Winter Sun in the Canaries: What Does That Actually Mean?

Warm days, cooler evenings, heated pools and the occasional cardigan. Here's what you actually need to know before booking the Canary Islands for winter.

There's something rather wonderful about sitting beside a swimming pool in January, sunglasses on, cold drink in hand, knowing that back home somebody is scraping ice off their windscreen.

It's one of life's small pleasures. Particularly when you can send them a photograph.

And when it comes to escaping the British winter without spending half your life on an aeroplane, the Canary Islands are understandably popular.

But there's something we need to talk about.

Winter sun doesn't necessarily mean summer weather.

And understanding that little distinction can be the difference between a fabulous January escape and spending seven days wondering why your bikini is accompanied by a cardigan.

So, before we start dreaming about cocktails and sunloungers, let's talk about what winter in the Canaries actually looks like.

First things first. Are the Canary Islands warm in winter?

Generally speaking, yes.

Sitting in the Atlantic Ocean off the northwest coast of Africa, the Canary Islands enjoy a relatively mild climate throughout the year.

During the winter months, daytime temperatures in many coastal resorts often sit somewhere around 19–23°C, although conditions vary depending on the island, location and weather.

And after several months of British drizzle, 21°C and sunshine can feel absolutely glorious.

You can enjoy lunch outdoors, explore without melting into the pavement, sit beside the pool and potentially return home with a little colour.

But here's the important bit.

Twenty-one degrees is not thirty degrees.

A sheltered terrace in the sunshine might feel beautifully warm. The same temperature with a stiff Atlantic breeze can have you reconsidering your outfit choices.

There can be cloudy days. There can be rain. And when the sun disappears, particularly in the evening, you'll probably notice.

That's not a reason to avoid the Canaries in winter.

It's simply a reason to book with realistic expectations.

Four islands. Four very different holidays.

One of the biggest mistakes people make is treating the Canary Islands as though they're interchangeable.

They're not.

And even within the same island, choosing a different resort can completely change your holiday experience.

Tenerife: The all-rounder

Tenerife is probably the most versatile of the four main holiday islands.

You've got lively resorts, beautiful luxury hotels, family-friendly attractions, beaches, dramatic scenery and Mount Teide towering over the whole lot.

But Tenerife also has something particularly important to consider in winter.

The north and south can experience quite different weather.

The north is generally greener, with a greater chance of cloud and rainfall. It's beautiful, characterful and wonderful for exploring, but it might not be the obvious first choice for somebody whose main ambition is lying beside a pool in January.

The south and southwest, including areas around Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos, are generally drier and sunnier.

That doesn't guarantee perfect weather, of course. But if winter sunshine is your priority, it's a sensible place to begin looking.

Photo by Harald Pippert on Pexels

Lanzarote: The stylish volcanic one

Lanzarote looks like somebody decided to build a holiday destination on another planet.

Black volcanic landscapes, whitewashed buildings, beautiful beaches and architecture that works with the surroundings

rather than fighting against them.

It's distinctive, dramatic and absolutely gorgeous.

It's also a fantastic island for people who like to get out and explore rather than spending every waking hour in their hotel.

But Lanzarote can be breezy.

And while that breeze might be very welcome in August, it can feel rather different when you're sitting beside a swimming pool in February.

Choosing a sheltered hotel and the right location can make a real difference.

Photo by Miguel Rivera on Pexels

Gran Canaria: A little bit of everything

Gran Canaria is wonderfully varied.

You've got golden dunes, mountains, bustling resorts, quiet corners, beautiful beaches and some seriously lovely hotels.

Like Tenerife, the island has significant differences between its northern and southern areas.

The southern resorts, including Maspalomas, Meloneras and Puerto Rico, are particularly popular with winter-sun seekers.

Head into the mountains, however, and temperatures can be considerably cooler.

Which is perfectly fine if you're planning a day exploring.

Less ideal if you've packed exclusively for tropical conditions.

Photo by Canary Vista ES on Pexels

Fuerteventura: The beach lover's dream

If your idea of holiday heaven involves miles of beautiful sand and impossibly blue water, Fuerteventura deserves your attention.

The beaches are extraordinary.

It's generally more laid-back, with plenty of space and a wonderful sense of escape.

But there's a reason Fuerteventura is popular with windsurfers and kitesurfers.

It can be windy.

And wind makes a significant difference to how warm a day actually feels.

A sunny 22°C afternoon on a sheltered terrace and a sunny 22°C afternoon on an exposed beach can be two completely different experiences.

Neither is necessarily bad.

But knowing which one you're booking is rather useful.

Photo by Oleg Prachuk on Pexels

Can we please talk about heated swimming pools?

Because this is one of those details that can make or break a winter family holiday.

You find a gorgeous hotel.

The photographs show an enormous swimming pool, beautiful sunloungers and happy people floating around looking suspiciously relaxed.

You book.

You arrive.

The children immediately demand to go swimming.

And the water is approximately the temperature of the North Sea.

Wonderful.

Not every hotel heats its pools in winter.

Some heat all their pools. Some heat only selected pools. Some heat the children's pool. Others don't offer heated outdoor swimming at all.

And even when a pool is advertised as heated, that doesn't automatically mean it'll feel like a warm bath.

The actual water temperature can vary.

So if swimming is an important part of your holiday, particularly with younger children, it's worth checking exactly which pools are heated and during which months.

A beautiful swimming pool is lovely.

A beautiful swimming pool that your family can actually enjoy in January is considerably lovelier.

What about swimming in the sea?

You absolutely can swim in the Atlantic during winter.

Plenty of people do.

But don't expect bathwater.

Sea temperatures are generally cooler than during the summer and early autumn, and whether they're comfortable will depend on your personal tolerance.

Some people will happily swim every day.

Others will put one toe in, make a noise usually associated with stepping on Lego, and retreat to their sunlounger.

Both are perfectly reasonable responses.

If warm-water swimming is an essential part of your holiday, it's worth thinking carefully about your destination and time of year.

Will I be able to sunbathe?

Quite possibly, yes.

There are plenty of lovely winter days in the Canaries when sitting beside the pool in swimwear is entirely realistic.

But I would never promise somebody seven uninterrupted days of blazing sunshine.

Because weather doesn't read holiday brochures.

Clouds happen. Wind happens. Occasionally rain happens.

The trick is understanding that winter sun is about enjoying a generally milder climate and the possibility of lovely sunny days, rather than expecting the conditions you'd find in the height of summer.

And this is where the hotel itself becomes incredibly important.

The hotel matters more than you might think

In summer, a fabulous swimming pool and a decent location might be enough to make a hotel appealing.

In winter, I tend to look a little more closely.

Is the pool area sheltered from the wind?

Are any outdoor pools heated?

Does the hotel have comfortable indoor spaces if the weather isn't cooperating?

Are the restaurants, bars and facilities operating as normal during the winter season?

Is there somewhere pleasant to walk in the evening?

Are there restaurants, cafés and shops nearby?

And perhaps most importantly, is the hotel somewhere you'd still enjoy spending time if the sunshine decided to take an afternoon off?

Because a gorgeous resort with thoughtful facilities can make a slightly cloudy day feel like a lovely part of the holiday.

A hotel chosen purely because the pool looked fabulous in a July photograph might be a different story.

And what happens when the sun goes down?

Ah, yes.

The evening cardigan.

During the day, you might be perfectly comfortable in shorts and a T-shirt.

But once the sun disappears, temperatures can drop and the breeze can feel noticeably cooler.

You might want trousers, a jumper or a light jacket for dinner.

And that's absolutely fine.

Personally, I think there's something quite lovely about enjoying dinner outdoors in January with a light layer on, particularly when the alternative is sitting at home with the heating on full blast.

Just don't pack as though you're heading to Dubai in August.

What should you actually pack?

You don't need two entirely separate wardrobes, but a little variety is sensible.

My winter Canary Islands packing list would include:

• Swimwear, because pool days are very much still on the agenda.
• Shorts, T-shirts and lighter daytime clothes.
• A cardigan, jumper or light jacket for cooler evenings.
• Comfortable shoes for exploring.
• Sun cream, because winter sunshine can still burn.
• Sunglasses, naturally.
• A warmer layer if you're heading into the mountains or visiting Mount Teide.

And if you're travelling with children, I'd definitely include something warm and comfortable to throw on after swimming.

Nobody needs a freezing, furious six-year-old wrapped in a hotel towel while you're trying to negotiate the journey back to the room.

So, who are the Canaries actually brilliant for in winter?

Quite a lot of people, as it happens.

They're a fantastic option if you want to escape the cold, enjoy some outdoor living and have a good chance of pleasant sunshine without travelling long-haul.

They're particularly appealing for families wanting a break during the colder months, couples looking for a relaxing escape and travellers who enjoy sightseeing when temperatures are more comfortable.

They're also lovely if your ideal holiday involves a morning walk, lunch in the sunshine, a little exploring and a glass of something cold overlooking the sea.

But if your idea of winter sun involves guaranteed 30°C heat, tropical sea temperatures and wearing nothing but swimwear from breakfast until midnight, we probably need to have a slightly different destination conversation.

And that's not me trying to talk you out of the Canaries.

Quite the opposite.

I'd much rather find you the right holiday than sell you the wrong expectations.

The real secret to a great winter-sun holiday

It's not simply choosing Tenerife over Lanzarote, or Gran Canaria over Fuerteventura.

It's understanding what you actually want from your holiday.

Do you want to swim every day?

Are you travelling with children?

Would you rather explore than sunbathe?

Does wind bother you?

Do you want restaurants and shops within walking distance?

Is 21°C in the sunshine your idea of absolute heaven, or are you expecting something closer to 30°C?

Because those answers matter far more than whichever island happens to have the prettiest photograph.

The Canary Islands can be absolutely wonderful in winter.

Beautiful hotels, dramatic scenery, lovely beaches, outdoor lunches and that rather smug feeling of escaping the British weather.

Just remember to pack the cardigan.

You probably won't need it at lunchtime.

But you'll be glad you brought it.

Thinking about a winter escape?

At Raia Travel, I don't just look at where you want to go. I look at how you want your holiday to feel.

Tell me who's travelling, when you'd like to go and what your perfect winter break looks like.

We'll find the island, resort and hotel that actually suit you.

Travel simple. Discover more.

Raia Travel | The Travel Edit