Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, is a city in Gran Canaria, the most populous island in the Spanish Canary Islands situated near the North West coast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean. Las Palmas, founded in 1478, is a co-capital of the Canary Islands, sharing the title with Santa Cruz. With a population of over 300,000 Las Palmas is the largest city in the European Union located outside of the European continent. Excellent weather, history, culture and beaches make Las Palmas a vibrant and popular tourist destination.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has a subtropical climate with mild annual temperatures and mostly dry weather. A study by Syracuse University labeled Las Palmas the city with the best weather in the world due to its warm climate and year-round sunshine. The winter and summer are particularly high seasons for Las Palmas as tourists flock to escape colder and hotter places by visiting this always-pleasant vacation spot.
Winter
During the winter, the average temperature is around 18-19°C, much warmer than mainland Spain at this time of year. Lows can reach down to 15°C while highs may be up to 22°C during the winter months. January is the coldest month, though still warm with an average daily temperature of 18°C. Winters in Las Palmas are also a wetter than the summer, with the rainiest month of December seeing 37mm of rain over 11 days, and an overall 22% chance of rain throughout the month. Though the winter has a bit less sunshine, the sea is still plenty warm to enjoy. The sea temperatures in December are around 21°C, which is excellent for a cool swim. The wind also dies down a bit in the winter, making for perfect sailing and parasailing conditions.
Overall, Las Palmas is one of the warmest, sunniest places in Europe to visit during the winter, turning it into a favorite retreat for many Europeans. Winter is also a fun time to visit because of the festivals. January sees the Parade of the Three Wise Men celebrating Epiphany and giving gifts to children. Shortly after, the Festival of Canarian Music celebrates the islands' musical heritage. Winter is one of the highest travel seasons for Las Palmas, so be prepared for a few more crowds and slightly increased prices around the city.
Spring
During the spring in Las Palmas, sea temperatures drop a bit after a slightly colder winter, though it's still plenty warm for a swim. The average air temperature during April is 20°C, with highs reaching up 24°C and lows down to 16°C during the spring. The wind begins to pick up slightly, making spring a fun time for surfing and sailing. The spring is a slower travel season as many families have children still in school, so it can be a great time for budget-minded travelers to visit, or just those who want to avoid some of the crowds. There are still occasional rainy days in the spring, and those who are planning a mostly outdoor-oriented trip may want to check the forecast up to 25 days ahead. There is a 45% chance of a sunny day in April, and only a 15% chance of a rainy day, so most tourists will find there is plenty of sunshine to enjoy the city. And on the rare rainy afternoon, many may head to the beautiful cathedrals and museums around Las Palmas. The International Film Festival of Las Palmas takes place throughout the city and draws many locals and film buffs during the spring (held in in March), making it a unique time to visit.
Summer
The summer is another busy season for Las Palmas tourists. The weather warms up to an average of 25°C during August, the warmest month of the year. The average low during summer evenings is 19°C while the highs can reach up to 28°C in the afternoon. August is the driest month of the year, with an average of up to one rainy day and 0 mm of rain. There is only a 3% chance of a rainy day during August, so visitors can plan on leaving their umbrellas at home. June and July are the sunniest months of the year, with an average of 11 hours of sunshine during the day, making this a great season to visit if you plan on sunbathing and exploring the outdoors.
The weather during the summer is more similar to mainland Spain, though a bit drier and with the sea wind coming in from the Atlantic to keep things cool. The wind picks up in the summers in Las Palmas. There is a 94-99% chance of a windy day during the summer months, and it may occasionally be too windy for some sports such as parasailing. However, the breeze keeps the weather perfect and with a little planning, it's still possible to enjoy almost every water sport. Summer is a busy time for the island as Las Palmas celebrates San Juan's Day on June 24th, commemorating the founding of the city with pagan and Christian rituals. Many partygoers will jump into the sea at Playa de Las Canteras, which can be a fun tradition for tourists to join in with.
Autumn
During autumn temperatures begin to decrease slightly and the sun starts to set a bit earlier. The average temperature in October is 23°C, with highs reaching up 26°C during the day and lows dropping down to 20°C at night. The fall weather is very similar to the spring but with slightly more rain. This is a slower season for tourism in Las Palmas again, as families head back to school and work. Many travelers may find this to be the perfect time to visit and find lower prices and fewer crowds. Sea temperatures remain warm from the summer heat and the wind begins to drop a bit, so it's an excellent time of year for water sports like surfing and snorkeling. September has the warmest sea temperature of the year, at about 23°C. There are 9 hours of sunshine in October and a 57% chance of a sunny day, which allows visitors plenty of time to enjoy the sand and parks that make Las Palmas beautiful. It's also the perfect weather to enjoy the Fiesta de la Naval in October which commemorates the island's victory over British naval attacks in 1595. The famous Atlantic Rally for Cruisers also takes place with yachts leaving from Las Palmas heading to the Caribbean.