August is Lanzarote’s busiest, hottest and most expensive month. For a significant portion of the travelling public — particularly UK families tied to school holidays — it is simply when they can go, and that is a perfectly valid reason to book. But going in with clear expectations makes a real difference. August on this volcanic Atlantic island is not the same as August in Mallorca or the Algarve, and understanding what makes it distinct will help you plan a more enjoyable trip.
The short version: you will get almost guaranteed sunshine, warm sea temperatures, a lively resort atmosphere, and access to some of the finest volcanic scenery in Europe. You will also face stronger winds than most months, higher prices, and busier beaches. None of those things are dealbreakers, but they are worth knowing before you arrive. For a complete picture of everything the island offers across the year, our post “Lanzarote – An Ultimate Travel Guide” is the place to start.
Lanzarote in August
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Table of Contents
What the Weather Is Really Like in Lanzarote in August
Lanzarote in August is reliably warm and reliably sunny. Daytime temperatures typically reach 28–29°C, and during calima events — episodes when warm, dusty air blows in from the Sahara — it can push above 30°C. Evenings stay mild at around 20–22°C, so light clothing works well after dark. Rain is extremely unlikely. You can leave the waterproofs at home entirely.
What catches many first-time visitors off guard is not the heat but the wind. August sits at the peak of Lanzarote’s trade wind season. These northeast winds, known locally as the alisios, blow consistently at 20–30 km/h across much of the island, with occasional stronger gusts. Because Lanzarote is relatively flat compared to other Canary Islands, there are no tall mountains to block or deflect them. The result is a persistent breeze that runs across exposed beaches and coastal roads throughout much of the month.
This wind is a double-edged thing. On a 29°C afternoon, a cooling breeze is genuinely welcome. On a day when you want to lie on a beach without sand in your face and your towel lifting off the ground, it is less appreciated. The key is choosing sheltered beaches — more on that below — and accepting that some days will be noticeably gustier than others.
Sea temperatures in August sit around 21–22°C, which is warm enough for comfortable swimming and snorkelling without a wetsuit. This is not the warmest the Atlantic gets around Lanzarote — September and October nudge slightly higher — but it is very swimmable, and for most people arriving from a British summer, it will feel excellent.
Lanzarote in August
Crowds, Prices and What to Expect in the Resorts
Lanzarote in August is peak season in every sense. Flights from UK airports are at their highest prices of the year, hotel and apartment rates follow suit, and the main resort areas — particularly Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca — operate at full capacity. This is school-holiday season for the UK, Germany, Spain and much of northern Europe, and Lanzarote absorbs that demand visibly.
What this means practically: book everything early. Leave your flights and accommodation until June or July and you will pay a significant premium, if you find availability at all. Restaurants in popular areas fill quickly in the evenings, so arriving early or booking ahead is sensible for anywhere you particularly want to try. Popular attractions like Timanfaya National Park and the César Manrique sites will be busier than at any other time of year.
None of this makes August a bad time to visit. It means the island has a buzz and energy that quieter months lack. The resort strip in Puerto del Carmen is lively without tipping into chaotic. Evenings have a genuine holiday atmosphere — bars are open, restaurants are full, and the seafront promenade is busy with people strolling after dinner. For travellers who like that ambience, Lanzarote in August delivers it consistently.
Lanzarote in August
Best Beaches for August
Choosing the right beach matters more in August than in any other month, because the trade winds hit exposed, north-facing and west-facing shores hard. Knowing where to go keeps the experience enjoyable.
Papagayo beaches are the standout choice for August. This cluster of south-facing coves near Playa Blanca offers natural shelter from the prevailing northeasterly winds. The sandy pockets are tucked between volcanic headlands, the water is clear and calm relative to more exposed stretches, and the scenery is among the best on the island. The access road is rough, and a small fee applies, but it is worth the effort. These are some of the most reliably pleasant beaches on the island regardless of season, and in August their sheltered orientation makes them especially valuable.
Playa Grande in Puerto del Carmen is the most convenient resort beach and handles wind reasonably well thanks to its southeast-facing aspect. It is wide, well-serviced and backed by the resort strip, which makes it easy to combine a beach morning with lunch and an afternoon exploring.
Famara Beach on the northwest coast is dramatic and beautiful but not really a swimming beach in August. The wind is strongest here, the Atlantic swell is significant, and currents can be strong. Surfers will love it — several surf schools operate year-round — but families and casual swimmers should look elsewhere.
For something quieter, the natural rock pools at Charcones near Playa Blanca offer a rewarding coastal walk and a more sheltered experience, though the volcanic terrain underfoot requires proper footwear.
Lanzarote in August
Things to Do in Lanzarote in August
Despite the heat and wind, August is a genuinely good month for exploring the island — you just need to time activities sensibly. Early mornings are the best slot for anything outdoors before the sun and wind both intensify.
Timanfaya National Park is a must, but visit before 10am if you can. The volcanic landscape is extraordinary — rust-red and ochre hills, black lava fields, barely a plant in sight — and the geothermal demonstrations at the Islote de Hilario visitor centre are fascinating. Midday in August turns the experience from enjoyable to draining fairly quickly, so beat the heat and the car park queues by going early.
César Manrique’s landmarks are best tackled across two or three days rather than rushed into one. Jameos del Agua, built into a volcanic cave and home to a tiny blind albino crab found nowhere else on Earth, is cool and atmospheric — literally, the cave temperature is stable and comfortable even in August. The Fundación César Manrique, the artist’s former home built into volcanic bubbles, is one of the finest art-and-architecture experiences in Spain. Jardín de Cactus and Mirador del Río complete the major sites.
Kitesurfing and windsurfing at Costa Teguise are at their peak in Lanzarote in August. The trade winds that make beach lounging harder make watersports conditions exceptional. Playa de las Cucharas is the hub, with hire and lessons available for all levels.
Museo Atlántico, the underwater sculpture park off Playa Blanca, is one of Lanzarote’s most unusual experiences and is particularly good in August when sea visibility is high. Diving and snorkelling tours operate daily, and the experience of drifting through submerged sculptures colonised by marine life is genuinely unlike anything else in Europe.
La Geria wine region is worth a half-day drive in August. The harvest begins during August and September, and visiting the bodegas during this period adds a seasonal layer to what is already one of the most striking agricultural landscapes imaginable — vines planted in volcanic ash pits, each protected by low stone walls against the very winds that define August life on the island. For official context on the broader Canary Islands wine and culture scene, Visit Canary Islands has useful background information.
A note on La Graciosa: the small island off Lanzarote’s northern tip is a wonderful day trip in calmer months, but August winds can make the ferry crossing choppy and the beaches less sheltered. It is still doable, but check conditions before booking and prepare for a livelier boat ride than the brochures suggest.
Lanzarote in August
Eating, Drinking and Evenings Out
August evenings in the main resorts have real energy. Puerto del Carmen’s Avenida de las Playas is lined with restaurants and bars that fill up from around 7pm onwards, and the atmosphere is warm and relaxed rather than rowdy. The old town harbour area of Puerto del Carmen consistently offers better food than the main strip and is worth seeking out.
Papas arrugadas — wrinkled salted potatoes with mojo sauces — appear on almost every menu and are the best introduction to Canarian cooking. Fresh fish is excellent, particularly at El Golfo, a small fishing village on the west coast beside a vivid green volcanic lagoon. The fish restaurants here are some of the finest on the island, and the setting is extraordinary.
Yaiza village has several well-regarded restaurants in a calmer setting than the coastal resorts, and is worth considering if you have a hire car and want an evening away from the bustle. Local Malvasia wine from La Geria pairs beautifully with almost everything on a Canarian menu and is priced very reasonably in restaurants compared to what you would pay for imported wine of equivalent quality.
Evenings cool pleasantly to around 20–22°C, making outdoor dining comfortable well into the night. Most restaurants do not fill up until 8pm or later, following Spanish dining customs, so arriving at 6:30pm will often get you a table without a wait even at popular spots.
Lanzarote in August
Tips for Surviving and Enjoying August in Lanzarote
A few practical observations that make a real difference in August specifically:
Start early, rest at midday. The classic Mediterranean rhythm works perfectly here. Be at Timanfaya by 9am, explore La Geria before noon, then retreat to the pool or a shaded café between 1pm and 4pm. Resume activity in the late afternoon when the light is golden and the temperature has dropped a degree or two.
Choose your beach direction carefully. South-facing beaches shelter from the trade winds. North and west-facing beaches take the full force. A five-minute check of a beach’s orientation before you drive there saves frustration.
Pack layers for evenings but not much else. A light cardigan or thin jacket is useful after 10pm in open-air settings. Beyond that, summer clothing is all you need.
Book hire cars well in advance. August availability at Lanzarote Airport is tight, and prices spike sharply for late bookings. A car genuinely opens the island up — public transport covers the basics but misses key areas like Papagayo and La Geria.
Lanzarote in August means sunscreen and sun protection are non-negotiable. The UV index in August is high, and the trade wind creates a cooling illusion — it is easy to underestimate how much sun exposure you are getting because you do not feel hot. Burns happen quickly. Factor 50 for children, factor 30 minimum for adults, reapplied regularly.
Accept the wind as part of the experience. Travellers who fight the August wind spend a lot of energy being frustrated. Those who lean into it — choosing water sports, finding sheltered coves, eating lunch with a sea view — tend to enjoy the month for exactly what it is.
Lanzarote in August
Is August the Right Month for You?
Lanzarote in August suits some travellers well and genuinely does not suit others. Being honest about which camp you fall into before you book saves a lot of disappointment.
August works well if you:
- Are tied to school holidays and need a reliable summer destination
- Enjoy lively resorts and a busy holiday atmosphere
- Want to combine beach time with active pursuits like kitesurfing, diving or cycling
- Do not mind paying peak prices for the security of guaranteed sunshine
- Have children who enjoy the water, sand and resort entertainment
August may not be the best choice if you:
- Prefer a quiet, relaxed holiday with uncrowded beaches
- Are sensitive to wind or find it significantly affects your enjoyment
- Are on a tighter budget and want better value for money
- Want to do extensive hiking — heat limits this considerably in August
If you have flexibility on timing, it is worth reading through Best Time to Visit Lanzarote to compare August against the shoulder months. October and November, in particular, offer very similar temperatures with noticeably less wind, smaller crowds and lower prices. April and May are excellent for walkers and those who prefer a quieter island. But if August is your window, Lanzarote remains one of the most dependable summer destinations available from the UK, and thousands of visitors have a genuinely excellent time every year.
Lanzarote in August
Frequently Asked Questions
Is August a good time to visit Lanzarote?
August is a perfectly good time to visit if you go in with realistic expectations. You will get almost guaranteed sunshine, warm sea temperatures and a lively resort atmosphere. The trade-offs are stronger winds than most other months, peak-season crowds and the highest prices of the year. For travellers with school-age children or fixed holiday windows, it remains one of the most reliable summer destinations available from the UK.
How hot does Lanzarote get in August?
Typical daytime highs in August are 28–29°C. During calima events — periods of warm, dusty air blowing in from the Sahara — temperatures can push above 30°C. Evenings are mild at around 20–22°C. Sunshine hours are consistently high, and rainfall is extremely rare.
Is it too windy in Lanzarote in August?
August is the windiest month of the year in Lanzarote, with trade winds typically blowing at 20–30 km/h across much of the island. Whether this constitutes “too windy” depends on personal preference. Sheltered beaches like the Papagayo coves near Playa Blanca are significantly more comfortable than exposed north and west-facing shores. The wind is also what makes conditions ideal for kitesurfing and windsurfing at Costa Teguise. Most visitors adapt to it without major difficulty.
What are the best beaches in Lanzarote in August?
The Papagayo beaches near Playa Blanca are the best choice in August because their south-facing aspect provides natural shelter from the trade winds. Playa Grande in Puerto del Carmen is the most convenient resort beach and handles the wind reasonably well. Famara Beach is beautiful but exposed — best left to surfers in August rather than families or casual swimmers.
How busy is Lanzarote in August?
August is the busiest month of the year in Lanzarote. It coincides with school holidays across the UK, Germany, Spain and much of northern Europe, and the main resorts operate at or near full capacity. Popular attractions like Timanfaya National Park are noticeably busier, restaurants fill up in the evenings, and flight and accommodation prices are at their highest. Booking well in advance — ideally several months ahead — is strongly recommended.
Is Lanzarote in August good for families?
Yes, Lanzarote is a solid family destination in August. Playa Blanca is particularly well-suited to families, with calmer beaches, a pleasant promenade and easy access to the Papagayo coves. Puerto del Carmen also works well for families who want more going on in the evenings. The reliable sunshine, warm sea, and range of water activities make it appealing for children of most ages. Practical considerations — early beach starts to avoid the heat, careful sunscreen use, and choosing sheltered beaches — make a genuine difference to the experience.
