The Eternal Spring
Gran Canaria enjoys one of the best climates in the world. With average temperatures between 18-26°C year-round, over 300 sunny days, and scarce rainfall, the island offers perfect conditions for holidays in any season.
The World Health Organisation has classified the Canarian climate as one of the healthiest on the planet.
---
Climate Data
Temperature by Month (Las Canteras)
| Month | Min. | Max. | Average | Sea Temp |
|-------|------|------|---------|----------|
| January | 15°C | 21°C | 18°C | 19°C |
| February | 15°C | 21°C | 18°C | 18°C |
| March | 16°C | 22°C | 19°C | 18°C |
| April | 16°C | 23°C | 20°C | 19°C |
| May | 18°C | 24°C | 21°C | 20°C |
| June | 19°C | 26°C | 23°C | 21°C |
| July | 21°C | 27°C | 24°C | 22°C |
| August | 22°C | 28°C | 25°C | 23°C |
| September | 21°C | 27°C | 24°C | 24°C |
| October | 20°C | 26°C | 23°C | 23°C |
| November | 18°C | 24°C | 21°C | 21°C |
| December | 16°C | 22°C | 19°C | 20°C |
Hours of Sunshine
| Month | Sun Hours/Day | Clear Days |
|-------|---------------|------------|
| January | 6 | 22 |
| February | 7 | 21 |
| March | 7 | 24 |
| April | 8 | 25 |
| May | 9 | 27 |
| June | 9 | 28 |
| July | 10 | 30 |
| August | 9 | 30 |
| September | 8 | 27 |
| October | 7 | 25 |
| November | 6 | 23 |
| December | 6 | 22 |
---
Microclimates
The "Miniature Continent"
Gran Canaria has over 14 different microclimates. In a single day, you can experience very different conditions depending on the area.
| Zone | Climate | Temperature | Rain |
|------|---------|-------------|------|
| Las Canteras (North/Coast) | Subtropical humid | 18-26°C | Occasional |
| Maspalomas (South) | Semi-arid | 20-30°C | Very rare |
| Central Summit | Mountain | 8-20°C | More frequent |
| Interior North | Humid | 15-23°C | Moderate |
| West (Mogán) | Warm dry | 22-30°C | Very rare |
By Altitude
| Altitude | Zone | Summer Temp | Winter Temp |
|----------|------|-------------|-------------|
| 0-200m | Coast | 25-30°C | 18-22°C |
| 200-600m | Mid-lands | 20-25°C | 14-18°C |
| 600-1,200m | Low mountain | 15-22°C | 8-14°C |
| 1,200-1,956m | Summit | 10-18°C | 2-10°C |
---
The Seasons
Summer (June-September)
| Aspect | Detail |
|--------|--------|
| Temperature | 24-28°C on coast |
| Sea water | 22-24°C (perfect) |
| Rain | Practically none |
| Tourism | High occupancy |
| Ideal for | Beach, snorkeling, surf |
#### Summer Characteristics
- Guaranteed sunshine
- Pleasant nights (20-22°C)
- Trade winds refresh
- Clear summits
- High season prices
---
Autumn (October-November)
| Aspect | Detail |
|--------|--------|
| Temperature | 21-26°C |
| Sea water | 23-24°C (warmest) |
| Rain | Occasional shower possible |
| Tourism | Moderate |
| Ideal for | Everything, best value |
#### Autumn Characteristics
- Sea water at warmest
- Fewer tourists than summer
- Lower prices
- Perfect for hiking
- Spectacular sunsets
---
Winter (December-February)
| Aspect | Detail |
|--------|--------|
| Temperature | 17-22°C |
| Sea water | 18-20°C (cool but swimmable) |
| Rain | More likely (still scarce) |
| Tourism | High (escape European cold) |
| Ideal for | Hiking, golf, escape winter |
#### Winter Characteristics
- While Europe is at 0°C, here it's 20°C
- Perfect for outdoor activities
- Almond blossoms (February)
- Carnival (February-March)
- Occasional snow on summits
---
Spring (March-May)
| Aspect | Detail |
|--------|--------|
| Temperature | 19-24°C |
| Sea water | 18-20°C |
| Rain | Rare |
| Tourism | Moderate |
| Ideal for | Hiking, nature in bloom |
#### Spring Characteristics
- Island green after winter rains
- Wild flowers
- Perfect temperature for walking
- Less wind than summer
- Excellent for photography
---
Special Phenomena
Calima
Saharan wind that brings dust and sand from the desert.| Aspect | Detail |
|--------|--------|
| Frequency | 2-5 episodes/year |
| Duration | 1-4 days |
| Temperature | Rises 5-10°C |
| Visibility | Reduced, ochre sky |
| Effects | Dry air, heat, hazy sky |
Advice during calima:- Stay well hydrated
- Avoid intense exercise
- Seek air-conditioned indoors
- Beaches are still enjoyable
Trade Winds (Alisios)
Northeast winds that blow almost year-round.| Aspect | Detail |
|--------|--------|
| Direction | Northeast |
| Intensity | Moderate (15-25 km/h) |
| Effect | Refreshes, creates sea of clouds in north |
| Summer | More constant |
Benefits:- Refresh summer heat
- Generate surf waves (La Cícer)
- Keep air clean
Sea of Clouds
Frequent phenomenon: clouds trapped on northern slopes while summits and south remain clear.
| Aspect | Detail |
|--------|--------|
| Height | 600-1,500 metres |
| Frequency | Very common |
| Effect | North cloudy, south clear |
| Photography | Spectacular from summits |
---
Climate by Activity
Best Season by Activity
| Activity | Best Season | Reason |
|----------|-------------|--------|
| Beach | Jun-Oct | Warmer, better water |
| Surfing | Oct-Mar | Best waves |
| Hiking | Oct-May | Not too hot |
| Golf | Year-round | Always good weather |
| Cycling | Oct-May | Ideal temperature |
| Diving | Jun-Nov | Best visibility |
| Stargazing | Year-round | 300+ clear nights |
Best Season by Zone
| Zone | Best Season | Note |
|------|-------------|------|
| Las Canteras | Year-round | Privileged microclimate |
| Maspalomas | Oct-Jun | Summer very hot |
| Summits | Apr-Oct | Winter cold |
| North | Apr-Oct | Fewer clouds |
---
What to Pack
Summer (June-September)
| Item | Quantity |
|------|----------|
| T-shirts/Tops | 5-7 |
| Shorts/Skirts | 3-4 |
| Swimwear | 2-3 |
| Sandals | 1-2 pairs |
| Sunscreen | SPF 50+ |
| Hat/Cap | 1 |
| Sunglasses | 1 |
| Light cardigan | 1 (for evenings) |
Winter (December-February)
| Item | Quantity |
|------|----------|
| T-shirts | 5-7 |
| Long trousers | 2-3 |
| Light jacket | 1 |
| Jumper/Sweatshirt | 2 |
| Swimwear | 1-2 (yes, still swimmable) |
| Closed shoes | 1 pair |
| Sandals | 1 pair |
For Mountains (Year-round)
| Item | Reason |
|------|--------|
| Layers | Temperature changes with altitude |
| Windbreaker | Wind at summits |
| Hiking footwear | Uneven trails |
| Fleece | Cool above 1,000m |
---
Comparison with Europe
Typical January
| City | Temperature | Rain |
|------|-------------|------|
| Las Canteras | 18°C | 3 days |
| London | 5°C | 15 days |
| Berlin | 1°C | 10 days |
| Paris | 4°C | 12 days |
| Rome | 8°C | 9 days |
| Stockholm | -3°C | 12 days |
Typical July
| City | Temperature | Rain |
|------|-------------|------|
| Las Canteras | 25°C | 0 days |
| London | 19°C | 8 days |
| Berlin | 23°C | 9 days |
| Paris | 24°C | 7 days |
| Rome | 30°C | 2 days |
| Seville | 36°C | 0 days |
Conclusion: Las Canteras has more stable climate and fewer extremes than any continental European city.---
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Gran Canaria?
October-May offers perfect temperatures (18-24°C) and less tourism. Summer (June-September) is ideal for beach but more crowded. Really, any time is good.Does it rain a lot in Gran Canaria?
No. The island receives about 100-150mm of rain per year on coast (Madrid receives 450mm). Rain concentrates in November-February, and is usually brief.
Is it cold in winter?
On the coast, no. Temperatures hover around 17-22°C in December-February. You can swim year-round (water 18-20°C in winter). At summits, yes it's cold (5-10°C).
What is calima?
Saharan wind that brings African dust. Occurs 2-5 times a year, lasts 1-4 days. Raises temperature and reduces visibility. Uncomfortable but not dangerous.
When is the sea water warmest?
September-October, when it reaches 23-24°C. In summer (July-August) it's 22-23°C. In winter it drops to 18-20°C, cool but swimmable.Do I need a jacket for Gran Canaria?
For the coast, a light cardigan is enough for cool evenings. If you plan to go to the summits, bring a windbreaker and some warm layers.
Why do they say the south is better?
The south (Maspalomas, Mogán) has fewer clouds and more sun than the north. But the north has greener landscapes and Las Canteras has excellent microclimate, sheltered from trade winds.
Is there a temperature difference north-south?
Yes, the south is usually 2-4°C warmer with fewer clouds. But Las Canteras, although in the north, has a privileged microclimate similar to the south.