The best time to travel to Lanzarote depends on whether you want beach time, walking, surfing or quieter visits. April to June and September to October are useful starting points for a mixed trip, but wind and sea conditions vary by day. Lanzarote can be visited year-round; check the actual forecast and your preferred activities before choosing.
The short answer is: if you can choose freely, travel to Lanzarote in spring or autumn. The useful answer depends on what you are looking for: beach, volcanic landscape, good prices, fewer people, surf, food or a quiet break.
If you are looking for more than a standard trip, choosing the right date changes the experience a great deal. On a tailor-made trip to Lanzarote, we adapt the route to the wind, temperature, daylight hours and level of crowds.
01 · When to goWhen is the best time to travel to Lanzarote?
The best time to travel to Lanzarote is from April to June and from September to October. In these months the weather is usually good for exploring the island, temperatures are pleasant for the beach and there is less tourist pressure than in summer, at Christmas or at Easter.
AEMET’s long-term observations for Lanzarote Airport provide monthly climate context; they are averages, not a forecast for your week. Sergio spent June to October 2024 on the island and remembers frequent wind and comfortable temperatures even through summer. That is one season of personal experience, not a guarantee for other dates.
| Month | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| January | Good for escaping the cold, but with cool evenings |
| February | Quiet, mild weather, possible wind |
| March | A good transition month |
| April | Highly recommended |
| May | One of the best months |
| June | Excellent before the peak of summer |
| July | Good weather, more wind and more people |
| August | High season, more expensive and busier |
| September | One of the best months of the year |
| October | A very good month, the sea is still pleasant |
| November | Quiet, changeable weather |
| December | Good for a gentle break, more demand at Christmas |
02 · GuideTravelling to Lanzarote in spring
Spring can work well for Lanzarote. April, May and June offer comfortable conditions for exploring; compare actual availability and prices for your dates.
Advantages of travelling in spring
- Pleasant temperatures.
- Fewer people than in summer.
- A good time to explore the island by car.
- A good moment for Timanfaya, La Geria and the villages in the north.
- Check actual accommodation and car rates for your dates.
What to bear in mind
- Easter can push up accommodation prices.
- The sea may be cooler than in September.
- There may be wind, especially towards the end of spring.
Spring works very well if you want a balanced route: volcanoes, beaches, architecture, wineries and villages. If you are planning a full week, you can see how it fits into our 7-day route through Lanzarote.
03 · SummerTravelling to Lanzarote in summer
July and August offer heat, long hours of daylight and a holiday atmosphere. They are also months of higher demand, higher prices and fuller occupancy.
When travelling in summer makes sense
Summer makes sense if you are looking for the beach, travelling as a family or can only go during school holidays. Lanzarote is more bearable than other Mediterranean destinations because the wind softens the heat, but August is still high season.
What to bear in mind in July and August
- More people at Papagayo, Timanfaya and Jameos del Agua.
- Higher prices for accommodation and cars.
- It is best to book in advance.
- There may be strong wind on some days.
- Beaches should be chosen according to their orientation and conditions.
If you travel in summer, the route should avoid the middle of the day for certain visits and leave room to adjust beaches according to the wind.
04 · AutumnTravelling to Lanzarote in autumn
September and October are excellent months to travel to Lanzarote. The weather is still warm, the sea is usually pleasant and the island is a little less intense than in summer.
Advantages of travelling in autumn
- Very pleasant temperatures.
- Warmer sea than in spring.
- Fewer crowds than in August.
- Good light for volcanic landscapes.
- A very good balance between beach and visits.
What to bear in mind
- October can be a little more changeable.
- There may be spells of wind or haze on some days.
- Prices may stay high if demand is strong.
If you are looking for a quiet break, September and October are usually a very safe bet. They are also good months for couples, food and photography trips.
05 · WinterTravelling to Lanzarote in winter
Winter in Lanzarote is mild. It is not summer, but it can be a great option if you want to escape the cold of mainland Europe, go walking, explore villages and enjoy bright days.
When to choose winter
- If you want a break with gentle sunshine.
- If you do not need to swim every day.
- If you want lower prices outside Christmas.
- If you prefer fewer crowds.
- If you are more interested in landscape and food than the beach.
What to bear in mind
- Evenings can be cool.
- The sea will be colder.
- It can be windy.
- Christmas and New Year can be expensive.
Winter works well for a quiet break, especially if you choose good accommodation and design a flexible route.
06 · When to goBest time by type of trip
For the beach
September and October are usually the best months for sea temperature, pleasant weather and fewer crowds than August. June also works very well.
For exploring the island
April, May, June, September and October. These are ideal months for getting around by car and visiting Timanfaya, La Geria, Jameos del Agua, Cueva de los Verdes, Haría or Teguise.
For travelling with children
June, July, September and school holidays, as long as you book in advance. If you can avoid August, all the better.
For surfing or a wilder atmosphere
Famara is active for much of the year. The wind and swell vary, so it is worth adjusting your expectations. Not every day is a swimming day, but every day is a landscape day.
For saving money
May, June, November and some parts of January or February can offer better value for money, avoiding bank holidays, Easter, Christmas and school holidays.
If your priority is to adjust the budget, first look at published 6-day trip and its stated price basis to see how the trip changes depending on the date and type of accommodation.
07 · GuideThe wind in Lanzarote
The wind is part of Lanzarote. It does not have to ruin the trip, but it is worth bearing in mind. Some beaches are more exposed and others more sheltered. There are perfect days for Famara and others that are better for the south.
That is why a good route should not fix all the beaches rigidly. It is better to have alternatives and adapt the day to the conditions.
08 · LanzaroteCalima (haze) in Lanzarote
Calima can occur in the Canary Islands, bringing suspended dust, heat and reduced visibility. It is not permanent, but it can affect the odd day. When it does, it is best to change plans, avoid strenuous activity and prioritise indoor or quieter visits.
09 · Travelling to LanzaroteBest month to travel to Lanzarote
If we had to choose a single month, we would probably pick September. It has good weather, a pleasant sea, less intensity than August and very good conditions for combining beach, visits and food.
May would be another excellent choice if you prefer spring, more balanced prices and a slightly quieter island.
10 · Depending on your tripWhat to see depending on the season
In Lanzarote almost everything can be seen all year round, but the experience changes.
- Timanfaya: best early and outside peak hours.
- Papagayo: best with little wind and early in the day.
- Famara: spectacular all year, but not always comfortable for swimming.
- La Geria: very good in soft light, especially in spring and autumn.
- Jameos del Agua and Cueva de los Verdes: good plans at any time of year.
- Haría and the north: pleasant when you want a greener, quieter island.
To organise places and priorities, have a look at our guide on what to see in Lanzarote.
All about Lanzarote
11 · With UkiyoDesigning Lanzarote around the season
Lanzarote seems easy because it can be visited all year round, but it is much more enjoyable when the route is adapted to the actual date. Travelling in August with children is not the same as travelling in May as a couple, in January looking for calm or in September wanting beach and food.
Start with our prepared 6-day trip if its route matches your interests. We can check dates, accommodation and services for the proposal, and adapt the order of flexible visits to conditions. A different route needs its own quote.
A tailor-made trip to Lanzarote lets you experience the island without going on autopilot, combining volcanoes, art, wine, sea and calm.
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