Published 8 July 2026 · IMPT Eco Hoteles
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria enjoys one of the most stable climates on Earth. Average temperatures range from 20°C in winter to 26°C in summer, and rainfall is minimal — the city sees fewer than 30 rainy days per year. This means there is genuinely no bad time to visit. But there are differences between the seasons that can shape your experience, and choosing the right month can make the difference between a good trip and a perfect one.
The Climate Advantage
Las Palmas sits at 28° north latitude on the eastern coast of Gran Canaria, directly influenced by the cool Canary Current and the northeast trade winds known locally as the "alisios." This combination creates an extraordinarily mild climate that avoids both the bitter cold of northern European winters and the brutal heat of the Mediterranean summer. The trade winds act as a natural air conditioning system, particularly between June and September, keeping the city comfortable even when inland areas of the island bake in the heat.
The sea temperature follows a gentle curve: it drops to around 19°C in February and March, rises through spring, and peaks at 23-24°C in September and October. Unlike the mainland Spanish coast where the Mediterranean warms quickly and cools quickly, the Atlantic around the Canary Islands changes temperature slowly, meaning the warmest ocean swimming is actually in early autumn rather than midsummer. This is one of the many counter-intuitive features of Las Palmas weather that rewards visitors who do their research.
Rainfall is concentrated between November and February, but even in the wettest month (November, averaging about 25 mm) you are unlikely to experience more than five or six rainy days. When rain does arrive, it typically comes in short, sharp showers rather than sustained downpours. The southern and eastern coasts of Gran Canaria are drier than the north, and Las Palmas — on the northeast coast — sits right on the boundary, benefiting from more sunshine than the mountainous interior while avoiding the aridity of the south.
Season by Season
Winter (December — February): The European Escape
Winter is peak season in Las Palmas, and for obvious reasons. While northern Europe shivers through short, dark days, Las Palmas offers seven to eight hours of daily sunshine and daytime temperatures of 20-22°C. This is the time when the city fills with long-stay visitors — retirees from Scandinavia, digital nomads from Berlin and Amsterdam, and families escaping the British winter. Hotel prices are at their highest, and popular beachfront properties should be booked well in advance.
The atmosphere is lively. The Mercado del Puerto food market buzzes with international crowds. Las Canteras Beach is busy but not overcrowded — the 3 km length ensures there is always space. Evening temperatures drop to 15-17°C, so bring a light jacket for after-dark strolls along the promenade. The trade winds are weaker in winter, meaning calmer seas and better conditions for swimming at Las Canteras, where the La Barra reef already provides natural shelter.
The cultural highlight of winter is undoubtedly the buildup to Carnival. Rehearsals, costume workshops, and pre-Carnival events start in January, and the city's energy shifts noticeably as the main event approaches. If you want to experience the full Carnival atmosphere without the peak crowds of the main parade nights, late January and early February is the sweet spot.
Carnival Season (February — March): The Main Event
Las Palmas Carnival is one of the largest in Spain and among the most spectacular in Europe. Officially running for several weeks between February and March (the exact dates shift each year based on the liturgical calendar), the festival transforms the city into an open-air celebration of music, costume, and performance.
The most famous single event is the Drag Queen Gala, held at the Santa Catalina Park stage. Competitors from across Spain and beyond present elaborate, gravity-defying costumes that take months to create. The gala is broadcast on national television and draws tens of thousands of spectators. The main parade, known as the Cabalgata, winds through the city streets with floats, dance troupes, and brass bands. The festival closes with the Burial of the Sardine, a theatrical procession where a giant paper sardine is paraded through the streets and ceremonially burned — a symbolic farewell to the pleasures of the flesh before Lent.
If you are visiting during Carnival, expect hotel prices to spike significantly and popular properties to sell out months ahead. The city is louder, later, and more chaotic than at any other time of year. For some visitors, this is exactly the point. For others who prefer a quieter beach holiday, it may be worth choosing different dates.
Spring (March — May): The Sweet Spot
Many seasoned visitors consider spring the ideal time to visit Las Palmas. The Carnival crowds have departed, hotel prices drop from their winter peaks, and the weather is warming steadily — March averages 21°C, April 22°C, and May 23°C. Sea temperatures rise from 19°C to 21°C, making ocean swimming increasingly pleasant.
Spring is also the best season for exploring Gran Canaria's interior. The almond trees bloom in the mountains between January and March, and the hillsides remain green from winter rains. Day trips to Tejeda, the Roque Nublo volcanic formation, and the Tamadaba Natural Park are all more comfortable in spring than in the heat of summer. The island's wildflowers are at their peak in March and April, carpeting the northern valleys in colour.
In the city itself, the pace is relaxed. Las Canteras Beach has space to spread out. Restaurants in Vegueta and Triana welcome you without queues. The Alfredo Kraus Auditorium and CAAM gallery maintain full programmes. This is Las Palmas at its most liveable — warm enough for the beach, cool enough for walking, and uncrowded enough to feel like a local secret.
Summer (June — August): Beach Season
Summer brings the warmest weather — average highs of 25-27°C — and the strongest trade winds. The alisios blow consistently from the northeast, which has two effects: they keep the temperature comfortable even on the hottest days, and they create excellent conditions for surfing and windsurfing, particularly at the Confital break north of Las Canteras and at the beaches on the island's east coast.
This is the season when Las Palmas feels most like a classic beach city. Spanish domestic tourists arrive in July and August, joining the year-round international community. The Las Canteras promenade is at its liveliest, with open-air concerts, beach volleyball, and chiringuitos (temporary beach bars) operating into the small hours. The Fiestas de San Juan on 23 June mark the unofficial start of summer with bonfires on the beach and midnight swimming — a tradition across the Canary Islands.
One consideration for summer visitors: the calima. Occasionally, hot, dry winds blow from the Sahara across the 100 km of ocean separating the Canary Islands from Africa. These episodes typically last two to three days and can push temperatures above 35°C while filling the air with fine desert dust. Calima events are uncommon in Las Palmas compared to the southern and western Canary Islands, but they do occur a few times each summer. When they pass, the normal trade winds return quickly and temperatures drop back to their comfortable range.
Autumn (September — November): The Warm Ocean Window
Autumn is arguably the most underrated season in Las Palmas. Sea temperatures peak at 23-24°C in September and October, making this the best time of year for ocean swimming, snorkelling, and diving. Air temperatures remain warm at 24-26°C through September before gradually cooling to 22°C by November. The trade winds ease, creating calmer, warmer conditions than midsummer.
Tourist numbers are at their lowest in September and October, which means better hotel rates, less crowded attractions, and a more authentic city experience. This is the season when you are most likely to find yourself the only tourist at the Mercado de Vegueta or sharing Las Canteras Beach with local families rather than international visitors.
November marks the start of the brief rainy season, though "rainy" is a relative term — you might experience a few showers across the month, often arriving in the evening or overnight and clearing by morning. The rains are welcomed by locals as they green up the city's parks and the island's interior. By late November, the winter season begins to build again as northern Europeans start arriving for their long-stay holidays.
Month-by-Month Quick Reference
When to Book for the Best Rates
Hotel prices in Las Palmas follow a predictable pattern. The most expensive period runs from mid-December through February, driven by demand from long-stay winter visitors. Carnival weeks in February or March see the sharpest spikes, with popular beachfront hotels charging premiums of 30-50% above their standard rates. Booking three to four months ahead is advisable for winter stays.
The most affordable periods are May, June, September, and October. These shoulder months combine excellent weather with lower demand, and you can often find four-star beachfront hotels at prices that would barely cover a three-star property in winter. Late deals are common in September and October as hotels adjust rates to fill rooms after the summer peak.
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Our Verdict
If we had to pick a single best time, we would say April or May for the ideal balance of warm weather, affordable prices, manageable crowds, and rising sea temperatures. But the honest answer is that Las Palmas is a genuine year-round destination. The climate barely fluctuates, the city never shuts down, and there is something to recommend every month. The Carnival energy of February, the beach buzz of August, the warm-ocean calm of October — each has its own character, and none will disappoint.
The real question is not when to visit Las Palmas, but how long to stay. Most visitors who come for a week wish they had booked two.
Preguntas Frecuentes
What is the warmest month in Las Palmas?
August and September are the warmest months, with average highs of 26-27°C and sea temperatures around 23-24°C. Atlantic trade winds keep humidity manageable, making these months more comfortable than similar temperatures on the Spanish mainland.
When is Las Palmas Carnival?
Las Palmas Carnival typically runs from late January through early March, with the main events concentrated in February. It is one of the largest carnivals in Spain and features elaborate parades, a famous drag queen gala, and street parties throughout the city.
Can you swim in Las Palmas in winter?
Yes. Sea temperatures around Las Palmas stay between 19°C and 20°C from December to March, which is cool but swimmable. Many visitors swim year-round, especially at Las Canteras Beach where the natural reef La Barra creates a calm, sheltered lagoon.