December is a good month to escape winter in the Canary Islands: around 22 °C (72 °F) to 23 °C (73 °F) in the afternoon by the sea and 17 °C (63 °F) at night in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and up to 23.7 °C (75 °F) in southern Tenerife. Verdict: ⚠️ mild but with reservations: it is the wettest month in Tenerife and La Palma, the sea is cool for some swimmers, and prices peak over the festive season. The choice of island and slope makes all the difference.
The eastern islands and the south of the mountainous islands remain the driest and sunniest areas. This page covers December in detail; to compare with the rest of the year, see our page on the best time to visit the Canary Islands.
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The Canary Islands in December: key facts
- Verdict: ⚠️ mild, but rain is possible and festive-season prices apply
- Santa Cruz de Tenerife: 22.6 °C (73 °F) in the afternoon, 16.8 °C (62 °F) at night, 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain
- Warmest island: southern Tenerife (23.7 °C (75 °F)), then Gran Canaria (22.3 °C (72 °F))
- Driest islands: Lanzarote and Fuerteventura (21 mm (0.8 in))
- Teide: snow is possible, roads and cable car sometimes closed
- Time difference: in December, the Canary Islands (UTC+0) are on the same time as London (GMT) and 5 hours ahead of New York (EST)
Weather in the Canary Islands in December
At sea level, temperatures vary little from one island to another; rainfall is what makes the difference. The trade winds push clouds against the northern slopes of the mountainous islands, which stay green and often overcast, while the south sides are drier. The table compares the stations on our best time to visit page.
| Station | Max | Rain |
|---|---|---|
| Tenerife South (airport) | 23.7 °C (75 °F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Santa Cruz de Tenerife | 22.6 °C (73 °F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Gran Canaria (airport) | 22.3 °C (72 °F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Lanzarote (airport) | 22 °C (72 °F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Fuerteventura (airport) | 22.1 °C (72 °F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| La Palma (airport) | 21.8 °C (71 °F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
The rain falls on few days: on average about 5 rainy days (at least 1 mm) in December in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and about two to three a month in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. Sunshine is at its lowest of the year (about 178 hours in December in Santa Cruz, WMO 1991-2020 normals), which is still a lot for a winter month in Europe. To compare these winter sun hours with the other Atlantic archipelago, our page Madeira in December covers temperatures and rain.
Teide and the highlands
At altitude, winter is a real winter: at the Izaña observatory (2,371 m (7,779 ft)), the average maximum is only 7.5 °C (46 °F) in January, and snow is not unusual on Teide. Check whether roads and the cable car are open before going up, and bring warm clothes. After the holidays, our page the Canary Islands in January covers temperatures island by island.
Which Canary Island to choose in December
- Southern Tenerife (Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje): the warmest option and one of the most reliable for the beach. The north (Puerto de la Cruz, La Orotava, Anaga) suits sightseeing and hiking better.
- Southern Gran Canaria (Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés): concentrates the sun; Las Palmas, in the north-east, has more often hazy skies.
- Lanzarote and Fuerteventura: the driest islands, with few rainy days and a lot of wind. The winter swell attracts surfers to the north of both islands.
- La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro: the wettest in December (80 mm (3.1 in) in La Palma); better kept for spring.
Things to do in the Canary Islands in December
- Sun and beach in southern Tenerife and Gran Canaria, or in Fuerteventura, with a sea that is cool for some swimmers
- Hiking on low- and mid-altitude trails (Anaga, the Lanzarote coast), keeping an eye on the weather
- Surfing in the north of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, when the swell is strongest (October to March)
- Volcanic landscapes of Lanzarote and Teide National Park, with warm clothes at altitude
- Christmas and New Year in the sun, on a terrace rather than the beach on some days
What to watch for in December
- The Atlantic swell, strong in winter on north-facing coasts: respect the flags on supervised beaches
- AEMET warnings for rain, strong wind or calima (Saharan dust), which can occur all year
- Road closures on Teide when it snows
Crowds and prices in December
December opens the high season for Europeans in search of mild weather. According to our calendar, crowds are heavy and prices high at Christmas. The start of the month is generally quieter. For the Christmas and New Year holidays, book flights and accommodation 3 to 6 months ahead: well-located hotels in the south of the islands fill up quickly.
What to pack for the Canary Islands in December
- Summer clothes for the day and a sweater or jacket for the evening
- A waterproof windbreaker, useful in the north of the islands
- Warm clothes (fleece, hat) for Teide
- Swimwear, sunscreen and sunglasses: the sun is still strong
- Hiking shoes
Before you go
For passport and entry rules, see our entry requirements for the Canary Islands. Time difference: the Canary Islands keep Western European Time (UTC+0) in winter and UTC+1 in summer, so they are on the same time as London all year, and 5 hours ahead of New York in December (UTC−5, EST). Health: UK travellers need a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to get medically necessary state healthcare in Spain, and it is not an alternative to travel insurance (UK FCDO, GOV.UK, updated 12 August 2026); the U.S. State Department encourages U.S. citizens to buy medical evacuation insurance (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025).
If December does not suit you
Neighbouring months: the Canary Islands in November are a little warmer (24 °C (75 °F) by the sea) and cheaper before the festive season. The Canary Islands in February are close to January, with the carnival in some years. For the most visited island, see also Tenerife in December.
Other destinations in December: for more heat, compare with Cape Verde in December, Egypt in December or Dubai in December; to stay in the Atlantic, see the best time to visit Madeira. All our ideas are on the page where to go in December. To choose your island, read our Canary Islands travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in the Canary Islands in December?
Mild: around 22.5 °C (72 °F) in the afternoon and 17 °C (63 °F) at night by the sea in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, according to the AEMET 1991-2020 WMO normals. December is, however, the wettest month in Tenerife and La Palma.
Which Canary Island is the warmest in December?
Southern Tenerife, with about 23.7 °C (75 °F) in the afternoon at Tenerife South airport. Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura follow, at around 22 °C (72 °F).
Can you swim in the Canary Islands in December?
Yes, but the sea is cool for some swimmers and the swell can be strong on north-facing coasts. Choose supervised, sheltered beaches in the south.
Which Canary Island should you choose at Christmas?
Southern Tenerife or Gran Canaria for warmth and the choice of hotels, Lanzarote or Fuerteventura for the driest weather. Book 3 to 6 months ahead.
Does it rain in the Canary Islands in December?
A little: 37 mm (1.5 in) in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 21 mm (0.8 in) in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, but 80 mm (3.1 in) in La Palma. The rain falls on a few days, mostly on north-facing slopes.
Does it snow on Teide in December?
It can: winters are cold at altitude. Check whether roads and the cable car are open before going up, and bring warm clothes.
Our sources
- World Meteorological Organization: 1991-2020 normals for the AEMET stations of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (including sunshine and rainy days) and Tenerife South, NOAA archive; Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET): 1991-2020 normals for the airports of Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura; 1981-2010 normals for La Palma and the Izaña observatory
- Health and insurance information: UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Spain (GOV.UK, updated 12 August 2026), and U.S. Department of State, Spain country information (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025), both read on 26 October 2026
- Time rules: GOV.UK, When do the clocks change; NIST, Daylight Saving Time; EU Directive 2000/84/EC on summer-time arrangements
- Data already published on our page on the best time to visit the Canary Islands
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
