Weather in Gran Canaria

About Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria packs an extraordinary range into a round island. The south has the famous Maspalomas dunes — vast sand dunes leading to a long beach remarkable for being in Europe. The north is green and lush. Las Palmas is a proper Spanish city with a UNESCO old quarter and fine beach.

Country

Spain

Best months to visit

June, July, August, September

Currency

EUR

Language

Spanish

Things to do in Gran Canaria

Maspalomas dunes Las Palmas old quarter Roque Nublo hike Teror village Arguineguin market Whale and dolphin watching

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

January

16C

Cool, with occasional showers.

February

17C

Cool, with occasional showers.

March

19C

Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.

April

20C

Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.

May

22C

Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

June

24C

Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

July

29C

Warm and pleasant, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

August

30C

Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

September

26C

Warm and pleasant, and mostly sunny skies.

October

24C

Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.

November

20C

Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.

December

18C

Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.

Gran Canaria is the 'Continent in Miniature' — a circular island where the dramatic sand dunes of Maspalomas in the south grade through banana plantations and resort towns into the pine forests and Roque Nublo crater rim of the interior, reaching a landscape of such rugged grandeur it seems to belong to a far more remote part of the world. It's one of Europe's most popular year-round destinations and has the infrastructure to prove it, but the interior and north coast remain genuinely wild and relatively unexplored by package holiday visitors.

Best areas to stay in Gran Canaria

Maspalomas & Playa del Inglés

The main resort area of the south — the extraordinary sand dunes, excellent beaches, and the most developed tourist infrastructure in the Canaries.

Puerto de Mogán

Gran Canaria's most picturesque resort town — a small fishing harbour with colourful houses, a stunning small beach, and the island's most relaxed south coast atmosphere.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

The island's vibrant capital — the UNESCO-adjacent Vegueta old town, Las Canteras beach running through the city centre, and outstanding Canarian restaurants.

Interior (Tejeda & Roque Nublo)

Gran Canaria's remarkable volcanic interior — the basalt monolith of Roque Nublo rising from the central crater rim, traditional almond blossom festivals in January, and extraordinary mountain village character.

Getting to Gran Canaria

✈

Flights

Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) is served by direct flights from London Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, and virtually all UK regional airports with easyJet, Ryanair, British Airways, Jet2, TUI, and others.

⏱

From London

~4 hours direct from London

🚕

Getting around

Global buses (Guaguas) cover the island comprehensively and cheaply; hire car is recommended for exploring the interior and north coast; taxis are metered and available throughout resort areas.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Gran Canaria?

Gran Canaria has a year-round spring climate — warm and sunny throughout. The south is reliably drier; the north and interior can be cloudier in winter. Carnival (February) in Las Palmas is one of the world's most spectacular and rivals Rio in energy.

Which area of Gran Canaria is best to stay in?

The south (Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Puerto Rico) has the most developed beach resort infrastructure. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in the north is the most authentic city experience. The interior villages (Tejeda, Artenara) offer a completely different and excellent cultural experience.

What are the Maspalomas Dunes?

A dramatic 250-hectare nature reserve of genuine sand dunes at the island's southern tip — the dunes drop directly onto a beautiful beach backed by a freshwater lagoon with flamingos. The most unusual and distinctive landscape in the Canary Islands.

Is Gran Canaria good for walking?

Excellent — the interior offers world-class hiking through pine forest, volcanic ridges, and traditional villages. The GR-131 long-distance route and numerous shorter trails around Roque Nublo (the iconic basalt plug) and the Caldera de Tirajana are outstanding.

What is Las Palmas de Gran Canaria like as a city?

A genuinely excellent Spanish city of 380,000 — the historic Vegueta quarter (Columbus's house, the extraordinary Cathedral), a beautiful golden city beach (Las Canteras), excellent tapas bars, and a sophistication that surprises visitors who only know the south coast resorts.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

Gran Canaria Carnival in Las Palmas is absolutely extraordinary — bigger, louder, and more spectacular than any European carnival I've attended. The drag queen competition alone is a world-class spectacle. The dunes at Maspalomas the day after were beautifully peaceful by contrast.

Robert M. · February 2024

★★★★☆

The interior of Gran Canaria was a complete revelation — we hired a car and drove up through pine forests to Roque Nublo and had genuinely alpine views and biting wind while the coast was 25°C below. Puerto de Mogán for lunch was charming.

Sandra L. · November 2023

★★★★★

Las Canteras beach running through the city centre of Las Palmas is an extraordinary urban beach — golden sand, calm water protected by a natural reef, and excellent bars and restaurants along the paseo. A genuinely surprising and sophisticated city.

David P. · March 2024