Yes, Playa del Inglés is good for winter sun. From November to March, average daytime highs on this part of Gran Canaria sit around 21–24°C, there are roughly 6 to 7 hours of sunshine a day, and rain falls on only 2 to 5 days a month. The sea stays at about 19–23°C. What changes the day is not rain but wind and, now and then, calima (Saharan dust). This guide explains both, month by month, and what to do when the weather is not on your side.
Quick answer: is Playa del Inglés good for winter sun?
For most people, yes. It is one of the most reliable places in Europe for winter sunshine, and that is why so many northern Europeans spend part of the winter here.
- Sunbathing: possible on most days, even in December and January. Find shelter from the wind and it feels warmer than the thermometer says.
- Swimming: the sea is fresh but swimmable all winter, coolest in February and March.
- Evenings: cooler than you might expect. Average lows drop to about 15–16°C in January and February, so pack a light jacket.
- What can spoil a day: a strong wind on the beach, a grey morning, or a few days of calima haze.
Winter month by month: air, sea, sun and rain
AEMET (Spain's state weather agency) does not publish standard climate values for Playa del Inglés itself. The nearest official station is Gran Canaria Airport, about 25 km up the east coast. Its 1981–2010 averages are below. The south of the island is often a little sunnier and drier than the airport, so treat these as a cautious guide, not a promise.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Sunshine (hours/month) | Rain (mm) | Rainy days (≥1 mm) | Sea (avg, range) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | 24.2°C | 18.1°C | 185 (about 6 h/day) | 22 | 3.9 | 23°C (20–25°C) |
| December | 22.2°C | 16.2°C | 179 (about 6 h/day) | 31 | 4.5 | 22°C (19–23°C) |
| January | 20.8°C | 15.0°C | 184 (about 6 h/day) | 25 | 3.1 | 20°C (18–22°C) |
| February | 21.2°C | 15.0°C | 191 (about 7 h/day) | 24 | 3.0 | 19°C (18–21°C) |
| March | 22.3°C | 15.7°C | 229 (about 7 h/day) | 12 | 2.3 | 19°C (17–21°C) |
Sources: air, sunshine and rain are AEMET standard climate values for Gran Canaria Aeropuerto, 1981–2010 (AEMET). Sea temperatures are the monthly figures for Playa del Inglés on seatemperature.net, based on daily readings from recent years. Checked on 2 November 2026.
There are no wind figures in the table on purpose. AEMET's standard values do not include wind, and we could not find a reliable monthly wind record for Playa del Inglés itself. Instead of inventing one, the next section explains how the wind works here and how to plan around it.
How each month tends to feel:
- November: the warmest winter month, in the air and in the sea. A good pick if you want to swim a lot.
- December: still warm by day, a little more chance of rain, and busy around Christmas and New Year.
- January: the coolest month on average. Sunny days are still the norm, but evenings are fresh.
- February: similar to January in the air, with the coolest sea of the winter. Carnival often falls in February or March.
- March: more sunshine, the least rain, and a sea that is still cool. Often the easiest month for walking and hiking.
Is Playa del Inglés windy in winter?
Sometimes, yes. The prevailing wind in Gran Canaria is the north-east trade wind (the alisio). The island's mountains block part of it, which is why the south coast is drier and sunnier than the north. But the wind still reaches Playa del Inglés, and on the long open beach it can lift the sand and make lying down unpleasant.
In winter the pattern is less regular than in summer. You get calm, warm days, breezy days, and now and then an Atlantic weather system that brings cloud, a shower, or a wind from an unusual direction. Check the forecast to see how long they will last.
Check the forecast in the morning (AEMET or any wind app) and look at two things: speed and direction. Then pick your beach.
Which beach to pick by wind direction
- Light wind: stay local. The beach at Playa del Inglés is about a 2-minute walk from the apartment, and Playa del Veril is about 12 minutes on foot.
- Moderate north-east trade wind: the open stretch of beach and the dunes catch the most wind and blowing sand. The bays further west along the south coast (towards Puerto Rico, Amadores and Mogán) sit in the shelter of the cliffs and are usually calmer. They are a guagua (bus) ride away.
- Strong wind: sand in the eyes is no fun. Use the pool, a terrace out of the wind, or the plan B list below.
- Wind from the south or south-west: this is the unusual winter case. The south coast loses its shelter, waves pick up, and beach days are better swapped for something else. Respect red and yellow flags.
The south-east corner of the island, around Pozo Izquierdo, is famous for being windy, and windsurfers go there on purpose. If you want a calm beach, do not head that way.
What is calima, and what should you do?
Calima is dust from the Sahara carried over the islands by wind from Africa. The sky turns hazy, white or orange, visibility drops, the air feels dry, and sometimes it gets warmer. AEMET describes it as dust that reduces visibility and worsens air quality.
It can happen in any season, including winter. In February 2026, for example, AEMET put the whole archipelago under a yellow warning for dust. Episodes often last a few days. How long one lasts depends on the wind, so check the forecast instead of guessing.
What to do on a calima day:
- Check the warnings on AEMET and the Canary Islands government's alerts. The government can also declare a prealerta for calima.
- Take it easy outdoors if you have asthma, allergies or heart or lung problems. Skip the hard run or the long hike.
- Keep windows closed when the haze is thick, and drink plenty of water.
- Expect hazy photos and a dusty terrace. It does not mean the sun is gone, but the light is flatter.
- Plan indoor time: a long lunch, a museum day in Las Palmas, or a quiet afternoon in the apartment.
Can you sunbathe and swim in December and January?
Sunbathing: yes, on most days. With average highs of about 21–22°C and around 6 hours of sun a day, a sheltered spot feels warm. The sun is stronger than in northern Europe, so use sunscreen even when it feels mild. Bring a layer for when the sun goes behind the cliffs or a cloud.
Swimming: yes, if you do not mind fresh water. The sea is around 22°C in December and 20°C in January, cooling to about 19°C in February and March. Many visitors swim every day. Others prefer a short dip, and surfers and long-distance swimmers often wear a wetsuit late in the winter.
If you want the warmest winter sea, come in November or early December.
Busy or quiet? Winter crowds and prices
Winter is high season in Playa del Inglés. That is the opposite of most of mainland Spain, and it surprises some first-time visitors.
- Busiest times: Christmas, New Year and Carnival. Carnival dates change every year, so check the official programme before you book.
- Calmer weeks: outside the holiday weeks, the resort usually feels more relaxed.
- Prices: flights and accommodation are generally higher in winter than in late spring or autumn, especially over the holidays. We do not quote figures here because they change every season. Compare dates and book early for the peak weeks.
Long winter stays: Wi-Fi, coworking and practicalities
Many people come for a month or more, to work remotely or simply to swap a northern winter for a mild one. A few things make a long stay easier:
- Internet: check the connection before you book. At Los Elefantes, high-speed Wi-Fi is included, and the house page describes it as fast and reliable, suitable for work and streaming.
- Coworking: there are coworking spaces in the south of Gran Canaria, but they open, move and close. Check current options and day passes when you arrive instead of relying on old lists.
- Getting around: the guaguas (buses) of Global connect Playa del Inglés with the rest of the south, the airport and Las Palmas. For our airport guide, see Gran Canaria Airport to Playa del Inglés.
- Shopping: the Yumbo Centre is about 3 minutes on foot from the apartment and the CITA centre about 17 minutes, so daily errands are easy without a car.
- Clothes: summer clothes for the day, a jumper and long trousers for evenings, and a proper jacket if you go up into the mountains, which are much colder than the coast.
- Paperwork: if you stay a long time, check the entry and stay rules for your passport. These depend on your nationality, so check the official sources for your case.
A self-catering apartment with a kitchen and a terrace makes a long stay feel more like home than a hotel room. Our apartment has a fully equipped kitchen, air conditioning, a private terrace, a pool and a garden.
Windy-day plan B: a checklist
Keep this list for the day the beach is not working:
- Move west: take the guagua to a sheltered bay further along the south coast.
- Use the pool or terrace: out of the wind, the sun is often still warm.
- Go to town: spend the day in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, with its old quarter of Vegueta and the Las Canteras promenade. The north has its own weather, so check the forecast there too.
- Shop and eat: the Yumbo Centre is about 3 minutes away and CITA about 17 minutes on foot.
- Walk instead of lie down: a walk along the promenade can be pleasant on a windy day when lying on the sand is not. Avoid the open dunes when the sand is blowing.
- Head inland: the villages in the interior are a change of scene, but colder. Take a layer.
- Rest: a slow morning, a long breakfast on the terrace, and check the forecast again before you try the beach in the afternoon.
FAQ
Is Playa del Inglés windy in January?
It can be. The north-east trade wind and the occasional Atlantic weather system bring breezy days in January. Check the forecast each morning, and on windy days choose a sheltered bay further west or use the pool.
Is Gran Canaria warm in December?
Yes, by European winter standards. AEMET's averages for Gran Canaria Airport give December highs of about 22°C and lows of about 16°C, with around 6 hours of sunshine a day. The south coast is often a little sunnier than the airport.
Can you sunbathe in Gran Canaria in December?
Yes, on most days. Choose a spot out of the wind, use sunscreen because the sun is strong, and bring a layer for the late afternoon.
What is the sea temperature in Playa del Inglés in winter?
About 23°C in November, 22°C in December, 20°C in January and 19°C in February and March, based on recent years. It is fresh but swimmable.
How long does calima last in Gran Canaria?
Often a few days, but it depends on the wind. Check AEMET warnings and the Canary Islands government's alerts for the current episode instead of relying on a fixed rule.
What is the best winter month to visit Gran Canaria?
November if you want the warmest sea. March if you want the most sunshine and the least rain. January and February are the coolest months but are still mild and sunny on most days.
Is Playa del Inglés good for a long winter stay?
Yes, if you choose accommodation with a kitchen, good Wi-Fi and easy access to shops and buses. Book the Christmas, New Year and Carnival weeks early.
Plan your winter in Playa del Inglés
Winter in Playa del Inglés is mostly sun, a fresh sea and long, mild days. Plan for the wind and the odd calima day, and you will enjoy it.
If you want a base about 2 minutes from the beach and 3 minutes from the Yumbo Centre, see the apartment or check availability for your dates.