Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria – What you should know

Gran Canaria is often called a "continent in miniature" — and that holds true for its climate too. The southern half of the island is desert-like, dry and hot, with long sandy beaches like the Maspalomas dunes. The north is greener, cooler and receives more rain through the trade wind.

The year-round mild climate makes Gran Canaria an ideal winter escape: from November to February the south coast sees daytime temperatures typically of 20–22°C. The Atlantic water, averaging 19–20°C, is cool but still pleasant for seasoned swimmers. This is exactly why northern Europeans flock to the island during the German winter.

Summer on Gran Canaria is milder than on the Spanish mainland — average highs sit between 25°C and 27°C, as the cool Canary Current prevents extreme heat. Only the Calima, a hot Saharan wind, can temporarily push temperatures up significantly and fill the air with dust.