Lanzarote Weather December – Winter Sun and Festive Vibes

Dreaming of a warm Christmas? Lanzarote weather in December offers mild temperatures, sunshine, and a relaxing holiday atmosphere. Here’s everything you need to know about the weather in Lanzarote in December and why it’s an ideal winter escape.

December in Lanzarote is mild, sunny, and one of the best “winter sun” options in Europe. It’s the heart of the Canary Islands’ winter, which means very comfortable temperatures compared to virtually anywhere else on the continent. Daytime highs average around 21–22°C, and nighttime lows around 15°C. It’s certainly cooler than summer, but still feels like a pleasant spring day most of the time.

Many British travellers flock here for Christmas and New Year to enjoy Christmas on the beach or a New Year’s Day in the sun. You won’t get tropical heat, but you can expect a lot of sunshine and temps warm enough for light clothing during the day. It’s quite surreal (in a good way) to be in Lanzarote in December – you might see holiday decorations in 22°C sunshine!

Do note, December is the wettest month on the island, but “wet” by Lanzarote standards is still fairly dry.

What to Expect in December

☀️ Daytime temperatures: Around 21°C – Ideal for T-shirts, shorts, and light dresses.
🌙 Nighttime temperatures: Around 15°C – Cooler evenings; a light jacket is recommended.
🌊 Sea temperature: 20°C – Chilly but swimmable, especially in sheltered areas.
🌧️ Rainfall: Low – Occasional showers, but most days are dry and sunny.
🌞 Sunshine: 6 hours a day – Shorter days, but still plenty of time to enjoy the sun.

Lanzarote Weather in December vs UK Weather

While the weather in Lanzarote in December is mild and sunny, the UK is usually grey, wet, and cold.
🇬🇧 UK in December: 2-8°C, rain, snow, and gloomy skies.
🇪🇸 Lanzarote in December: 21°C, pleasant warmth, and bright sunshine.

What British Tourists Say About the Weather in Lanzarote in December:

“Spent Christmas in Lanzarote – wonderful weather and festive cheer!”
“Lanzarote is a great choice for a sunny December holiday.”
“Enjoyed swimming, but the water was a bit chilly.”
“Only a few cloudy days, mostly sunshine.”
“Great alternative to the cold and rain back home.”

Special Section: Women’s Guide to December in Lanzarote

👗 What to Wear:
For a December trip, plan a layered wardrobe. By day, especially if it’s sunny, you might be surprised how warm it feels – pack t-shirts, lighter trousers or shorts, and even a couple of summer outfits. You’ll likely be comfortable in shorts and a tee during midday, and you might even break out the swimsuit for pool time or sunbathing.

That said, you also need warm layers for morning and evening. Pack a fleece or sweater, long pants, and a light coat or windbreaker. If you’re out for a stroll after dark, 15°C with a breeze can feel cool, so a jacket is needed.

A waterproof jacket or umbrella is advisable given December’s rain likelihood – something compact is fine.
Footwear – bring both sandals (or trainers you don’t mind wearing without socks in the warmth) and closed shoes. You might wear flip-flops around the pool at lunchtime, but you’ll want closed shoes (and maybe socks) at night.

If you’re spending Christmas there, perhaps pack one nicer outfit for a special dinner – but remember even that should have layers (e.g., a nice dress with a shawl, or a long-sleeve shirt with a jacket) because evenings are cool.

Inside tip – Canary homes and hotels often lack heating, so the indoor temperature can be the same as outside at night (15°C). Having some cosy socks or an extra layer for lounging in your hotel room at night might be good if you’re someone who gets cold easily.

💄 Sunscreen – yes, you still need it during the day! The UV is weaker (about index 4-5 mid-day) but if you’re out for long, you can get a bit of a burn or tan even in December. Sunglasses are useful to reduce glare from the lower sun.

If you plan on cycling or hiking, the cooler weather is great – just bring a light jacket for wind on a bike.

Sunshine & Rainfall: Can You Sunbathe in December?

Sunshine – December brings about 6 hours of sun a day on average. The days are shortest now (sunset around 5:45pm in early Dec, a bit later by New Year’s as days lengthen again), so you have a smaller window of daytime, but it’s often bright. You can expect a mix of sunny and partly cloudy days. The angle of the sun is lower, giving a lovely soft light and terrific sunsets.

Rainfall – December is typically the wettest month in Lanzarote, though it’s all relative. Average rainfall is around 25–30 mm for the month, generally falling over about 4–5 days. This might manifest as a couple of moderate showers or one or two days where it’s on-and-off rainy. It’s possible to get a day of steady rain in December if a larger weather system passes through, but extended multi-day rains are uncommon.

Often, the pattern is a day or two of showery weather, followed by a week of dry sunny weather. So, if you’re coming for a week, you might encounter a shower here or there but also lots of sun. Importantly, even when it rains, it’s not cold – just grab a raincoat and you’re still in mild 18-20°C air.

The rain helps keep the dust down and brings out greenery (Lanzarote’s winter landscape can have wildflowers and green patches, especially in the north). Clouds can be more frequent; some days might start cloudy and then clear. But even on a “rainy” day, it might rain for an hour and then brighten up.

The south of the island (Playa Blanca/Puerto del Carmen) tends to get less rain than the north (Haría), so location helps. When the sun comes out after rain, the island often presents a stunning double rainbow – a common sight in Dec/Jan!

Temperatures

Daytime – usually in the low 20s Celsius. On sunny afternoons, it can reach 23°C or so, which in the sun will feel pleasantly warm (you might even be in swimwear if it’s calm). On a cloudier or breezy day, the high might be 20°C, feeling mild. It basically never freezes – the coldest daytime might be around 18°C if it were a cloudy, windy day, but that’s more an exception.

Nighttime – nights are cool but not cold, averaging 15–16°C at their lowest. That means in the late evening you’ll likely want a jacket or jumper. Early mornings can feel crisp (maybe as low as 14°C at dawn on the coldest days, especially inland), which for locals is “cold” but for Brits is still rather mild.

You won’t see frost – record lows are around 9–12°C, so most of the time nights stay in the teens. Indoor spaces and pools cool off at night since there’s no heating typically, so remember that if you’re waking up early you might throw on a sweatshirt.

Comparing to home – London in December averages 8°C daytime, 3°C at night – so Lanzarote’s ~22°C/15°C is a massive difference. Many Brits find they can comfortably have Christmas lunch outdoors or go for a walk on the beach on Christmas Day in Lanzarote, which is a big treat.

Wind

The winds in December can come from various directions. Often, calm high-pressure sits over the Canaries in winter, giving gentle breezes. Other times, Atlantic fronts bring a day of gusty winds with rain. And sometimes, a calima from the east can bring unusual warmth (temperatures can spike to mid-20s or even higher if a hot wind from Africa blows, though that may carry dust). Those are less common in December but can occur.

Typically, figure on light to moderate winds. If a storm passes north, it might get windy for a day (but those usually come with rain). The feeling overall is pleasantly airy but not as windy as summer’s constant trades.

Pros & Nons – Lanzarote in December

✅ Pros: Lanzarote is among the warmest places in Europe in December.
It’s a reliable destination to get some sunshine and daylight during the darkest month.
Many find the weather ideal for relaxing – not too hot, not cold.
Activities like hiking, visiting vineyards, and sightseeing are very comfortable.
A big psychological boost compared to gloomy UK December.

❌ Cons:
It’s not a guaranteed beach holiday every day.
Some days might not be warm enough to swim or sunbathe.
You might need backup plans for rainy or cool days.
Short daylight hours (dark by 6pm).
Late December travel costs can be high.

Traveler Q&A:

“Can you get a tan in Lanzarote in December?” – Yes, a light tan is possible. The sun isn’t as strong but you can get some colour if you sit out on sunny days.
“Is it warm enough to sit by the pool in a swimsuit?” – Often yes, midday on sunny days. Less so on cooler or cloudy days.

“Will I need a coat at night?” – A light to medium jacket is recommended. You won’t need a heavy coat like in the UK.

“How about New Year’s – can we party outside?” – Usually yes, just bring a jacket for late at night.

“What’s the ocean like in winter – are there whales/dolphins?” – You can sometimes see dolphins on boat trips year-round. The water is cooler, but not too cold for marine life.

Can You Swim in the Sea?

🌊 Average sea temperature in December: 20°C.

The sea is at its coolest in the Canary cycle. By December, the ocean has cooled to about 20°C (68°F), possibly down to 19.5°C by late December. That is on the cool side for swimming.

Can you swim in Lanzarote in December? – It really depends on your tolerance. Some people (especially those from colder climates or who are used to UK sea swimming) will still swim and find it refreshing. Many others will opt to paddle or quickly dip rather than long swims.

You’ll definitely see some tourists swimming on sunny days – it’s not unusual at all. The key is picking the right time: midday to early afternoon when the sun is strongest and the air is warm (and preferably on a less windy day) will make a world of difference. After sitting in the sun at 22°C, a 20°C sea can feel fine.
On a cloudy, breezy day, it will feel chilly to swim. Heated pools become very valued in December. Most hotels and villas that advertise “heated pool” will have it heated in winter, often to around 25°C or more, which is very comfortable.

Water sports like surfing are active in winter (surfers wear wetsuits though), and divers use thicker wetsuits too. For casual travellers: you can still enjoy the beaches – it’s common to sunbathe on a December day and maybe just wade in or splash around.

The sun often makes it warm enough to lay out a bit, but you’ll probably not spend as much time in the water as you would in summer. Still, compared to any UK beach in December, it’s practically tropical!

Also note – winter seas can be rougher. December sees more Atlantic swell, so some days certain beaches will have big waves or red flags. Stick to sheltered beaches (Playa Chica, Playa Dorada, etc.) for safer swimming if you decide to take a dip.

Festive Season Notes

Many Brits come over Christmas/New Year. The weather then is typically as described – some sun, some cloud, 20-22°C daytime. It’s fun to pack a Santa hat to wear on the beach for the novelty!

On Christmas Day, it might be warm enough to have lunch outside or even a quick swim. For New Year’s Eve, you can often attend outdoor parties, but bring a jacket or wrap since late at night it’ll be ~17°C. It’s certainly far more comfortable than a UK New Year’s where it might be near freezing.

You might see New Year’s Eves where folks were in short sleeves dancing outdoors, and others where folks donned light sweaters – but never a heavy coat neede.

Health Benefits & Risks

✅ Health Benefits:
Sunshine = Vitamin D boost to combat winter gloom.
Dry, clean air – Beneficial for respiratory health.
A peaceful atmosphere, perfect for unwinding before the new year.
⚠️ Health Risks:
Sunburn – Even in December, sunscreen is a must.
Dehydration – Stay hydrated during outdoor activities.
Occasional Calima (Saharan dust storms) – Check forecasts if you have respiratory issues.

Planning Another Month? Explore Lanzarote Weather All Year Round

More to Explore in Lanzarote

Planning your trip and wondering how to make the most of it? These guides will help you turn your weather research into a perfect itinerary:

🌴 All Inclusive Lanzarote – Discover insider reviews of the best resorts and hotels to find your perfect stay.
✈️ Flights to Lanzarote – See who flies from your nearest UK airport and get tips on finding the best fares.
✨ Lanzarote Select – Explore Lanzarote’s hidden luxury side with curated restaurants, boutiques, and unique experiences.