January
January suits sightseeing better than warm-water swimming, with mild afternoons and cooler evenings.
Day 18.4 C · night 15.7 C · sea 18.8 C
- Warmest month
- August, 24.7 C
- Coolest month
- January, 18.4 C
- Months over 20 C
- 7 of 12
- Rainfall a year
- 88 mm
1991-2020 averages
The shape of the year
Lanzarote's year changes gradually rather than swinging between extremes. January is the coolest month and August the hottest, but the best timing depends on what you want from the trip. July leads for daily sunshine; September has the warmest sea. December is the wettest month, although annual rainfall averages just 88 mm. For a holiday built around swimming, sea temperature matters as much as the afternoon forecast. For sightseeing, cooler days may be the better fit. The month guides below help you compare those trade-offs, from winter visits to Timanfaya National Park to beach days at Playas de Papagayo.
| Month | Day | Night | Sea | Rain days | Sunshine | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18.4 C | 15.7 C | 18.8 C | 3 | 5.6 h | 12 mm |
| February | 18.5 C | 15.5 C | 18.1 C | 2 | 6.1 h | 14 mm |
| March | 19.1 C | 15.9 C | 18.1 C | 2 | 6.8 h | 10 mm |
| April | 19.8 C | 16.6 C | 18.6 C | 1 | 6.8 h | 5 mm |
| May | 20.9 C | 17.7 C | 19.5 C | 0 | 7.3 h | 1 mm |
| June | 22.4 C | 19.3 C | 20.6 C | 0 | 7.8 h | 0 mm |
| July | 23.7 C | 20.5 C | 21.5 C | 0 | 8.9 h | 0 mm |
| August | 24.7 C | 21.5 C | 22.3 C | 0 | 8.6 h | 0 mm |
| September | 24.6 C | 21.5 C | 22.9 C | 0 | 7.7 h | 3 mm |
| October | 23.4 C | 20.5 C | 22.6 C | 2 | 6.3 h | 12 mm |
| November | 21.3 C | 18.6 C | 21.4 C | 2 | 5.4 h | 12 mm |
| December | 19.6 C | 16.9 C | 19.9 C | 4 | 5.5 h | 19 mm |
Month by month
Twelve pages, one per month
Each page says what that month is like on the ground and what it suits.
February
February adds sunshine compared with January, but the sea cools and daytime temperatures barely change.
Day 18.5 C · night 15.5 C · sea 18.1 C
March
March improves on February's air temperatures and sunshine, while the sea remains at the same cool average.
Day 19.1 C · night 15.9 C · sea 18.1 C
April
April brings warmer air and sea than March, but May makes a stronger case for a beach-led trip.
Day 19.8 C · night 16.6 C · sea 18.6 C
May
May suits sightseeing with beach time, but its cooler sea makes swimming a more personal decision.
Day 20.9 C · night 17.7 C · sea 19.5 C
June
June offers warmer swimming than May without July's higher daytime and night-time temperatures.
Day 22.4 C · night 19.3 C · sea 20.6 C
July
July has the highest daily sunshine average, while August brings warmer air and sea temperatures.
Day 23.7 C · night 20.5 C · sea 21.5 C
August
August is the hottest month, but September's sea is warmer and July has more average sunshine.
Day 24.7 C · night 21.5 C · sea 22.3 C
September
September pairs near-August daytime temperatures with the year's warmest average sea.
Day 24.6 C · night 21.5 C · sea 22.9 C
October
October retains much of September's sea warmth, with less sunshine and some rain in the averages.
Day 23.4 C · night 20.5 C · sea 22.6 C
November
November favours sightseeing with optional beach time rather than a holiday dependent on heat.
Day 21.3 C · night 18.6 C · sea 21.4 C
December
December suits a flexible sightseeing holiday, not a promise of hot days and warm-water swimming.
Day 19.6 C · night 16.9 C · sea 19.9 C
Reading the numbers
January: cooler sightseeing days
With an average daytime high of 18.4°C, January suits travellers who put sightseeing ahead of sustained beach weather. It is the coolest month, while nights average 15.7°C, so a warmer layer has a place in your luggage. The sea averages 18.8°C: swimming is a matter of personal tolerance rather than an obvious reason to choose this month. Daily sunshine averages 5.6 hours, with 3 days recording rain. A January plan could give Timanfaya National Park and Fundación César Manrique more weight than time on Playa Dorada. These are averages, not a daily forecast, so keeping beach time flexible makes more sense than ruling it out or building the whole holiday around it.
Worth knowing
February: a modest sunshine increase
Thinking mainly about swimming? February deserves a closer look at the sea temperature before you book. At 18.1°C, it shares the year's lowest monthly sea average with March, despite a daytime high of 18.5°C. Nights average 15.5°C, slightly cooler than January. The gain comes in sunshine, which rises to 6.1 hours a day, while days with rain average 2. That combination points towards a mixed itinerary rather than a holiday dependent on long swims. Jameos del Agua, Cueva de los Verdes and time in Arrecife could anchor your plans, leaving the beach for days that feel inviting. February offers a little more sunshine than January, not a substantial step up in warmth.
What is the best month to visit Lanzarote for swimming?
September has the warmest average sea temperature, at 22.9°C. Its average daytime high is 24.6°C, almost matching August, with 7.7 hours of sunshine a day. October is another option if sea warmth matters: the water averages 22.6°C, although daily sunshine falls to 6.3 hours and days with rain average 2.
Which month has the most sunshine in Lanzarote?
July has the most daily sunshine, averaging 8.9 hours. August follows with 8.6 hours and is hotter, with an average daytime high of 24.7°C against July's 23.7°C. For a beach-focused trip, the distinction is useful: July leads on sunshine, while August offers warmer air and a warmer average sea.
Does it rain much in Lanzarote in winter?
Winter is wetter than summer, but Lanzarote's annual rainfall averages only 88 mm. December is the wettest month, averaging 4 days with rain, compared with 3 in January and 2 in February. Those monthly figures do not predict your particular week, so a flexible mix of sightseeing and outdoor plans remains sensible.