Lanzarote is the calm choice for a winter in the Canaries: low white houses, volcanic landscapes, dry sunny weather and none of the high-rise resorts you find elsewhere. It suits couples and retirees who want peace, walking and good food, as long as they do not mind a breeze. Here is everything you need to plan a long stay.
Lanzarote in winter at a glance
| Lanzarote in winter | |
|---|---|
| Typical daytime high | About 20-22°C |
| Rain | Low, a few showery days a month |
| Wind | Often breezy, especially on exposed coasts |
| Pace of life | Relaxed and low-rise |
| Best for | Couples, retirees, walkers, cyclists |
Lanzarote is flatter and closer to Africa than the western islands, so it is drier, but the trade winds blow more freely across it.
Best towns for a long stay
- Puerto del Carmen: the most popular base, with a long promenade, beaches and plenty of services.
- Playa Blanca: newer, quieter and sunny, with ferries to Fuerteventura.
- Costa Teguise: calm, good for walking and golf, often windier.
- Arrecife: the capital, with real local life, lower rents and the best bus links.
- Inland villages such as Yaiza or Teguise: beautiful, but you will need a car.
Compare them in our guide to wintering in Lanzarote.
Weather, wind and beach days
Lanzarote has some of the driest winters in Europe. The question is wind: on many days a fresh breeze makes sheltered beaches such as those in Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca far more pleasant than open stretches. Bring a windproof jacket and you will enjoy the island far more. See our Lanzarote winter weather guide.
Finding a monthly rental
The island has strict planning rules and a small rental market, so good winter apartments go early. Look from late summer through mid-term rental sites, local agencies and expat groups, and consider Arrecife if resort prices are too high. Read our rental guides.
What a winter costs
Lanzarote is usually a little cheaper than the busiest parts of Tenerife and Gran Canaria for rent, and eating out in local restaurants is good value. A car adds to the budget if you stay outside the main towns. See our cost of living guides.
Do you need a car?
If you stay in Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca or Arrecife, you can manage with buses and taxis for daily life. To see Timanfaya, the north of the island and the César Manrique sites, hire a car for a week or two. Monthly car hire is often better value than several short rentals.
Healthcare and insurance
The main public hospital is in Arrecife, with health centres in the tourist towns and private clinics that cater for visitors. Use your GHIC for state treatment and carry long-stay travel insurance. More in our health and insurance guides.
Your Lanzarote winter checklist
- Choose a sheltered base if wind bothers you.
- Book accommodation early.
- Plan a week of car hire for exploring.
- Pack a windproof layer.
- Check your 90/180 days and insurance before you fly.