Weather in Lanzarote in December

How December compares

December is the 9th warmest month of the year in Lanzarote and ranks 55th of 134 destinations we compare for December - see where else is hot in December. Within Spain it is 20th of 87 (Spain in December). Against London's average high of 7.7°C in December, Lanzarote is 11.9°C warmer by day and 14.2°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in December

The typical December day in Lanzarote peaks at 19.6°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 21.2°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 16.9°C; one night in ten drops to 14.9°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest December day here reached 23.9°C (2010-12-05) and the coldest night 11.9°C (2017-12-23).

Rain in December

Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 4 days with 1 mm or more, 19 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest December was 2004 with 69 mm, the driest 2011 with 0 mm. Humidity averages 71%.

Sea temperature in December

The sea averages 19.9°C - bracing (18-22°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 19.3°C to 20.5°C. For the warmest sea here, come in September (22.9°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 5.5 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 10.2 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:41 and sets about 17:59 local time in mid-December. Average cloud cover is 45%.

Is December a good time to visit Lanzarote?

It is a reasonable choice: mild days. The best months for Lanzarote on our scoring are August, September, July.

Comfortable days, with layers for later

December suits travellers who prefer being outside in mild temperatures to lying in strong heat. A light top may be comfortable during warmer daytime spells, but keep a jumper or light jacket handy for cooler periods and evenings. The warmest days reach 21.2°C or more, while the coldest nights can fall to 14.9°C or below. There is little reason to plan around avoiding intense midday heat: days reaching 25°C account for 0% of the month. If your main aim is to feel properly hot, December is a compromise; if you want comfortable conditions for walking and relaxing outdoors, it makes more sense.

Useful sunshine, but keep plans flexible

Expect a mix rather than uninterrupted sunshine. December has about 5.5 hours of sunshine a day within 10.2 hours of daylight, so there is useful time outdoors, but you should not assume every daylight hour will be sunny. About 4 rainy days means rain is a consideration rather than a reason to rule the month out. Pack a light waterproof and leave room to rearrange outdoor plans if a wet spell arrives. Make the most of brighter periods instead of saving everything for late in the day. This is a better fit for flexible travellers than for anyone whose holiday depends on daily sunbathing.

The sea is for a bracing dip

At an average of 19.9°C, the sea is bracing rather than comfortably warm. Its year-to-year range of 19°C to 20°C gives little reason to expect a warm-water holiday, even if the air feels pleasant in sunshine. Swimming may appeal if you already enjoy cooler water, but do not make long, leisurely swims the deciding reason to book. Bring something dry and warm to put on afterwards, and treat beach time as weather-dependent. December works better if swimming is optional and you are happy to spend time by the water without getting in. Travellers who prioritise warm seas should be cautious about choosing it.