Lanzarote in December: weather and winter trip plans

Daytime high: 19.6 C
Night low: 16.9 C
Sea temperature: 19.9 C
Days with rain: 4 of the month

A December trip works best without making beach weather its main requirement. Daytime highs average 19.6°C, nights 16.9°C and the sea 19.9°C. Lanzarote's wettest month averages 4 days with rain and 5.5 hours of sunshine daily. It is cooler than November but warmer than January, with room for sightseeing and weather-dependent coastal time.

Weather and sea

December's average daytime high of 19.6°C falls between November's 21.3°C and January's 18.4°C. Nights cool from November's 18.6°C to 16.9°C in December, then 15.7°C in January. Sea temperatures follow that decline, averaging 21.4°C in November, 19.9°C in December and 18.8°C in January. Sunshine moves in the other direction, though only slightly: 5.4 daily hours in November, 5.5 in December and 5.6 in January. December is the wettest month and averages 4 days with rain, compared with 2 in November and 3 in January. That does not mean rain lasts all day when it occurs. These averages favour flexible plans rather than an assumption of either constant rain or dependable beach weather.

A flexible winter visit

December suits travellers whose reasons for visiting extend beyond sunbathing. Fundación César Manrique, Castillo de San José and Jameos del Agua can form part of a sightseeing-led itinerary, with time around Arrecife or Teguise and beach visits when conditions appeal. Keeping the order flexible is more useful than assigning every day to the coast before arrival. Layers are sensible given the 16.9°C average night temperature, and provision for rain fits the month's figures. December does not suit a holiday that depends on hot afternoons or comfortable swimming for everyone: the average daytime high is 19.6°C and the sea 19.9°C. November offers warmer averages and fewer days with rain, while January is cooler again despite a slightly higher sunshine average.

November, December and January compared

Month	Day	Night	Sea	Rain days	Sunshine
November	21.3 C	18.6 C	21.4 C	2	5.4 h
December	19.6 C	16.9 C	19.9 C	4	5.5 h
January	18.4 C	15.7 C	18.8 C	3	5.6 h

Questions about December

Is Lanzarote hot in December?

December is better described as mild than hot, with an average daytime high of 19.6°C and nights averaging 16.9°C. November is warmer at 21.3°C by day, while January is cooler at 18.4°C. December suits sightseeing with possible beach time, but it is not a sound choice if sustained heat is essential to your holiday.

Does it rain all the time in Lanzarote in December?

No, December averages 4 days with rain, not rain throughout the month. It is Lanzarote's wettest month, but it also averages 5.5 hours of sunshine daily. The figures do not tell you how long individual showers last or when they will occur, so a flexible itinerary is more useful than assuming either constant rain or completely dry weather.