These are actual photos we took in Tenerife in December and also in early January.
During the daytime, the temperatures in the south often go above 20°C, up to a max of 26 - 28°C. The weather is hot enough to sit on the beach and even enjoy a swim in the ocean.
The average temperature for the ocean water in the Canary Islands in December is around 20°C, which may be too cold for some, but many people still enjoy a good swim after a few hours in the sun.
During the winter months, you can look for hotels or villas with heated pools, where the water is warm enough for swimming all year long.
Water parks in Tenerife like Siam Park and Aqualand are still open in December and in fact all year long and the water is warm enough to enjoy the rides. Other smaller aqua parks like the one located in Corralejo, in Fuerteventura, are closed during the winter months.
- Info about the weather in the Canary Islands in December
Where to go on holiday in December in Europe
Most of continental Europe is characterized by cold weather during the winter months, so the Canary Islands represent a great choice for a sunny holiday in December or January. Located just 4 to 6 hours away from most countries like the UK or Germany, the Canary Islands have a warm climate even during winter, with temperatures rising above 20°C.
Besides the Canaries, you also have the options of southern Spain (Andalucia) and Costa Blanca, which are the warmest parts of continental Spain, with plenty of hours of sunshine even during winter.
But if you're looking for winter sun in Europe, then the Canary Islands are your best choice as they have the hottest weather and highest temperatures, which allow for sunbathing and swimming.
FAQ about the warmest places in winter in the Canary Islands
The south of Tenerife and the south of Gran Canaria, especially Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogan, are the sunniest places in the Canary Islands in the months of December, January and February.
The areas of Puerto Mogan in Gran Canaria and Gran Tarajal in Fuerteventura are some of the driest areas in the Canary Islands in winter.
Gran Canaria and Tenerife are our top choices for winter sun (but remember to stay in the south of the islands if you are looking for warm and sunny weather).
