Gran Canaria in winter: a good idea?
Absolutely! Here’s our guide to help you decide and plan your trip:
- Gran Canaria’s winter sun, temperature and weather,
- Reasons to visit between December and March,
- Attractions in Gran Canaria in winter,
- Christmas and New Year in Gran Canaria
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Content
Is Gran Canaria a winter destination? Short answers
What should you expect when visiting Gran Canaria in winter?
Gran Canaria has a lot to offer all year round. When it comes to winter, you can expect the following:
- The days are long
the shortest day of the year still has 10 hours of sunlight (sunrise around 7:30am and sunset around 6pm). - The climate remains very sunny with little rain.
- The winter sun is warm – It’s not hot like summer, but it’s warm. Especially when the sun is out. Daytime temperatures between 18°C and 24°C (64°F and 75°F) at the seaside
- Sea temperature between 18°C and 20°C (64°F and 68°F)
- Beautiful beaches, a little less crowded than in summer (except at Christmas and Easter)
- Nice hikes to do thanks to cooler temperatures.
- Almost everything stays open in winter
So is Gran Canaria a good winter destination?
Absolutely.
If you’re looking to escape the winter chill, enjoy a little warmth and breathtaking scenery, traveling to Gran Canaria is a great idea.
Enjoy longer days, warmer temperatures and plenty of activities.
WHERE TO STAY IN Gran Canaria
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
- Where to stay in Gran Canaria
- Our favorite: Marina Suites Hotel
Select by hotel type:
- 5-star hotels
- Best boutique-hotels
- Best adults-only hotels (coming soon)
- Best all-inclusive hotels (coming soon)
- Best hotels for families
Select by city:
5 reasons to visit Gran Canaria in winter
#1. Climate
Gran Canaria offers a warm climate in winter, ideal for escaping the cold.
Temperatures are similar to spring – around 18 to 24°C during the day by the sea (cooler in the mountains).
There’s a little rain, and it doesn’t last long.
#2 – The tours and activities don’t stop
As a year-round destination, you can enjoy most visits and activities in winter too.
FUN in Gran Canaria:activities
Dolphin watching
Buggy / Quad
Snorkeling
Kayaking in the Mogan caves
But also: Canyoning, Horse riding, Via Ferrata, Coasteering… See all options
#3 – Fewer people (more or less)
Gran Canaria is popular, especially in summer (high season).
In winter, it’s always popular (it’s a year-round destination), but you can more easily find quieter spots.
However, the Christmas and Easter vacations are also very busy!
#4 – Hiking
In summer, it’s almost too hot to hike in Gran Canaria’s mountains. In winter, however, conditions are ideal for discovering the island’s magnificent central landscapes.
#5 – Kitesurfing and more
The windiest months in Gan Canaria are winter. Conditions are better for windy water sports.
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Gran Canaria
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- If you’re planning to explore the mountains, don ‘t take the smallest cars. A more powerful engine will be more comfortable.
- But don’t take too big a car either, as some roads are narrow.
- There’s a lot of demand and it’s an island, so book early.
Gran Canaria in winter – Sun, heat, weather
Is it warm in Gran Canaria in winter?
In winter, the temperatures to expect at the seaside are..:
- around 18 to 24°C during the day (64°F and 75°F)
- 12 to 17°C overnight (54°F and 63°F)
This makes it one of the warmest places in Europe in winter.
Temperatures are a little lower in the mountains.
Winter sun in Gran Canaria – how much sun can you expect?
With the climate, nothing is guaranteed.
But due to the island’s geography, most days offer beautiful blue skies.
It may rain, but not as much as the rest of Europe, and mostly in small patches. All you have to do is wait a little.
The weather is normally a little nicer and warmer in the south of the island.
In winter, you have:
- at least 10 hours of daylight,
- 7 to 9 hours of sunshine on winter days out of these 10 hours.
Can you sunbathe in Gran Canaria in winter?
Absolutely.
As previously written, in December, January and February, daytime temperatures at beach level are around 18 to 24°C (64°F and 75°F).
When the sun is out, due to the island’s low latitude, it’s quite warm.
And don’t forget to use sunscreen!
See our selection of Gran Canaria’s most beautiful beaches.
A LITTLE MORE patience
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Visiting Gran Canaria during the winter months – Tips
All my usual advice about Gran Canaria also applies to winter.
But here are a few special tips to keep in mind.
Best moment
There’s no better month. Just avoid the European school vacations of Christmas and Easter to avoid the crowds.
Find out more about:
Getting around Gran Canaria in winter
In winter as in summer, I think renting a car is the best way to explore the island.
This gives you the freedom to see the most beautiful sights and stop whenever you like.
There are buses, but the frequency is not ideal.
Nothing special to think about when driving in winter. The same applies as in summer.
The roads are in excellent condition.
See all our tips for choosing your rental car.
How long can I stay?
It depends on what you want to do.
To visit the main part of the island and relax on the beach, allow a week. To explore the whole island, allow 10 days to 2 weeks.
But if you just want to enjoy the winter sun, 5 days to a week will give you the boost you need to get through the rest of winter.
More tips in this article.
Where to stay in winter
The whole island enjoys the same climate.
So there’s no better place to stay in winter.
It all depends on the type of city and accommodation you prefer, and on your criteria.
Just be aware that swimming pools are not always heated…
The 4 major seaside resorts are:
- Maspalomas, the major seaside resort in the south – see our hotel selection
- Puerto Rico, known for being the hottest – see our hotel selection
- Puerto de Mogan combines charm and beach – see our hotel selection
- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in the north – see our selection of hotels
See our article on where to stay in Gran Canaria
Winter activities in Gran Canaria
What is there to do in Gran Canaria in winter?
Almost the same things as in summer. See our full article on the best attractions.
Here are just a few of the highlights:
- The different sandy beaches
- The historic part of Las Palmas
- The Maspalomas dunes, especially at sunset
- The western cliffs, south of Agaete
- Boat trips to observe whales and dolphins
- The Little Venice district of Puerto de Mogan
- Archaeological sites of the Guanche civilization
- Agüimes, the village of colorful streets and sculptures
- The mountains with Pico de la Neives at the summit the Roque Nublo hike
- Amusement parks
- Hidden gems off the beaten track
- Swimming in natural pools
- …
Christmas in Gran Canaria
What’s Christmas like in Gran Canaria?
Gran Canaria is a popular Christmas destination. The island offers a unique blend of festive traditions, cultural events and warm weather.
What are the official vacation dates around Christmas?
In Gran Canaria you can enjoy:
- December 25
- January 1st
- January 5 / 6, Twelfth Night
On these days, many shops are closed.
Is it warm in Gran Canaria this Christmas?
The weather’s not hot, but it’s warm. You can wear a t-shirt during the day (around 20°C).
All you need is a sweater for the evening.
On average, there are 9 hours of sunshine out of the 10 hours of daylight.
There is little rain.
Christmas decorations
Because of the mild climate, you won’t find many traditional fir trees, but mostly artificial ones. They are traditionally decorated with baubles, Christmas lights, snowflakes, bows, wreaths and more.
The Christmas atmosphere is therefore present. But it’s more noticeable in older towns than in seaside resorts.
Christmas events – Epiphany
You’ll find nativity scenes in many towns, but one of the best-known is the one on Las Canteras beach, made from sand.
Throughout December and into January, Gran Canaria hosts a number of craft fairs, including the San Telmo craft fair. These markets offer a wide variety of handmade products, perfect for gift shopping.
And the most eagerly awaited event is the Night of the Three Kings (Noche de Reyes).
Celebrated on January 5, this event features a parade in which the Three Wise Men arrive by boat, followed by festivities throughout the night.
Food
Of course, no tradition is complete without food specialties.
Most hotels will serve a typical British, German or Irish Christmas meal.
Most restaurants also serve classic dishes: fish, tapas… Don’t miss the truchas, a sweet pastry filled with sweet potatoes or almonds, which is a staple during the holiday season.
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New Year’s Eve in Gran Canaria
New Year’s Eve in Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria celebrates New Year’s Eve as it does the world over.
One special feature is that Spaniards eat twelve grapes at midnight, one at each strike of the bell.
Almost every restaurant on the island offers a special meal on New Year’s Eve, which ends at midnight.
The best places to party
You’ll find parties in all the major seaside resorts and the capital
- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria,
- Maspalomas,
- Puerto Rico,
- …
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Gran Canaria
- Best of
Best things to do in Gran Canaria
Most beautiful landscapes
Most beautiful towns and villages
Most beautiful beaches
Best natural pools
Archaeological sites
Best museums
Best boat tours (coming soon)
Secret places, off the beaten track
- Practical advice
25 tips for a successful trip to Gran Canaria
When to go?
How to get around
How to rent a car in Gran Canaria
Driving tips
Best excursions (coming soon)
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 6 days – 7 days – 10 days
- The must-dos
Las Palmas and its historic center
Dolphin watching in Gran Canaria (coming soon)
Maspalomas dunes
Puerto de Mogan (Little Venice)
Agaete and its natural pools
The magnificent town of Agüimes
