When to visit?
General Climate: Gran Canaria boasts warmth and sunshine year round. Thanks to its ideal location on the same latitude as the Sahara and close to North Africa, Gran Canaria doesn’t suffer the dramatic seasonal changes experienced in other countries.
Bar nearby Calle Triana in Las Palmas' old town.
That said, wintertime is a little cooler and can see some showers and the Canary Current from the northeast trade winds can blow a breeze greater than might be expected so it does pay to plan your trip if you have a particular temperate in mind.
Here is a summary of Gran Canaria’s typical climate:
| Summer Season | Winter Season | |
| When | May to November | December to April |
| Climate | Hot and sunny | Warm but cool at night |
| Average temperatures | 17 to 26 degrees | 14 to 21 degrees |
| Average sunshine | 9 hours per day | 6 hours per day |
Rainfall is generally absent from June to August. Storms are common in September and may even occur in October and November. Rainfall is low during the rest of the year.
Hottest and coldest areas: Western areas catch the heat from the Sahara sirocco winds during summer and can reach 30-degree temperatures whilst the northeast region with its high mountains sees slightly more changeable and cooler weather during winter and the peaks of Pico de las Nieves see snow.
Best times to visit:
July and August: although this is peak time due European school summer holidays it is the best time to visit for the hottest weather and a buzzing nightlife
December and January: another peak season with winter sun seekers, especially during Christmas and New Year, but join the crowds to escape the depths of winter elsewhere
Shoulder seasons (May, June, September and October): come for fewer crowds and better deals.
February and March: visit during Gran Canaria’s pre-lenten Carnival to see flamboyant costumes swishing through the streets and join in with the all-night parties. The fiesta of all fiestas.
